Apple's upcoming updates -- macOS Sequoia 15.3, iOS 18.3, and iPadOS 18.3 -- will [enable Apple Intelligence by default on compatible devices](https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/21/macos-sequoia-15-3-apple-intelligence-opt-out/), requiring users to manually disable it if undesired. From Apple's [developer release notes](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/macos-release-notes/macos-15_3-release-notes): "For users new or upgrading to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence will be enabled automatically during iPhone onboarding. Users will have access to Apple Intelligence features after setting up their devices. To disable Apple Intelligence, users will need to navigate to the Apple Intelligence & Siri Settings pane and turn off the Apple Intelligence toggle. This will disable Apple Intelligence features on their device." MacRumors reports: _With macOS Sequoia 15.1, macOS Sequoia 15.2, iOS 18.1, and iOS 18.2, Apple Intelligence was opt-in rather than opt-out, and users who wanted the feature needed to turn it on in the Settings app. Going forward, it will be enabled by default, and Mac, iPhone, and iPad users who do not want to use the feature will need to turn it off._ The report notes that macOS Sequoia 15.3 introduces Genmoji, allowing Mac users to create custom emoji characters, and enhances Notification summaries with clearer indicators for AI-generated information. Public releases of this and other software updates are expected next week, following today's release candidate versions.

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176124197 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=iphone)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=social)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Tuesday February 04, 2025 @07:10PM from the two-stories-for-the-price-of-one dept. Apple has announced [Apple Invites](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-invites/id6472498645), a new iPhone app [designed to help you manage your social life](https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-invites-is-a-new-iphone-app-to-manage-your-social-life-162125095.html). Engadget reports: _The idea behind Apple Invites is that you can create and share custom invitations for any event or occasion. You can use your own photos or backgrounds in the app as an image for the invite. Image Playground is built into Invites and you can use that to generate an images for the invitation instead. Other Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools are baked in as well, in case you need a hand to craft the right message for your invitation._ The tech giant also said it was increasing AppleCare+ subscription prices for the iPhone, "[raising the cost by 50 cents for all models in the United States](https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/04/applecare-iphone-price-increase/)," according to MacRumors. From the report: _Standard AppleCare+ for the iPhone 16 models is now priced at $10.49 per month, for example, up from the prior $9.99 per month price. The 50 cent price increase applies to all available AppleCare+ plans for Apple's current iPhone lineup, and it includes both the standard plan and the Theft and Loss plan. The two-year AppleCare+ subscription prices have not changed, nor have the service fees and deductibles. The increased prices are only applicable when paying for AppleCare+ on a monthly basis. Apple has not raised the prices of AppleCare+ subscription plans for the iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch._

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176133007 story [](//it.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=security)[](//it.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=privacy) Posted by msmash on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @03:42PM from the PSA dept. Kaspersky researchers have discovered malware hiding in both Google Play and Apple's App Store that uses optical character recognition to steal cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases from users' photo galleries. Dubbed "SparkCat" by security firm ESET, the malware was [embedded in several messaging and food delivery apps](https://securelist.com/sparkcat-stealer-in-app-store-and-google-play/115385/), with the infected Google Play apps accumulating over 242,000 downloads combined. This marks the first known instance of such OCR-based spyware making it into Apple's App Store. The malware, active since March 2024, masquerades as an analytics SDK called "Spark" and leverages Google's ML Kit library to scan users' photos for wallet recovery phrases in multiple languages. It requests gallery access under the guise of allowing users to attach images to support chat messages. When granted access, it searches for specific keywords related to crypto wallets and uploads matching images to attacker-controlled servers. The researchers found both Android and iOS variants using similar techniques, with the iOS version being particularly notable as it circumvented Apple's typically stringent app review process. The malware's creators appear to be Chinese-speaking actors based on code comments and server error messages, though definitive attribution remains unclear.

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176129243 story [](//it.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=it) Posted by msmash on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @11:00AM from the sky-is-the-limit dept. A developer has successfully run the classic video game Doom [on Apple's $50 Lightning to HDMI adapter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XCkeN0XuqA), exploiting the device's built-in system-on-chip that runs a simplified iOS version.

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176128697 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=china)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Wednesday February 05, 2025 @09:40AM from the shape-of-things-to-come dept. China's antitrust watchdog is laying the groundwork for [a potential probe into Apple's policies](https://www.cnbctv18.com/technology/china-weighs-probe-into-apple-app-store-fees-practices-19553131.htm) and the fees it charges app developers, part of a broader push by Beijing that risks becoming another flashpoint in the country's trade war with the US. From a report: _The State Administration for Market Regulation is examining Apple's policies, which include taking a cut of as much as 30% on in-app spending and barring external payment services and stores, people familiar with the matter said. Agency officials have spoken with Apple executives and app developers since last year, said the people, who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive moves. The conversations stem from long-running disputes between Apple and developers such as Tencent and ByteDance over iOS store policies -- a source of tension between the US company and regulators worldwide. While Beijing has since 2024 targeted the practices of US tech firms from Nvidia to [most recently Alphabet's Google](https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/02/04/1250212/china-launches-antitrust-investigation-into-google), regulators may not formally move against Apple if the current conversations go well._

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176146063 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=iphone)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Thursday February 06, 2025 @08:30PM from the shape-of-things-to-come dept. Apple plans to unveil a long-anticipated [overhaul of the iPhone SE in the coming days](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/apple-s-long-awaited-overhaul-of-budget-iphone-nears-release), a move that will modernize its lower-cost model in a bid to spur growth and entice consumers to switch from other brands. Bloomberg: _The company expects to announce the device as early as next week, ahead of it going on sale later in the month, according to people with knowledge of the matter. \[...\] The new device, code-named V59, also will be Apple's first with an in-house cellular modem, replacing a component from Qualcomm, Bloomberg News has reported. It will have a larger screen with Face ID and also include a speedier A18 chip, which will help support Apple Intelligence. The removal of the home button from the iPhone SE means that Apple will have fully phased out the iconic interface, which debuted on the first iPhone in 2007._

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176174345 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=iphone)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=security) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Monday February 10, 2025 @04:40PM from the time-to-update dept. Apple has released emergency security updates for iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 to patch a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-24200) that was [exploited in "extremely sophisticated," targeted attacks](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/apple/apple-fixes-zero-day-exploited-in-extremely-sophisticated-attacks/). The flaw, which allowed a physical attack to disable USB Restricted Mode on locked devices, was [discovered](https://support.apple.com/en-us/122174) by Citizen Lab and may have been used in spyware campaigns; users are strongly advised to install the update immediately. BleepingComputer reports: _USB Restricted Mode is a security feature (introduced almost seven years ago in iOS 11.4.1) that blocks USB accessories from creating a data connection if the device has been locked for over an hour. This feature is designed to block forensic software like Graykey and Cellebrite (commonly used by law enforcement) from extracting data from locked iOS devices. In November, Apple introduced another security feature (dubbed "inactivity reboot") that automatically restarts iPhones after long idle times to re-encrypt data and make it harder to extract by forensic software. The zero-day vulnerability (tracked as CVE-2025-24200 and reported by Citizen Lab's Bill Marczak) patched today by Apple is an authorization issue addressed in iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 with improved state management. The list of devices this zero-day impacts includes: - iPhone XS and later, \- iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later _

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176216005 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=android)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=tv)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=google)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Wednesday February 12, 2025 @06:50PM from the it's-about-time dept. Apple has [released](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/02/the-apple-tv-app-is-now-available-on-android/) an official Apple TV app for Android phones and tablets that's [now available in the Google Play Store](https://9to5google.com/2025/02/12/apple-tv-android-app-phones-tablets/). You can download it [here](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.atve.androidtv.appletv&e=-EnableAppDetailsPageRedesign). 9to5Google reports: _The newest Apple app on Android has a bottom bar with Apple TV+, MLS (Major League Soccer), Downloads for offline viewing, and Search. \[...\] The video player takes after Apple TV on other platforms, with a portrait mode available. There are convenient shortcuts to activate picture-in-picture, which works inside the app (while browsing) and system-wide, and mute to bring up the system volume bar. Playback is smooth and more stable than other streaming services. At launch, the Apple TV app lacks Casting support and there do not appear to be new episode notifications. If you're already signed into Apple Music, you have to log in again to Apple TV. Another notable aspect is support for Google Play Billing instead of requiring out-of-app sign-up on another device. This applies to both the Google TV app (and Apple Music) today. _

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176233749 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=hardware) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday February 13, 2025 @05:40PM from the what-to-expect dept. Apple CEO Tim Took [took to X](https://x.com/tim_cook/status/1890068457825394918?s=61&t=a-bloX1n-TZ50ofqhetO1A) today to tease a special Apple product launch [happening next week on Wednesday, February 19](https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/13/apple-teases-special-product-launch-coming-february-19/). 9to5Mac reports: _Few specific details were shared, but Cook did include a brief video featuring the Apple logo in silver plus the following words: "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family. Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch" \[...\] The most likely product is the brand new iPhone SE 4, which rumors suggest will pack a [variety of powerful upgrades](https://www.tomsguide.com/news/iphone-se-4). \[...\] There are several other hardware possibilities for the February 19 launch. We're currently expecting at least three other products to debut in the near future: the M4 MacBook Air, an M3 iPad Air, and a new 11th generation base model iPad. Reading into the teaser, the silver color does subtly give off Mac vibes, so perhaps the M4 MacBook Air is coming. The circle design in the video has some wondering if AirTag 2 could be the focus of the launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, however, [doesn't believe that's the case](https://x.com/markgurman/status/1890070656353714258?s=46). Gurman suggests the iPhone SE 4 will be the new product. That would make the circle a [potential reference](https://x.com/chriswelch/status/1890072279826231379?s=61&t=a-bloX1n-TZ50ofqhetO1A) to the device's single rear camera. _

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176226575 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Thursday February 13, 2025 @11:20AM from the tussle-continues dept. The German antitrust authority has charged Apple with abusing its market power through its app tracking tool and [giving itself preferential treatment](https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/german-cartel-office-warns-apple-091901058.html) in a move that could result in daily fines for the iPhone maker if it fails to change its business practices. From a report: _The move follows a three-year investigation by the Federal Cartel Office into Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature, which allows users to block advertisers from tracking them across different applications. The U.S. tech giant has said the feature allows users to control their privacy but has drawn criticism from Meta Platforms, app developers and startups whose business models rely on advertising tracking. "The ATTF (app tracking tool) makes it far more difficult for competing app publishers to access the user data relevant for advertising," Andreas Mundt, cartel office president, said in a statement._

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176239341 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=china)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=ai)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Friday February 14, 2025 @05:00AM from the competitive-markets dept. Alibaba will [partner with Apple to support AI features on iPhones in China](https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/alibaba-chairman-confirms-ai-partnership-with-apple-chinese-iphones-2025-02-13/), sending Alibaba's shares surging over 9% to a three-year high. Reuters reports: _"They talked to a number of companies in China. In the end they chose to do business with us. They want to use our AI to power their phones. We feel extremely honored to do business with a great company like Apple," Tsai said at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Apple continues to work with Baidu on AI features for iPhones in China, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two people with direct knowledge of the matter. While Apple's phones outside China utilize a combination of its proprietary Apple Intelligence and OpenAI's ChatGPT, Tsai did not specify whether the Alibaba partnership would follow a similar model. In China, consumer-facing AI products require regulatory approval, and The Information reported earlier that both Alibaba and Apple have already submitted materials to authorities. _"Instead of viewing the Alibaba-Apple partnership through the lens of China's AI strength, the partnership is mainly a recognition of Alibaba's AI capability," said Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at tech research firm Omdia.

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176235849 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=social)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday February 13, 2025 @07:40PM from the latest-developments dept. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will [restore TikTok to the U.S. App Store on Thursday](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-14/apple-to-restore-tiktok-to-us-app-store-following-justice-department-letter) _(source paywalled; [alternative source](https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/13/tiktok-set-to-return-to-app-store-before-new-iphone-launch-this-month/)),_ following a letter from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. From the report: _Apple, along with Alphabet's Google, removed TikTok in the US to comply with a law passed last year. In a Jan. 20 executive order, Trump said he instructed the attorney general "not to take any action to enforce the act [for a period of 75 days](https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/01/21/055229/executive-order-delays-tiktok-ban-for-75-days) from today to allow my administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course forward."_ Apple confirmed the app will return "Thursday evening." You can find the App Store listing for TikTok [here](https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/tiktok/id835599320). _Developing..._

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176251123 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=tv)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=media)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=entertainment) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Friday February 14, 2025 @06:20PM from the oops dept. Netflix content briefly appeared in the Apple TV app due to an [unintentional](https://www.theverge.com/news/613307/netflix-apple-tv-app-support-mistake) glitch, [sparking](https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/1ip8g3z/netflix_finally_has_integration_with_the_apple_tv/) [excitement](https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/1ip2wlk/comment/mcope3i/) among users before the company [swiftly rolled back the integration](https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-accidentally-made-its-content-show-up-in-the-apple-tv-app-212851906.html). Engadget reports: _A Netflix spokesperson [told The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/613307/netflix-apple-tv-app-support-mistake) on Friday that the Apple TV app integration was an error that has been rolled back. Indeed, Redditors who had been [tracking](https://www.reddit.com/r/appletv/comments/1ip2wlk/netflix_finally_in_the_appletv_app/) the forbidden fruit with unbridled glee confirmed that all signs of Netflix content had since vanished from Apple's streaming hub. Netflix giveth, and Netflix taketh away. While the boo-boo was still active, PC World [reported](https://www.pcworld.com/article/2609395/netflix-comes-to-the-apple-tv-app-sort-of.html) it let you add Netflix originals like Stranger Things, Cobra Kai and The Crown but lacked licensed shows and movies. Even the available content was a buggy mess. For example, only season five of The Crown was available, leaving you to wonder what hijinks Liz and the gang had gotten into before or after the grunge era. The "Add to Watchlist" and "Continue Watching" features were also said to be spotty. _

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176286063 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Monday February 17, 2025 @10:20AM from the up-next dept. Apple is exploring ways to [monetize its Maps app](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-16/apple-and-meta-are-set-to-battle-over-new-area-humanoid-robots-m77mwid3) by introducing paid business listings and prioritized search results, _Bloomberg News_ reports, citing an internal company meeting with the Maps team. The initiative would allow businesses to pay for higher placement in search results and more prominent display on maps, similar to Google Maps' advertising model. While no timeline has been set and no active development is underway, the move would mark Apple's first attempt to generate direct revenue from its mapping service. The potential Maps monetization comes as Apple expands its advertising business across other services. The company has previously increased its focus on search ads in the App Store and recently added advertising to its News and Stocks apps, as well as its sports content.

Do you develop on GitHub? You can keep using GitHub but automatically [**sync your GitHub releases to SourceForge**](https://sourceforge.net/p/forge/documentation/GitHub%20Importer/) quickly and easily with **[this tool](https://sourceforge.net/p/import_project/github/)** so your projects have a backup location, and get your project in front of SourceForge's nearly 20 million monthly users. It takes less than a minute. Get new users downloading your project releases today! × 176297627 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=books)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=google)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Tuesday February 18, 2025 @07:20PM from the about-time dept. Google has gained permission to sell its e-books and audiobooks [directly to customers through its iOS app](https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/18/google-play-books-purchases-on-ios-now-skirt-the-app-stores-commission/), Google Play Books. From a report: _While iOS apps today can offer access to content previously purchased elsewhere, like e-books bought via a website, developers have to request a specific exception to link their iOS app's users to the company's own website to make purchases. According to a brief post on Google's blog, users will now be able to click on a new "Get book" button in the Google Play Books iOS app which will take them to the Google Play website to complete their e-book or audiobook purchase. From there, users will be able to see their recently opened book listings and complete a purchase using their Google Account and saved payment information. By processing the transaction on its own website, Google can avoid paying Apple a commission (generally 30%) on in-app purchases of digital content._

176565293 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=mac)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=ai)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=microsoft) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday February 27, 2025 @07:45PM from the now-available dept. Microsoft has [released a native Copilot app for macOS](https://www.theverge.com/news/621114/microsoft-copilot-app-macos-download), offering AI-powered text and image generation, dark mode, and a Command + Space shortcut. The Verge reports: _Microsoft is launching this new Copilot Mac app in the US, UK, and Canada today, and the iPad version is also being updated with a split screen mode. You'll also now be able to log into Copilot on an iPhone or iPad with an Apple ID, and upload text or PDF files to ask questions about the documents or generate a summary about them. This document summarization feature is also coming to the macOS app soon._ You can download the app [here](https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/microsoft-copilot/id6738511300?mt=12).

178458480 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=os)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday July 24, 2025 @04:40PM from the One-UI-to-smear-them-all dept. Apple has [released the first public betas of its upcoming operating systems](https://www.theverge.com/news/695142/apple-public-betas-liquid-glass-ios-macos-26) with its new design language [called Liquid Glass](https://apple.slashdot.org/story/25/06/09/1726200/apples-new-design-language-is-liquid-glass). The list of new betas [includes](https://beta.apple.com/) iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. The Verge's Jay Peters reports: _The design language is inspired by visionOS and, as the name implies, features a lot of transparency. I felt it was a wild change to my iPhone when I tried the first developer beta, and Apple has already tweaked some of the translucency and changed how Control Center looks in subsequent betas. The new operating systems also have an updated numbering scheme: they now all end with 26, taking cues from how the car industry names its cars after the following year. It's a simpler and better system, if you ask me, and it should make it easier to know if you're on the newest software. _