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Meta has prototyped "super sensing" smart glasses that use cameras and audio recordings to capture the wearer's every moment, reports the Financial Times ($). The smart glasses continuously collect audio while taking photos every few seconds, allowing the user to leverage AI to help query what they saw or heard, or recall their day, according to the report's sources. Meta's current AI smart glasses have an LED in the corner of the frame that lights up to signal to others when a wearer is taking photographs or filming. But Meta executives don't want to activate the LED when the super-sensing features are turned on. In one proposed system, raw footage and audio would not be stored by Meta or made available to the user, several people said. Instead, the metadata from that audio and images would be extracted and uploaded to the server for Meta's AI to query, which proponents argue would have fewer privacy implications. The company is also discussing whether data collected through the glasses and their features could be used to train its own AI models, as it pours billions into rivalling competition such as OpenAI, Google and Anthropic in the AI race.The report suggests the features could be activated on Meta's existing glasses via a software update. Meta's plan, which could still change, highlights the obvious civil liberty and privacy risks of smart glasses. Privacy experts argue that always-on devices could violate data privacy or biometric data laws. It is also unclear whether the company or the wearer would be liable for potential violations of wiretapping laws, given that several U.S. states prohibit recording third-party conversations without consent. Meta's existing Ray-Ban smart glasses already lack a visual indicator when AI is being used to analyze the wearer's surroundings. The company says it safeguards privacy by stripping out key identifying information. In February, it was reported that the social media giant had an inactive facial recognition feature embedded in its Ray-Ban smart glasses platform. The company later removed the system. Apple is widely expected to release its first smart glasses in 2027, designed in-house rather than through a partner brand. Apple's smart glasses are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, and will have the ability to take photos, record video, provide translations, give turn-by-turn directions, and more. However, they won't have augmented reality capabilities, and it's not clear how Apple will manage privacy concerns.Tags: Financial Times, Meta, Privacy This article, "Meta's 'Super Sensing' Prototype Glasses Quietly Record Everything" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro Max could be noticeably thicker and heavier than its predecessor, suggesting a trade-off behind the device's rumored larger battery. Chinese leaker Ice Universe today claimed the iPhone 18 Pro Max will measure around 9mm thick and weigh approximately 240 grams. That would make the device around 0.25mm thicker and roughly 7 grams heavier than the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. The latest claim comes off the back of recent regulatory filings indicating the iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a 5,391mAh battery in China and a 5,567mAh battery in the U.S. – an increase of nearly 500mAh over the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Ice Universe suggested the added thickness and weight are a direct result of the larger battery, but Apple is also said to be adopting a new type of vapor chamber that uses stainless steel, which could also be a contributing factor. The rumor builds on an earlier claim that Apple's next flagship could become the heaviest iPhone ever. If so, it would have to be heavier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which also weighed 240 grams, so it may turn out that there are only milligram-level differences between the two. Apple's use of titanium instead of stainless steel made the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro models. Apple then switched away from titanium to less-dense aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models, but internal changes and slightly thicker designs bumped up their weight again. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to launch alongside Apple's first foldable iPhone this September.Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProTag: Ice Universe This article, "iPhone 18 Pro Max Said to Be Thicker and Heavier Than Predecessor" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Attn: local Melbourne bands… this one might be worth throwing your hat into the ring for. For the first time in years, St Kilda institution The Esplanade Hotel (lovingly known as The Espy) is reviving its legendary Battle Of The Bands comp, giving one emerging act the chance to score cash, festival slots, professional promo support and some serious bragging rights. Applications are now open here Entries are officially open now, with applications closing Saturday, July 19, ahead of the comp kicking off in August inside the venue’s iconic Gershwin Room. Twenty-five bands will battle it out across five heats before one winner walks away with a prize package designed to give an up-and-coming act a genuine career boost. The first-place winner will pocket $4,000 in cash, score a paid performance on The Espy Live Stage at St Kilda Festival 2027, receive a professional photoshoot, custom-printed posters, flyers and merch, plus a feature interview in Beat Magazine. The runner-up won’t go home empty-handed either, pocketing $1,000 in cash along with a promo print package. Meanwhile, every grand finalist will receive a professionally filmed and recorded live performance courtesy of James Dominko Photography and Mudbrick Studios/Mix On The Move. Whether you’ve just started gigging or you’re looking for the next big opp to get your music in front of new audiences, it’s one of the stronger prize pools we’ve seen attached to a local live band comp in quite some time. AI artists need not apply! Further Reading Iconic Melbourne Venue The Espy Announces 2018 Reopening & Live Music Plans Melbourne’s Beloved Stay Gold Is Closing This June Meet Trophy Wyfe: The Newcastle Teens Crowned triple j Unearthed High Winners For 2026 The post Dear Melbourne Bands: The Espy’s Battle Of The Bands Is Back (Win $4K & A St Kilda Festival Slot) appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

After more than a decade of chart-topping singles, ARIA Awards and festival anthems, Peking Duk are finally doing something they’ve somehow never done before. The beloved electronic duo have announced their long-awaited debut album, Paradise, arriving on Friday, August 14, alongside a huge 13-date Australian headline tour that will take them across the East Coast this spring. Peking Duk ft. Matt Corby – Let Go As if that wasn’t enough, Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles have also unveiled one final taste of the record in the form of gorgeous new single Let Go, featuring acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Matt Corby. Despite becoming one of Australia’s most successful electronic acts over the past decade, Peking Duk have never released a full-length album – a surprising statistic given their multi-platinum catalogue, ARIA Awards and countless festival headline appearances. According to Styles, Paradise represents an entirely new chapter for the duo. “Our debut album Paradise is something new from us – it’s adventurous both sonically and thematically,” he says. “It’s got a little more depth which can be dived into as it’s a full-length record and we can’t wait to share with everyone and hopefully they join us on the journey to paradise. We’ve come together and made something we are so proud of and we can’t wait to share it.” The latest preview of that journey arrives with Let Go, a collaboration with Matt Corby that swaps festival-sized drops for a more reflective, emotionally driven sound reminiscent of early Peking Duk favourites like High and Take Me Over. Styles calls it one of the duo’s proudest achievements. “Let Go is one of my favourite pieces of music that Adam and I have ever made together,” he says. “It’s got such a fun, retro electronic feel to it, paying homage to that Australian sound of the early 2010s. Matt’s vocal is just so beautiful and the way he performed it is just stunning — it gets you in the feels in all the right ways.” For Hyde, it’s the standout track on the record. “Let Go is hands down my favourite song off the record,” he says. “To me it really rings true to the beauty of what Peking Duk is. It’s slow, it’s emotional, yet banging.” The collaboration came together unexpectedly while Corby was writing with producer Nat Dunn in Queensland’s Noosa hinterland. “Whilst in the middle of a writing session with my good mate Nat Dunn in her Sunshine Coast hinterland paradise, the Peking Duk boys rocked up and surprised us,” Corby recalls. “They played us what they were working on for the next album, and I loved it. It feels like their best work yet.” Following recent singles Thrills featuring Rico Nasty, Forever featuring Phantogram and Do Your Best featuring Kah-Lo, Let Go offers another glimpse at the stylistically adventurous world of Paradise. Fans will get to experience that new era live when Peking Duk hit the road later this year with an all-new production built around the album. “We are beyond thrilled to be bringing our debut album on the road across this beautiful country,” Hyde says. “It’s a whole new show, with new energy, and signifies a whole new chapter for Peking Duk. We want to see all your faces there smiling and sweating, and we will be doing the same.” Given Peking Duk’s repfor turning every show into a giant dance party, expect plenty of both. Suss the details below. Peking Duk – Paradise Australian Tour 2026 Friday, September 25 — King Street, Newcastle Friday, October 2 — McGuires Hotel, Mackay Saturday, October 3 — Uni Bar, Townsville Sunday, October 4 — Gilligans, Cairns Friday, October 16 — Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Saturday, October 17 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Sunday, October 18 — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast Friday, October 23 — Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour Saturday, October 24 — Panthers, Port Macquarie Friday, October 30 — UC Refectory, Canberra Friday, November 6 — Odeon Theatre, Hobart Saturday, November 7 — Roundhouse, Sydney Friday, November 27 — Timber Yard, Melbourne Tickets for Peking Duk’s Paradise Tour go on sale 9am AEST Wednesday 15 July. Sign up via www.pekingduk.com Further Reading Watch Peking Duk Throw A Wild Rave Inside A Local Bunnings triple j’s Hottest 100 Of Australian Songs: The Complete List triple j’s 100 Best Unearthed Discoveries: The Complete List The post Peking Duk Are Finally Releasing Their Debut Album, And Celebrating With A Massive Australian Tour appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

If your playlist once bounced between End Of The Road, Shoop and Poison, clear your calendar. ’90s R&B royalty Boyz II Men are heading back to Australia this summer, bringing two fellow icons along for the ride in what shapes as one of the year’s biggest nostalgia tours. Boyz II Men – ‘End Of The Road’ Joining the best-selling R&B group of all time are rap trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa and new jack swing pioneers Bell Biv DeVoe, who’ll make their long-awaited Australian debut as part of the stacked triple bill. The tour will hit Perth, Sydney, Geelong, the Hunter Valley and Mount Cotton across November and December, promising a night packed wall-to-wall with some of the biggest songs of the ’90s. For Boyz II Men, it’s another return to Aussie stages armed with the catalogue that helped define an era. Across more than three decades, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman have sold over 64 million albums worldwide, collecting four Grammy Awards and countless chart records along the way. Among those classics is End Of The Road, which famously spent 13 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, while I’ll Make Love To You, On Bended Knee, Motownphilly and their Mariah Carey collaboration One Sweet Day remain staples of R&B history. Joining them are hip hop legends Salt-N-Pepa, whose influence stretches far beyond their string of era-defining hits. As the first female rap act inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton and DJ Spinderella helped rewrite the rules for women in hip hop with anthems including Push It, Shoop, Let’s Talk About Sex and Whatta Man. Rounding out the lineup are Bell Biv DeVoe, making their first-ever Australian appearance. Formed by Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe following the success of New Edition, the trio helped pioneer the new jack swing movement, blending R&B, hip hop and pop into a sound that dominated the early ’90s with hits including Poison, Do Me! and B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)? Whether you remember wearing out the CDs or discovered these tracks through TikTok and streaming playlists decades later, this is about as stacked a celebration of ’90s R&B and hip hop as you’re likely to see on Australian shores. Suss all the details down below. Boyz II Men Australian Tour 2026 Special guests: Salt-N-Pepa & Bell Biv DeVoe Thursday, November 26 — RAC Arena, Perth Saturday, November 28 — A Day On The Green, Mount Duneed Estate, Geelong Friday, December 4 — TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney Saturday, December 5 — A Day On The Green, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley Sunday, December 6 — A Day On The Green, Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton MEMBER PRESALES NAB GOODIES VISA PRESALE (AU) | via nab.com.au/presale Runs 48 hours from: Monday 13 July, 11.00am local time or until presale allocation exhausted MG LIVE MEMBER PRESALE | via mg.live Runs 24 hours from: Wednesday 15 July, 12.00pm local time or until presale allocation exhausted *A DAY ON THE GREEN MEMBER PRESALE | via adayonthegreen.com.au Runs 24 hours from: Wednesday 15 July, 12.00pm local time or until presale allocation exhausted FRONTIER TOURING MEMBER PRESALE | via frontiertouring.com Runs 24 hours from: Wednesday 15 July, 12.00pm local time or until presale allocation exhausted Further Reading Watch Bluejuice Cover Boyz II Men’s ‘End Of The Road’ For ‘Like A Version’ Human Nature Announce Memoir And Intimate Live Events Celebrating Their Untold Story GIG REVIEWS: Field Day (Ft. Salt N Pepa) Sydney, The Domain, 01/01/15 The post Boyz II Men Are Bringing Salt-N-Pepa To Australia For A Giant ’90s R&B Throwback appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

Aussie fans are getting one last chance to celebrate one of alternative rock’s defining albums. Arizona icons Jimmy Eat World have announced an Australian headline tour for December, bringing the 25th anniversary celebrations of their landmark 2001 album Bleed American Down Under for what will be the final performances anywhere in the world dedicated to the record. Jimmy Eat World – ‘The Middle’ Marking the band’s first Australian headline tour since 2017, the run will see Bleed American performed in full alongside a stack of fan favourites, with Aussie favourites Ruby Fields and A. Swayze & The Ghosts joining every show. Originally released in July 2001, Bleed American became the record that launched Jimmy Eat World onto the global stage, spawning enduring classics including The Middle, Sweetness, Bleed American and A Praise Chorus while helping redefine alternative rock for an entire generation. Twenty-five years later, the album’s influence continues to echo throughout modern rock, with artists including Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday and The Wonder Years all citing it as a formative influence on their own music. As they prepare to farewell the anniversary celebrations, frontman Jim Adkins says the band are approaching these shows with a fresh appreciation for what the record has come to mean. “When we printed the last mix of Bleed American, we felt like we had achieved something great for ourselves,” Adkins says. “There was no barometer of how it would connect with people outside of the studio, and we are still in awe with the life the record and songs have had since their original release. Bleed American is as much yours as it is ours, so we want to celebrate it with you all in a very special way.” Adkins says fans can also expect a bigger live production than previous tours. “I feel like at this time in our lives, especially for me, it’s important to get back to a place that you can savor. This tour is designed to be an elevated version of our show, a heightened experience with production that reflects 25 years of learning how to stretch artistically in the live environment.” Drummer Zach Lind adds that revisiting the album has given the band a renewed perspective. “This tour feels like a second chance to show appreciation to the fans who have provided our livelihood for the past 25 years.” Released at the height of the early-2000s alternative rock boom, Bleed American not only became Jimmy Eat World’s commercial breakthrough but has endured as one of the genre’s defining releases. The Middle recently joined Spotify’s Billion Streams Club, while the album itself remains a touchstone for generations of emo, pop-punk and alternative rock fans. With these Australian dates set to close the curtain on the album’s global 25th anniversary celebrations, local audiences will be the last in the world to experience one of the most beloved records of the 2000s performed in full. Jimmy Eat World – 25 Years Of Bleed American Australian Tour Special guests: Ruby Fields & A. Swayze & The Ghosts Thursday, December 10 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Friday, December 11 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Saturday, December 12 — Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide Tuesday, December 15 — Riverstage, Brisbane Tickets go on sale to the general public at 11am local time on Thursday 16 July. For all tour and ticketing information, visit teglive.com.au Further Reading REVIEW: My Chemical Romance Review – Passionate Embrace on Emo Kings’ Return to Melbourne Jimmy Eat World: “We Didn’t Want to Limit Ourselves by Identifying as Emo” Here’s Jimmy Eat World Playing ‘The Middle’ During Their Tiny Desk Concert To Brighten Up Your Morning The post Jimmy Eat World Are Bringing The Final-Ever ‘Bleed American’ Anniversary Shows To Australia appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

Dayseeker are officially levelling up. Just three years after selling out their debut Australian headline tour, the Californian post-hardcore favourites have announced their biggest local shows to date, returning in February 2027 for a national run that includes arena-sized performances in Melbourne and Sydney. Dayseeker – ‘Crawl Back To My Coffin’ Joining them for the tour is a stacked international lineup, with Toronto genre-blender Jutes making his long-awaited Australian debut alongside returning heavyweights Silent Planet and fast-rising American duo Sace6. “We’re so thrilled to be coming back to Australia to start off our 2027,” frontman Rory Rodriguez said. “These will be some of the biggest headlining shows of our career and we can’t wait for our friends overseas to see the show we’ve put together.” It’s another major milestone for Dayseeker, whose Aussie fanbase has exploded in recent years. Their 2024 headline tour sold out entirely, before their return for Good Things Festival 2025 earned praise for delivering “one of the most emotionally powerful sets of the day.” Since forming in 2012, the Southern California outfit have steadily evolved from crushing post-hardcore into one of modern heavy music’s most emotionally compelling acts, balancing towering riffs with cinematic atmosphere and Rodriguez’s unmistakable soaring vocals. That evolution culminated in last year’s acclaimed sixth album Creature In The Black Night, which also delivered the band’s first-ever No. 1 single on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart with Crawl Back To My Coffin. The 2027 Australian run also marks the first-ever local performances from Jutes, whose genre-bending blend of alternative rock, R&B and hip hop has propelled him to hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Fresh from selling out his first North American headline tour and UK run, he’ll arrive in Australia armed with new album Chin Up, Beautiful, due this August. Rounding out the bill are California metalcore innovators Silent Planet, returning after impressing Australian crowds supporting ERRA in 2025, alongside American duo Sace6, whose blend of crushing heaviness, pop melody and R&B earned them multiple Heavy Music Award nominations following the release of their debut album brutalist. With Dayseeker now stepping into the biggest headline venues of their career Down Under, this shapes as one of the heavyweight tours of early 2027. Suss all the details down below. Dayseeker Australian Tour 2027 With special guests: Jutes (USA), Silent Planet (USA) & Sace6 (USA) Sunday, February 7 — Metro City, Perth Tuesday, February 9 — Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide Thursday, February 11 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Friday, February 12 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Sunday, February 14 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Spotify pre-sale tickets on sale: Monday 13 July @ 11am local time Artist & early bird pre-sale tickets on sale: Tuesday 14 July @ 12pm AEST Venue pre-sale tickets on sale: Wednesday 15 July @ 12pm local time To Gain Early Ticket Access Register Here -> https://daltours.cc/dayseeker General tickets on sale: Friday 16 July @ 12pm local time via destroyalllines.com Further Reading Holding Absence Announce First Ever Australian Headline Tour Against The Current Announce First Australian Shows In Four Years Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo Opens Up About Coming Out, Self-Acceptance And Why Heavy Music Needs More Queer Visibility The post Dayseeker Announce Biggest-Ever Australian Headline Tour For 2027 With Jutes, Silent Planet & Sace6 appeared first on Music Feeds. View the full article

Introduction Order Management Systems (OMS) tools have become essential in the modern business environment, helping organizations streamline their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and boost overall efficiency. As companies move towards digital transformation, the demand for robust, scalable, and easy-to-integrate order management systems continues to grow. In 2026, businesses face the challenge of managing a fast-paced, omnichannel world. Customers expect seamless, real-time order tracking, fast deliveries, and error-free transactions. For businesses, managing inventory, processing orders, and providing timely updates is critical for retaining customers and driving growth. With an ever-evolving digital landscape, it’s crucial for organizations to adopt OMS tools that offer flexibility, automation, and accurate reporting. This blog will explore the top 10 Order Management Systems tools for 2026, helping you choose the best solution for your business needs. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, we’ll provide you with the features, pros, cons, and a comparison table to help make an informed decision. Top 10 Order Management Systems Tools for 2026 1. KIBO Commerce Short Description: KIBO Commerce is a composable order management and commerce platform built for high-volume retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors managing complex B2B, B2C, and D2C operations. Its AI-based platform unifies distributed order management (DOM) and eCommerce within a single MACH-certified, API-first architecture, letting businesses deploy individual modules or the full platform to replace fragmented legacy systems. Key Features: Distributed Order Management with intelligent, rules-based order routing Real-time inventory visibility across stores, warehouses, and vendor locations Omnichannel fulfillment (BOPIS, Curbside, Ship-from-Store, Ship-to-Home, and more) Composable, MACH-certified architecture for modular deployment and incremental migration Returns Management and reverse logistics Agentic AI capabilities for shopper engagement, promotions, merchandising, customer service, analytics, order routing, reverse logistics, inventory forecasting, development, and more Pros: Recognized as a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Order Management Systems (Q1 2025) Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study found 167% ROI with a payback period under six months Strong fit for complex B2C, B2B, and global enterprise omnichannel operations Modular composable design avoids vendor lock-in and supports phased rollouts Cons: Best suited for mid-market and enterprise buyers rather than very small businesses Implementation benefits from dedicated technical resources for full configuration Wide customer base in North America and EMEA, less in APAC 2. Odoo OMS Short Description: Odoo offers a robust, integrated suite of business applications, with a powerful order management system that can handle everything from inventory management to invoicing and procurement. Key Features: Multi-warehouse and multi-currency support Real-time stock updates Seamless integration with other Odoo apps Automated workflows and reporting Advanced forecasting tools Pros: All-in-one business suite Highly customizable Affordable for small businesses Cons: Can be overwhelming for smaller teams due to the vast number of features Learning curve for new users 3. NetSuite OMS Short Description: NetSuite, a leading ERP platform, offers a comprehensive OMS solution designed for growing businesses and enterprises. It integrates with various systems to provide a unified approach to order management across all sales channels. Key Features: Multi-channel order processing Advanced financial management tools Real-time inventory and supply chain visibility Integration with CRM and marketing automation Detailed reporting and analytics Pros: Ideal for larger businesses Robust customization options Scalable to accommodate business growth Cons: Expensive for small businesses Complex setup and implementation 4. Brightpearl Short Description: Brightpearl is a cloud-based order management solution tailored for retail and wholesale businesses. It offers end-to-end automation, enabling real-time visibility into orders, inventory, and financials. Key Features: Multi-channel retail order processing Automated order routing Real-time inventory sync across sales channels Powerful reporting and analytics Integrated shipping management Pros: Excellent for retail and wholesale businesses Great scalability Comprehensive feature set Cons: Higher learning curve for new users May require dedicated IT resources for full implementation 5. ShipBob Short Description: ShipBob is an order management tool focused on helping businesses with eCommerce. It offers end-to-end fulfillment services that include warehousing, packaging, and shipping, along with robust OMS functionalities. Key Features: Real-time order tracking and fulfillment Multi-channel order management Automated shipping label creation Seamless integration with Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce International shipping support Pros: Simplifies order fulfillment and shipping Ideal for small to medium eCommerce businesses Excellent customer support Cons: Fees can accumulate for smaller shipments Limited customization options for advanced users 6. Zentail Short Description: Zentail is an OMS tool designed for multi-channel sellers, focusing on automating product listings, order management, and inventory synchronization across various platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Key Features: Centralized order processing Automated inventory sync Multi-channel support (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc.) Bulk order processing capabilities Data-driven insights and reporting Pros: Excellent for businesses selling across multiple platforms Easy-to-use interface Integration with popular eCommerce platforms Cons: Limited features for very large businesses Can be costly for smaller operations 7. Shopify Plus Short Description: Shopify Plus is a high-end version of the popular eCommerce platform Shopify. It includes an OMS that offers robust tools for businesses that sell across various channels, with an emphasis on scaling and growth. Key Features: Multi-channel integration Seamless order management and tracking Customizable workflows and automation Real-time inventory management Built-in reporting and analytics Pros: Excellent scalability and ease of use Great for eCommerce businesses Strong third-party integrations Cons: High monthly fees Limited for non-eCommerce businesses 8. Acumatica Cloud ERP Short Description: Acumatica Cloud ERP is a comprehensive business management suite that includes order management capabilities tailored for businesses of all sizes. It combines financials, CRM, and order management into one solution. Key Features: Integrated with CRM and financial management systems Real-time inventory updates Multi-warehouse management Mobile access for on-the-go management Automation of order workflows Pros: Ideal for growing businesses Highly customizable Full ERP suite with financial management Cons: May be too complex for smaller businesses Higher cost of implementation 9. Katanacuts Short Description: Katanacuts is a modern, flexible order management system built for eCommerce and wholesale businesses. It enables the automation of order processing, providing real-time stock tracking, and integrating seamlessly with various sales channels. Key Features: Real-time inventory sync Multi-channel support (eCommerce, marketplaces) Integration with payment systems Automated order fulfillment and shipping Analytics and reporting tools Pros: Strong multi-channel support Excellent for wholesale and eCommerce User-friendly interface Cons: Limited advanced features May not suit larger businesses with complex needs 10. Orderhive Short Description: Orderhive is an intuitive OMS solution designed to centralize order management, streamline inventory management, and automate workflows for small and medium-sized businesses. Key Features: Multi-channel integration Centralized inventory management Real-time order processing Integration with leading eCommerce platforms Customizable workflows and reporting Pros: Great for small to medium businesses Affordable pricing structure Easy integration with various platforms Cons: Limited support for larger enterprises Less advanced reporting capabilities Comparison Table Tool NameBest ForPlatform(s) SupportedStandout FeaturePricingRating (G2)KIBO CommerceB2C / B2B / EnterpriseWeb, iOS, AndroidComposable distributed order managemenCustom4.5/5Odoo OMSGrowing businessesWeb, Android, iOSAll-in-one business suiteFree / Custom4.6/5NetSuite OMSLarge enterprisesWeb, Android, iOSERP integration with order managementStarts at $999/month4.4/5BrightpearlRetail/WholesaleWeb, Android, iOSReal-time inventory syncStarts at $500/month4.6/5ShipBobeCommerce businessesWeb, iOS, AndroidOrder fulfillment and shipping servicesCustom4.7/5ZentailMulti-platform sellersWeb, Shopify, eBayAutomated inventory synchronizationCustom4.5/5Shopify PluseCommerce businessesWeb, iOS, AndroidSeamless multi-channel integrationStarts at $2,000/month4.7/5Acumatica Cloud ERPGrowing enterprisesWeb, iOS, AndroidFull ERP suite integrationCustom4.6/5KatanacutseCommerce/WholesaleWebReal-time inventory syncCustom4.4/5OrderhiveSMBsWeb, iOS, AndroidAffordable pricing and ease of useStarts at $29/month4.3/5 Which Order Management Systems Tool is Right for You? Small Businesses: If you’re a small business looking for an affordable and user-friendly solution, tools like Orderhive and TradeGecko (QuickBooks Commerce) are great options. These tools provide essential order management features without the complexity or high price tags of larger solutions. Growing Enterprises: For businesses in a growth phase, Odoo OMS and Brightpearl offer scalable options with advanced automation and integration capabilities to manage orders across multiple channels. Large Enterprises/Enterprises: NetSuite OMS and Acumatica Cloud ERP are perfect for larger businesses with complex needs, as they provide full ERP capabilities with advanced reporting, automation, and integration features. eCommerce Businesses: If you’re primarily focused on eCommerce, ShipBob and Shopify Plus are fantastic options, especially for businesses that need strong fulfillment and multi-channel support. Conclusion In 2026, selecting the right Order Management System is crucial for businesses of all sizes to streamline their operations, manage orders across multiple channels, and meet growing customer expectations. By investing in the right OMS, companies can ensure smooth order fulfillment, improved customer satisfaction, and better business outcomes. We encourage you to explore demos or free trials of these tools to find the best fit for your business. FAQs 1. What is an Order Management System (OMS)? An OMS is a software system that helps businesses manage and track customer orders, inventory, payments, and fulfillment across various sales channels. 2. How do I choose the best OMS for my business? Consider factors such as company size, industry, required features, budget, and integrations with other tools when selecting an OMS. 3. Can OMS tools handle multi-channel selling? Yes, most modern OMS tools support multi-channel selling, integrating with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and more. 4. Are OMS tools scalable? Yes, many OMS tools are highly scalable and can grow with your business, offering more features and integrations as you expand. 5. How much does an OMS cost? Pricing varies widely, ranging from free open-source options to enterprise-level solutions that cost several hundred dollars per month. Most solutions offer tiered pricing models based on business size and requirements. View the full article

The Apple TV 4K hasn't been updated since 2022, and it's due for a refresh. An update is planned for 2026, but Apple is likely going to wait to launch it after Siri AI launches in iOS 27. Design ‌Apple TV‌ design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing. The next ‌Apple TV‌ is going to have the same squircle shape as the current model, and it'll continue to be made from a black plastic material. We're expecting the 2026 ‌Apple TV‌ to be indistinguishable from the existing ‌Apple TV‌ on the exterior, with no changes to size or design. New Chip The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is going to get a new A-series chip, and that'll be the biggest upgrade. Rumors suggest Apple is planning to use the A17 Pro that was first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Compared to the A15 Bionic in the current ‌Apple TV‌, the A17 Pro is a solid update, and it's a good reason to hold off on buying the current model. The A17 Pro is built on a 3-nanometer process for faster speeds and better efficiency. It has hardware-accelerated ray tracing for higher-quality graphics in games and it supports hardware-accelerated AV1 decoding, which is useful for streaming content. The A17 Pro is the oldest chip Apple makes that supports Apple Intelligence, and it's also used in the iPad mini 7. Since Apple has held the ‌Apple TV‌ update for so long, it's possible it'll get an even newer chip like the A18 or A19. A RAM update is possible too, especially if the ‌Apple TV‌ has any kind of ‌Apple Intelligence‌ support. Apple Intelligence and Siri The next ‌Apple TV‌ is ready to launch, but new ‌Siri‌ features are the holdup. Apple wants to release the ‌Apple TV‌ with the smarter version of ‌Siri‌ that Apple is testing in ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the Apple TV is linked to "new artificial intelligence features" that Apple has postponed until iOS 27, which is launching in September 2026. Apple intended to debut the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ ‌Siri‌ features in spring 2026, but the company was still experiencing issues with ‌Siri‌. At this point, we're not going to see new ‌Siri‌ capabilities until ‌iOS 27‌, which also means a delay for all the devices that Apple is holding. Along with the ‌Apple TV‌, the rumored home hub and a new version of the HomePod are waiting on ‌Siri‌ AI's launch. Updated ‌Siri‌ features may require more RAM and a faster chip, so if you want the smarter ‌Siri‌ on the ‌Apple TV‌, that's another reason to wait before making a purchase. Wi-Fi The ‌Apple TV‌ could get Apple's N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. Wi-Fi 7 works with the 6GHz band offered by newer routers. 6GHz connectivity is faster and less congested, which you want for a streaming device. Bluetooth and Thread The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K could get Bluetooth 6 for connecting devices like controllers and earbuds. Apple's N1 chip also supports Thread, so the ‌Apple TV‌ will be able to continue to serve as a Thread border router and a Matter hub for smart home devices. Siri Remote It's possible Apple will introduce a new Siri Remote alongside the ‌Apple TV‌, though it's unclear what Apple might change. Pricing There were rumors of a price drop, but with the June 2026 price increase for the 2022 ‌Apple TV‌ and all Macs and iPads, a lower price is unlikely. Launch Date With ‌Siri‌ AI set to launch in September in ‌iOS 27‌, we could see the ‌Apple TV‌ refreshed right around when new iPhone models come out.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater This article, "Everything Coming in the 2026 Apple TV 4K" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Wistia is a capable video marketing platform, but two patterns drive teams to start looking elsewhere. The first is pricing: the free tier is locked to a single user with Wistia branding on the player, and the next step up is the Business plan at $79 per month, with no mid-tier in between. The second is page performance: Wistia’s embed loads JavaScript bundles, CSS, and font resources at page render, and for teams running high-traffic landing pages or product pages with aggressive Core Web Vitals targets, that initialization weight shows up directly in their Largest Contentful Paint scores. The natural response is to search for a Wistia alternative. The problem is what happens next. Most Wistia alternatives carry embed scripts just as heavy as Wistia’s. Swarmify’s own benchmarking, published in early 2026, explicitly acknowledges this: “most alternatives still rely on heavy scripts that can hurt Core Web Vitals.” You can switch platforms and still end up with the same PageSpeed score six weeks later, because the comparison articles evaluate features, pricing, and marketing toolkits without telling you how heavy each platform’s embed script actually is. What actually determines your embed’s page impact is the platform’s delivery architecture: how much JavaScript it loads at render, how many HTTP requests it fires before the first frame appears, and whether it lets you defer all of that until a viewer clicks. This article breaks down six Wistia alternatives by exactly those dimensions, alongside pricing and security depth, so you can match the right platform to the specific page you are embedding on. By the end, you will have a concrete evaluation method and a clear decision path based on your actual use case. Key Takeaways Choosing a video host is also a page speed decision. The embed script each platform loads at page render directly affects how fast your site feels to visitors and how Google scores it, often more than any other single factor on the page. Most Wistia alternatives carry embed scripts just as heavy as Wistia’s. Switching platforms without checking the right variables often trades a pricing problem for a speed problem instead of solving both. Three variables actually predict a platform’s embed impact: the total script weight it loads before the first frame, the number of HTTP requests it fires at page render, and whether it supports a facade pattern that defers loading until a viewer clicks play. Most roundups skip all three. Wistia has no DRM capability at any pricing tier. For course creators, EdTech platforms, and anyone selling access to video content, that is a material gap that most alternatives comparisons never flag. The right Wistia alternative depends on what you are embedding it on and what outcome you are measuring, not just which feature list looks closest to Wistia’s. Why Wistia’s Embed Slows Sites Down (and Why Most Alternatives Don’t Solve it) According to Google’s 2026 Core Web Vitals documentation, a page passes LCP if the largest visible element renders within 2.5 seconds. Video poster images and player thumbnails are among the most frequent LCP candidates, which means the video hosting platform you choose directly affects your Google ranking signals, not just your viewer experience. Wistia’s Business plan, at $79 per month billed annually, is the entry point for engagement analytics, lead capture forms, and heatmaps. Teams that only need hosting and basic playback without those marketing tools are, in effect, paying for a feature set they do not use. Even Wistia’s own lazy-loading configuration does not eliminate the initial asset load of its player script entirely, and multiple independent performance tests from early 2026 confirm that its embed contributes measurable LCP delay relative to infrastructure-first alternatives. The problem compounds on landing pages and product pages where conversion rates are tightly tied to load speed. Research published by Vodafone found that improving LCP by 31% corresponded to an 8% increase in sales conversions. A video embed that adds 400 to 600 milliseconds to your LCP on a high-converting page is not a minor aesthetic issue. Switching video hosts won’t automatically fix your site speed. What determines your LCP impact is whether your chosen platform’s embed architecture is built for delivery first, or for marketing tooling first. The platforms that actually perform better share two traits: their player scripts are smaller because they are built for delivery rather than marketing automation, and they support facade or lazy-load patterns that defer script initialization until the viewer actively clicks play. Platforms built primarily as marketing tools tend to load their full analytics and CRM event tracking infrastructure on every page render, regardless of whether that viewer ever touches the video. 6 Wistia Alternatives Evaluated by Performance, Pricing, and Security These platforms were evaluated across embed weight, pricing model, DRM and security depth, analytics capability, and use-case fit. They are ordered by embed weight, lightest first, which is the primary lens of this article. Ranking criteria used: Embed weight class (script KB and HTTP requests) DRM availability (not just password protection) Pricing predictability (flat rate vs. per-video or per-seat) Analytics depth for marketing-grade use cases Best-fit embedding context PlatformStarting PriceDRMEmbed WeightAnalyticsBest ForBunny.net StreamNo monthly fee. Storage from $0.01/GB, CDN from $0.005/GB. Transcoding, player, and basic DRM free. Basic DRM free; MediaCage Enterprise from $99/month + per-license fees Very lightBasicDev teams, CDN-priority deploymentsCloudflare StreamMinutes Stored $5.00 / 1,000 minutes; Minutes Delivered $1.00 / 1,000 minutesNoLightBasicTeams on Cloudflare stackGumletFree plan; $6/month (Creator plan); $19/month (Growth plan)Yes (Add-on at $99/month)LightFull-stackSaaS, EdTech, course creatorsSproutVideo$10/month (Seed plan)NoMediumMarketingWistia feature-parity migrationVimeo$12/month (Starter plan)Available for Enterprise tierMediumStandardCreative agencies, brand videoVidyardFree / $59/user (Starter plan)NoHeavySales CRMB2B sales prospecting 1. Bunny.net Stream Bunny.net Stream runs on a pay-as-you-go model: approximately $0.01 per GB stored and $0.005 per GB of bandwidth delivered. The embed script is among the lightest available. There are no built-in marketing analytics, no in-player CTAs, and no lead capture forms. Best for: Development teams and technical operators who want pure delivery infrastructure without a marketing layer. If your video sits on a product page and all you need is fast, reliable playback with no branding overhead, Bunny Stream handles it at near-zero cost. Watch out for: If you need engagement heatmaps, form capture, or CRM event streaming, Bunny Stream provides none of that. You will be stitching together a separate analytics stack. 2. Cloudflare Stream Cloudflare Stream prices at $5 per 1,000 minutes stored, and $1 per 1,000 minutes delivered. Delivery runs through Cloudflare’s global edge network, which means if your stack already runs on Cloudflare, latency behavior is predictable and well-integrated. The player is clean and lightweight. Best for: Teams already running infrastructure on Cloudflare who want video delivery to sit inside the same network boundary. Ideal for developers who want a single vendor for CDN, security, and video. Watch out for: No DRM, limited analytics compared to marketing-grade platforms, and no native facade support in the standard embed. 3. Gumlet Gumlet is a video hosting and streaming platform built for developers, SaaS teams, course creators, and OTT platforms. Its AI-powered transcoding engine reduces video file sizes by at least 40% compared to standard encoding pipelines before delivery begins, and the embed loads at 118 KB with 9 HTTP requests, placing it in the same lightweight tier as Cloudflare Stream while adding a full analytics layer on top. Plans start at $6 per month for the Creator plan, with advanced analytics, workspaces, and 24/7 support included at every tier. On DRM, Gumlet provides it for free for 5 videos for all new accounts, and a $99 per month add-on for full-scale protection. Best for: SaaS teams, EdTech platforms, and course creators who need lightweight delivery, marketing-grade analytics, and content protection without paying separately for each. Unlike most platforms in this comparison, Gumlet includes advanced analytics, workspaces, and 24/7 human support on every plan, not just enterprise tiers. Watch out for: Teams that only need delivery and no analytics will find lighter, cheaper options in Bunny Stream or Cloudflare Stream. 4. SproutVideo SproutVideo includes engagement heatmaps, in-player lead capture forms, and domain whitelisting for privacy control. These features represent the closest functional match to Wistia’s marketing toolkit at a fraction of the price. Pricing starts at $10/month for the Seed plan. On integrations, SproutVideo connects natively with HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Zapier, covering the core CRM and email automation workflows that Wistia users typically depend on. Best for: Marketing teams migrating from Wistia whose primary reason for leaving is cost rather than performance, and who want to keep their existing analytics and lead capture workflows intact. Watch out for: No DRM, and embed performance sits in the medium range. Teams targeting Core Web Vitals above 90 should test SproutVideo’s embed on their specific pages before committing. 5. Vimeo Vimeo’s Starter plan runs at $12 per month and includes unlimited video storage, customizable privacy settings, and a clean, ad-free player. The creative community has used Vimeo as a reliable Wistia alternative for years, and its player quality and review tooling remain strong. As of late 2025, Bending Spoons completed a $1.38 billion acquisition of Vimeo, and the company has already restructured its pricing plans and reduced its workforce. For teams currently on Vimeo evaluating a move, the practical concern is not what the platform does today but whether its pricing trajectory and infrastructure investment will remain stable under an ownership model built around post-acquisition margin recovery. Best for: Creative agencies and brand content teams who prioritize player aesthetics and familiarity, and who are not primarily optimizing for technical page performance. Watch out for: Standard embeds add measurable page weight (342 KB, 18 HTTP requests). Teams with aggressive PageSpeed targets should test before deploying at scale. 6. Vidyard Vidyard positions itself as a sales video platform: viewer-level analytics, CRM integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and Outreach, AI avatar video generation, and screen recording built in. The free tier exists, and paid plans start at $59 per user per month. It appears on this list because teams evaluating Wistia alternatives frequently consider it, particularly those coming from Wistia’s CRM integration features. The distinction worth understanding before shortlisting it is that Vidyard is optimized for one-to-one video delivery inside sales emails, not for embedding on public-facing web pages. Best for: B2B sales teams who need to know exactly who watched a video, which parts they replayed, and when they dropped off. It integrates directly into outbound sequences and deals workflows in a way no other platform on this list does. Watch out for: Its embed is heavy relative to every other platform here. Teams that embed Vidyard players on product or landing pages typically see LCP scores drop materially. It is built for inbox delivery, not website performance. The 3 Variables That Predict Your Video Embed’s Page Speed Impact Before running through the alternatives, here is the evaluation framework that most reviews skip entirely. Run this against any platform before committing. To make the variables concrete from the start, here is how three platforms benchmark across all three dimensions in the same browser window, using the same test video, using Gumlet’s player speed test, which benchmarks multiple platforms in the same browser window using the same test video. PlatformLoad Time (ms)Player Size (KB)HTTP RequestsGumlet2371189Vimeo51334218Wistia78447624 Note: Benchmark figures above are drawn from Gumlet’s player speed test tool, tested in the same browser window using the same source video. Your results will vary based on network conditions, page payload, and CDN edge proximity. Run tests on your own pages using PageSpeed Insights for production-accurate numbers. Each column maps to one of the three variables below. Variable 1: Player Script Size (KB Loaded Before First Frame) This is the total weight of JavaScript and CSS that the platform loads at page render, before the viewer presses play. Wistia’s player loads 476 KB before the first frame renders. Gumlet loads 118 KB. That 4x difference in script weight is what shows up in your PageSpeed Insights report as LCP delay, not anything about your hosting environment or CDN. Variable 2: HTTP Requests Before Playback Starts Every network request before the first frame is another round trip between your viewer’s browser and a remote server. Wistia fires 24 HTTP requests before playback starts. Google’s guidance on third-party embeds treats anything above 10 requests as a material latency contributor on mobile connections. Platforms built primarily for marketing automation tend to load integrations, analytics beacons, and third-party tracking pixels as part of the base embed. Infrastructure-first platforms load only what is necessary to start the video. Variable 3: Facade and Lazy-load Support A facade pattern means the platform replaces the video player at initial load with a static thumbnail image. The full player script loads only when the viewer clicks the thumbnail. For pages where not every visitor watches the video (which is most pages), this eliminates the embed’s LCP impact entirely. Ask any platform you are evaluating whether their standard embed supports a facade pattern natively, or whether you need to implement it yourself with a custom workaround. The facade question is the single fastest way to filter a shortlist. If a vendor’s answer is “you can do it manually with a bit of JavaScript,” their embed architecture was not designed for performance-sensitive pages. Platforms where facade is a documented, supported feature in the standard embed are the ones worth testing. What is a facade pattern? A facade is a static placeholder (usually a thumbnail image or a low-resolution poster frame) that replaces a video player at initial page load. The actual player script, with all its JavaScript, tracking pixels, and CDN requests, only loads when the viewer clicks the thumbnail. For pages where not every visitor plays the video, a facade eliminates the embed’s contribution to LCP entirely. Which Alternative is Right for Your Setup? What’s the best video hosting alternative to Wistia for embedding on a Webflow site? If you are embedding video on a Webflow site with a PageSpeed score target above 85, the platform choice is a performance architecture decision first. Bunny.net Stream and Gumlet both offer the lightest video embed footprints in this comparison, and both support CDN-optimized thumbnail delivery that prevents the poster image from becoming your LCP candidate. Gumlet adds the analytics layer that Webflow product and marketing teams typically need. Cloudflare Stream works well if your Webflow project already routes through Cloudflare’s network. The one move to make regardless of platform: configure the embed with a facade pattern so the player script defers until the viewer clicks. Most platforms on this list support this, though the implementation varies: some offer it as a native default, others require manual configuration. Cloudflare Stream, for example, does not offer native facade support in its standard embed and requires a custom workaround. Choosing for a course platform or EdTech product with paid content DRM is not optional for platforms charging for access to video content. Password protection and domain restrictions slow down leakage; they do not stop a determined viewer from screen recording or resharing a link. Multi-DRM protection using FairPlay (for Apple devices) and Widevine (for Android and desktop Chrome) makes recordings technically unusable for redistribution. Wistia has no DRM at any tier. Of the six alternatives in this article, only Gumlet includes DRM for free in the industry and as a purchasable add-on at $99 per month, with FairPlay and Widevine provisioned automatically for every new account. Bunny.net Stream, Cloudflare Stream, SproutVideo, Vimeo, and Vidyard do not offer native DRM. If you are running a paid course platform, that column in the comparison table above is the one that narrows your shortlist to one. Choosing for a feature-parity migration away from Wistia If the primary driver is cost and you want to keep the marketing features, SproutVideo is the most direct answer. Heatmaps, lead capture, domain restrictions, and flat-rate pricing at $10 per month. For teams that also want to improve performance, Gumlet’s analytics suite includes heatmap-level engagement data and in-player lead forms, and its embed outperforms Wistia on load time, player size, and HTTP requests by a meaningful margin. Before You Switch: How to Measure the Impact Switching platforms without a baseline means you will not know whether the change actually moved the needle. This step takes approximately two hours and belongs before you commit to any platform, not after. Run a baseline PageSpeed Insights test on your three highest-traffic pages containing video embeds. Note the LCP score and check which element PageSpeed flags as the LCP candidate. If it is the video thumbnail or player, the platform is directly contributing to your score. After switching, configure the facade pattern before testing. The embed architecture matters more than the platform name. Even a lightweight embed without facade will still add player script weight to your initial load. Enable lazy loading or facade at the platform level first, then test. Re-run the PageSpeed test 48 hours after the embed swap to allow CDN cache warm-up across edge nodes. Compare LCP scores. According to Google’s published Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) research, an improvement of 0.3 seconds or more in LCP corresponds to a measurable uplift in conversion rate on commercial pages. Before running any migration, verify how your current embeds are implemented. If you used Wistia’s JavaScript embed rather than iframe, switching platforms requires updating embed code across every page. Run an inventory of your Wistia video URLs before committing to any migration path. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the best Wistia alternative for embedding on a Webflow site without slowing it down? The best alternatives for Webflow performance are Gumlet and Bunny.net Stream, specifically because their embed scripts are the lightest in this comparison at 118 KB and under 50 KB respectively, and both support CDN-optimized poster image delivery. For teams that need marketing analytics alongside performance, Gumlet is the practical choice since Bunny Stream provides only delivery infrastructure with no in-platform analytics. Configure any embed with a facade pattern on Webflow to defer the player script until the viewer clicks. Before finalizing your choice, run a PageSpeed Insights test on your specific Webflow page with each embed in place, because real-world scores depend on what else the page loads, not just the video player alone. 2. Does switching from Wistia to a different video host actually improve Core Web Vitals scores? Switching platforms improves Core Web Vitals only if the new platform has a lighter embed script and you configure lazy loading or a facade pattern correctly. Wistia’s embed loads 476 KB and fires 24 HTTP requests before first frame render, based on June 2026 benchmark data from Gumlet’s player speed test. Platforms like Gumlet and Bunny Stream load substantially less. The platform change alone is not sufficient: the default embed from most platforms still loads synchronously, which means it contributes to LCP. Enabling facade or lazy load reduces the contribution to near zero. Run a PageSpeed baseline before switching, then compare after configuring the embed correctly on the new platform. 3. Which Wistia alternatives support DRM for course creators and paid video content? Among the six platforms evaluated here, only Gumlet supports DRM. As of Q2 2026, Gumlet provides free DRM for 5 videos for all new accounts, and charges $99 per month for teams that need full-scale DRM protection. That is approximately one-fifth of the $500 per month industry average for multi-DRM implementation. Wistia offers no DRM capability at any pricing tier. If you are running a platform where viewers pay for access to video content, DRM is not an optional feature. Ask any platform on your shortlist to confirm whether FairPlay and Widevine are auto-provisioned or require a manual Apple certification request before you can go live. 4. Is Bunny.net Stream good enough for a SaaS product page, or do I need something with more analytics? Bunny.net Stream is good enough for delivery, but not for measurement. The platform is pure infrastructure: fast, lightweight, CDN-backed, and priced at near-zero cost. What it does not provide is any engagement data. You will not know play rates, watch depth, drop-off points, or which viewers clicked what. For a SaaS product demo page where you want to know if viewers who reach the 70% mark in the demo video are converting to trials at a higher rate, Bunny Stream gives you no signal. For a page where the video is explanatory or decorative and you are not making product decisions based on how people engage with it, Bunny Stream is a clean, low-cost choice. Decide whether video engagement is a measurement variable in your product or marketing team’s decision-making before choosing a delivery-only platform. 5. How do I migrate my video library from Wistia to a new platform without breaking embeds? Start with a full inventory of your current Wistia embed URLs before making any platform change. If you use Wistia’s JavaScript embed, you will need to update embed code on each page. If you use iframe embeds, the process is the same. Most platforms, including Gumlet and SproutVideo, support bulk video imports either via URL list or direct API transfer. After migrating, do not immediately delete videos from Wistia: keep both versions live for two to four weeks while you verify analytics are tracking correctly on the new platform and no pages are returning broken player states. Update your sitemap if you have video schema markup pointing to old Wistia URLs. 6. What is the cheapest Wistia alternative that still includes analytics and removes platform branding? SproutVideo’ Seed plan starting at $10 per month is the most direct answer: flat pricing, no per-video fees, engagement heatmaps, lead capture, and domain whitelisting. Gumlet’s Creator plan at $6 per month removes Gumlet branding and adds referrer and domain restrictions with CTAs and pixel tracking included, though marketing CRM integration starts at the $19 Growth plan. Both are a fraction of Wistia’s $79 Business plan, which is the entry point for analytics on Wistia’s pricing page as of June 2026. Avoid platforms where the analytics dashboard requires a plan upgrade to access anything beyond play count and watch time, since basic view tracking is not the same thing as engagement intelligence. 7. What is the biggest mistake teams make when switching video platforms for performance reasons? The most common mistake is switching platforms without configuring the facade or lazy-load pattern on the new embed. Teams move from Wistia to a lighter platform, run a PageSpeed test, and see little improvement because the new player still loads synchronously at page render. The platform change reduces the payload, but the embed still fires on page load. Enabling facade on the new embed, so the player only initializes when the viewer clicks, is the step that actually moves the LCP score. Run your PageSpeed baseline before switching, configure the facade pattern after switching, then re-run the test 48 hours later to give CDN caches time to warm. Those two steps, in that order, are what separate teams who see measurable results from teams who switch and wonder why nothing changed. 8. What happened to Vimeo after the Bending Spoons acquisition, and should I be concerned? Bending Spoons completed its $1.38 billion acquisition of Vimeo in November 2025, taking the company private. In January 2026, Vimeo announced sweeping global layoffs, with reports indicating a large portion of its engineering team was let go. Bending Spoons has a documented pattern across prior acquisitions: Evernote saw its U.S. staff largely eliminated; WeTransfer lost 75% of its workforce within two months of its acquisition closing. Vimeo has since restructured its pricing plans, and the company’s self-serve tiers now cap at Starter ($12/month) and Standard ($25/month), with businesses requiring higher-tier features routed to Enterprise sales. For teams that have wired video into their product, the risk is not immediate shutdown; it is roadmap uncertainty, support degradation, and pricing trajectory under an ownership model built on post-acquisition margin recovery. Choosing the Right Platform Starts With the Right Question The useful question is not “what is the best Wistia alternative.” It is “what is the best platform for the specific page I am embedding on and the specific outcome I am measuring.” For performance-sensitive product and landing pages, the embed architecture is the decision. Platforms with scripts under 120 KB, fewer than 10 HTTP requests, and native facade support will move your LCP scores. Platforms built around marketing automation, including Wistia itself, load heavier payloads because they are tracking behavior at the session level, not just delivering video. For paid content platforms and EdTech products, DRM is the disqualifying criterion. Five of the six platforms in this article have no DRM capability. That makes the decision straightforward. What has changed most in 2026 is not the technology: it is the pricing. A year ago, the performance-and-security combination that Wistia’s pricing model priced out of reach for most growing teams was genuinely expensive to replicate elsewhere. That gap has closed. The decision now turns on architecture and fit, not on whether a team can afford to do it properly. View the full article

Meta is rolling out a new feature that lets people use public Instagram posts and reels to generate AI content, and it's turned on by default. If you have an Instagram account that's not set to private, there is a setting allowing anyone to generate content on ‌Meta‌ AI using your images and videos. The option was added to support ‌Meta‌'s new image generation model, Muse Image. Muse Image is rolling out across Instagram, WhatsApp, and ‌Meta‌ AI, and it pulls in images from an Instagram account with just an @-mention. From ‌Meta‌'s description of Muse Image: You can also @-mention Instagram accounts in the Meta AI app to bring specific Instagram profiles right into your images. Whether you want to design a custom event invitation, mock up a collaborative creative concept, or generate a personalized graphic, tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that's ready to post. An Instagram help page explains that content on public Instagram accounts can be used for creating content with AI features, and you won't get a notification if someone uses your content to create an AI image. If your account is public: Anyone on Instagram can reuse all or part of your reels, feed videos, and photos shared after reuse became available. Reels, feed videos, and photos can be reused in features like remix, sequence, templates and stickers. In addition, people may be able to create content with your Instagram content using AI features at Meta. ‌Meta‌ opts all public Instagram accounts in by default, but there is an option to turn off AI permissions. In the Instagram app settings, scroll to Sharing and Reuse, then toggle off "Posts" and "Reels" under the "Allow people to create with and reuse your content on Instagram and with AI features at ‌Meta‌." Turn off the setting now if you don't want people using your content to create AI images, because AI content created prior to turning it off isn't deleted. Muse Image is still rolling out, and so is the toggle to turn off AI use. You may not see the opt-out option right away. Private Instagram profiles aren't included in Muse Image. ‌Meta‌ plans to expand Muse Image to Facebook and Messenger soon, and allow advertisers and agencies to use Muse Image to create content in the coming weeks. ‌Meta‌ is also working on a Muse Video feature.Tags: Instagram, Meta, Photos This article, "Meta's New AI Image Tool Can Use Your Public Instagram Photos by Default" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Nintendo today said it is ending service for its Mario Kart Tour mobile game on Tuesday, September 29. There are no plans for an offline version of the game, so it will no longer be playable after that date. In-game currency is no longer available for purchase, and Nintendo has ended automatic subscription renewals ahead of the shutdown date. Players who had a Mario Kart Tour Gold Pass subscription will be able to use the benefits for free from now until September 29, while players who did not have a subscription will get the benefits starting on August 4. The Gold Pass includes Gold Gifts, Gold Challenges, 200cc, an increase in the maximum coins and points that can be earned per day, and a pipe gauge that fills faster. Players who have rubies can use the currency in the Spotlight Shop, Mii Racing Suit Shop, and Coin Rush until service ends. Mario Kart Tour launched in September 2019 and it was downloaded more than 90 million times during its first week of availability. Like traditional Mario Kart games, Mario Kart Tour on iPhone and iPad tasked players with racing to beat their rivals to the finish line, using drifts and items to succeed. The game featured several tracks, and playable characters like Luigi, Toad, Shy Guy, Waluigi, Peach, and Toadette. Nintendo has launched and then canceled several mobile games, including Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, Miitomo, Dr. Mario World, and Dragalia Lost. Fire Emblem Heroes, Super Mario Run, and new game Pictonico continue to be available.Tags: Mario Kart Tour, Nintendo This article, "Nintendo Shutting Down Mario Kart Tour iOS Game" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

OpenAI today introduced GPT-Live, which it describes as a new generation of voice models meant to make talking to AI feel more like having a conversation with a real person. GPT-Live is meant to replace the existing ChatGPT voice experience. GPT-Live is able to listen and speak at the same time, and it can show it is paying attention with acknowledgment phrases like "mhmm." The model was built for continuous interaction, and it can make decisions on whether to speak, continue listening, pause, interrupt, or use a tool multiple times per second. Talking with ChatGPT should now feel much more like a real conversation. You can interrupt with a question, pause to gather your thoughts, or ask ChatGPT to slow down. It naturally acknowledges what you're saying with phrases like "mhmm" or "got it," so you know it's following along. We've also remastered the nine distinct voices in ChatGPT for GPT-Live. OpenAI says GPT-Live is its smartest voice model to date, using the latest frontier model (currently GPT–5.5) for web search, deep reasoning, and complex work. While GPT-Live works on a task, it is able to continue a conversation, and then give the results of a task when it's finished. It also works for live translation, and displays rich visual cards for weather, stocks, sports, and more. OpenAI is rolling out GPT-Live–1 and GPT-Live–1 mini to ChatGPT users worldwide starting today. GPT-Live–1 is the default for Go, Plus, and Pro users, while GPT-Live–1 mini is the default for Free users. ChatGPT users can tap the Voice button to talk with ChatGPT and experience GPT-Live. GPT-Live does not yet support voice with video or screen sharing in ChatGPT, but OpenAI is working to add that feature soon.Tags: ChatGPT, OpenAI This article, "OpenAI Introduces GPT-Live to Make ChatGPT Voice Feel Like a Real Conversation" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple earned its highest number of Emmy nominations to date in 2026, with popular shows like Pluribus, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Widow's Bay, Shrinking, and Slow Horses earning the most nominations. New series Widow's Bay received 19 nominations, while Pluribus was second with 18 nominations. The five most highly nominated shows are up for best series in their respective categories, and have also earned several lead actress and actor nominations. Pluribus Outstanding Drama Series Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Rhea Seehorn, Carol Sturka Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Manousos Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Karolina Wydra, Zosia Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Miriam Shor, Helen Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Jeff Hiller, Larry Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Margo's Got Money Troubles Outstanding Comedy Series Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Elle Fanning Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Nick Offerman, Jinx Millet Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Michelle Pfeiffer, Shyanne Millet Slow Horses Outstanding Drama Series Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Gary Oldman, Jackson Lamb Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Jack Lowden, River Cartwright Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series - Jonathan Pryce, David Cartwright Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Shrinking Outstanding Comedy Series Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Jason Segel, Jimmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Jessica Williams, Gaby Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Harrison Ford, Paul Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Michael Urie, Brian Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - Brett Goldstein, Louis Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - Michael J. Fox, Gerry Widow's Bay Outstanding Comedy Series Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Matthew Rhys, Mayor Tom Loftis Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Dale Dickey, Rosemary Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Stephen Root, Wyck Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Kate O'Flynn, Patricia Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Betty Gilpin, Sarah Westcott Warren Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series - Hamish Linklater, Richard Warren Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series The Morning Show Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Billy Crudup, Cory Ellison Your Friends & Neighbors Outstanding Drama Series Apple also received nominations in categories for music, sound, picture editing, and more. Other titles up for those awards include Murderbot, Mr. Scorsese, Palm Royale, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The full list of nominations can be found on the Television Academy website. Winners will be announced live on Monday, September 14 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on NBC.Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: Apple TV ServiceBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater This article, "Apple TV Earns Record 87 Emmy Nominations for 2026, Led by 'Pluribus' and 'Widow's Bay'" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today published a new support document warning that macOS 28 will no longer support encrypted Mac OS Extended (HFS+) volumes, meaning affected external drives will need to be decrypted or reformatted ahead of the update. Starting with macOS 28, "the Mac OS Extended file system format will be supported only for volumes (disks and other storage devices) that aren't encrypted." Any encrypted HFS+ disks, such as older encrypted external hard drives, will stop working with the Mac unless users take action before upgrading. Apple has not given a specific reason for the change. APFS, which natively supports encryption, has been the default file system on the Mac since macOS High Sierra launched in 2017, and dropping encrypted HFS+ support looks like a further nudge toward retiring the older format altogether. The transition will start showing up before macOS 28 arrives. Apple says that beginning with macOS 26, a Mac might notify users if it detects an encrypted Mac OS Extended disk that will not carry over to macOS 28 or later, identifying the affected volume by name. Users can also check manually through Disk Utility by selecting a volume and looking at the format details listed beneath its name; a volume showing both "Mac OS Extended" and "Encrypted," such as "CoreStorage Logical Volume • Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted)," will be incompatible. Unencrypted Mac OS Extended volumes are not affected. Apple says macOS 28 and later will continue to support them, and notes that Mac OS Extended is also known as HFS Plus, or HFS+. For anyone who wants to keep using an affected drive after upgrading, Apple recommends backing up its contents first, then either reformatting or decrypting it. Reformatting means erasing the volume and setting it up again in APFS or APFS (Encrypted) format through Disk Utility, which permanently deletes existing data but ensures the drive keeps working in future versions of macOS. Decrypting is the alternative for anyone who wants to preserve their existing data on the drive. That involves connecting the drive, unlocking it with its encryption password, then Control-clicking its icon in the Finder or on the desktop and choosing Decrypt, entering the password a second time to begin the process. Apple notes that decryption "takes time, especially for large volumes," and progress can be checked in Terminal. Once decryption finishes, users can optionally convert the volume to APFS without erasing it via Disk Utility's Convert to APFS option, and re-encrypt it afterward if desired. Apple notes that this decryption path does not apply to encrypted Time Machine backup disks.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateTag: Apple Support This article, "Apple to Drop Support for Encrypted Mac OS Extended Drives Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Code spotted in the third developer beta of iOS 27 suggests that Apple is preparing to add car key support for Lucid and Xiaomi vehicles, and that the feature could be nearing launch. The code references the identifiers "LCID" and "XIA1," which appear to correspond to Lucid and Xiaomi respectively. With an Apple car key, drivers can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle instead of relying on a traditional key fob. Lucid Motors was already named as one of 13 brands Apple said would "soon" gain car key support at WWDC 2025, alongside Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Tata Motors, Hongqi, WEY, Chery, and Voyah. Apple did not give a timeframe for that rollout at the time, and Lucid has yet to formally confirm when the feature will arrive on its Air or Gravity models. Xiaomi's inclusion would be new. The Chinese electronics maker has expanded rapidly into electric vehicles with models like the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV, and car key support would mark one of the company's first tie-ins with Apple's ecosystem despite Xiaomi being a major Apple rival in the smartphone market. This is not the first time beta code has hinted at car key support ahead of an official announcement. MacRumors previously found code pointing to Volkswagen adding Apple Wallet car keys to future vehicles, and similar backend references preceded confirmed support for General Motors brands. As with those cases, the code does not confirm which specific models will be compatible or give an exact date, though its presence in a live beta suggests Lucid and Xiaomi support could arrive relatively soon.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tags: iPhone Car Keys, Xiaomi This article, "iOS 27 Code Points to Car Key Support for Lucid and Xiaomi" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

It is now July and we are still waiting for Apple to begin its annual Back to School offer in countries like the U.S. and Canada — if it is still coming. In the U.S., Apple launched its Back to School offer in June from 2020 through 2025, but it has waited until July in the more distant past: 2025: June 17 2024: June 20 2023: June 5 2022: June 24 2021: June 17 2020: June 15 2019: July 9 2018: July 12 2017: July 12Last year, college students and educational staff could receive a free accessory like AirPods 4 or an Apple Pencil Pro with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad model. It is unclear what Apple plans to offer this year, but given the company recently raised prices on all Macs and iPads, this year's promotion would be rather bittersweet. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple planned to launch its 2026 Back to School offer by last week, but that did not end up happening. Apple may have decided to hold off until July this year in order to give customers more time to digest the price increases that it implemented last month, but we are merely speculating. Given the offer launched between July 9 and July 12 in 2017 through 2019, hopefully the 2026 offer arrives over the next few days. UNiDAYS verification is now required on Apple's education store in the U.S. and Canada.Tag: Back to School Promotion This article, "When is Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer?" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon today has knocked the price of the 512GB MacBook Neo down to $689.99, from $799.00. This sale is only available in the Indigo color option, and it makes the 512GB model cheaper than the current price of the 256GB model on Amazon. 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 marks the first notable discount on the MacBook Neo since Apple's price hikes in June. Amazon provides a mid-to-late July delivery estimate for the Indigo 512GB model, and we don't know how long this sale will last, so be sure to take advantage while it's live. $109 OFFMacBook Neo (512GB) for $689.99 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 Offers First Major Post-Hike Discount on 512GB MacBook Neo" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple is testing DRAM memory chips from China's state-backed ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), according to a new report from the Financial Times. Last week, it emerged that Apple was in discussions with CXMT and fellow Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) about sourcing memory, with no deal finalized. The new details suggest Apple has since progressed to qualifying CXMT's chips specifically, running the company's memory through the kind of technical validation that typically precedes a supplier being approved for production use. Apple has apparently still not committed to using CXMT's chips commercially, and is continuing to lead a lobbying effort among U.S. tech companies to get Washington's blessing for broader use of the supplier's products. CXMT has grown from a heavily subsidized and unremarkable domestic chip maker into the world's fourth-largest DRAM producer, behind Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology, accounting for roughly 11% of global DRAM wafer capacity last year. That share is expected to climb to 15% by 2028 as new production lines come online in Hefei, Shanghai, and Beijing. Qualifying CXMT as a working supplier now would let Apple tap into that capacity as soon as it needs to, rather than starting the testing process from scratch once a political green light arrives. Standard DRAM contract prices are reported to have surged an estimated 55% to 60% in early 2026 as AI server demand pulled capacity away from consumer devices, and Apple recently raised prices across almost its entire product lineup as a result. A qualified fourth DRAM supplier would give Apple leverage in future negotiations with Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, as well as a potential hedge against further shortage-driven price increases on devices built for the Chinese market. Both CXMT and YMTC appear on the Pentagon's 1260H roster of firms Washington links to the Chinese military. In practice, that mostly cuts off Defense Department contracting rather than blocking ordinary commercial purchases, so nothing legally stops Apple from buying CXMT chips today. YMTC carries a heavier restriction, since it's also on the Commerce Department's Entity List, meaning any U.S. company needs an export license before dealing with it. What Apple reportedly wants from the administration is a promise that CXMT won't get pushed onto that same Entity List down the road, since that would effectively cut off the supply. Back in 2022, an earlier attempt to work with Chinese memory suppliers, including YMTC, drew objections from Washington and was shelved after lawmakers pushed back. According to Bloomberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook has now taken the pitch directly to administration officials, framing it as a way to route Chinese-made memory into devices for the Chinese market specifically, which would leave more Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron chips available for products sold elsewhere. Not everyone in the administration is said to be on board, so it remains unclear whether the lobbying push will succeed.Tags: China, Financial Times This article, "Apple Begins Testing Controversial Chinese Memory Chips" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Amazon is taking $150 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, including deals on both 13-inch and 15-inch models. These are some of the lowest prices we've seen on the notebooks in the wake of Apple's price hikes last month. 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. In terms of 13-inch models, Amazon has the 16GB/1TB 13-inch MacBook Air for $1,449.00, down from $1,599.00. This one is available in three colors on Amazon, and it's currently the only 13-inch model on sale for $150 off. $150 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,449.00 Regarding the 15-inch models, you'll also find $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,349.00 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and also include one 1TB model on sale. $150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,349.00 $150 OFF15-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,649.00 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 Offers $150 Discount on M5 MacBook Air Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple CEO Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus are attending this year's Sun Valley Conference, according to Forbes. Allen & Co., the boutique investment firm behind the event, uses the conference as an annual excuse to put media, tech, and finance leaders in the same rooms for a week of closed-door talks at the Sun Valley Lodge. This year's event began on July 7 and is expected to run through July 11. This marks Cook's final Sun Valley trip as Apple's chief executive officer. Apple announced in April that Ternus will take the CEO title on September 1, ending Cook's 15-year run atop the company as he moves into the newly created executive chairman role. Apple's SVP of Services and Health, Eddy Cue, is also attending the Sun Valley Conference again this year. Cue has been a regular at the conference in previous years. This year's guest list places Apple's leadership alongside a heavy concentration of AI industry figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI chairman Bret Taylor, OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Palantir CEO Alex Karp, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. Beyond the AI contingent, this year's attendees include Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Sun Valley's reputation as a dealmaking backdrop goes back decades. Casual conversations at the resort are widely credited with laying the groundwork for Disney buying ABC in 1995, Bezos picking up The Washington Post in 2013, and Verizon's 2014 deal for AOL.Tags: Eddy Cue, John Ternus, Tim Cook This article, "Tim Cook and John Ternus Attend Sun Valley Conference Together" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

A few years ago, the most powerful AI tools in a developer’s workflow helped write code. Today, they can do much more. It’s increasingly common to hand an AI agent a task like: Read this repository, refactor the authentication service to match the new specification, run the test suite, and open a pull request if everything passes. The agent reads files, analyzes dependencies, executes commands, modifies code, and interacts with external systems. In many cases, it can complete meaningful chunks of engineering work with minimal supervision. The shift sounds incremental until you realize something important: We’re no longer delegating suggestions. We’re delegating actions. What’s interesting is that the biggest challenge increasingly isn’t whether agents can perform these tasks. In many cases, they already can. The harder question is whether developers trust them enough to delegate meaningful work. The bottleneck is shifting from capability to confidence. While reading Srini Sekaran’s recent announcement introducing Docker AI Governance, one statement stood out: “Your laptop is the new prod.” The more I thought about it, the more it felt less like a marketing tagline and more like a useful way to understand what is changing about software development. From Assistants to Agents The last few years of developer tooling can be viewed as a progression. First, AI tools assisted developers by generating snippets and answering questions. Then, copilots emerged, helping developers complete larger tasks within existing workflows. Now we’re entering the era of agents. Unlike earlier tools, agents don’t just recommend actions. They increasingly perform them. Once software begins taking actions instead of offering suggestions, the governance conversation changes fundamentally. A Small Observation From Building With Agents One thing I’ve noticed while working on AI projects and experimenting with agent-based workflows is how quickly the trust boundary moves. When I first started using AI tools, I mostly treated them like a second set of eyes. I’d ask questions about a codebase, sanity-check an approach, generate a small piece of code, or help make sense of documentation. The tools were useful, but they weren’t doing anything on their own. Every action still depended on me deciding what happened next. That changed as coding agents became more capable. Tasks that previously involved copying code between windows increasingly became workflows where an agent could inspect a repository, modify files, run tests, and iterate on failures with minimal supervision. The productivity gains were undeniable, but so was the realization that the agent now had access to the same environment, credentials, and tooling that I did. As a Docker Captain, this is what makes the current conversation around AI governance so interesting to me. The challenge isn’t simply that models are becoming more capable. It’s that they’re increasingly interacting with real systems rather than generating text in isolation. Once an agent can execute actions on your behalf, the challenge is no longer just capability. Developers need confidence that the agent will operate within understood boundaries. Governance becomes important not only because it protects systems, but because it helps people trust the systems they are using. Why Developers Still Hesitate Most developers aren’t worried about whether agents can generate code. They’re worried about whether the agent will operate predictably once it starts interacting with real systems. That hesitation often comes from the fact that our existing trust models were designed around human operators, not autonomous software. Most enterprise security controls evolved around a relatively simple assumption: humans perform actions and systems enforce controls around those actions. Source code flows through repositories. Changes pass through CI/CD pipelines. Production workloads run inside managed environments. Identity systems determine who can access what. Network controls restrict where workloads can communicate. The security stack works because work typically moves through predictable checkpoints. Organizations know where to observe activity, apply policy, and collect audit trails. Agents Don’t Follow Those Checkpoints AI agents introduce a different operating model. An agent running on a developer’s machine can inspect repositories, execute commands, install packages, access local files, query APIs, and interact with external tools all within a single session. More importantly, it often does so using the same permissions as the person operating it. From the organization’s perspective, a significant amount of work is shifting outside the systems that were originally designed to govern it. The laptop is no longer just where code is written. It is increasingly where decisions are executed. Figure 1. Traditional security governs workflow checkpoints. Agent governance must account for execution at runtime. A coding agent doesn’t need to wait for a pull request before interacting with a codebase. It can analyze and modify files long before a change reaches a repository. It can access credentials available to the local environment. It can connect to external services using the same permissions available to its operator. Consider a common scenario: an agent is asked to investigate why an integration test is failing. To debug the issue, it might inspect configuration files, generate temporary scripts, install additional dependencies, execute diagnostic commands, and repeatedly rerun the test suite before a human ever reviews the result. None of these actions are unusual, but they illustrate how much activity can now occur directly within the developer’s environment. This doesn’t make agents inherently unsafe. It does mean that many existing security assumptions deserve a second look. Why Prompt-Based Guardrails Aren’t Enough One common response is to rely on instructions. Tell the agent not to access sensitive files. Tell the agent not to call external services. Tell the agent not to perform risky actions. These instructions are useful, but they are fundamentally different from enforcement. A prompt can influence behavior. A runtime can restrict behavior. That distinction becomes increasingly important as agents gain more autonomy. Security has traditionally been strongest when controls exist below the application layer. Filesystem permissions don’t suggest restrictions; they enforce them. Network policies don’t ask whether traffic should be blocked; they block it. The same principle applies to AI agents. If an organization wants confidence in what an agent can and cannot do, those guarantees ultimately need to exist at the layer where actions are actually executed. The Two Ways Agents Interact With The World When I simplify the problem, most agent activity falls into two categories. The first is execution. Agents read files, modify code, install software, execute commands, and open network connections. The second is tool usage. Agents interact with external systems through APIs, integrations, and MCP tools. These might include GitHub, Jira, cloud platforms, internal services, communication tools, or customer systems. Both paths create tremendous value. Both paths can also introduce risk. Governing only one of them leaves a blind spot. An organization might carefully control external tool access while overlooking what an agent can execute locally. Or it might secure local execution while providing broad access to external systems. Effective governance requires visibility and control across both surfaces. The Governance Challenge The question for many organizations is no longer whether AI agents will be adopted, but how they can be adopted responsibly. That decision is already being made in engineering teams around the world because the productivity gains are real. The more important question is how organizations can embrace agent autonomy without sacrificing visibility, accountability, and control. Just as importantly, developers need confidence that they understand those boundaries. The easier it is to understand what an agent can access, execute, and modify, the easier it becomes to incorporate agents into everyday workflows. Traditional security models were built around infrastructure boundaries. Agent governance increasingly requires runtime boundaries. Where is the agent running? What can it access? What can it execute? Which tools can it invoke? Which credentials can it use? And can those controls be enforced consistently regardless of whether the agent is running on a laptop, in CI, or in production? These questions are quickly becoming infrastructure questions, not merely AI questions. Because if AI agents are becoming active participants in software delivery, then the environments they operate in deserve the same level of attention that we have historically given to production systems. The laptop is no longer just where software gets written. Increasingly, it’s where software acts. And that’s why “your laptop is the new prod” feels less like a prediction and more like a description of where modern development is already headed. The real challenge isn’t simply giving agents more autonomy. It’s creating environments where developers feel comfortable using that autonomy. Because the future of agentic development may depend less on what agents are capable of doing and more on what developers are willing to trust them to do. In Part 2, we’ll explore what governance looks like at the runtime layer and why isolation, policy enforcement, and controlled tool access are becoming foundational building blocks for agentic systems. View the full article

Apple has suspended development of the display for a cheaper, lighter version of the Vision Pro that it originally planned to launch in the next few years, according to The Elec. The Korean outlet says Apple supplier Samsung Display is set to internally wind down the panel project – known in the industry as "G-VR" – with development set to be formally terminated by September. G-VR is a glass-substrate micro-OLED, a lower-cost alternative to the silicon-based OLEDoS used in the current Vision Pro. It was being developed at around 1,600 to 1,700 pixels per inch, which is roughly half the 3,386 PPI of Apple's Vision Pro. The report says mass production had once been planned for sometime after 2028. Apple has since turned much of its attention away from headsets in favour of smart glasses development, which has apparently drained momentum from the G-VR glass-substrate. However, Samsung continues to develop OLEDoS panels for the company's own mixed-reality devices, according to the report. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in October 2025 that Apple had paused work on a lighter, cheaper "Vision Air" to fast-track glasses that would rival Meta's Ray-Bans. In May 2026, Gurman reported that the cheaper device had been canceled outright. Apple hasn't walked away from the headset market entirely, though. If a new Vision Pro-style device does materialize, Gurman said in May that he wouldn't expect it for "around two more years at least," given that the bulk of Apple's mixed-reality hardware talent has been pulled onto other projects like smart glasses, which are expected to launch in 2027. Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip. Last month, Apple upped the starting price of its Vision Pro from $3,499 to $3,699 as part of the company's sweeping product price hikes.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProTags: Samsung, The ElecBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro This article, "Report: Cheaper Apple Vision Pro Display Work Winds Down at Samsung" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Samsung has announced it will introduce its latest Galaxy smartphones at a July 22 event, including what is believed to be a Galaxy Z Fold 8 with new passport-style dimensions similar to Apple's upcoming book-style foldable iPhone. It's no secret that Samsung has been working on a new foldable form factor to go head-to-head with Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra, and the company has been hinting at what's to come. Today's event announcement includes a video of a show ticket having its stub torn off to make it shorter than before – clearly alluding to the new device. "A new shape unfolds," reads the tagline. The shorter, wider version of Samsung's book-style foldable is said to resemble Apple's own folding device, which is expected to have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. Apple is anticipated to debut the foldable in September alongside its new iPhone 18 Pro models. Apart from unveiling the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Samsung is expected to announce new versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which also unfolds like a book, and the clamshell-style Galaxy Z Flip 7. New Galaxy Watches are also expected. Galaxy Unpacked will be held in London, U.K., starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 22. On Tuesday, Google revealed that it will introduce its latest Pixel smartphones at an August 12 event, debuting the updated devices about a month ahead of when Apple is expected to announce new iPhone models.Tags: Foldable iPhone, Samsung This article, "Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event Set for July 22 With Foldable iPhone Rival Expected to Debut" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article

Apple today announced its multiyear partnership with Broadcom to design and produce custom silicon components and wireless technologies, confirming a Reuters report we covered on Monday. Apple says the new agreement is expected to exceed $30 billion, and will lead to the creation of more than 15 billion U.S. chips and support "hundreds" of American jobs. Broadcom is part of Apple's American Manufacturing Program (AMP), an initiative launched last year to boost U.S. manufacturing. Under Apple's largest AMP commitment to date, Broadcom will invest $1.5 billion to expand and modernize its manufacturing facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, where it will produce advanced radio frequency components, including FBAR filters, as well as wireless connectivity technologies. "Apple and Broadcom have a long history together, and this new phase of our partnership further accelerates our commitment to American manufacturing and innovation," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The cutting-edge components built in Fort Collins are essential to delivering the incredible performance and connectivity our customers expect, and we're proud to deepen our investments in U.S.-based suppliers that share our commitment to excellence and innovation. We're grateful to the president and his administration for supporting important projects like this one."Broadcom's chips cover custom radio frequency components, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and other networking semiconductors found throughout Apple's lineup. Apple says the investment is part of its commitment to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over four years. This article, "Apple Announces $30 Billion Broadcom Deal to Make More US Chips" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums View the full article