Category: News

Apple’s Beats brand has introduced two new colors of its Beats Pill speaker: Navy Blue and Blush Pink. These new shades join the existing colors of Matte Black, Statement Red, and Champagne Gold that originally launched last June.

Previously, special-edition Light Gray and Dark Gray versions were released in collaboration with Kim Kardashian in October, but those editions have since been discontinued. The newly launched colors will be available exclusively through specific retailers.

Walmart will carry the Navy Blue version, while Target will offer Blush Pink in the United States. Additionally, the Blush Pink model will also reach John Lewis in the UK and Walmart in Canada during the summer.

However, it appears that the Navy Blue model will remain exclusive to the U.S. market. In comparison to the discontinued Beats Pill+, the new Beats Pill features a redesigned speaker system that includes a 20º upward tilt for enhanced sound projection.

The speaker now includes a removable lanyard, USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity, up to 24 hours of battery life, and water and sweat resistance rated at IP67. Users can utilize Amplify Mode and Stereo Mode to sync two speakers for larger sound output or separate audio channels.

The Beats Pill also functions as a speakerphone for connected devices, ensuring high-quality calls through a noise-learning algorithm. To celebrate the launch, Beats is introducing new “Pill People” shorts featuring WNBA star Angel Reese and former F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, representing the pink and blue Pill Persons, respectively.

As the year progresses, Apple is expected to release additional products, including an Apple TV with rumored features like faster Wi-Fi support, and updates to the Apple Watch Ultra. As the anticipation for Apple’s upcoming devices grows, consumers are eagerly awaiting more details and leaks regarding their specifications and functionalities.

I recently updated to Sequoia and encountered a frustrating problem that I can’t seem to resolve. I store my apps on the internal drive, but my photo library resides on an external drive.

While using Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP), I can easily delete photos from the internal drive without any issues. However, when I try to delete a photo from the external drive, I run into permission issues.

The first step involves providing permission, which requires me to enter my password—a process that is already annoying. After entering my password, I receive a message stating that I don’t have permission to perform the action.

This is perplexing because I am the owner and admin of my Mac. It’s confusing to understand how I can possess ownership but still be denied access.

Moreover, it’s odd that I must grant permission at all, considering that I can delete files from the external drive manually without any hindrance. To troubleshoot, I re-installed the latest version of DPP and ensured that it has full disk access in System Preferences.

Despite these efforts, I’m still facing this permission problem. Is there any way to resolve this issue?

It’s frustrating to be unable to manage my files effectively through DPP while the manual deletion of files works without a hitch. Any guidance or solutions to fix this would be greatly appreciated.

iOS 18.6 Beta 3 has a release date scheduled for July 14, 2025, with the build number 22G5073b. The details about the Darwin Kernel version are still not specified. In this beta version, developers and testers are encouraged to report any bugs they encounter through the Feedback app. Additionally, you can use Safari to access special features even if your settings are set to “None” for the betas.

To install the beta version over-the-air, it is essential to enable Beta Updates in Settings under General Software Updates, ensuring that you are logged into the correct Apple account. Users can choose between the public or developer beta options. It’s advisable to back up your data to a computer or iCloud before installing the beta. Once the installation is complete, the beta updates can be disabled if desired.

For those using a Mac, installation can be done with the Xcode beta or an extracted MobileDevice.pkg. After backing up your data, you can check for updates or restore the iPhone by holding down the Option key and selecting the appropriate IPSW file. However, restoring your device will erase all data and settings, which emphasizes the importance of keeping a backup. The version compatibility across various iPhone models is as follows: iPhone 16 series—1.70.02, iPhone 15 series—2.70.01, and earlier models down to iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR—7.01.01.

A comprehensive list of carrier updates is also included, with notable entries from countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, and several European nations, ensuring global coverage for users. For a successful upgrade to newer iPhones, it’s beneficial to update via Mac before setting up the new device.

The concept of improved legibility and reduced overhead has its advantages, yet many challenges remain. Apple is known for its iterative approach to product development, carefully introducing features that prioritize user benefits. Instead of pioneering technologies, such as touch screens and digital music players, Apple focuses on refining existing ideas with an emphasis on usability.

However, since Steve Jobs’ passing, the mobile industry, much like personal computing, has reached a plateau without someone at the helm to invigorate innovation. There are exciting features arriving with iOS 26 that aim to aid daily user experiences. However, I find it difficult to agree with the notion that Material 3 design lacks appeal.

It’s vibrant, customizable, and utilizes movement effectively, offering qualities that I believe Apple’s Liquid Glass fails to capture. While Apple does not have to emulate Google, they seem to be straying from a successful design path in several areas. As a designer, I perceive Material 3 as slightly less sophisticated, particularly given the vast array of UI variations across different Android manufacturers, like Samsung versus LG.

I recognize that LG may be on the right track, though initial implementations can appear rough. Nevertheless, certain design elements, such as font stretching in context menus, are glaring missteps. Additionally, dark mode has room for improvement, as dimming requires further refinement.

Beta versions should primarily focus on addressing development issues rather than tweaking foundational design systems, which should be thoroughly tested before release. The fact that we might expect several years of trial and error for a proper design overhaul suggests that the product isn’t ready for prime time. In essence, while LG aims for uniformity across Apple’s devices, achieving true usability remains challenging.

The focus should be on enhancing the user experience rather than letting technical challenges hinder design potential. Even with the current limitations, they represent a step toward cohesive UI standards across Apple products.

The Camera app has undergone significant design updates in iOS 26, aimed at enhancing user experience. Apple has simplified the interface, making it more intuitive and accessible. While most changes focus on visual design, there are also some notable functionality enhancements. One of the key design elements introduced is the Liquid Glass aesthetic.

The Camera app features rounded buttons that appear to float over the background, contributing to a modern look. The area behind the camera shutter and control buttons has been made more transparent, allowing users to see the surroundings more clearly. Additionally, the toggles for changing focal lengths have been redesigned, making the overall interface feel cleaner. iOS 26 also introduces a two-tab layout in the navigation bar, which now prominently displays just two options: Photo and Video.

Though users can still swipe to access other modes—such as Portrait, Panorama, Slo-Mo, and Cinematic—this simplified design helps users focus on the primary functions. The shutter button’s appearance has been revamped, featuring a more subtle Liquid Glass ring instead of the previous bright white outline. Another useful feature is the pop-out menus. Specific controls, previously located at the top of the app, are now integrated into these menus, making it easy to access options like Flash, Live Photo, Timer, and Exposure.

This design change keeps the interface streamlined while still providing quick access to essential features. For those using AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4, iOS 26 allows the use of these devices as a remote shutter, facilitating photo-taking through a simple press on the stem. This feature enhances convenience for users who prefer hands-free operation. Moreover, the app now includes a lens cleaning notification system, alerting users when their camera lens needs cleaning.

Developers also gain access to new APIs for Cinematic mode, enabling third-party apps to offer similar video capabilities as the native Camera app. Lastly, the integration with macOS 26 allows users to utilize their iPhone’s camera as a magnifying glass, significantly aiding those with vision issues.

When utilizing the MacRumors forum styles, users encounter a drawback on the Watched Forums page: there is no visual indication for forums that contain unread threads. As a result, users must enter each forum individually to ascertain which ones have new content.

This can be an inconvenient process, particularly for those monitoring several forums. In contrast, the default Xenforo style enhances user experience by providing clear visual cues.

In this style, forums with unread threads have their names displayed in bold font, and their icons are highlighted in orange. This straightforward differentiation allows users to quickly identify forums with new content without the need to click through each one.

To improve usability, it is suggested that the MacRumors styles be updated to adopt a similar functionality. Specifically, modifying the Watched Forums page so that the names of forums containing unread threads are bolded would streamline navigation.

This change would allow users to effortlessly locate and access forums with unread content, enhancing the overall user experience. By implementing these modifications, the MacRumors forum could provide an interface that is not only visually appealing but also user-friendly.

Users would benefit from quicker access to relevant threads, making their browsing experience much more efficient. Such changes could bring the MacRumors styles up to par with the intuitive design already offered by the Xenforo style, ultimately fostering greater engagement within the community.

I am looking for assistance with setting up NextDNS to enable remote access to my Plex server. Recently, I have been using Tailscale for this purpose, and it worked excellently until some recent changes disrupted the connectivity. My Plex server is hosted on a Synology NAS, and the convenience of Tailscale was that it eliminated the need for port forwarding, which is particularly difficult for me because I have a double NAT configuration due to AT&T fiber.

I would appreciate it if anyone familiar with integrating Plex and NextDNS could guide me through the setup process. My aim is to restore remote access to my Plex server without dealing with the port forwarding complexities that come with my current network setup. If necessary, I am open to compensating someone for their time and expertise in helping me troubleshoot and set up this configuration effectively.

Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to any advice or support you might provide.

A user named Tratkazir_the_1st began a discussion on MacRumors on February 11, 2020, sharing an idea and seeking feedback to determine its potential for further development. With 1,078 posts and from the Moscow region, Tratkazir expressed eagerness for input.

However, another member of the forum, Slartibart, responded humorously, pointing out that the information provided was quite limited. His reaction included laughter, suggesting that without more context, it was difficult to engage with Tratkazir’s idea meaningfully.

In a subsequent message, Tratkazir asked Slartibart to clarify his previous comment, indicating confusion and a desire for a more substantial conversation. The original poster was eager to know if anyone would contribute to his idea discussion.

Slartibart then advised Tratkazir to share more details about his idea, emphasizing that providing clearer information might help the community engage with and evaluate it effectively. This exchange highlights the importance of clear communication, especially in forums where users are eager to discuss innovative concepts.

Moving forward, it could be beneficial for Tratkazir to either elaborate on his initial thought or present a structured outline. Doing so may not only encourage others to respond but also enable constructive feedback that can guide him in refining his concept.

Engaging the community with a well-thought-out premise can spark interest and facilitate fruitful discussions.

I understand how passkeys work and the enhanced security they offer; however, most accounts still rely on passwords. Many individuals and websites advocate for the use of passkeys, but it is essential to recognize that passwords can still be vulnerable.

They are at risk of being stolen, brute-forced, or potentially breached and leaked, allowing malicious actors access to accounts through traditional password means. While enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) can help mitigate these risks, it is concerning that some people might falsely believe that having a passkey alone makes their account impenetrable.

In reality, an account’s security is only as robust as its weakest point of access. Relying solely on a passkey without addressing the associated password vulnerabilities can leave users exposed.

Microsoft has taken steps to address this issue by allowing users to delete their passwords entirely after they have set up a passkey or similar authentication method. This option significantly enhances security by removing a known point of vulnerability.

However, it is important to note that not all services provide this capability, which leaves many users still dependent on traditional passwords. For improved security, it is advisable to seek out platforms and services that offer a fully passwordless experience.

Until such solutions become widespread, users should remain vigilant and adopt comprehensive security practices, including utilizing passkeys and 2FA, to protect their accounts effectively. By understanding these nuances, individuals can better navigate the landscape of online security and safeguard their personal information.

I’ve been a long-time subscriber of Comcast/Xfinity and have regularly used their secure Wi-Fi hotspots to avoid the risks of unsecure public networks. Unfortunately, I’ve recently encountered a problem: I can no longer connect to any Xfinity networks outside of my home Wi-Fi.

Reaching out to Comcast support doesn’t seem like a worthwhile endeavor given my past experiences, and I doubt this issue stems from my Mac, as I’m having trouble connecting with my iPhone as well. When I access the Wi-Fi settings on my Mac and navigate to the Advanced tab, I see two secure Xfinity hotspots that I cannot connect to, as well as a network without a name.

While I can forget those networks and turn off the “auto-join” function, these actions haven’t resolved the connectivity issue. This situation is particularly problematic for me since I often work in cafes and prefer avoiding public Wi-Fi due to security concerns.

I have experimented with VPNs, but I find that they significantly drain my battery, which is another hassle. I’m reaching out in hopes of finding suggestions or potential solutions to this connectivity issue.

If anyone has experienced a similar problem or has advice on how to regain access to the Xfinity hotspots, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thank you!