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In an interview with Good Morning America's Michael Strahan this week, Apple's CEO Tim Cook said he is "not a political person." Strahan said Cook has been criticized over his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. He noted that Cook attended Trump's second inauguration last year, gifted Trump a piece of glass with a 24-karat gold base, and went to a private screening of a Melania Trump documentary at the White House earlier this year. Cook reportedly also personally donated $1 million to Trump's second inauguration fund. Cook responded with a diplomatic answer. "I interact on policy, not politics," said Cook. "I'm not a political person on either side," he added. "I'm not political. And so I'm kind of straight down the middle and I focus on policy. And so, I'm very pleased that the President and the administration is accessible to talk about policy." However, not everyone thinks politics and policy can be separated. For example, Apple commentator John Gruber said Cook's response "makes sense only if you believe government policy decisions aren't political — which is to say it makes no sense." Others have argued that Cook is fulfilling his fiduciary responsibility by ensuring that Apple is in good standing with the U.S. government. The topic continues to provoke strong opinions. As a whole, Apple's corporate values are generally considered to be progressive, particularly with respect to social and environmental matters.Tags: Donald Trump, Tim Cook This article, "Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'I'm Not a Political Person'" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon's Alexa+ AI assistant is rolling out to all Amazon customers in the United Kingdom beginning today as part of an early access program. The U.K. is the first European country to get the upgraded assistant, which is already available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Amazon has been testing Alexa+ since February 2025, and says it offers a smarter, more personalized, and more proactive assistant experience. The company says Alexa+ is much more capable than the prior version of Alexa, thanks to its updated architecture that uses large language models from Amazon Nova and Anthropic. Alexa+ can do things like order takeaway, make restaurant reservations, book rides, and schedule home repairs. It can also control smart home products and answer questions similar to other chatbots. It works with Amazon services, and can integrate with hardware like Ring cameras. U.K. launch partners include OpenTable, with JustEat and Treatwell coming soon. Amazon says the update should feel "genuinely British." For example, it knows what a "cuppa" is, will understand what you mean when you say you are "knackered," and knows that "it's nippy" means it's chilly outside. It may even drop "you're taking the mickey" or "Bob's your uncle" into conversation, says Amazon. Local teams including engineers, linguists, and speech scientists at Amazon's tech hub in Cambridge are said to have worked on the British localization. Customers who purchase a new eligible Echo device in the U.K. will be granted Early Access, while customers who already have a compatible device can register to receive an invite. Alexa+ works on the majority of Echo devices, compatible Fire TV devices, and the Alexa app, with web browser support coming soon. The service is available at no additional cost during the early access period, though Amazon hasn't said how long it will last. Whenever it does end, Alexa+ will cost £19.99 per month, or come free with an Amazon Prime membership.Tags: Alexa, Amazon, United Kingdom This article, "Amazon's Alexa+ Arrives in the UK, Free During Early Access" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The AppleCare One trademark was today registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), suggesting Apple's subscription for customers to cover multiple devices with a single plan could soon be expanding outside the United States. Apple launched AppleCare One in the U.S. in July 2025. The plan starts at $19.99 per month and covers up to three products, with additional devices available for $5.99 per month each. It includes all the same benefits as AppleCare+, such as unlimited accident repairs, priority support, and battery coverage. One of the plan's more notable perks is its flexibility: Subscribers can move devices in and out of coverage at any time, and products up to four years old can be added to the plan as long as they're in good condition. That's a significant expansion over the usual 60-day window to purchase AppleCare+. When a covered device is traded in through Apple, it's automatically swapped out for the new one. AppleCare One also brought theft and loss protection to the iPad and Apple Watch for the first time. Previously, coverage was limited to the iPhone. Apple says pricing is flat regardless of which products are enrolled, and a customer covering an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch could save up to $11 per month compared to buying separate AppleCare+ plans for each device, according to the company's own math. Whether the same savings will apply in other countries remains to be seen. On its own, the EUIPO filing isn't confirmation of a launch date for EU markets, but trademark registrations of the sort have typically preceded expanded rollouts of Apple services. The EUIPO says the trademark application has been accepted and has now been assigned to an examiner. Watch this space.Tags: AppleCare, AppleCare One, European Union This article, "AppleCare One Subscription Could Soon Launch in EU Markets" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The transition from a technical individual contributor to a leadership role in the reliability domain is one of the most significant shifts an engineer can make. The Certified Site Reliability Manager is a professional designation designed for those who want to bridge the gap between deep technical SRE practices and strategic engineering management. This guide is crafted for professionals looking to master the art of managing reliability at scale, providing a roadmap to navigate the complexities of modern platform engineering. By understanding the core tenets of this certification, you can make informed decisions about your career trajectory within the DevOps and cloud-native ecosystems. This curriculum, hosted at SREschool, serves as a cornerstone for those aiming to lead high-performance teams in an increasingly automated world. What is the Certified Site Reliability Manager? The Certified Site Reliability Manager represents a shift from “doing” SRE to “leading” SRE. It is a credential that validates a professional’s ability to manage the operational health of complex, distributed systems while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Unlike purely technical certifications that focus on tool-specific syntax, this program emphasizes the management of Service Level Objectives (SLOs), error budgets, and the human elements of incident response. It exists to fill the void in the industry for leaders who understand that reliability is a product feature, not an afterthought. The focus is strictly production-oriented, moving beyond theoretical frameworks to address real-world challenges like team burnout, technical debt management, and the economics of uptime. It aligns perfectly with modern enterprise practices where platform engineering and SRE are central to the digital business strategy. Who Should Pursue Certified Site Reliability Manager? This certification is tailored for mid-to-senior level professionals who are either currently in leadership roles or looking to move into them. Engineering Managers who oversee DevOps or SRE teams will find the framework invaluable for setting team goals that align with business outcomes. Senior SREs and Lead Systems Engineers who are transitioning into “Staff” or “Principal” roles will benefit from the strategic oversight skills taught throughout the course. Furthermore, Cloud Architects and Security Leads who need to integrate reliability into their broader technical roadmaps will find the structured approach highly relevant. In the context of the global market, including the rapidly evolving tech landscape in India, there is a massive demand for leaders who can handle the pressures of hyper-scale environments. It is equally beneficial for beginners in management who want a solid foundation in reliability-first leadership principles. Why Certified Site Reliability Manager is Valuable and Beyond The demand for reliability leadership is growing as organizations move away from traditional “ops” silos toward integrated platform teams. The Certified Site Reliability Manager helps professionals stay relevant because it focuses on principles—such as blameless culture and data-driven decision making—that persist regardless of which cloud provider or orchestration tool is currently in fashion. It provides a long-term hedge against the rapid churn of the technology sector. Enterprises are increasingly adopting SRE not just as a set of tools, but as an organizational philosophy. Holding this certification signals to employers that you possess the maturity to manage risk, balance innovation with stability, and lead teams through high-pressure outages. The return on investment is seen in faster career progression, better alignment with business stakeholders, and the ability to command higher compensation in a competitive market. Certified Site Reliability Manager Certification Overview The Certified Site Reliability Manager program is a comprehensive educational track delivered via the official portal at Site Reliability Manager and hosted on the SREschool.com platform. The program is structured to provide a clear progression from foundational management concepts to advanced organizational strategy. It utilizes a combination of practical assessments, case studies, and objective examinations to ensure that candidates don’t just memorize definitions but understand how to apply them in a live production environment. Ownership of the certification lies with an industry-led body that updates the curriculum regularly to reflect changes in how modern enterprises handle reliability. The assessment approach is designed to be rigorous, testing a candidate’s ability to make difficult trade-offs between feature velocity and system stability. The structure is practical, focusing on the day-to-day realities of managing an engineering organization that prioritizes uptime and performance. Certified Site Reliability Manager Certification Tracks & Levels The certification is divided into three distinct levels to cater to different stages of professional growth. The Foundation level introduces the core vocabulary and principles of SRE management, making it ideal for those new to the lead role. The Professional level dives deeper into the tactical aspects of managing teams, handling large-scale incidents, and optimizing error budgets across multiple services. The Advanced level is reserved for those who are operating at a directorial or executive level, focusing on organizational design and multi-year reliability roadmaps. There are also specialization tracks that allow managers to align their reliability expertise with other domains like FinOps for cost-effective reliability or DevSecOps for secure operations. This tiered approach ensures that as your career progresses, your certification can evolve alongside your responsibilities. Complete Certified Site Reliability Manager Certification Table TrackLevelWho it’s forPrerequisitesSkills CoveredRecommended OrderCore ManagementFoundationAspiring LeadsBasic DevOps knowledgeSLO Basics, Blameless Culture, ToilFirstTactical LeadershipProfessionalEngineering Managers2+ years SRE experienceIncident Command, Budgeting, HiringSecondStrategic OversightAdvancedDirectors/VP EngProfessional Level CertOrg Design, Reliability EconomicsThirdFinOps IntegratedSpecializationPlatform LeadsFoundation LevelCost-Reliability Trade-offsOptional After FoundationSecurity OperationsSpecializationDevSecOps ManagersFoundation LevelSecurity SLOs, Vulnerability ManagementOptional After Foundation Detailed Guide for Each Certified Site Reliability Manager Certification What it is This certification validates a professional’s understanding of the fundamental building blocks of SRE management. It covers the basic terminology, the philosophy of “operations as a software problem,” and the importance of data-driven reliability. Who should take it This is suitable for Senior Engineers looking to move into management, new Engineering Managers, or Project Managers working within a technical DevOps environment. It is designed for those with 0-2 years of management experience. Skills you’ll gain Understanding the SRE management vocabulary. Ability to define and differentiate between SLIs, SLOs, and SLAs. Knowledge of how to identify and reduce operational toil. Implementing a blameless post-mortem culture within a small team. Real-world projects you should be able to do Draft an initial SLO document for a microservice. Conduct a basic blameless post-mortem after a minor outage. Calculate the toil percentage of a team’s weekly workload. Preparation plan 7-14 days: Review the official study guide and focus on the core definitions of SRE. 30 days: Read “The Site Reliability Workbook” and take two practice exams to identify knowledge gaps. 60 days: Engage in community forums and apply the SLO principles to a mock project. Common mistakes Focusing too much on specific tools (like Kubernetes) rather than management principles. Confusing SLAs (business contracts) with SLOs (internal reliability targets). Underestimating the cultural shift required for blamelessness. Best next certification after this Same-track option: Certified Site Reliability Manager – Professional Cross-track option: Certified SRE Professional Leadership option: Certified Platform Manager Choose Your Learning Path DevOps Path This path is for those who want to integrate reliability management into the traditional CI/CD pipeline. It focuses on how managers can ensure that speed does not compromise stability during the delivery process. Professionals here learn to build guardrails that allow developers to move fast while maintaining high reliability standards. DevSecOps Path The DevSecOps path emphasizes the intersection of security and reliability management. It teaches managers how to handle security incidents with the same rigor as operational outages and how to build “secure-by-default” systems. This is critical for leaders who operate in highly regulated industries like finance or healthcare. SRE Path The core SRE path is the most direct route for those focused solely on the health of production systems. It dives deep into the metrics, culture, and automation strategies that define the SRE role. This path is ideal for those who want to become the definitive authority on uptime within their organization. AIOps Path The AIOps path focuses on using artificial intelligence and machine learning to manage reliability at a scale that humans cannot handle manually. Managers in this track learn how to implement predictive analytics for incident prevention and automated anomaly detection. It is the frontier of modern reliability management. MLOps Path The MLOps path is specialized for those managing the reliability of machine learning models in production. It addresses unique challenges like data drift, model decay, and the infrastructure required to support large-scale AI workloads. This is essential for organizations where AI is a core part of the product offering. DataOps Path DataOps focuses on the reliability of data pipelines and the integrity of data at rest and in transit. Managers on this path learn how to apply SRE principles to data engineering, ensuring that data is available, accurate, and timely. This is a vital role as businesses become more data-driven. FinOps Path The FinOps path teaches managers how to balance the cost of cloud infrastructure with the required level of reliability. It focuses on the economics of the cloud, helping leaders make informed decisions about when to spend more for better uptime and when to optimize for cost. Role → Recommended Certified Site Reliability Manager Certifications RoleRecommended CertificationsDevOps EngineerCSRM Foundation, Certified DevOps ProfessionalSRECSRM Foundation, CSRM Professional, Certified SRE ProfessionalPlatform EngineerCSRM Professional, Certified Platform ManagerCloud EngineerCSRM Foundation, Cloud Architect ProfessionalSecurity EngineerCSRM Foundation, DevSecOps ManagerData EngineerCSRM Foundation, DataOps SpecialistFinOps PractitionerCSRM Foundation, Certified FinOps ProfessionalEngineering ManagerCSRM Foundation, CSRM Professional, CSRM Advanced Next Certifications to Take After Certified Site Reliability Manager Same Track Progression Deepening your specialization within the SRE management framework involves moving from Foundation to Advanced levels. This ensures a logical growth from tactical team leading to strategic organizational oversight. Professionals may also look for specific vendor-neutral certifications that focus on the architectural side of reliability to complement their management skills. Cross-Track Expansion Broadening your skills often means looking toward adjacent fields like FinOps or DevSecOps. A Certified Site Reliability Manager who understands the financial implications of reliability (FinOps) or the security aspects of uptime (DevSecOps) is much more valuable to a modern enterprise. This cross-pollination of skills allows you to sit at the intersection of multiple business units. Leadership & Management Track For those looking to transition fully into executive leadership, the next steps include certifications in General Management, CTO-level training, or specialized leadership programs. These courses move away from technical implementation entirely and focus on business strategy, human resources, and board-level communication. Training & Certification Support Providers for Certified Site Reliability Manager DevOpsSchool DevOpsSchool provides a robust ecosystem for professionals looking to master the intricacies of site reliability management. They offer a blend of instructor-led training and self-paced modules that are designed to meet the needs of working engineers. Their curriculum is frequently updated to reflect the latest industry trends, ensuring that students are learning skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace. With a strong presence in the global market, they provide a community-driven approach to learning that helps candidates prepare for the rigors of the certification exam. Cotocus Cotocus is known for its highly practical and lab-oriented training programs that focus on the “how-to” of engineering management. They provide specialized coaching for the Certified Site Reliability Manager, emphasizing the tactical aspects of leading technical teams. Their training sessions often involve real-world simulations of incident response and SLO planning, giving students hands-on experience before they even sit for the exam. This focus on experiential learning makes them a preferred choice for professionals who want to gain deep technical competency alongside their management credentials. Scmgalaxy Scmgalaxy serves as a comprehensive resource hub and training provider for the broader DevOps and SRE community. They offer extensive documentation, community forums, and structured training programs that support the Certified Site Reliability Manager track. Their approach is focused on building a strong foundational understanding of software configuration management and its relationship to reliability. For candidates who prefer a resource-heavy learning environment with access to a vast library of technical content, Scmgalaxy provides the necessary tools to succeed in the certification process. BestDevOps BestDevOps focuses on delivering high-quality, boutique-style training for senior engineering professionals. Their courses for the Certified Site Reliability Manager are often led by industry veterans who bring decades of experience to the table. This provider is particularly effective for those looking for mentorship-style learning where they can discuss complex organizational challenges with experts. Their curriculum is streamlined to focus on the most impactful aspects of reliability leadership, making it an efficient choice for busy professionals who need to maximize their study time. devsecopsschool.com As the name suggests, devsecopsschool.com specializes in the intersection of security and operations. For a Site Reliability Manager, understanding security is no longer optional, and this provider ensures that reliability is taught through a security-conscious lens. They offer specific tracks that complement the CSRM, focusing on how to manage secure and resilient systems simultaneously. Their training programs are ideal for professionals working in high-security environments who need to balance the pressures of uptime with the requirements of strict compliance and vulnerability management. sreschool.com Sreschool.com is the primary platform and hosting site for the Certified Site Reliability Manager program. They offer the most direct and comprehensive path to certification, with a curriculum that is designed by the same experts who manage the certification standards. The platform provides a seamless learning experience, from foundational courses to advanced strategic leadership modules. By training directly with the hosting provider, candidates ensure that their learning is perfectly aligned with the exam objectives and the professional expectations of the industry. aiopsschool.com Aiopsschool.com is at the forefront of the next generation of reliability management, focusing on the application of AI and ML to operational tasks. For a Certified Site Reliability Manager, training through this provider offers a glimpse into the future of automated operations. Their courses cover predictive maintenance, automated incident resolution, and the management of AI-driven platform tools. This is a critical training ground for managers who want to lead their organizations toward a more automated, efficient, and intelligent future of site reliability. dataopsschool.com Dataopsschool.com addresses the growing need for reliability in data engineering and analytics pipelines. They provide specialized training that applies SRE principles to the world of data, ensuring that “data reliability” is managed with the same discipline as service reliability. A Certified Site Reliability Manager who understands DataOps is uniquely positioned to lead teams in data-heavy organizations. Their curriculum focuses on data quality, pipeline stability, and the management of complex data architectures in a cloud-native environment. finopsschool.com Finopsschool.com focuses on the financial management of cloud operations, a skill that is increasingly important for any Site Reliability Manager. They teach the art of “Cloud Financial Management,” helping leaders understand how to optimize infrastructure costs without sacrificing the reliability of their systems. For managers responsible for large cloud budgets, this provider offers the essential tools to make data-driven decisions that align engineering efforts with business profitability. Their training is indispensable for leaders who want to master the economics of reliability. Frequently Asked Questions (General) 1. How difficult is the Certified Site Reliability Manager exam? The difficulty depends on your experience level. For those with a strong background in SRE and management, the Foundation level is manageable, while the Professional and Advanced levels require a deep understanding of complex organizational trade-offs and tactical execution. 2. How long does it take to get certified? Typically, a candidate spends 30 to 60 days preparing for each level. This allows for a thorough review of the materials and the application of concepts to real-world scenarios, which is crucial for passing the practical assessments. 3. Are there any mandatory prerequisites? While the Foundation level is open to most professionals, the Professional and Advanced levels generally require that you have passed the preceding level and have a specific number of years of documented experience in a leadership or SRE role. 4. What is the return on investment for this certification? The ROI is significant, often manifesting as a promotion to a lead or manager role, a transition into platform engineering, or a salary increase. It also provides the long-term benefit of a structured framework for managing complex systems. 5. How does this certification compare to a general DevOps certification? A general DevOps certification focuses on the tools and culture of continuous delivery. The CSRM specifically targets the management of production reliability, focusing on SLOs, incident response, and the “run” phase of the software lifecycle. 6. Can I take the exam online? Yes, the certification is designed to be accessible globally, with online proctoring and digital assessment tools available through the official hosting platform. This makes it convenient for working professionals to balance study with their daily responsibilities. 7. How often does the certification need to be renewed? To ensure that certified professionals remain current with industry trends, there is typically a renewal or continuing education requirement every two to three years. This encourages lifelong learning in a fast-paced field. 8. Is this certification recognized globally? Yes, the standards for the Certified Site Reliability Manager are designed to meet the needs of global enterprises, from Silicon Valley startups to major technology hubs in India and Europe. 9. Does the course include hands-on labs? The training programs provided by partners like Cotocus and SREschool.com include extensive lab environments where you can practice managing mock outages and setting up monitoring and alerting frameworks. 10. What kind of support is available if I fail the exam? Most training providers offer “exam retake” options or additional coaching sessions to help you identify the areas where you struggled and prepare for a second attempt. 11. Are there group discounts for corporate teams? Yes, most providers offer corporate packages for engineering departments looking to certify their entire management tier. This ensures that all leaders are using a common vocabulary and framework. 12. How does this certification help with career progression? It provides a clear signal to recruiters and senior leadership that you have the maturity and specific skill set required to lead reliability initiatives, which is a high-priority area for most modern businesses. FAQs on Certified Site Reliability Manager 1. What specifically does a “Manager” in SRE do differently than a regular manager? An SRE manager focuses on quantitative reliability targets and the reduction of toil. Unlike a traditional manager who might focus on feature deadlines, the SRE manager focuses on the health of the service and the sustainability of the team’s workload. 2. Is coding required for the manager certification? While you don’t need to be a daily coder, a strong understanding of software engineering principles is essential. You must be able to speak the same language as your engineers and understand how code changes impact system reliability. 3. How do I justify the cost of this certification to my employer? Highlight the fact that a single hour of downtime can cost thousands of dollars. By becoming a certified manager, you are learning the frameworks to prevent outages and manage them more efficiently when they do occur. 4. Can a Project Manager become a Certified Site Reliability Manager? Yes, if they have a technical background. It is an excellent way for Project Managers to transition into more technical, operations-focused leadership roles within the DevOps ecosystem. 5. What is the most important skill covered in the CSRM? Most professionals find that the “Error Budget” management is the most impactful skill. It provides a data-driven way to resolve the constant tension between developers (who want to move fast) and operations (who want stability). 6. Does this certification cover cloud-specific tools like AWS or Azure? The certification is vendor-neutral, focusing on principles that apply to any cloud or on-premise environment. However, the practical examples often use industry-standard tools to illustrate the concepts. 7. How does the CSRM address team burnout? A core part of the curriculum is dedicated to “Toil Management.” By learning how to identify and automate repetitive manual tasks, a manager can significantly improve team morale and prevent burnout. 8. Why is “Blameless Culture” a part of a management certification? Management is responsible for the culture of the team. A blameless culture is essential for SRE because it ensures that when things go wrong, the focus remains on fixing the system rather than pointing fingers at individuals. Final Thoughts: Is Certified Site Reliability Manager Worth It? In my two decades of experience in this industry, I have seen many engineers struggle with the transition to leadership. They often try to manage by being the “best debugger in the room,” which doesn’t scale. The Certified Site Reliability Manager is worth the investment because it teaches you that your new “system” is the team itself. It provides the structured thinking required to move from reactive fire-fighting to proactive reliability strategy. If you want to be a leader who is respected by both the C-suite and the engineering floor, this path is one of the most practical and effective ways to get there. It is not about a piece of paper; it is about adopting a mindset that will define the next decade of your career. View the full article

Introduction In 2026, the digital transformation of businesses across industries has led to a growing reliance on Information Technology (IT) systems. As organizations seek to optimize and streamline their IT operations, IT Service Management (ITSM) tools have become essential for ensuring efficiency, minimizing downtime, and providing excellent customer experiences. ITSM tools help businesses manage and deliver IT services to end-users by organizing tasks like incident management, problem resolution, service requests, and change management. The importance of ITSM tools in 2026 cannot be overstated. With an ever-increasing demand for streamlined IT service delivery, enhanced automation, and improved collaboration, companies need solutions that provide scalability, integration with existing systems, and robust reporting capabilities. When choosing an ITSM tool, it’s critical to consider factors like ease of use, the tool’s feature set, customization options, customer support, and the integration potential with other enterprise systems. In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 IT Service Management (ITSM) tools in 2026. These tools are ideal for businesses looking to simplify their IT service delivery, whether they are large enterprises or small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Top 10 IT Service Management (ITSM) Tools in 2026 1. Console Short Description Console is an AI-powered internal support and workflow automation platform that helps IT, HR, and Finance teams resolve employee requests, automate routine tasks, and reduce ticket volume across the organization. Key Features AI-powered resolution of employee support requests Automated workflows and approvals Knowledge base and self-service support Access request and provisioning automation Incident response and escalation workflows Analytics and reporting on support operations Slack and email-based request intake Pros Automates a large share of routine internal requests Connects knowledge, workflows, and approvals in one platform Works across multiple operational teams (IT, HR, Finance) Cons Not a traditional ITSM suite with full CMDB functionality Requires integrations with internal systems to unlock full value 2. Freshservice Short Description Freshservice offers a user-friendly, cloud-based ITSM solution for businesses of all sizes. It simplifies IT service management by automating tasks, improving efficiency, and providing real-time reporting. Key Features: Incident management with SLAs Automated ticketing system Knowledge base and self-service portal IT asset management Change management Customizable service catalog Pros: Intuitive interface and easy setup Affordable pricing for small and medium businesses Strong customer support Cons: Limited advanced features for large enterprises Reporting tools could be more robust Limited customization options compared to competitors 3. Jira Service Management Short Description Jira Service Management, developed by Atlassian, is an ITSM solution designed for IT teams who want to integrate IT service management with software development workflows. It’s well-suited for companies already using Jira for project management. Key Features: Incident, problem, and change management ITIL-certified processes Integration with Jira Software for DevOps Customizable workflows Self-service portal and automation Knowledge base integration Pros: Excellent for teams using Atlassian products Highly customizable workflows Strong DevOps integration Cons: Limited features for non-technical users Can become expensive as teams grow Requires an understanding of Jira ecosystem 4. Cherwell ITSM Short Description Cherwell ITSM is an adaptable, enterprise-level solution that offers flexible workflows and automation capabilities. It is well-known for empowering organizations with a low-code platform to easily customize workflows and processes. Key Features: Incident, change, and problem management Low-code platform for customization ITIL-aligned processes Self-service portal Integration with third-party tools Reporting and analytics Pros: High degree of customization with low-code tools Robust reporting and analytics features Scalable for businesses of all sizes Cons: Implementation can be time-consuming Learning curve for non-technical users Requires skilled resources for full utilization 5. Ivanti Service Manager Short Description Ivanti Service Manager provides a complete ITSM solution with a focus on automation and self-service capabilities. It is well-suited for mid-sized to large enterprises seeking a comprehensive IT service management system. Key Features: Incident, problem, and change management AI-powered chatbots for support Self-service portal with knowledge base IT asset management Automation and workflow management Reporting and dashboards Pros: Strong automation capabilities Scalable for growing businesses Excellent customer service tools Cons: High learning curve Can be costly for small businesses Some features are underdeveloped 6. SolarWinds Service Desk Short Description SolarWinds Service Desk is an ITSM solution designed for teams seeking affordable yet effective service management. It provides ITIL-compliant features and integrates well with a variety of IT tools. Key Features: Incident, problem, and change management Knowledge management Self-service portal Customizable workflows Integration with IT monitoring tools SLA tracking and reporting Pros: Affordable pricing for small businesses Quick setup and deployment Easy-to-use interface Cons: Limited advanced features for larger enterprises Lacks some advanced automation tools Basic reporting tools 7. BMC Helix ITSM Short Description BMC Helix ITSM is an enterprise-grade IT service management solution powered by AI and automation. It focuses on enhancing service delivery through machine learning and predictive analytics. Key Features: AI and machine learning integration Incident, problem, and change management Predictive analytics for decision-making Self-service portal and knowledge management Service catalog management Multi-cloud support Pros: Advanced AI and automation features Scalable for large enterprises Predictive analytics improves decision-making Cons: Can be costly for smaller organizations Setup can be complex Some users report issues with customer support 8. Zendesk for ITSM Short Description Zendesk is widely known for customer service tools, and its ITSM solution offers seamless integration with its support platform. It is ideal for businesses that need both customer and IT service management in one place. Key Features: Incident and ticket management Service level agreement (SLA) management Self-service portal Knowledge base integration Customizable workflows Reporting and analytics Pros: Great for businesses with customer service teams Easy integration with other Zendesk products Intuitive user interface Cons: Limited features for advanced ITSM needs Expensive for small businesses Lacks some ITIL-aligned processes 9. Samanage (SolarWinds Service Desk) Short Description Samanage provides a comprehensive ITSM platform with a focus on asset management, incident tracking, and self-service. It is great for SMBs looking for a more affordable solution. Key Features: Asset and incident management Change and release management Service catalog management Self-service portal Knowledge management Reporting and dashboards Pros: Simple to use and deploy Affordable for small to medium businesses Great customer support Cons: Lacks some advanced features for large enterprises Limited integration options Basic automation capabilities 10. SysAid ITSM Short Description SysAid offers IT service management with a focus on ITIL compliance and customizable workflows. It is ideal for organizations seeking an easy-to-implement ITSM solution. Key Features: Incident and problem management IT asset management Self-service portal and knowledge base Customizable dashboards Reporting and analytics Mobile app for remote management Pros: Easy to implement and use Affordable pricing for small businesses Great reporting and analytics tools Cons: Some users report a lack of flexibility in customizations Lacks advanced automation features Limited integrations with other systems Comparison Table Tool NameBest ForPlatform(s) SupportedStandout FeaturePricingRating (G2/Capterra/Trustpilot)ServiceNow ITSMLarge EnterprisesCloud-basedAI-driven automationCustom4.6/5 (Capterra)FreshserviceSMBs, Mid-sized CompaniesCloud-basedEasy to use interfaceStarts at $19/user/month4.7/5 (G2)Jira Service ManagementTech-focused teamsCloud, On-premiseDevOps integrationStarts at $20/user/month4.5/5 (Trustpilot)Cherwell ITSMEnterprises, Custom NeedsCloud, On-premiseLow-code customizationCustom4.4/5 (Capterra)Ivanti Service ManagerMid to Large EnterprisesCloud-basedAI-powered chatbotStarts at $49/user/month4.6/5 (G2)SolarWinds Service DeskSMBsCloud-basedIntegration with monitoringStarts at $19/user/month4.4/5 (Trustpilot)BMC Helix ITSMLarge Enterprises, AI NeedsCloud, On-premisePredictive analyticsCustom4.5/5 (Capterra)Zendesk for ITSMCustomer-centric businessesCloud-basedIntegration with customer service toolsStarts at $19/user/month4.7/5 (G2)SamanageSMBsCloud-basedIncident and asset managementStarts at $39/user/month4.3/5 (Capterra)SysAid ITSMSMBs, EnterprisesCloud-based, On-premiseITIL-compliant processesStarts at $1,100/year4.2/5 (Trustpilot) Which IT Service Management (ITSM) Tool is Right for You? For Large Enterprises: Choose tools like ServiceNow ITSM or BMC Helix ITSM, which offer advanced AI-driven automation, scalability, and customizable workflows. These tools are ideal for businesses that need robust, enterprise-level solutions. For SMBs or Mid-Sized Businesses: Consider Freshservice, SolarWinds Service Desk, or SysAid ITSM for affordable pricing and easy-to-use interfaces. These tools provide all the essential ITSM features without the complexity of larger solutions. For Teams Using Jira for Project Management: Jira Service Management offers seamless integration with other Atlassian products and is great for development-focused teams looking to combine project management and ITSM. Conclusion In 2026, IT Service Management (ITSM) tools are essential for companies striving to improve service delivery, automate tasks, and optimize IT operations. The landscape is evolving rapidly with AI, machine learning, and automation features taking center stage. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, there is a solution out there that will meet your needs. Before making a decision, take advantage of free trials and demos to get a feel for each tool and determine which best fits your organization’s needs. FAQs Q1: What is IT Service Management (ITSM)? ITSM refers to the set of policies, processes, and tools used to manage the delivery and support of IT services within an organization. Q2: Why should I invest in an ITSM tool in 2026? ITSM tools improve IT service efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, automate processes, and help businesses keep up with rapid digital transformation. Q3: Can ITSM tools help with IT security management? Yes, most ITSM tools have features for managing IT security incidents, vulnerabilities, and compliance requirements, often integrating with other security solutions. Q4: Are ITSM tools expensive? Pricing varies by vendor. Many offer scalable plans that can suit both small businesses and large enterprises, with some starting as low as $19 per user/month. Q5: How do I know which ITSM tool is right for my business? Consider your company’s size, industry, specific feature requirements, and budget. Take advantage of demos to test the user experience before committing to a subscription. View the full article

If you are running a fragmented image stack (S3 for storage, CloudFront for delivery, imgix or a Lambda function for optimization), you are paying three separate bills for a problem that is now solvable in one place. This article compares 9 tools on whether they actually consolidate all three layers. For engineering teams looking for an image hosting platform with CDN for global marketing sites, the best option is Gumlet. It connects to any S3-compatible origin you already use, delivers WebP and AVIF automatically, and charges only for bandwidth. No per-transformation fees, no expiring credits. Cloudinary is the right call if you need a full upload-to-delivery pipeline for user content. Bunny.net wins on raw cost. For everyone else, here is how the full field stacks up. Why Teams End Up With Three Services for Images Most engineering teams do not choose complexity. They inherit it. The pattern is almost always the same: S3 for storage, because it is cheap, durable, and well-understood CloudFront added as the CDN layer, because it is the obvious pairing for AWS workloads imgix or a Lambda function bolted on later, because CloudFront does not resize images, convert formats, or serve WebP automatically Three services. Three billing relationships. One optimization script nobody wants to touch. According to the 2024 Web Almanac by HTTP Archive, images are the LCP content type on 83.3% of desktop pages and 73.3% of mobile pages. The image layer is not peripheral to your performance story — it is the center of it. The same report found that AVIF adoption grew 386% between 2022 and 2024, while JPEG’s share of served images fell eight percentage points. Custom optimization scripts do not keep up with format adoption at that pace. The concrete costs of the fragmented stack: Double egress charges. S3 charges for data transferred to CloudFront. CloudFront charges for data transferred to users. Every imgix or Lambda pull from S3 is another read request on top. Transformation lag. New formats ship. Your Lambda function does not know about them until someone updates it. Usually after a bug report. Operational drag. Three cache invalidation mechanisms. Three monitoring setups. Three billing anomalies to debug every quarter. What “Replacing the Stack” Actually Means Before comparing tools, here is what each layer does and what replacing it requires. Storage layer. Where original image files live. Some tools below provide managed storage. Most connect to your existing S3 or GCS bucket and fetch originals from there. Neither model is universally better. Origin-fetch keeps your files under your own cloud account with no vendor lock-in on storage. Optimization layer. The work CloudFront cannot do: resize images to the correct dimensions for each device, compress them without visible quality loss, convert JPEG to WebP or AVIF based on the requesting browser, and serve progressive variants when needed. This should happen automatically on every request, without custom code in the middle. Delivery layer. The CDN. Edge nodes in the right geographies, long cache TTLs to avoid repeat processing, and cache invalidation APIs you can trigger on deploys. A tool that handles all three deserves to be called a consolidation. A tool that handles two still leaves you running a hybrid stack. Evaluation criteria used across all 9 tools: Native managed storage, or origin-fetch from your S3/GCS? Automatic WebP and AVIF conversion, without URL restructuring? CDN delivery included, or a separate service? UGC upload path supported (users sending files directly to the platform)? Pricing model: per transformation, per GB bandwidth, or flat rate? The 9 Tools Compared 1. Gumlet Website: gumlet.com Best for: Engineering teams that want to eliminate CloudFront + imgix without migrating off S3. Gumlet is the best image hosting platform with CDN for global marketing sites for teams that already run S3-compatible infrastructure. It connects to AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, DigitalOcean Spaces, Wasabi, Hetzner, Azure Blob Storage, Backblaze B2, and Linode — no migration required, no vendor lock-in on your originals. Optimization is handled automatically. The format=auto parameter delivers WebP or AVIF based on browser support, with no changes to your URL structure or codebase. Resize, compress, crop, and quality settings are all URL-parameter-driven. The processing infrastructure runs native C++ with GPU acceleration, with nodes in San Francisco, Frankfurt, Singapore, and Bangalore. Delivery runs through CloudFront with a default CDN cache TTL of 180 days. Pricing is bandwidth-only. No charges per transformation, per image stored, per request, or per source connected. Plans start at approximately $25/month and scale linearly. No expiring credit pools, no overage mechanics that punish high-variant delivery. On UGC specifically: Gumlet Image works on the origin-fetch model. Your application writes images to S3; Gumlet fetches, optimizes, and delivers from there. There is no direct upload widget for images — that is part of Gumlet Video. If users upload directly through your product, your backend handles the upload to S3 and Gumlet takes it from there. This is the right architecture for most SaaS products. It is a gap for consumer social apps that want a fully managed upload widget. Native storageNo (origin-fetch: S3, GCS, DO Spaces, Wasabi, Azure, Hetzner, Backblaze, Linode)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (CloudFront-backed, 180-day TTL)UGC upload API (images)NoPricingBandwidth-only, ~$25/mo entry 2. Cloudinary Website: cloudinary.com Best for: Teams that need a complete UGC pipeline — upload, moderation, transformation, and delivery — under one vendor. Cloudinary is the most full-featured tool in this comparison. It provides managed storage, an upload API with a client-side widget, AI-powered content moderation via AWS Rekognition and Google Cloud Vision, automatic format conversion, and global CDN delivery. For platforms running an image hosting platform for user generated images at scale, Cloudinary is the most complete single-vendor option available. The upload widget handles file type validation, the moderation pipeline catches NSFW content before it is ever stored, and delivery is optimized automatically. Pricing is credit-based. One credit equals 1,000 transformations, or 1 GB of managed storage, or 1 GB of CDN bandwidth. Plans start at $89/month for 225 monthly credits (billed annually). The Advanced plan is $224/month for 600 credits. Overage charges apply at a premium beyond each plan’s allocation. The friction point is high-variant workloads. Every unique derived version — a different size, crop, or format combination — consumes a transformation credit. For a SaaS product serving images in multiple responsive widths plus WebP plus AVIF plus a thumbnail, those credits compound faster than most teams anticipate. Where Cloudinary loses to Gumlet: at equivalent CDN bandwidth with high responsive variant volume, the credit model makes total cost of ownership significantly higher than Gumlet’s bandwidth-only pricing. Native storageYesAuto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYesUGC upload API (images)Yes (upload widget included)PricingCredits: transforms + storage + bandwidth pooled 3. imgix Website: imgix.com Best for: Teams already deeply committed to imgix’s URL transformation API with complex programmatic manipulation requirements. imgix is origin-connected — it requires an external S3, GCS, Azure Blob, or web folder source, and delivers via Fastly’s CDN. The URL-based transformation API is the most capable in this list, with over 100 real-time operations available through URL parameters. imgix has migrated to a credit-based pricing model. Credits are consumed across three buckets: management (storing and indexing originals), delivery (bandwidth), and transformations. Credits expire at the end of each billing period. The structural risk: size your bundle too small and you hit overage rates priced at 120% of standard per-credit cost. Size it too large and unused credits expire. The double-billing problem for S3 teams is real. imgix caches your original images in its own infrastructure and charges management credits for that cache storage. A team already paying for their S3 bucket also pays imgix for an indexed copy of those same originals. For large catalogs, this adds up to meaningful cost that basic plan comparisons hide. Native storageNo (origin-fetch: S3, GCS, Azure, web folder)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (via Fastly)UGC upload API (images)NoPricingCredits: management + delivery + transformation (expire monthly) 4. ImageKit Website: imagekit.io Best for: Teams that want Gumlet-style origin-fetch functionality with a more accessible entry point and an optional media library. ImageKit connects to existing S3, GCS, Azure, or web origins and serves optimized derivatives through its CDN. Automatic WebP and AVIF are supported. The URL-based transformation API is well-documented and comparable to imgix in depth. ImageKit’s Pro plan starts at $89/month for 225 GB of bandwidth and 225 GB of media library storage. Additional bandwidth costs $0.45/GB beyond the plan’s inclusion. Unlike Gumlet, ImageKit charges separately for storage if you use their media library ($0.09/GB beyond inclusion). The free tier is more generous than Gumlet’s, making it genuinely viable for early-stage products or teams evaluating before committing. The optional media library means ImageKit sits between Gumlet’s pure origin-fetch model and Cloudinary’s fully managed approach — useful for teams who want to start with S3 and retain a migration path to managed storage later. Native storageOptional (media library add-on)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYesUGC upload API (images)Yes (with media library)PricingBandwidth-based + optional storage charges 5. Cloudflare Images Website: cloudflare.com/developer-platform/cloudflare-images Best for: Teams already fully committed to the Cloudflare ecosystem who want consolidation within that stack. Cloudflare Images provides managed storage on Cloudflare’s infrastructure, automatic format conversion, and delivery via Cloudflare’s network of 330+ global locations. Pricing as of early 2026: $0.50 per 1,000 transformations, $5 per 100,000 images stored, and $1 per 100,000 images delivered. A free tier covers 5,000 transformations per month. The key constraint: Cloudflare Images does not support external S3 origins. To use it, you migrate your originals into Cloudflare’s own storage bucket. For teams already on Cloudflare for DNS, CDN, and security, this is a natural convergence. For teams with established S3 workflows or multi-cloud strategies, it requires a storage migration before you can start. The three-dimensional billing model — transformations, storage, and delivery as separate meters — makes monthly costs harder to predict than bandwidth-only models, particularly during traffic spikes or content refreshes. Native storageYes (Cloudflare-managed, requires migration from S3)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (Cloudflare network, 330+ locations)UGC upload API (images)YesPricing$0.50/1,000 transforms + $5/100k stored + $1/100k delivered 6. Bunny.net (Bunny Optimize) Website: bunny.net Best for: Cost-sensitive teams where delivery economics matter more than optimization depth. Bunny.net comes the closest to a true three-layer consolidation at minimum cost. Bunny Storage, Bunny CDN, and Bunny Optimizer can be combined into a single stack. CDN bandwidth runs at approximately $0.01/GB, and the Optimizer adds a $9.50/month flat fee for unlimited image transformations. That puts a meaningful production workload at $10 to $15 per month — substantially lower than any other tool in this comparison. The trade-off is optimization maturity. Automatic format conversion to WebP and AVIF is supported, but content-aware cropping, face detection, device-context-aware resizing, and the deeper transformation APIs available in Gumlet or imgix are limited or absent. For a high-traffic site that needs compression and format conversion at scale without complex per-image transformation logic, Bunny is the best cost-per-GB option available. Native storageYes (Bunny Storage)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (Bunny CDN, 119+ edge locations)UGC upload API (images)YesPricing~$0.01/GB bandwidth + $9.50/mo flat Optimizer 7. Uploadcare Website: uploadcare.com Best for: Platforms where users upload images directly through the product and the upload experience is a first-class requirement. When evaluating tools to compress user-uploaded images without losing quality, Uploadcare’s end-to-end UGC pipeline stands out. The upload widget handles file type validation, size limits, and client-side cropping before the file reaches storage. For a marketplace or social platform, this means fewer bad uploads and less backend image cleanup. Uploadcare includes managed storage, an image transformation CDN, and delivery across 325,000+ CDN nodes worldwide. Automatic format conversion to WebP and AVIF is supported. Pricing charges per GB of storage and per operation. At high transformation volume, per-operation costs accumulate in a similar pattern to Cloudinary’s credit model. Moderation integrations exist but require configuration rather than being native out of the box. For teams that need the best tools to compress user-uploaded images without losing quality in a UGC-first workflow, Uploadcare’s upload-side features are the strongest in this comparison. For teams that already own the upload path and just need optimization and delivery, Gumlet or ImageKit are more cost-efficient. Native storageYesAuto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (325,000+ nodes)UGC upload API (images)Yes (upload widget, client-side crop)PricingPer-GB storage + per-operation transformation 8. Fastly Image Optimizer Website: fastly.com/products/image-optimization Best for: Enterprise engineering teams already running Fastly as their primary CDN. Fastly Image Optimizer sits in front of any origin — S3, GCS, or custom — and adds real-time image processing to Fastly’s existing CDN pipeline. Format conversion, responsive resizing, and quality optimization are all supported. For teams with existing Fastly contracts, this is the path of least resistance to adding image optimization without a vendor change or traffic rerouting. Pricing is not publicly listed and requires engagement with Fastly’s sales team, which rules it out for most growth-stage products. Worth noting: imgix delivers via Fastly’s network, meaning imgix customers are already paying for Fastly capacity indirectly. Native storageNo (origin-connected)Auto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYes (Fastly network)UGC upload API (images)NoPricingEnterprise, requires sales engagement 9. Filestack Website: filestack.com Best for: Platforms handling mixed file types — images, documents, video — where a single upload API matters more than image-specific optimization depth. Filestack provides an upload API, managed storage, file processing pipelines, and CDN delivery. The key differentiator from the rest of this list is breadth: documents, video, audio, and images all move through the same pipeline. For platforms where user uploads are not image-only, that reduces vendor count. Pricing is request-based, which becomes expensive at high request volume relative to bandwidth-based or flat-rate alternatives. Teams building a dedicated image pipeline will find Cloudinary, Uploadcare, or Gumlet more purpose-fit. Filestack earns its place when the platform needs to handle files beyond images without integrating a second service. Native storageYesAuto WebP/AVIFYesCDN includedYesUGC upload API (images)Yes (multi-format upload widget)PricingRequest-based Full Comparison: Which Tools Replace All Three Layers ToolNative StorageAuto WebP/AVIFCDN IncludedUGC Upload APIPricing ModelGumletNo (S3/GCS/etc.)YesYes (CloudFront)No (images)Bandwidth-onlyCloudinaryYesYesYesYesCredits (transforms + storage + bandwidth)imgixNo (S3/GCS/etc.)YesYes (Fastly)NoCredits (expire monthly)ImageKitOptionalYesYesYes (w/ media library)Bandwidth + optional storageCloudflare ImagesYes (CF storage)YesYesYesPer-transform + per-stored + per-deliveredBunny.netYesYesYes (119+ PoPs)Yes$0.01/GB + $9.50/mo flatUploadcareYesYesYesYesPer-GB + per-operationFastly Image OptimizerNoYesYes (Fastly)NoEnterpriseFilestackYesYesYesYesRequest-based Tools that consolidate all three layers into one vendor: Cloudinary, Bunny.net, Cloudflare Images, Uploadcare, Filestack. Tools that replace the optimization and CDN layers while you keep your own storage: Gumlet, imgix, ImageKit, Fastly Image Optimizer. Neither model is better by default. The right choice depends on whether you want to eliminate your storage vendor or just the optimization and delivery layers sitting on top of it. UGC Changes the Requirements: What to Know Before Picking a Tool The comparison above assumes you control what gets uploaded. For platforms running an image hosting platform for user generated images at scale, three requirements shift. 1. You need an upload path. In an origin-fetch model like Gumlet, your application owns upload logic. User submits an image, your backend writes it to S3, Gumlet fetches and optimizes from there. This gives you full control over what enters storage before optimization runs. In a managed upload model like Cloudinary or Uploadcare, files go from the user’s browser directly to the platform’s storage, bypassing your application server. That reduces backend engineering but reduces control in equal measure. 2. You need to handle arbitrary input formats. Users uploading from iPhones send HEIC files. Screenshots arrive as massive PNGs. Files with mismatched extensions are common. Gumlet handles this in the origin-fetch optimization pipeline. Cloudinary and Uploadcare handle it at upload time, rejecting or converting before the file ever reaches storage. 3. Moderation is a system requirement, not an afterthought. Cloudinary has native integrations with AWS Rekognition and Google Cloud Vision triggered at upload time. Gumlet and ImageKit require you to run moderation before images land in your S3 bucket, using your own integration. For teams that want the upload pipeline fully managed, Cloudinary is the most complete option. Uploadcare is the strongest alternative for pure image UGC with a focus on upload experience quality. For teams comfortable owning the upload path and wanting to outsource optimization and delivery, Gumlet is the right choice — and it is cheaper at equivalent bandwidth than Cloudinary for teams that do not need the full DAM layer. Which Tool Is Right for Your Situation Already on S3 and want to eliminate CloudFront + imgix? Use Gumlet. Connect your existing S3 bucket, update your image URL hostname, and you have replaced the optimization and CDN layers. Bandwidth-only billing, automatic WebP and AVIF, no per-transformation costs, no expiring credits. No storage migration required. Need a full UGC pipeline where users upload directly through your product? Use Cloudinary if your budget allows and you want native moderation and the most complete feature set. Use Uploadcare if upload UX quality is the primary requirement and you are comfortable wiring up moderation separately. Already fully on Cloudflare? Use Cloudflare Images. The storage migration is the cost of admission. If you are already a Cloudflare shop, the operational simplicity of one vendor for edge delivery and image optimization is worth it. High traffic, cost-sensitive, and transformation sophistication is secondary? Use Bunny.net. At $0.01/GB bandwidth plus $9.50/month flat for unlimited optimization, the economics are not comparable to any other option on this list. Mixed file types in your UGC pipeline? Use Filestack if images, documents, and video flow through the same upload path and you want a single vendor for all of it. The Fragmented Stack Is a Choice Now, Not a Requirement The S3 + CloudFront + imgix triangle made sense when it was assembled, because each piece solved a problem that nothing else solved cleanly at the time. That is no longer true. The tools in this list exist because infrastructure consolidation for image delivery is now a solved problem, not an engineering project. Gumlet eliminates the optimization and CDN layers while keeping your storage architecture intact. Cloudinary handles the full pipeline from upload to delivery. Bunny does it cheaply. But in all three cases, running three separate services for images is a choice, not a requirement. Pricing information sourced from each vendor’s public pricing pages and documentation as of March 2026. Prices may change. Verify current rates with each vendor before making purchasing decisions. View the full article

In an interview with Nikias Molina at New York's Grand Central Terminal last week, Apple's CEO Tim Cook briefly commented on the future of the iPhone. "There's so much left that we can do with the iPhone," said Cook. "I think it's going to continue to be the center of people's digital lives." While this is just typical corporate speak, it is still interesting that Cook thinks the iPhone will remain the core device in people's lives, given that Apple is pushing into new areas like spatial computing. Apple is reportedly also working on things such as augmented reality glasses and an AI-powered pendant without a screen. Next year, the iPhone turns 20, and the device's popularity is still reaching new heights. iPhone revenue last quarter came in at $85.2 billion, a new all-time high. Cook said iPhone demand during the quarter was "simply staggering." "iPhone had its best-ever quarter driven by unprecedented demand, with all-time records across every geographic segment," said Cook, in January. It remains to be seen if there is ever a device that supplants the iPhone, and smartphones in general, but Cook is certainly not worried right now. "iPhone's going to be around for a very long time," he said. Related Roundup: iPhone 17Tag: Tim CookBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhone This article, "Tim Cook on iPhone's Future: 'There's So Much Left That We Can Do'" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

tvOS 26.4 includes a new Genius Browse section in the Apple TV app, which gives recommendations for TV shows and movies across multiple suggested categories. Suggestions vary based on your content preferences, and the categories are updated regularly. Some example categories include Upbeat Workplace Comedies, Tense Psychological Thrillers, History Gets Hilarious, Breathtaking Nature Docs, Thrilling Blockbusters, Bittersweet Family Dramas, and Fun for the Whole Family. Selecting one of the categories provides a list of relevant content suggestions, which can be further explored with For You, TV Shows and Movies, and Genres sections. When browsing through the suggested movies and TV shows, tvOS 26.4 also provides titles related to the one that's highlighted. Genius Browse suggestions are not static and will continually show new content categories. The content that Apple suggests is not limited to shows and movies on the ‌Apple TV‌ service, though those are included. Apple suggests titles from other streaming services like HBO Max and Amazon Prime. As with other ‌Apple TV‌ app suggestions, Netflix content is not included. Apple is limiting Genius Browse to tvOS 26.4, and you won't find the option in iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, or macOS 26.4. tvOS 26.4 also phases out the dedicated iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Show apps, plus it improves ‌Apple TV‌ Audio Format settings and adds more easily accessible customization options for subtitles. We're expecting tvOS 26.4 to be released as soon as next week.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater This article, "Apple Adds 'Genius Browse' Movie and TV Recommendations to Apple TV in tvOS 26.4" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Perplexity today expanded its Comet browser to iOS, making its AI Comet Assistant available to iPhone users. The Comet browser for iOS has many of the same features as the Comet browser for the desktop, including a voice mode for speaking questions and a hybrid search experience, but it does lack extensions. Comet offers standard search results like you might expect from any web search, but the added Comet Assistant is able to provide more in-depth answers and complete tasks. Comet supports Perplexity's Deep Research feature that's able to ingest information from multiple web sources and provide quick, useful summaries. The Comet Assistant can also complete web-based tasks, like summarizing emails, searching for products, comparing prices across websites, and more. With the new iOS app, Comet works across different devices, so users can start a search on one device and pick it up on another. Perplexity does collect browsing and search history from Comet to create ad-targeting profiles to serve ads to users. Comet was priced at $200 per month when it first launched last year, but it is available on iOS for free. Pro and Max subscription plans are available starting at $20 per month. Comet for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store as of today. [Direct Link] This article, "Perplexity Launches Comet AI Browser for iPhone With Built-In Assistant" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, which means we're going to see a public launch as soon as next week. The RC versions of the software include Apple's official release notes, giving us final details on what's included in the update. Apple Music - Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist - Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to - Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you're back online - Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen - Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look Accessibility - Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons - Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview - Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion This update also includes the following enhancements: - 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard - Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio - Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists - Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer - Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100 Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/. Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039iOS 26.4 is likely to see a launch next Monday or Tuesday, ahead of when Apple begins accepting orders for the AirPods Max.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, "Here Are Apple's Release Notes for iOS 26.4" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

With iOS 26.4, Apple has made a small but useful change to the way that Family Sharing works. Each adult member of the family can now use their own payment method for purchases, rather than being forced to share a payment method. Apple has long required all of the members of a Family Sharing group to use a single shared payment method for app and content purchases when purchase sharing is turned on, with no option for family members to use separate payment methods. The shared payment restriction is changing in iOS 26.4, and now Family Sharing members can share their content without having to share a payment method. Apple's release notes mention the change, and Apple has also updated its purchase sharing support document. Old wording: When the family organizer turns on purchase sharing and other family members in the group also turn on purchase sharing, they get access to each other's shared content, such as apps, music, movies, and more. The family organizer pays for everyone's purchases unless they turn off purchase sharing. New wording: When the family organizer turns on Purchase Sharing and the members enable the feature for their devices, they get access to each other's shared content. The family organizer pays for everyone's purchases unless they turn off Purchase Sharing or other adult family members use their own payment method to make purchases. Other adults in a Family Sharing group can still opt to use the organizer's payment method, but they can also input a separate payment method. The change will make it easier for people to share Apple content and subscriptions like Apple TV with friends, siblings, and others without having to pay for that person's purchases. There was an option to maintain an Apple Account balance to pay for purchases without having the Family Sharing organizer pay, but that required each Family Sharing member to make sure to reload their purchase balance. The option to add a separate payment method is much more convenient. Family Sharing accounts for children will continue to use the organizer's payment method for any purchases. iOS 26.4 is likely to see a public launch next week.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, "Family Sharing in iOS 26.4 No Longer Forces Adults to Share a Payment Method" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The iOS 26.4 update that Apple plans to release as soon as next week includes improvements for the built-in iOS keyboard. In its notes for the software, Apple says iOS 26.4 offers "improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly." It's not entirely clear what Apple means by improved keyboard accuracy, but it's likely a fix for an iOS keyboard bug that was highlighted on YouTube late last year. When typing some words, the autocorrect keyboard sometimes inexplicably inputs the wrong letter even though the user typed the correct letter, leading to typos. The YouTube video pointing out the issue received over a million views, and it was also further publicized by news sites. There were thousands of comments from people experiencing the problem. It sounds like iOS 26.4 addresses the root issue, preventing the keyboard from inserting the wrong letter when the user is typing quickly. If you've experienced issues with the iOS keyboard that have been fixed in iOS 26.4, let us know in the comments below.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, "iOS 26.4 Fixes iPhone Keyboard Accuracy Bug" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 updates for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the fourth betas. Release candidates are the final updates that will be provided to the public in the near future if no final bugs are discovered. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device. tvOS 26.4 and watchOS 26.4 are available to public beta testers and developers, while visionOS 26.4 is limited to developers. watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality. tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the ‌Apple TV‌ app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output. visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency.Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, watchOS 26Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch This article, "Apple Releases watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 Release Candidates" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today provided the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the fourth beta. The release candidate represents the final version of ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 that will be provided to the public if no additional bugs are found. Developers and public beta testers. can download the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 adds a new Charge Limit feature so Mac users can select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 to 100 percent. Apple also brought back the Compact tab layout in Safari for those who missed the option in earlier versions of ‌macOS Tahoe‌. Apple silicon Macs who are running apps that still rely on Rosetta will see warnings about the upcoming end of support for Rosetta. After ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 27, Apple will phase out Rosetta support, and all apps will need to be updated before that time. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 will be released to the public in the spring after several weeks of beta testing.Related Roundup: macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS Tahoe This article, "macOS Tahoe 26.4 Release Candidate Now Available" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming a week after Apple provided the fourth betas. The release candidate represents the final version of iOS 26.4 that will be provided to the public if no additional bugs are found. Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the iPhone and the ‌iPad‌. A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork. Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions. There are new emoji characters in iOS 26.4, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, and landslide. Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide. Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, "Apple Seeds iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 Release Candidates" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple recently updated the iPad Air, narrowing the gap with the iPad Pro, but how different are the two product lines and which should you buy? Apple has now refreshed the ‌iPad Air‌ with the M4 chip, representing a small update over the previous model from 2025, which introduced the M3 chip. While the upgrade brings improved performance and efficiency, it does not significantly alter the feature set or overall positioning of the ‌iPad Air‌ within the lineup. By contrast, the ‌iPad Pro‌ continues to sit at the top of Apple's tablet range, now equipped with the latest M5 chip. This update builds on the major redesign introduced in 2024, which brought a substantially thinner and lighter design, tandem OLED display technology, and a range of high-end features aimed at professional workflows. The latest revision focuses more on internal improvements, particularly in GPU performance and AI acceleration, rather than introducing major new capabilities. M4 vs. M5 Chip Buyer's Guide: How Much Better Really Is M5? As a result, the gap between the ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ is now less about general performance and more about specific features and use cases. The ‌iPad Air‌ delivers much of the same core experience at a lower price point, while the ‌iPad Pro‌ differentiates itself with its display technology, advanced hardware capabilities, and additional headroom for demanding tasks. Should you consider purchasing the ‌iPad Air‌ to save money, or do you need the high-end features of the ‌iPad Pro‌? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two iPads is best for you. ‌iPad Air‌ (M4, 2026) ‌iPad Pro‌ (M5, 2025) Liquid Retina display (LED backlit display with IPS technology) Ultra Retina XDR display (Tandem OLED) ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz 11-inch model SDR brightness: 500 nits max 13-inch model SDR brightness: 600 nits max SDR brightness: 1,000 nits max XDR brightness: 1,000 nits max full screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content only) Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models Drive external displays at 60Hz Drive external displays at up to 120Hz Adaptive Sync support ‌M‌4 chip M5 chip Made using TSMC's enhanced 3nm technology (N3E) Made using TSMC's third-generation ‌3nm‌ process (N3P) Based on iPhone 16's A18 chip (2024) Based on A19 Pro chip from iPhone 17 Pro (2025) 8-core CPU (3 performance + 5 efficiency cores) Up to 10 CPU cores (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) 9-core GPU 10-core GPU Integrated Neural Accelerator in every GPU core Metal 4 developer APIs Metal 4 developer APIs with Tensor APIs to program GPU Neural Accelerators 12GB memory 256GB and 512GB models: 12GB memory 1TB and 2TB models: 16GB memory 120 GB/s unified memory bandwidth 153 GB/s unified memory bandwidth Second-generation ray tracing engine Third-generation ray tracing engine First-generation dynamic caching Second-generation dynamic caching Shader cores Enhanced shader cores GPU with standard power efficiency More power-efficient GPU: Maintains performance with significantly less power Improved thermal design with graphite sheets and copper Touch ID in top button TrueDepth camera system for Face ID Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Mono) Animoji and Memoji LiDAR scanner Adaptive True Tone flash Rear ambient light sensor ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps (1080p at 30 fps for 256GB capacity) ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording Two microphones Four studio-quality microphones Audio zoom Stereo recording Landscape stereo speakers Four speaker audio Weight: 462 grams or 617 grams Weight 444 grams or 579 grams Depth: 6.1 mm Depth: 5.3 mm or 5.1 mm Fast-charge capable (Up to 50% charge using a 60W adapter or higher in 30 minutes with the 11-inch model or 35 minutes with the 13-inch model) USB‑C connector USB‑C connector with support for Thunderbolt/USB 4 Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ Supports Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage Up to 2× faster SSD read and write speeds Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Blue Available in Space Black and Silver Price starting at $599 Price starting at $999 Overall, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the better option for the majority of users, simply on the basis of value for money. For most people, the additional $400+ needed to buy the ‌iPad Pro‌ is not justified to get the likes of ‌Face ID‌, a thinner design, four-speaker audio, and a ProMotion OLED display with refresh rates up to 120Hz. One of the more significant changes in recent years is that performance is no longer the primary differentiator between the ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌. With the M4 chip, the ‌iPad Air‌ already delivers a level of CPU performance that is effectively indistinguishable from the Pro in most real-world tasks. The remaining gap is increasingly concentrated in GPU-bound workloads, AI acceleration, and display technology, rather than general responsiveness or app performance. Some ‌iPad Pro‌ features, such as LiDAR, up to 16GB of memory, and Thunderbolt connectivity are only practically useful to a small niche of users and most will never use some of these high-end capabilities. Many features, such as Adaptive Sync and Audio zoom, will not be meaningfully utilized by many users. Many users who choose the ‌iPad Pro‌ are effectively paying for experiential enhancements rather than functional necessity. Professionals who have a clear use case for needing larger amounts of RAM and storage, a matte display, Thunderbolt connectivity, and OLED for HDR content will clearly benefit from buying the ‌iPad Pro‌. That being said, "prosumer"-style customers who simply want the best iPad will enjoy features such as 120Hz ProMotion for smoother scrolling and gaming, a thinner design, deeper blacks and more vivid colors with the OLED display, and the Adaptive True Tone flash for document scanning, even if they are not strictly necessary. Beyond these individual circumstances, the ‌iPad Air‌ is the best value for money and will be more than ample for most users' needs. With the ‌iPad Air‌, users can get a modern all-screen design, the highly capable M4 chip, practical features like USB-C and 5G connectivity, and compatibility with the core Apple accessories for a price well below that of the ‌iPad Pro‌. Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad ProBuyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now), iPad Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPad This article, "M4 iPad Air vs. M5 iPad Pro Buyer's Guide: 40+ Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Docker Captains are leaders from the developer community that are both experts in their field and are passionate about sharing their Docker knowledge with others. “From the Captain’s Chair” is a blog series where we get a closer look at one Captain to learn more about them and their experiences. Today we are interviewing Naga Santhosh Reddy Vootukuri, known by his nickname Sunny. Sunny is a Principal Software Engineering Manager at Microsoft Azure SQL organization with 17+ years of experience in building cloud distributed scalable systems. He’s also a Dapr Meteor and an open-source contributor to Dapr and Microcks, both highly recognized CNCF projects. Sunny is also an IEEE Senior member and conducts various IEEE conferences in Seattle, presents workshops and is a regular conference speaker sharing his expertise on Cloud computing, Microservices, Docker and AI related topics. He regularly blogs at DZone as an MVB core member about various topics ranging from Docker, Github Actions, Cloud Native Microservices, Dapr etc. and also published three books on topics like Azure Container Apps, Aspire and Github Copilot. Can you share how you first got involved with Docker? My Docker journey began back in 2016 during my time in Shanghai, China. I just moved from Microsoft India to Microsoft Shanghai to join the SQL Server Integration services team in 2015, which is a core ETL product. Being an expat, I was searching for some local community events to go and try out networking. During one of the local meet ups, an engineer from Alibaba or Tencent (I don’t remember exactly) presented a talk on Docker and I remember he mentioned that as a developer you can forget using this sentence as an excuse with your Test teams: “It works on my machine”. I got super fascinated by his talk and demos which made me want to read and go hands-on with Docker and Docker Desktop (also the timing was perfect that Docker Desktop for Windows support had recently launched). Since then, Docker has become like a part of my DNA. What inspired you to become a Docker Captain? I think my love towards sharing knowledge and having a stronger community is what got me started with writing blogs and speaking at conferences. During a conference where I was presenting on Docker, I met a few friends who were Docker Captains, and they informed me about the Docker Captains program and the perks they got as Docker Captains (from talking to product teams, trying out new features first-hand to traveling to summits). I immediately applied once I came back home. It took more than a month to receive an email for a Captain’s interview and I hope I impressed Eva Bojorges (Docker community lead) about my passion and my contributions towards the Docker community. Super happy to complete one year as Docker Captain (soonish) and looking forward to many more years. I was super elated when Docker invited me to their Captains Summit in Istanbul (2025) as I was in their top 20 list of active contributions month over month. This trip was a memorable one as I met Docker product team and also talented Docker Captains across the world. Also, I can’t forget when I experienced my first hot air balloon ride (my friend from Germany took that pic, when I was busy with my Go Pro). What are some of your personal goals for the year 2026? There are few interesting goals I set aside to challenge myself: Writing a couple more technical books. I have finished three books in the last two years and currently two are in the proposal stage and the expected titles are “Docker Loves AI” and “Building Enterprise Copilots Using Copilot Studio” (anyone reading, please don’t steal these titles lol). I don’t know which one I will start soon but both are my personal projects for the year 2026. I am currently working on submitting proposals to speak at a couple of really big conferences mainly about Docker and open source projects that I am involved in. I am also the technical committee chair for a couple of IEEE conferences. Hopefully I end 2026 on a big note. Cross country road trip to the best beaches in the west coast. If you weren’t working in tech, what would you be doing instead? I would have been a cricketer, maybe? My love of Cricket started when I was six years old which was an escape from home and it lasted till now. I still play in domestic leagues in Seattle. Even when I was working in China, I used to play for local clubs in Shanghai with people from different countries. I don’t know if I would have excelled in cricket in a parallel universe (I guess we would never know) but the love towards it is unconditional. Below pic was right after a game we lost in semifinals of a local domestic league but we were still high on spirits for trying till the last minute (easy guess that blue is my fav color :P) Can you share a memorable story from collaborating with the Docker community? Docker community is one of the most active and vibrant communities, where we always encourage and cheer each other’s successes. I still remember the day when I was warmly welcomed into the Slack group as a new captain to get immediate help on a Friday evening when I was having some issues working with Docker Model Runner. My best memory was sitting in the hotel lounge with other Docker Captains at midnight in Turkiye after a boat party and talking about multiple topics from Docker to startups for 3-4 hours. What’s your favorite Docker product or feature right now, and why? My favorite one is Docker Agent framework. During the release of Docker Agent, I was playing with the first hands bit when shared in our Captain’s group. I immediately saw there is a potential to integrate with GitHub Models to avoid vendor lock-in when building AI agents. I spoke to the product team, helped them with what exactly GitHub Models about and how this could be integrated into the product as it also supports Open AI standards. It was a useful chat with Docker team lead (Djordje Lukic) and in a couple of hours we had a new release with the integration with GitHub Models. I also wrote a blog post (https://www.docker.com/blog/configure-cagent-github-models/) on this integration and why everyone should give it a try without worrying about spending money on getting your API developer keys. Can you walk us through a tricky technical challenge you solved recently? When I was giving AI related workshops in some colleges from South India, they mentioned some of the popular Microsoft open source repositories not having support for local language translation. There are many colleges that still study in their mother tongue and that hit me hard, so I spent 3-4 weekends and worked on implementing it and currently we have all South Indian languages (Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malyalam) support on all the Microsoft open source repositories (100K+ GitHub stars). Check out: https://github.com/microsoft/ML-For-Beginners https://github.com/microsoft/AI-For-Beginners What’s one Docker tip you wish every developer knew? With the current AI world we are living in, it’s super easy to generate Dockerfiles but VS Code extension (Docker DX- https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=docker.docker) makes it easy to live-debug to figure out any issues. This is a must have tool in your arsenal. If you could containerize any non-technical object in real life, what would it be and why? If I had powers I would containerize work sessions. Imagine a perfect containerized isolated work environment that would isolate you from distractions, whether you are at the office, home or on a cruise. Where can people find you online? I am always active on LinkedIn and sharing my knowledge on my blog. Rapid Fire Questions Cats or Dogs? Dogs Morning person or night owl? Morning Person (4 am) Favorite comfort food? Hyderabadi Spicy Dum Biryani One word friends would use to describe you? Energetic A hobby you picked up recently? Learning Spanish on Duolingo View the full article

WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned tab bar on iOS that swaps out the familiar Settings gear icon for a new "You" tab featuring your profile photo. The change is arriving with version 26.10.73, which is now available on the App Store. The tab itself still opens the same account and privacy controls. The main reason for the switch is that Meta is laying the groundwork for multi-account support. Meta has been developing multi-account functionality for WhatsApp for some time, and the profile tab is a clear step toward that goal. The idea is that users will eventually be able to manage separate personal and business profiles from a single device, tapping the profile icon to switch between them. In that sense, showing your profile picture in the navigation bar makes it immediately obvious which account is active – an approach that appears to have been borrowed straight from Instagram. Image credit: WABetaInfo WhatsApp is also testing a default cover photo banner at the top of the profile page, but users can't customize it yet. Not every user will see the change right away. WhatsApp's feature rollouts are typically gradual, so don't be surprised if your Settings gear hangs around a little while longer.Tag: WhatsApp This article, "WhatsApp Replaces Settings Icon With New Profile Tab" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island. Below, we have recapped eight features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of March 2026:Red Color: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be red. Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices. 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch Display Sizes: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. LTPO+ Displays: More power-efficient displays could contribute to longer battery life. Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be. A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains. C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models. N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.These are only some of the changes planned for the iPhone 18 Pro models, with others outlined in our iPhone 18 roundup, including these four:A simplified Camera Control button with no swipe gestures. Design changes to the rear Ceramic Shield for MagSafe charging, potentially including a more frosted glass appearance. Web browsing via satellite. The iPhone 18 Pro Max may be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, perhaps to accommodate a larger battery.Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and potentially a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Related Forum: iPhone This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon's annual Big Spring Sale will kick off one week from today, on Wednesday, March 25, but ahead of that event the retailer is already discounting a wide array of popular accessories. Below we're tracking deals on monitors, headphones, iPhone and desktop accessories, and more. 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. Highlights include Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99, which is $300 off and a match of the all-time low price on the monitor. We're also tracking discounts on unique products like the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 for $119.99 ($30 off) and Satechi FindAll Wallet Card for $29.98 ($5 off). $30 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for $119.99 $300 OFFSamsung Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99Monitors 32-inch Samsung Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $267.99, down from $329.99 27-inch LG UltraGear Gaming Monitor - $319.99, down from $499.99 27-inch ASUS ProArt 4K Display - $349.00, down from $429.00 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 Gaming Monitor - $474.00, down from $549.99 32-inch Samsung Smart Monitor M9 - $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99 Wall Chargers Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99 UGREEN Nexode 100W GaN USB-C Charger - $42.99, down from $59.99 Anker 14-in-1 Prime Thunderbolt 5 Dock - $339.99, down from $399.99 Wireless Chargers Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99 Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $85.99, down from $109.99 Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station (NEW) - $119.99, down from $149.99 Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $169.99, down from $229.99 Portable Chargers Anker MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $71.99, down from $89.99 Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $199.99, down from $229.99 Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $489.99, down from $799.00 Miscellaneous Satechi FindAll Wallet Card - $29.98, down from $34.99 Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 - $119.99, down from $149.99 Sonos Beam Gen 2 - $369.00, down from $499.00 Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Cancelling Headphones - $398, down from $459.00 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, "Amazon Big Spring Sale Introduces Early Discounts on Popular Accessories" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple has quietly blocked AI "vibe coding" apps, such as Replit and Vibecode, from releasing App Store updates unless they make changes, The Information reports. "Vibe coding" tools allow users with little to no programming experience to build apps or websites using natural language prompts. Their accessibility has driven rapid adoption among both developers and non-technical users. Apple told The Information that certain vibe coding features breach long-standing ‌App Store‌ rules prohibiting apps from executing code that alters their own functionality or that of other apps. Some of these apps also support building software for Apple devices, which may have contributed to a recent surge in new ‌App Store‌ submissions and, in some cases, slower approval times, according to developers. An Apple spokesperson said the policy is not targeted specifically at vibe coding apps. However, some people familiar with the matter said Apple was close to approving updates for Replit and Vibecode after the developers agreed to modify how their apps preview generated content or remove certain capabilities altogether, such as creating apps for Apple platforms. When platforms like Replit generate an app, they typically display it within the original app using an embedded web view. This is something Apple seems to object to. The company now expects approval if it adjusts its app to open generated apps in an external browser rather than an in-app web view. In Vibecode's case, the review team indicated it would likely approve updates if the app removed the ability to generate software specifically for Apple devices, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Information claims that Apple's intervention risks undermining view coding apps' usability and growth. For example, since its last update in January, Replit's mobile app has fallen from first to third place in Apple's free developer tools rankings, a decline the company attributes in part to its inability to release updates, according to a source familiar with the situation. Vibe coding apps present a potential concern for Apple because they enable users to build applications that operate outside the ‌App Store‌ ecosystem, while also competing with Xcode. Some developers believe Apple has an incentive to steer them toward its own tools, which could make switching to alternative platforms more difficult.Tags: App Store, App Store Review Guidelines, Artificial Intelligence This article, "Apple Quietly Blocks Updates for Popular 'Vibe Coding' Apps" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

A lawsuit brought against Apple by music streaming app Musi has been dismissed by a federal judge, after she ruled that Apple's developer agreement gives it the right to remove any app from the App Store at any time, "with or without cause." Launched in 2013 by two Canadian teenagers, Musi was an app that played YouTube videos in a stripped-down interface, showed its own ads (removable for $5.99), and let users build playlists. Basically, it was a free music streaming service built on top of YouTube's content but without paying rights holders, and it was downloaded from the App Store tens of millions of times. Musi claimed it complied with YouTube's terms, but Apple pulled it from the App Store in September 2024, following pressure from Sony, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and the National Music Publishers Association. Musi subsequently sued Apple for pulling the app, alleging that its removal was based on unsubstantiated intellectual property claims from YouTube. The lawsuit went so far as to argue that Apple had violated its own Developer Program License Agreement (DPLA), and that Apple was required to conduct a review and form a "reasonable belief" that the app infringed IP rights before pulling it. However, Northern California district judge Eumi Lee rejected that argument entirely. The DPLA's plain language allows Apple to stop offering an app at any time as long as it provides notice, said the judge, adding that the "reasonable belief" clause does not limit that broad right. On this basis, the case was summarily dismissed with prejudice – a legal term meaning Musi cannot refile the same claims (but it could still appeal). Lee, writing in the court motion: "The plain language of the DPLA governs because it is clear and explicit: Apple may 'cease marketing, offering, and allowing download by end-users of the [Musi app] at any time, with or without cause, by providing notice of termination.' Based on this language, Apple had the right to cease offering the Musi app without cause if Apple provided notice to Musi. The complaint alleges, and Musi does not dispute, that Apple gave Musi the required notice. Therefore, Apple's decision to remove the Musi app from the App Store did not breach the DPLA."The ruling also came with a striking rebuke of Musi's legal team. Judge Lee sanctioned law firm Winston & Strawn for alleging that Apple had "admitted" to knowingly relying on false evidence – a claim the judge found had no factual basis, even after Musi's lawyers had spent two months reviewing Apple's internal documents and deposing its employees. Sanctions are an unusual step in which a court penalizes attorneys for making claims that lack evidentiary support. Judge Lee admonished the firm for "making up facts," and ordered it to pay Apple's costs related to the sanctions motion. It wasn't the first time Musi's conduct had come under scrutiny in the case, either. Apple alleged in a separate May 2025 filing that Musi founder Aaron Wojnowski had previously forwarded a fabricated email to Apple, purportedly from a Universal Music Group (UMG) executive, in an attempt to get the app reinstated after an earlier removal. UMG later informed Apple that the email was fraudulent, according to Apple's filing. In a curious twist, Musi actually asked the judge to award them attorneys' fees for having to defend against Apple's sanctions motion. The judge called this "audacious" given that Musi lost on every front. Perhaps most notably, the ruling could have broader implications well beyond the Musi app. Given that the ruling affirms the DPLA's language so clearly, it arguably gives Apple strong legal backing for future app removals, regardless of the stated reason. Going forward, developers challenging their app's removal from the App Store are therefore likely to have a harder time arguing Apple breached its own agreement.Tags: App Store, Apple Lawsuits This article, "Apple Wins Decisive Victory in Musi App Store Removal Lawsuit" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple CEO Tim Cook is in China, where he attended one of the company's 50th anniversary events outside of its Taikoo Li retail store in Chengdu today. The event revolved around a performance by Chinese singer Li Yuchun, and it comes after Apple hosted a surprise Alicia Keys concert at its Grand Central store in New York last week. According to the China Daily, Cook is scheduled to attend the China Development Forum in Beijing this weekend, and he will also meet with Chinese app developers, government officials, and some of Apple's various partners in the country. "China is so important for us," said Cook. Ahead of World Water Day on March 22, Apple announced that its suppliers in China saved a record 55 billion liters of fresh water last year through Apple's Supplier Clean Water Program. As an example, Apple touted a new aluminum anodization process for the MacBook Neo that "continuously recycles and recirculates water." As of March 15, Apple lowered its standard App Store commission rate for iPhone and iPad apps and in-app purchases from 30% to 25% in mainland China, following "discussions with the Chinese regulator." However, Bloomberg reported that China is urging Apple to further ease App Store restrictions and address "monopolistic" practices. Finally, Apple is now sharing developer coding videos on the Chinese video sharing platform Bilibili, ahead of WWDC 2026 in June. It all amounts to a busy week for Apple in China.Tags: Apple 50th Anniversary, China, Tim Cook This article, "Tim Cook Visits China, Attends Apple's 50th Anniversary Event and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.99, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which has been rare on Amazon in recent weeks. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts. $49 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.99 Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup. 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, "AirPods Pro 3 Available for $199.99 Low Price on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

The Apple Sports app has been updated to make it easier for fans of college basketball to follow their favorite teams during March Madness. Version 3.8.1 of the app introduces new in-app brackets that let fans track the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in real time, by visualizing their team's path from the First Four through the Final Four alongside live scores, play-by-play updates, and detailed stats. Designed for speed and simplicity, the Apple Sports app gives fans a fast, personalized way to stay on top of the teams and leagues they love. Users can customize their scoreboards by following favorite teams, tournaments, and leagues, quickly navigate between scores and upcoming games, explore play-by-play and lineup details, and tap directly to the Apple TV app to watch live events.Apple introduced the Apple Sports app in 2024 as a streamlined way to quickly check live scores and key statistics. The app is available on iPhone across multiple regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and several other European countries.Tag: Apple Sports This article, "Apple Sports App Lets You Follow NCAA March Madness in Real Time" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article