According to Nikkei Asia, even as suppliers ramp up DRAM production, manufacturers are only expected to meet 60 percent of demand by the end of 2027. SK Group chairman has even said that shortages could last until 2030. The world's largest memory makers - Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron - are all working to add new fabrication capacity, but almost none of it will be online until at least 2027, if not 2028. SK opened a fab in Cheongju in February, but that is the only increase in production among the three for 2026. Nikkei says that production would need to increase by 12 percent a year in 2026 and 2027 to meet demand. But according to Counte … Read the full story at The Verge.

A bug with the Gemini app today is responsible for several recent features being rolled back. more…

In some Minneapolis neighborhoods, nearly every house has an anti-ICE sign. | Photo by Jack Califano / The Verge Jorge L. Alonso, a federal district court judge for the Northern District of Illinois, said that the Trump Administration violated the First Amendment when it pressured Facebook and Apple to remove ICE-tracking groups and apps. Judge Alonso granted the plaintiffs, Kassandra Rosado, who runs the ICE Sightings - Chicagoland Facebook group, and Kreisau Group, the developers of Eyes Up, a preliminary injunction. Judge Alonso cited a unanimous Supreme Court decision from a 2024 case that pitted the NRA against the former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, Maria Vullo. In that case, the court ruled that "[g]overnment … Read the full story at The Verge.

From fancy OLED TVs to robot vacuums with arms, we tend to cover a lot of cool stuff here at The Verge that, unfortunately, often costs as much as a month’s rent (or more). But with the ongoing tariff situation in the US and a global memory shortage pushing up the cost of, well, everything, we’re well aware that not everyone can spend that kind of money right now. So, as we did last year, we asked The Verge staff to share some of their favorite gadgets under $50. These are the gizmos that don’t fall apart after a few weeks, as cheap stuff often does, and quietly improve our lives. Some are practical purchases, like portable power banks and backup bulbs, while the rest are useful in other ways. After all, who doesn’t want a dirt-cheap Bluetooth speaker, a feature-packed pair of earbuds, or a fitness tracker that punches well above its weight? If you’re curious, you can check out our favorites below. Nite Ize DoohicKey Plus Key Tool Nite Ize DoohicKey Plus Key Tool Where to Buy: $6.99 $6.49 at Amazon $6.99 at Nite Ize $7 $6.5 at REI This keychain thingy costs less than seven bucks, is about the size of an actual key, and clips onto your keyring with a built-in carabiner latch. It’s perfectly suited for opening boxes, popping bottlecaps, or tightening a screw or a bolt in a pinch. While it’s not as good as a dedicated tool — or even a larger multitool like a Leatherman — at any of those things, I’m also way more likely to have it on me when I need it. — Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editor CMF Buds 2A CMF Buds 2A Where to Buy: $49 $19.99 at Amazon (black) $49 $19.99 at Amazon (orange) $49 $19.99 at Amazon (light gray) When it comes to earbuds, my daily drivers are a pair of AirPods Pro 3. However, given how often I find myself sitting in my car due to my extracurriculars (I volunteer with search and rescue), I decided to pick up a pair of Nothing’s CMF Buds 2A as a backup for my bag. The budget earbuds are often on sale for a tenth of what the Pro 3 cost, and while they certainly can’t compete with Apple’s high-end earbuds, their pack-in features and overall performance make them a terrific value. For $49, you get decent sound and customizable touch controls, along with up to eight hours of playback on a single charge (or up to 35.5 hours with the included USB-C charging case). They also support Google’s Fast Pair feature, carry an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance, and offer a touch of active noise cancellation. They’re not going to drown out sharper sounds or all subway chatter — you only get about 42 decibels of noise reduction — but it’s a hell of a lot better than going it alone. — Brandon Widder, senior commerce editor  Syncwire Magnetic AirGrip Syncwire Magnetic AirGrip Where to Buy: $24.99 $16.99 at Amazon $24.99 $19.99 at Syncwire Want a more secure grip on your phone? You can find countless rings that magnetically snap onto your phone, then physically slip onto your finger. But the Syncwire AirGrip is better than that — it’s got magnets on both sides of the ring, so it can snap your device to any ferrous metal surface: your car mount, your fridge, your filing cabinet, you name it. Depending on which design you buy, I’ve found it has the right amount of magnet strength for these tasks, and while you can’t wirelessly charge through it like its OhSnap competition, it also costs much less. The best part might be the built-in ratchet, though: you can securely spin the inner ring 360 degrees while it makes an incredibly satisfying clicking sound. — Sean Hollister, senior editor Watch our video about the Syncwire AirGrip. Vornado 133 Compact Air Circulator Vornado 133 Compact Air Circulator Where to Buy: $29.97 at Amazon $29.99 at The Home Depot $29.99 at Vornado Before I moved closer to the coast, I relied on Vornado fans to survive inland Southern Californian summers, where temperatures regularly push past 100 degrees for much of the summer and early fall. I’ve used them through intense heat waves, buying mult

After just over a decade, the Google Assistant is entering end-of-life, but what does that mean for the millions of us who have used it for so long? And what is next for the platform? more…

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.99, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, and it's accompanied by a solid deal on the AirPods 4. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts. $49 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $199.99 You can also get the AirPods 4 for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a second-best price on the AirPods 4, which is the base model without Active Noise Cancellation. Amazon provides an April 23 estimated delivery date for free shipping, with faster delivery options for Prime members. $30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00 Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over 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 DealsThis article, "AirPods Weekend Deals Include AirPods Pro 3 for $199.99 and AirPods 4 for $99" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available in beta starting in June, and the update will likely be widely released in September. macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Macs:MacBook Neo (2026) MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later) MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later) MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019) MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) iMac (2020 and later) Mac mini (2020 and later) Mac Studio (2022 and later) Mac Pro (2019 and later)Intel-based Macs that can run macOS Tahoe but will not be compatible with macOS 27 include the 16-inch MacBook Pro (2019), the 27-inch iMac (2020), the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports), and the Mac Pro (2019). macOS 27's exact compatibility with Apple silicon Macs remains to be seen, but presumably the update will support all Macs with an M1 chip or newer.Related Roundup: macOS 27This article, "macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple has released more than 12 new products and accessories this year. The company kicked things off with a second-generation AirTag in January, and it unveiled a wide range of devices in March, including the MacBook Neo, iPhone 17e, two new Studio Display models, updated iPad Air models with the M4 chip, and much more. Here is everything that Apple has released in 2026 so far:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch Band Apple Announces iPhone 17e With A19 Chip, MagSafe, and More Apple Unveils iPad Air With M4 Chip, Increased RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and More Apple Announces MacBook Air With M5 Chip and 512GB Base Storage Apple Unveils MacBook Pro Featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max Chips Apple Updates Studio Display With Thunderbolt 5 and More Apple Introduces All-New Studio Display XDR: 120Hz, Mini-LED, and More Apple Announces $599 'MacBook Neo' With A18 Pro Chip Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 With H2 Chip and More Apple's Special-Edition Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 Now Available Apple Releases iPhone Cases, Apple Watch Bands, and Crossbody Strap in New ColorsThe new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode. With an updated internal design, the new AirTag features a 50% louder speaker compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. Apple said the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch features the colors of the Pan-African flag in honor of Black History Month. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gains Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, Apple's second-generation C1X modem for faster 5G, and a doubled 256GB of base storage. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at $599, just like the iPhone 16e did. The new iPad Air's key upgrades include Apple's M4 chip, an increased 12GB of RAM, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and the C1X modem in cellular models. The MacBook Air received a faster M5 chip, and a doubled 512GB of base storage, but the starting price increased from $999 to $1,099 as a result of a 256GB configuration being dropped. With the N1 chip, the MacBook Air now has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and it now comes with Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models finally received M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, plus up to twice as fast SSD speeds and a doubled 1TB of base storage. Battery life has increased slightly across all of the models, and the N1 chip extends to the MacBook Pro line now for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. The regular Studio Display gained Thunderbolt 5 support and improved speakers, and the camera now supports Desk View. There is also an all-new, higher-end Studio Display XDR that gained all of those benefits, plus bigger improvements such as a 120Hz refresh rate, mini-LED backlighting, increased brightness, and more. The colorful MacBook Neo starts at just $599 in the United States, and at an even lower $499 for college students. Available in Blush, Citrus, Indigo, and Silver, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone, and it is equipped with a 13-inch display, up to 512GB of storage, and a non-configurable 8GB of RAM. AirPods Max 2 have a handful of upgrades over the previous AirPods Max, including Apple's H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. Plus, the Digital Crown has a new Camera Remote function. The special-edition Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 are the same as the regular Powerbeats Pro 2, except they have a two-tone design co

Two years ago I attended a picturesque outdoor wedding in August where the hot and humid weather had guests occasionally ducking into their cars to enjoy a blast of AC. Dyson’s new $99.99 handheld fan would have provided some much-needed relief then, although I’m not sure I would have been comfortable powering it up during the service or reception. The HushJet Mini Cool is as slim and sleek as Dyson’s recent thin vacuum and hair dryer, but it’s not quiet enough to earn the name “Hush.” That’s unfortunate because the HushJet Mini Cool is yet another product Dyson has redesigned to look and perform better than what’s already on the market. All of its components — including the motor, 5,000mAh rechargeable battery, and spinning blades — are safely contained inside a cylindrical body 38mm in diameter that’s easy to slip into a pocket. Many handheld fans use flexible or folding blades that are left exposed and not ideal for kids, or they stuff the moving parts into a bulbous section on top that limits pocketability. Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Where to Buy: $99.99 at Dyson $99.99 at Amazon $99.99 at Best Buy At 208 grams the HushJet Mini Cool is about the same weight as an iPhone 17 Pro, so it’s not a terrible burden to schlep around when temperatures soar, and it’s incredibly easy to use. A toggle switch turns the fan on and off, while a rocker button lets you step up and down through five different fan speeds indicated by a strip of five small white LEDs. There’s also an even stronger Boost Mode that’s only activated while you’re holding down the “plus” side of that rocker button. The only learning curve was remembering to grip the fan above the vent that wraps around its base so as not to block the airflow. Some added texture on the outside of the HushJet Mini Cool to naturally guide where your hand should grip it would be welcome. Dyson claims up to six hours of battery life at the fan’s lowest setting, but at its highest speed (not Boost Mode) it died after 62 minutes. I was still impressed, because I didn’t expect the fan to last that long at full power. The remaining battery life is displayed using the fan’s five white LEDs, but only when it’s turned off. Being able to track how fast the battery level drops with the fan running would be a useful way to estimate how much cooling time you have left. The HushJet Mini Cool is bottom-heavy and can be used as a self-standing fan, and Dyson includes an accessory to widen the base and improve its stability. It helps, but it’s also an accessory that’s easy to lose. And while you can power the fan indefinitely by connecting it to a power source over USB-C, you’re limited to the lowest speed setting. At that setting you’ll need to stay within about 5 feet of the fan to feel anything. Dyson’s marketing for the fan, including the HushJet branding, emphasizes how it’s engineered to be quiet. “Dyson’s obsession with acoustics means tonal comfort: with the HushJet nozzle, we’ve lowered frequencies, eliminated high-pitched whirring, and silenced the sound of whining motors,” the company said in a press release. But it was definitely not as quiet as I expected it to be. It doesn’t get anywhere near as loud as Dyson’s cordless vacuums or hair dryers, but the HushJet Mini Cool isn’t whisper-quiet, even at its lowest setting. The handheld fan also has a similar high-pitched whine as those other Dyson devices, despite its tiny electric motor spinning at less than half the speed of theirs. For the past year my family has been using Nitecore’s izzCool 10 Pro fan to beat the heat whenever AC isn’t available. Its design makes it harder to slip into a pocket, and at full power its blast is nowhere near as strong as Dyson’s — even at half power. While both fans were similarly loud at their lowest settings (measured using the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app on my iPhone), Dyson’s was well over 10 decibels louder at full power. That’s not surprising given Dyson’s fan far outperforms Nitecore’s, but the sou

It was another busy week of Apple news and rumors, with upcoming Apple product categories like the foldable iPhone and smart glasses featuring prominently in the news. This week also saw continued tightening of supplies of the Mac mini and Mac Studio, while Amazon announced it will be acquiring Apple's satellite partner that supports a variety of Apple services for users off the terrestrial grid, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! Top Stories 'iPhone Ultra' Will Solve Two Key Problems Apple reportedly plans to unveil a foldable iPhone in September, with one leaker on Chinese social media claiming the device will be called the "iPhone Ultra." Now, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the device will have improved screen quality and overall durability compared to competing foldables. "Apple engineers believe they've solved problems with screen quality and overall durability, two long-running flaws with phones in this category," he said. Rumors on launch timing have been all over the place, with some claiming the foldable iPhone will be available in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models while others suggest there could be a delay in availability that might extend even into early 2027. The latest rumor suggests, however, that while production is behind schedule, Apple is still aiming for a fall 2026 launch. For more on the iPhone Ultra, check out last week's episode of The MacRumors Show. Apple Stops Accepting Orders for Some Mac Mini and Mac Studio Models Amid severe global RAM chip shortages and rumors of updated models, some Mac mini and Mac Studio configurations are now completely out of stock on Apple's online store in the U.S. Mac mini configurations with an upgraded 32GB or 64GB of RAM and Mac Studio configurations with an upgraded 128GB or 256GB of RAM are listed as "currently unavailable" on the storefront, meaning they can no longer be ordered at all. Other configurations that remain available continue to face lengthy shipping delays, with estimated delivery time frames ranging from one to three months. Last month, Apple entirely removed the Mac Studio's 512GB of RAM option, but supplies are clearly now tightening even further. Apple Testing Four Smart Glasses Styles Made of High-End Materials Apple is developing at least four different styles of smart glasses, and the company is betting that their superior design will set them apart from rival products, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that Apple's latest designs are made from a high-end acetate material, which is "more durable and luxurious" than the standard plastic used by most existing brands. In Gurman's words, the designs in testing include: A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook Larger oval or circular frames A smaller, more refined oval or circular option Apple and Amazon Ink Satellite Deal Amid Amazon's Takeover of Globalstar Amazon has announced that it will acquire Globalstar, which currently serves as Apple's exclusive satellite connectivity partner, but it appears Apple satellite services will be preserved and will perhaps expand under the deal. Alongside the acquisition, Amazon and Apple have signed a separate agreement for Amazon's Leo satellite network to power existing iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features, including Emergency SOS, Messages via satellite, Find My, and Roadside Assistance via satellite. Amazon said it will continue supporting iPhone and Apple Watch models that use Globalstar's existing and upcoming low Earth orbit constellation. Amazon also said it will work with Apple on future satellite services running on the expanded Leo network. Check Who's Using Your iPhone Hotspot Data If you regularly share your iPhone's data connection with your laptop or iPad, or let family members piggyback on you

Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra features deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in apps for radio and climate controls, rear-view camera feed support, and more. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides information like the current speed, fuel level, tire pressure, engine temperature, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options. Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he was told that CarPlay Ultra would come to at least one major new Hyundai or Kia vehicle model "in the second half of this year," so hopefully an expansion is just a few months away.Related Roundup: CarPlayTag: CarPlay UltraRelated Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

In a recent interview, Samsung execs discussed how the company’s design language has evolved into what we now know as the Galaxy S26. While it might be true that Samsung has carved out its own identity in the mobile space through generations of refinement, that same design is also at the heart of some of the most annoying-yet-fixable problems facing Galaxy hardware. more…

With a vacation comes a big choice: What game should I focus on during the trip? I thought about grinding out the harder levels of Super Meat Boy 3D, but I was looking for something more chill. I could have dabbled more with Slay the Spire II, but I already know that's a game I'll be playing for a long time. I wanted something that I could really get lost in and finish in a little over a week. People of Note, a new music-focused RPG from Annapurna Interactive and Iridium Studios, turned out to be exactly what I needed. In the game, you play as aspiring pop singer Cadence. What starts as a journey to outperform a popular boy band turns into … Read the full story at The Verge.

Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 124, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, send me your Coachella fits, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) This week, I've been reading about restaurant bread and GLP-1s and Lenny Rachitsky and Artemis II fashion, watching the new boy band doc because I will always watch a boy band doc, also watching every clip I can find from Justin Bieber's Coachella set, filling the Schitt's Creek-shaped hole in my heart with Big Mistakes, getting increasingly excited about The Mandalorian and Grogu, and watering my new lawn so it … Read the full story at The Verge.

Apple is working on an updated version of the Mac Studio that's expected at some point in 2026, and with supplies of existing machines running low, we thought we'd highlight what's next for Apple's most powerful desktop machine. Design We're not expecting Apple to redesign the ‌Mac Studio‌, and there haven't been rumors of a design update. The ‌Mac Studio‌ will continue to have an Apple TV or Mac mini-like squircle design with rounded corners. The ‌Mac Studio‌ is a much more compact desktop than the now-discontinued Mac Pro, measuring in at 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide. The current ‌Mac Studio‌ supports Thunderbolt 5, and the next version will too. There haven't been rumors of any changes to the port configuration. M5 Max and M5 Ultra Chips We're expecting the ‌Mac Studio‌ to adopt M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Apple already debuted the M5 Max with the MacBook Pro models that came out in March, but the M5 Ultra is still a mystery. The M5 Max has up to an 18-core CPU and 40-core GPU, with up to 614GB/s memory bandwidth. Apple says the M5 Max offers up to 30 percent faster CPU performance for pro workloads than the M4 Max. The M5 Ultra will bring even better performance, and historically, Apple's Ultra chips have been two Max chips linked together. The M5 Ultra could have up to a 36-core CPU and up to an 80-core GPU. The current ‌Mac Studio‌ has a mix of M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips because Apple didn't design an M4 Ultra chip, but the M5 cycle is expected to unify the ‌Mac Studio‌ chip options to a single generation. Faster SSD The M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models were updated with a faster SSD, so the ‌Mac Studio‌ could get the same SSD improvements. Apple says the updated SSD in the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models is up to 2x faster than the SSD in the M4 MacBook Pro models. RAM Because of global RAM shortages, Apple discontinued the 512GB Mac Studio earlier this year. The current machine maxes out at 256GB RAM, and that's a limitation we could see with the next ‌Mac Studio‌ too. The M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ supports up to 128GB RAM, so that will be the ceiling for the M5 Max ‌Mac Studio‌. The M5 Ultra model could support up to 256GB. RAM shortages are expected to continue throughout the year, because companies that manufacture memory are prioritizing orders from companies building AI servers that require huge amounts of RAM. There is little supply left for consumer products, which has caused prices to increase. Many PC and smartphone makers have raised their prices on existing machines, but Apple hasn't changed ‌Mac Studio‌ pricing. Mac Studio Shortages Apple stopped accepting orders for some ‌Mac Studio‌ configurations in early April, and they are out of stock. ‌Mac Studio‌ configurations with 128GB or 256GB of RAM can no longer be ordered, but that's not necessarily a sign that a new machine is launching imminently. Apple has been dealing with soaring DRAM and NAND flash prices, and the fact that only models with higher RAM are unavailable suggests it's a supply issue and not an indication of a refresh. Pricing There haven't been rumors of pricing increases for the ‌Mac Studio‌, so it could continue to start at $1,999, but Apple has raised the prices of other Macs this year. Starting prices for the M5 MacBook Air and the M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models increased, though Apple did soften the blow with higher starting storage. It's possible the ‌Mac Studio‌ price will go up, and the entry-level machine will start with a 1TB SSD instead of a 512GB SSD. No More Mac Pro Apple discontinued the Mac Pro in late March, so the ‌Mac Studio‌ is now Apple's only pro desktop option. There was a lot of overlap between the Mac Pro and the ‌Mac Studio‌, with the Mac Pro only offering PCIe expansion slots as a differentiating feature. The ‌Mac Studio‌, Mac mini, and iMac are Apple's desktop Mac options. Release Timing It's not clear when we might see a refreshed ‌Mac Studio‌ because of the shortages that Appl

India will not require smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices with a state-owned biometric identification app, reports Reuters. The Unique Identification Authority of India asked the IT ministry to start talks with Apple and other tech companies about the possibility of mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar identity app, but the IT ministry told Reuters today that it reviewed the proposal and is "not in favor" of mandating the app's preinstallation. Aadhaar is a 12-digit identity number that residents of India can apply for, and it has been issued to more than 1.34 billion residents. The number is linked to an individual's image, fingerprints, and iris scans, and it serves as proof of residence. It is used for government benefits, banking, taxes, mobile connections, and more. The Identification Authority said that the IT ministry consulted with "stakeholders from the electronics industry" before deciding not to proceed with the proposal to preload Aadhaar. India's government has asked smartphone makers to preinstall state-owned apps on devices six times over the last two years, according to Reuters. Smartphone makers like Apple have thwarted all requests. Late last year, India's Department of Communications gave smartphone companies 90 days to start preinstalling the Sanchar Saathi government app on all new devices sold in the country. Sanchar Saathi is a government app that lets users block stolen devices, report fraudulent calls, and verify second-hand phones. Apple told government officials that it would not comply with the requirement because of privacy and security concerns, and the government dropped the issue. Apple told India the same thing about the Aadhaar app, informing the IT ministry that it had safety and security concerns about preloading apps.Tag: IndiaThis article, "India Won't Require Apple to Preinstall Government ID App on iPhones" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Last month, OpenAI gave up on its Sora video generation tool, and on Friday, the Sora team's leader, Bill Peebles, announced that he is leaving the company. OpenAI has been shifting its priorities as part of an effort to avoid "side quests," and Peebles' departure is just one of many recent changes as the company moves to focus more on coding and enterprise use. As part of a note Peebles posted on X, he said: I am immensely grateful to Sam, Mark, Aditya and Jakub for fostering a research environment that allowed us to pursue ideas off-the-beaten path from the company's mainline roadmap. It's tempting in life to mode collapse to the most i … Read the full story at The Verge.

After rolling out to Google AI subscribers earlier this month, the Gemini app has now launched notebooks to free users. more…

Tinder users who prove they're a real person by visiting an identity-verifying orb will soon be able to get five free boosts in the app - and it's just the latest service to embrace the orb. World, which was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, initially tested Tinder verification using its facial scanning orbs through a pilot program in Japan last year. It's now expanding the service to "select markets, including Japan and the United States." To verify that they're not a bot or an AI agent, users have to physically visit one of World's orbs in person. According to World, the orb "takes pictures of your face and eyes, then encrypts and sto … Read the full story at The Verge.

Welcome to episode 96 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Damien, Abner, and Will talk through Google’s new native Gemini app for Mac and wonder why now, and why we don’t see more standalone applications from the company. They also dive into new reports surrounding Google’s portion of the foldable market — and the risk Apple holds against it — before finishing up with YouTube’s new workaround for disabling Shorts. Subscribe YouTube Podcasts Pocket Casts Spotify Apple Podcasts Overcast Sponsored by Proton Unlimited: Pixelated listeners can save 30% on an annual subscription to the company’s suite of privacy-friendly services by signing up using our link. Thanks to Proton Unlimited for sponsoring the podcast. more…