Category: News

Hello,

I am looking to purchase a new SSD, specifically the CRUCIAL BX500 1TB 2.5 SATA3 SSD (CT1000BX500SSD1). However, I’m uncertain about its compatibility with my computer.

My intention is to use this SSD for Opencore 1.0.0 and Monterey. Unfortunately, I have had a previous experience where I bought a different SSD, the Verbatim Vi550 S3 1TB, which led to constant system freezes.

This has been quite frustrating, and I want to ensure that I do not encounter the same problem again with my next purchase. I’m reaching out for assistance to confirm whether the CRUCIAL BX500 SSD will work smoothly with my setup.

It’s important for me to choose a reliable SSD, as I want to avoid buying another device that might not be compatible or might cause issues. Thank you in advance for your help!

I appreciate any guidance or insights you can provide concerning the compatibility of the CRUCIAL BX500 SSD with my computer system. Best regards!

I think I may have inadvertently upset some residents at the old folks home when I brought up the topic of streaming music. While I consider myself part of the older generation, I’ve always embraced new technology. I grew up with vinyl records, transitioned through 8-tracks and cassette tapes, moved on to CDs, and even indulged in downloading music through Napster.

Eventually, I settled into the era of buying songs on iTunes and now rely on streaming via Apple Music. The surge in downloadable music began as a response to the rampant illegal downloading of songs. The music industry had to find a way to combat piracy, leading to legal alternatives.

The problem is that many people find it easier and more appealing to download music for free through peer-to-peer applications rather than shelling out large amounts of money. Streaming services provide a solution similar to having a radio that plays music for you, though my experience with Apple Music has been a bit disappointing in terms of discovering new and enjoyable songs. While I find Spotify performs better in this area, I’ve given up on it.

I encourage those who love older forms of music to continue enjoying them, but I believe streaming is the future of how most people will access music. Niche markets, like vinyl records, will always exist, as evidenced by their resurgence. There will always be demand for physical music formats, and companies will respond by providing those products.

Similarly, if there is enough interest in downloading MP3s, there will be services available to meet that need.

I completely agree with your perspective. The weight difference of just 0.7 lbs is negligible, and while an M2 or newer MacBook Air would suit my needs fine, I find it hard to give up the benefits of a 120Hz display and the convenience of an SD card slot for photography.

I also can’t emphasize enough how useful the additional third USB-C slot has been. The MacBook Air is indeed lightweight and sleek, but the 14-inch MacBook Pro is only slightly heavier or thicker.

Considering the enhanced performance and additional features you get, the minor loss in portability seems worth it to me. For those who currently own a MacBook Pro with the M1 chip or later, would you ever consider switching back to the MacBook Air?

I miss the Air’s slim design, but I’m hesitant to return due to the superior display quality of the Pro. In my case, I recently retired my 2013 MacBook Air and purchased a 2025 M4 MacBook Air with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

It’s an incredible machine, and I’m looking forward to using it for many years to come! I also think the MacBook Air is excellent for everyday tasks.

I own a 14-inch M4 Pro along with a 15-inch M2 Air for work. The Pro has advantages such as a better display, superior speakers, microphones, and a fan, but it is also thicker and heavier than the Air.

As for taking the 14-inch Pro on the road, I consider it portable enough for travel, but I prefer the idea of having a base 13-inch Air for lighter tasks, especially when processing photos. While I could travel with the Pro, I’d feel more comfortable keeping it at home due to the sensitive information stored on it.

So, I am considering waiting for a good sale on the Air; it would be a better fit for traveling and could lead me to eventually downsizing my gear to an 11-inch iPad as my devices age.

I must say, I’m not impressed with the recent changes. The constant promotion of Apple News feels overwhelming, especially when I have no interest in it. It seems like another nail in the coffin for user experience.

MacRumors should strive for logic, and this doesn’t align with the kind of content I expect from the platform. It’s amusing that the latest news item is weather-related. However, what caught my attention today was something unexpected.

My weather app frequently surprises me with its reporting, and today’s article was particularly fascinating. It discussed radio signals originating from beneath Antarctica. The fact that these signals have a low angle of 30° suggests they have traveled through thousands of miles of rock, which shouldn’t be possible according to our current understanding of physics.

Typically, rock absorbs these signals, yet these seem to behave differently from any known particle. This could mean we’re potentially discovering a new particle or even the elusive first signs of dark matter. Not bad for a weather app!

Nevertheless, I still prefer to seek out news on my own terms. If I wanted updates, I would do so independently. I can only imagine what’s next; perhaps news will start appearing in my email app because it’s deemed contextually relevant.

At least I can appreciate that there’s no over-the-top drama in how these changes are presented.

Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature, introduced last year, has received significant updates in iOS 26, enhancing its utility and competitiveness against similar capabilities on Android devices. One major improvement is the addition of onscreen awareness, allowing Visual Intelligence to function not just with the camera but also with existing content on your device. In iOS 26, users can utilize Visual Intelligence on screenshots.

To do this, capture a screenshot by pressing the volume up button and the side button simultaneously. Following this, you can exit the Markup interface by tapping the pen icon at the top of the display. Once out of Markup, the Visual Intelligence options become available.

A standout feature is “Highlight to Search,” which enables users to draw over objects within a screenshot to conduct a targeted image search. This feature operates similarly to Android’s “Circle to Search” and defaults to using Google Image Search. Apple showcased additional support for apps such as Etsy during their keynote event, indicating a potential for further integrations.

For more general inquiries, users can tap the Ask button to pose questions about their screenshots, with responses generated via ChatGPT. The Search button accesses Google Search for additional information. Notably, if your screenshot contains relevant details like dates or times, these can be directly added to your calendar.

Moreover, Visual Intelligence now supports the quick identification of a wider array of objects, including art, books, landmarks, and sculptures, alongside previously recognized animals and plants. A glowing icon appears when an identifiable object is recognized, allowing users to touch it for more information. Currently, Visual Intelligence is available on compatible devices, specifically iPhone 15 Pro models and iPhone 16 models, with the public launch of iOS 26 expected in September.

This weekend, Amazon is offering the AirPods Pro 2 at the lowest price of the year, now priced at $169.00, down from the regular retail price of $249.00. Customers can benefit from free shipping, with estimated delivery around June 19, although Prime members may receive their orders even sooner. This price reduction matches the best we have seen in 2025, making it an appealing opportunity for those interested in upgrading their audio experience. Additionally, the AirPods 4 are also available during this sale for the lowest ever price of $99.00.

For more savings, shoppers can explore various Apple deals through different platforms where weekly bargains are summarized, ensuring that tech-savvy customers can capitalize on those enticing offers. In related news, excitement is building around the upcoming release of the iPhone 17 Pro models, rumored to feature an aluminum frame—a departure from the titanium used in previous versions. Analyst Jeff Pu has hinted that Apple will launch the Apple Watch Ultra 3 later this year alongside the new iPhone lineup. The new watch promises internal upgrades while maintaining a similar design to its predecessor.

Furthermore, Apple is set to introduce several enhancements in macOS Tahoe, including an overhauled Terminal app that will feature 24-bit color support. As for iOS 26, Apple confirmed compatibility with iPhone models starting from the iPhone 11 series, which means earlier models will no longer receive major software updates but will still receive security updates for a few years. Lastly, it appears that the release of the AirPods Pro 3 might be delayed to 2026, diverging from earlier projections.

Over the years, Apple’s keynote presentations have become less and less captivating. It appears that the company has lost its daring spirit.

I began using a Mac in 1993 and was instantly drawn to it. However, by 1995, the sentiment was that Apple was on the brink of collapse.

During that time, the company was managed by individuals focused on financial metrics rather than innovation or creativity. Their narrow vision nearly led to Apple’s demise until Steve Jobs made his triumphant return.

Today, I fear Apple is making a similar mistake under Tim Cook’s leadership. He seems to lack a visionary approach, prioritizing revenue over innovation.

The fact that so many products have remained stagnant for over a decade is alarming. Even successful devices like the Mac Mini seem like variations of the G4 Cube from 25 years ago, while iOS 26 feels like a retreat rather than a leap forward.

I long for the days when Apple was bold and transformative. This was a company that embraced USB over legacy ports and championed wireless technology before it was mainstream.

They took a hard look at MP3 players and thought they could revolutionize the market. They courageously confronted industry titans like Nokia and BlackBerry, ultimately emerging victorious.

In contrast, Tim Cook lacks the visionary qualities that defined Steve Jobs’ tenure. While he may address some of Steve’s shortcomings, he fails to ignite the same level of innovation, quality, and dedication to user experience.

Without a shift in direction, Apple’s motto may regrettably evolve from “Think Different” to “Rethink Nothing.”

What are your thoughts?

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Apple’s upcoming macOS Tahoe, set to launch in the fall of 2025, will discontinue support for several Mac models that were previously compatible with macOS Sequoia. It’s essential for users to assess whether their Mac can run this latest operating system. According to Apple, macOS Tahoe will officially support a select range of models, including:

– 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)

However, several earlier models will no longer be supported.

These include:

– MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
– MacBook Pro (various configurations from 2018 and 2019)
– iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)
– iMac Pro (2017)
– Mac mini (2018)

If your Mac model is not listed among those supported, it will not receive the macOS Tahoe upgrade, and the option for this update won’t appear in the Settings menu once it’s released. For those whose Macs are compatible, macOS Tahoe will introduce a sleek “Liquid Glass” design, featuring translucent menus, tinted folders, and a refined Dock. New functionalities include enhanced Continuity with a native Phone app, Live Activities, and an AI-powered Spotlight for easier access to features.

Additionally, the update will introduce a dedicated Games app and improvements via Metal 4, creating an immersive gaming experience. Make sure to check your Mac’s compatibility as the launch approaches so you can take full advantage of the innovative features in macOS Tahoe.

I am looking for some clarification regarding the moderation of frivolous posts. I reviewed the rules for what constitutes such posts, and I feel there’s a discrepancy that needs addressing.

Recently, I reported a post that simply stated, “Great news.” This post contained no additional context or commentary.

According to the frivolous post rules, any one- or two-word contributions like “cool,” “LOL,” or “I agree,” are considered non-constructive. The rules clearly state that if a post does not contribute meaningfully to the discussion, it should not be made.

Given that my reported post fell into the same category as those examples, I am puzzled by the response I received. The moderator team stated they had reviewed the post and determined no action was necessary, which contradicts what the rules imply regarding similar posts.

I am not trying to argue against the moderation team’s decisions, as I have been moderated in the past for making “no substance” replies myself. I acknowledge my own mistakes and understand the importance of maintaining quality in discussions.

However, this situation raises a question: If posts like “Great news” don’t warrant moderation, then what qualifies as a frivolous post? How do we ensure consistency in moderation efforts?

In wanting to understand this better, I waive my right to privacy in discussing this specific moderation topic. I believe it is essential for the community to uphold the standards that keep our discussions meaningful.

Thank you for considering my concerns.