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Repair site iFixit did its traditional teardown on the MacBook Neo, and was pleasantly surprised with the laptop's repairability. "We haven't been as happy about a MacBook since 2012," says iFixit.
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 It's been a big week for foldable iPhone rumors. In case you missed any of them, here are five developments that we've covered over the last few days.
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When it succeeds 5G in 2030, the next-gen mobile network will focus on upload speeds, AI, and radar-like "sensing" of vehicles, devices, and people.
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Anthropic's Claude AI can now generate interactive charts and diagrams directly inside chat, bringing real-time visual explanations to conversations.
The post Anthropic's Claude AI Can Now Generate Charts and Diagrams Inside Chat appeared first on eWEEK.
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Apple is lowering its developer fees in China following discussions with the Chinese regulator. From March 15, the commission rate for standard in-app purchases (IAPs) will be reduced from 30 percent to 25 percent on its mainland China App Store storefront for both iOS and iPadOS.
In a Developer blog, Apple also said that developers belonging to its App Store Small Business or Mini Apps programmes will also have their fees reduced by 3 percent, from 15 to 12 percent. This applies to the commission rate for IAPs and in-app subscription renewals after the first year.
"We strive for iOS and iPadOS to be the best app ecosystem and a great business opportunity for developers in China," Apple said in the post. "We are committed to terms that remain fair and transparent to all developers, and to always offering competitive App Store rates to developers distributing apps in China that are no higher than overall rates in other markets."
Apple says developers are not required to agree to the terms by March 15 to start receiving their benefits, seemingly making the transition as smooth as possible to avoid further regulatory intervention. It will no doubt be taken as a significant win for Chinese businesses, and comes a year after reports that a state watchdog was investigating the fees Apple enforces on developers it hosts on the App Store.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/apple-is-reducing-its-app-store-commission-fees-in-china-131221192.html?src=rss
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"Their model has a soul, a 'constitution'—not the US Constitution."
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 Apple has announced it is lowering App Store developer fees in China from March 15, with commission rates for standard in-app purchases (IAPs) set to change to 25%, down from 30%.
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Elon Musk unveils "Macrohard," a Tesla and xAI AI system designed to perform complex computer tasks and potentially replicate the functions of software companies.
The post Elon Musk Unveils "Macrohard," an AI Built to Replace Software Companies appeared first on eWEEK.
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It's hard to believe that it's been almost four years since Apple gave the MacBook Air a serious glow-up. The 2022 model was a total redesign that bumped its performance with the M2 chip and also improved a number of key components. It was also the first MacBook Air to drop the signature tapered design, and Apple added a 15-inch model one year later to boot. Since then, Apple's primarily focused on making sure it has a new chip every year — we're already up to the M5, if you can believe it.
As such, the latest MacBook Air is an expected update that doesn't change the game. Not that it needed changing: it's been our favorite ultraportable laptop for years now. But the Air's place in Apple's lineup has changed with the simultaneous introduction of the $599 MacBook Neo. And unfortunately, Apple didn't keep the $999 price that last year's M4 MacBook Air hit; it's back up to $1,099, the same price as the M2 and M3 models. Now that there's the new, inexpensive MacBook Neo out there, who is the MacBook Air for? While I haven't used the Neo yet, I'm pretty comfortable answering that question: it's still for almost anyone.
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Software demos and Pentagon records detail how chatbots like Anthropic's Claude could help the Pentagon analyze intelligence and suggest next steps.
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Dreo's spring sale offers a great deal on the Chefmaker combi cooker, plus discounts on WIRED's favorite bathroom heater and tower fan.
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 For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Lululook to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro and a 25W Qi2.2 3-in-1 Charger from Lululook to go along with it.
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Avocado, code name of Meta's next-generation foundational AI model, might not be released until May.
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Airline ticket prices are already rising, but an extended crisis in Iran could have bigger effects on the global travel industry.
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REI's Member Days sale has deals on our favorite tents, backpacks, rain jackets and more gear to outfit you for summer.
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The first video glasses with HDR10 have a great display, but the fit isn't for me.
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Premium powerhouses, budget steals and everything in between. Our favorite Android smartwatches strike the right balance between features and performance.
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Apple kicks off its 50th year with a vibe that reminds us tech should be fun and colorful.
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These safes impressed us the most, not only with their locks but with useful smart features.
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 Parallels Desktop virtualization software is compatible with the new MacBook Neo, according to an update from the company - but Windows VM performance will depend on your intended use case.
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Amazon is raising the price of its ad-free Prime Video subscription and locking 4K UHD streaming behind this new tier. Starting April 10 for US customers, a rebranded Prime Video Ultra subscription will cost $5 per month, up from $3 per month.
For that extra $2, you get a download capacity increase from 25 to 100, and you can now run five streams concurrently instead of three. Whether those "Ultra" upgrades are worth the $24 annual hike will probably depend on how many boxsets you like to plough through on a long flight, or how many devices are using your Prime Video account.
The changes are most galling for Prime members who automatically qualify for Prime Video with ads through their membership, as Amazon has decided to remove 4K streaming from the standard tier. That means that, despite already paying $15 per month or $139 per year for Amazon Prime, you'll be stuck with 1080p shows and movies unless you sign up to Prime Video Ultra.
Amazon has thrown in Dolby Vision support for the first time, as well as upping the concurrent stream and download count on its free tier as well, but you're losing the privilege of UHD content that has been available to all Prime Video members for years. Dolby Atmos remains exclusive to the $5 tier too.
Amazon is the latest streamer to put its prices up, following similar recent hikes to Apple TV,
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On stage at SXSW, Spotify Co-CEO Gustav Söderström announced a new feature that lets you shape your own Taste Profile.
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It's a month for every type of gamer, with titles including Dredge Plus, Unpacking Plus and My Very Hungry Caterpillar Plus becoming available.
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Inevitably, the more you use something — your Mac included — the more dirty and cluttered it's likely to become. At that point, you can buy a new machine, but the more economical move is to make what you have already work better. To help your computer feel new, or at least a little cleaner and less chaotic, we put together this guide with techniques and useful apps that have helped us maintain a more organized computer. I've been using these tips since before I first published this guide in 2021, and they've helped keep my 2018 MacBook Air looking and running (almost) like brand new.
How to clean your Mac's screen and body
While there are many products out there from manufacturers claiming their one does it best, my advice is to keep things simple. It's also the one Apple recommends. To start, you will need some water in a spray bottle and a clean microfiber cloth. You can use regular water from the tap but I've found distilled water works best; it's far less likely to leave residue behind on your Mac, particularly on the display. You can buy distilled water at a grocery store or make it yourself with
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Tech, music, film and more. Here's what we've seen so far at South by Southwest, and what's coming on Day 2.
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 Apple's new family of laptops might have a cringeworthy name, but don't let it fool you. Despite the MacBook Neo running on a built-for-iPhone A-series processor and being limited to 8GB of RAM, it delivers on what Macs do best. It has a capable screen, keyboardand trackpadand its overall build quality should embarrass other laptop-making rivals that have compromised on those areas with their $600 laptops.
Engadget
Don't expect a gaming rig - it struggled predictably to run Lies of P, but for most of the things you need a laptop for - especially for students and desk workers - it handles them with aplomb. Yeah, I said aplomb.
Check out our full Neo review by Devindra Hardawar - surely you're intrigued by the idea of a $600 MacBook?
— Mat Smith
The other big stories (and deals) this morning
Bumble is the latest dating app to add an AI assistant
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Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell star in Taylor Sheridan's latest.
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Google Maps rolls out its biggest update in years, introducing Immersive Navigation and the AI-powered Ask Maps feature for smarter routes and real-world questions.
The post Google Maps Gets Its ‘Biggest Update in Over a Decade' With AI-Powered Navigation appeared first on eWEEK.
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But be prepared with something to hold all those screws.
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The newly verified X account for Iran's supreme leader could be putting the company on the wrong side of US sanctions, according to a watchdog group. The Tech Transparency Project, which last month published a report on X granting premium perks to sanctioned officials in Iran, now says that the verified account for the country's new leader raises fresh questions about the issue.
The TTP notes that the X account for Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, appears to be paying for an X premium subscription despite being on the US government's list of sanctioned individuals since 2019. As the group points out, the Iran-based account was created this month and currently bears a blue checkmark, which typically indicates the account holder is paying for a subscription.
It didn't end there.
An account for Iran's new supreme leader created this month also carries the blue premium checkmark.?? pic.twitter.com/5K9Ss1Sex8
— Tech Transparency Project (@TTP_updates) March 12, 2026
The account belonging to Mojtaba Khamenei has been boosted by other state-linked account
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NEW RESOURCES Sul Informação: Digital platform bringing Camões into the 21st century presented at Silves Secondary School.. "This database of Camões' works brings together culture, education, and digital innovation, filling a gap […]
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 For over 20 years, Jetboil has offered some of the most streamlined backcountry stove systems available for backpackers, paddlers and other gram-counting muscle-driven explorers, delivering hot meals to fuel groundbreaking expeditions. Now it's pushing ahead into the expanded future of fast,
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You may think you've seen everything iOS 26 has to offer, but there's so much more to discover.
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Don't let outdated gadgets collect dust when these platforms are here to help you turn them into money.
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There are a handful of tips to keep in mind when loading your dishwasher.
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These features can help you monitor and support your overall health.
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AI started as something you typed to. Now it's something that can move.
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Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 13.
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Oil prices have spiked thanks to the "largest global oil supply chain interruption in history." Read how to keep your home warm without going broke.
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OpenAI may bring Sora into ChatGPT as the AI video app loses steam, reshaping how the company delivers video generation to users.
The post ChatGPT May Soon Generate Videos as OpenAI Eyes Sora Integration appeared first on eWEEK.
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The AI industry keeps saying its guardrails are improving. A new investigation suggests those protections still falter when conversations turn dark, emotional, and specific, especially when the user appears to be a distressed teen edging toward violence. This was not a case of one obscure bot answering a single reckless prompt. Researchers found that across […]
The post AI Chatbots Help Teens Plan Violence, Study Reveals appeared first on eWEEK.
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Apple introduced the messaging protocol to iPhones in 2024.
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Your iPhone's Back Tap feature can be customized to open any app.
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Character.ai didn't fare so well in this report. Claude got much better grades.
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 Apple today announced three new games coming to Apple Arcade in April, along with several updates to existing titles on the service.
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 Sonos today launched two new speakers, the Sonos Play and the Sonos Era 100 SL. Sonos says that the additions to its lineup "reflect a renewed focus on strengthening the Sonos system" after a disastrous 2024 app redesign damaged customer trust.
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I really don't know how Apple did it. The MacBook Neo is a $600 laptop that doesn't feel like an afterthought, which is a curse that has befallen so many cheap Windows notebooks. Sure, it has a slower A-series processor and it's limited to 8GB of RAM. But the MacBook Neo still feels as deeply considered as Apple's most premium hardware. Its screen, trackpad and overall usability is so far ahead of the competition, every Windows PC maker, including Microsoft, should be ashamed.
I've argued that a cheap MacBook could be the best for Apple to peel away Windows users, and after spending almost a week with the Neo, I'm convinced it will do just that. It's just fast enough to handle basic productivity work. It's sturdy enough to be tortured by kids in classrooms. And you really can't beat its $599 starting price. Once Windows users learn it's not that hard to switch to macOS, Apple will likely have another hit on its hands.
What's so Neo about this MacBook?
I'll admit, I laughed at the MacBook Neo's name at first. It really does feel like a desperately hip name ASUS or Acer would slap onto their machines (in fact, Acer is doing so right now), rather than something Apple would even consider. But the Neo name is more than just a dated reference to the Matrix — it's also a clear signal that this is a new
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Mark Gurman at Bloomberg is back with the latest rumors about what's afoot with Apple's future plans, and how its ongoing difficulties with artificial intelligence seem to be creating further delays for its next wave of product launches. His sources say that Apple is expected to postpone the debut of its smart home display until later in 2026, likely September when it often introduces new gadgets. Although the hardware has reportedly been finished for months, this delay is being credited to the company's AI-centric overhaul of Siri still not being complete.
The device, internally known as J490, has been one of Apple's many poorly-kept secrets. Rumors about a HomePod smart speaker coupled with a screen first emerged back in 2022 and have resurfaced from time to time in the interim, often with promises that the device's arrival was imminent. The latest claims anticipated that the official announcement was coming this spring, possibly as soon as this month. However, appears to Apple once again be hamstrung by an AI strategy that has left
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NEW RESOURCES Irish Film Institute: IFI Announces The Launch Of The Amharc Éireann: A View Of Ireland Collection. "This collection of Gael Linn newsreels from the 1950s and 1960s is now available […]
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Dropped calls and slow data can happen anywhere, from small apartments to crowded music festivals. These tips can help improve your phone signal on iPhone or Android.
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Research shows that families who routinely watch movies together are more likely to discuss important and difficult topics like substance abuse, gender equity, death and grieving, and mental health.
The post Family Movie Night appeared first on ConnectSafely.
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 For the past seven years, a Munich-based firm called riskmethods has tried to interest companies in buying software that allows them to track all their suppliers in a way that minimizes risks in operating globally spread supply chains.
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