Apple's Vision Pro headset is gaining traction, so Meta has opened up its VR operating system to other manufacturers to maintain its lead in a market it previously dominated. Meta Quest 3 As a newcomer in the virtual reality space, Apple's Vision Pro brings with it the formidable reputation of its creator. Established companies like Meta have been on high alert to compete with Apple. The latest move from Meta is the Monday announcement of Meta Horizon OS. It's an attempt to open the Meta Quest platform to third-party hardware makers. Discuss on our Forums ..read more

The European Central Bank is opposed to Apple's proposed changes to the iPhone's near-field communication at the core of Apple Pay, and has complained about it to the European Commission. Apple could have to make additional changes to its NFC APIs Pietro Cipollone, a member of the executive board of the ECB, expressed the bank's concerns over Apple's proposal. Cipollone explained that Apple's proposed changes would be insufficient in several ways: The letter argues that by not providing third parties with full access to the Secure Element of its NFC technology, Apple Pay maintains an unfai ..read more

Apple's next addition to its sports coverage could involve more soccer, with Apple said to be close to signing a billion-dollar deal for a new tournament. Apple logo on a soccer pitch Apple already offers sports fans a lot of games and matches in a few major franchises to watch via their streaming devices. While the Major League Soccer's Season Pass has been successful and airs many matches to subscribers, Apple's next foray could provide even more. According to sources of the New York Times, soccer's governing body FIFA is close to making an agreement with Apple. The agreement would give ..read more

After a weekend round of closeout MacBook Air price cuts, Best Buy is starting the week with fresh discounts on the latest M3 models. Triple-digit savings are in effect on Apple's newly released M3 MacBook Air at Best Buy this Monday, with prices dropping to as low as $999. Best of all, you don't need a Plus or Total membership to qualify. Grab the deals ..read more

Investment bank Morgan Stanley says there are signs of increased iPhone, Mac, and Services revenue for Apple, but it has cut its target price by $10. Apple Park One week after claiming that Apple has increased its June quarter iPhone orders, Morgan Stanley now says that there are also rises in demand for other devices. Specifically, in a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, its analysts say that Mac shipments have grown year over year, which contributes to a rising March quarter revenue. The analysts further say that the supply chain is reporting around a 5% increase for the iPad above ..read more

On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we check out a pair of new purifiers, go hands on with the Mophie Qi2 dock, and break down more new product launches. HomeKit Insider Podcast Nanoleaf's new string lights are available, though the name can be misleading. These dangling pendant lights are more similar to your typical filament bulbs found on outdoor patios. They are Matter-enabled, support RGBIC, and over 16 million colors. They come in three lengths from 15m to 45m and extensions can also be purchased. Discuss on our Forums ..read more

Apple has quietly acquired another AI firm involved in reducing the size of Large Language Modules for the iPhone, this time Paris-based Datakaleb. Before moving to AI compression, Datakaleb worked extensively in AI-based image analysis Following news that Apple secretly bought the Canadian AI firm DarwinAI at the start of 2024, it has now been revealed that shortly before then, it acquired a Parisian company. French publication Challenges says it bought Datakaleb in December 2023. Just as DarwinAI works on making deep neural networks smaller and more efficient, so Datakaleb is now focused ..read more

Silicone straps, plastic leather, and Apple's introduction of FineWoven accessories aimed at reducing its carbon footprint have left those looking for a solid luxury Apple Watch band without many options — until now. Buckle and Band's Apple Watch bands are made to last. Buckle and Band meets that demand with a vast catalog of designer watch bands made from quality materials, such as stainless steel and genuine leather. These Apple Watch bands don't cut corners and are ideal for those looking for a sophisticated solution that will last years. Shop Buckle and Band and discover how to transfo ..read more

Decades ago, Apple started down a path that has revolutionized both its own products and the entire technology industry. Here's where Apple Silicon began, and where it's going. Apple's M-series chips rejuvenated the Mac range From the very beginning of Apple Computer, the company has relied on core parts made by other firms. The Apple I had a MOS Technology 6502 chip at its heart, though co-founder Steve Wozniak designed most of the other original hardware, including the circuit boards. Apple continued to invent and patent many technologies as it grew, but it was always reliant on other co ..read more

Before the expected 12.9-inch iPad Air has even been confirmed, ESR has launched a range of case models for it. A 12.9-inch iPad Air on an ESR magnetic case ESR already makes a range of Qi2 charging devices for the iPhone, and its lower-cost alternative to the Apple Pencil has been praised. Now it's released a case for a product that officially doesn't exist yet, and it's a gamble for both ESR and for customers. It is as close to certain as it possibly can be that Apple will shortly release a 12.9-inch iPad Air. It's also close to certain that Apple will have already released information a ..read more