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Tag: Apple

  • The New Apple Watch Ultra 3 Is $100 Off

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    Apple enthusiasts know that the latest generation of watches only rarely go on sale, so imagine my surprise this morning to spot the Apple Watch Ultra 3 marked down at Amazon. Like the other Apple Watches, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes in a variety of case color and band combos, so your mileage may vary on which are discounted. I spotted three at the lower $700 price point: Black Titanium Case with Black Alpine Loop, Natural Titanium Case with Blue/Bright Trail Loop, and Natural Titanium Case with Light Blue Alpine Loop.

    Photograph: Adrienne So

    WIRED editor Adrienne So got a chance to test it out, and was impressed with the upgraded battery life. It has a quoted 42 hours, and she found it was enough to get her through a weekend camping trip, using it for navigation, activity tracking, and even sending satellite messages, a new feature found specifically on the Apple Watch Ultra line, which lets you communicate or even send an SOS signal when you’re out of normal cell signal range. Managing multiple days of wear makes this a much more appealing option, now that you won’t be hunting for a charging brick on a long trip.

    Of course, it has all the great features you also expect from any of the latest series of Apple Watches. The screens all got an upgrade this time around, not just in terms of clarity, but to the protective outer layer as well, which should make them more ready for adventure. These watches have a raft of physical and biological tracking options, including an upgraded heart rate sensor that can help keep an eye out for medical issues like high blood pressure. It has sleep tracking as well, and can sense and track a variety of physical activities, like running, swimming, and cycling.

    Ultimately, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is great option for the truly adventurous. Anyone who likes to go diving, spend time in the wilderness, or just wants to go multiple days without having to charge their wristwatch, should consider this early discount on the device. Make sure to check out our full breakdown of the latest Apple Watch updates, or mosey on over to our favorite smartwatch roundup to check out the other options.

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    Brad Bourque

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  • Never forget to reply to an email again with hidden phone trick that actually works

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    If you’ve ever told yourself you’d reply to an email later and then forgot, there’s a simple fix built right into your phone. Android and iPhone users both have ways to set reminders that bring messages back to your attention at the perfect time. 

    Whether you use Apple’s Mail app or Gmail on Android, these features help you stay organized, reduce stress and never miss an important reply again.

    Why the message reminder feature matters

    Many people leave emails unread as a reminder to reply later, but that method often fails. The built-in Mail reminder gives you a clear alert at a time you choose. It helps you follow through on tasks, maintain better communication and avoid missed opportunities.

    WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS

    Reminders can be set in the iPhone Mail app to ensure you don’t miss an email. (Reuters/Thomas Peter/File)

    To make sure you can use this feature, update your iPhone to the latest iOS version. Here’s how:

    • Open Settings.
    • Tap General.
    • Select Software Update.
    • If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

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    If you’re on Android, you’ll also want to make sure your Gmail app and system software are up-to-date so the Snooze feature runs smoothly. Here’s how:

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Open the Google Play Store.
    • Tap your profile icon in the upper right corner.
    • Select Manage apps and device.
    • Tap Update all or locate Gmail and tap Update.
    • To check your Android version, open Settings > About phone > Android version.

    5 HIDDEN BATTERY DRAINERS YOU CAN FIX RIGHT NOW

    Keeping your phone updated ensures you have the newest tools, features and security improvements.

    How to set up a reminder in the Mail app on iPhone 

    • Open the Mail app.
    • Find the email you want to be reminded about and swipe right on it.
    • Tap Remind Me.
    • Choose a preset time or tap Remind Me Later to pick your own.
    • Select the date and time that fits your schedule and tap the check mark in the upper right corner of the screen.

    That’s it. When the time comes, you’ll get a fresh notification as if you just received the email again. It’s a great way to stay organized without using third-party apps.

    Person using iPhone

    Android and iPhone users can set built-in email reminders to manage messages and stay organized through Apple’s Mail and Gmail apps. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

    10 IOS 26 TRICKS THAT HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR IPHONE

    How to cancel a reminder early in the Mail app on iPhone 

    If you’ve already handled the message and no longer need the alert, you can end it early:

    • Open the Mail app and go to Mailboxes.
    • Tap Remind Me.
    • Swipe left on the email you want to remove.
    • Tap Clear to cancel the reminder.

    This prevents duplicate notifications and keeps your inbox tidy.

    Android users can do this, too

    If you’re on Android, you can set up a similar email reminder using Gmail’s built-in Snooze feature. It works much like Apple’s Mail reminder. Instead of choosing “Remind Me,” Gmail lets you snooze an email so it pops back to the top of your inbox later, right when you want to deal with it.

    5 SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY ONLINE

    How to snooze an email in Gmail on Android 

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Open the Gmail app on your Android phone.
    • Tap and hold the email you want to be reminded about.
    • Tap the three dots in the upper right corner or the clock icon at the top.
    • Select Snooze.
    • Choose a preset time or tap Pick date & time to set a custom reminder.

    When the time arrives, Gmail automatically moves the message back to the top of your inbox and marks it unread so it stands out.

    BEST WAYS TO TRACK YOUR MEDS ON IPHONE AND ANDROID

    How to cancel a snooze quickly in Gmail on Android 

    If you change your mind before the reminder triggers, you can easily cancel it:

    Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

    • Open the Gmail app.
    • Tap the Menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner.
    • Select Snoozed.
    • Find the email and swipe it left or right, or open it and tap Unsnooze.

    Your email will return to its original spot in the inbox right away, so you can handle it or leave it as is.

    Woman smiles at her Android

    Built-in reminder features on iPhone and Android help users follow up on emails and prevent missed messages. (Cyberguy.com)

    What this means for you

    If you manage a busy inbox, this feature can be a game-changer. It helps reduce mental clutter since you won’t have to rely on memory or endless email flags. You decide when you want to be reminded, and your phone takes care of the rest.

    Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device, built-in email reminders can keep your digital life running smoothly. These features help you manage your inbox with less effort and more control. By setting a time to follow up, you stay productive and avoid letting key emails slip through the cracks. Both platforms make it easy to stay focused and keep your conversations on track.

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    Would a reminder like this have saved you from missing an important email recently? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.  

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Apple passkey technology transforms Mac security with biometric authentication, encrypted storage

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    Your Mac holds a lot more than just files. It carries your personal information, payment data, messages and every online account you access. Keeping that information safe starts with how you sign in. For years, passwords have been the standard way to protect accounts, but they are also one of the weakest links in digital security. They can be guessed, stolen or reused across multiple sites.

    Apple’s introduction of passkeys marks a major step forward. Instead of relying on something you need to remember, passkeys rely on something you have (your trusted Apple device) and something you are, like your fingerprint or face. Together with iCloud Keychain and two-factor authentication, passkeys create a seamless and much safer way to secure your Mac and your digital life.

    What are passkeys?

    Passkeys are a modern alternative to passwords. They use public key cryptography to let you sign in without ever creating or typing a password. When you register for an account using a passkey, your Mac creates two unique keys. One is public and stored by the website or app, and the other is private and stays securely on your device.

    The public key is not sensitive information. The private key, on the other hand, never leaves your Mac and is protected behind your device’s security features. When you sign in, Touch ID or Face ID confirms your identity before your Mac uses the private key to authenticate you. This process prevents phishing and password leaks because no shared secret is ever transmitted to the website.

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    HOW TO USE PASSKEYS TO KEEP YOUR COMPUTER SAFE

    A passkey on your Mac replaces passwords with a faster, more secure way to sign in. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How Apple keeps passkeys secure

    Passkeys are stored and synced across your devices through iCloud Keychain, which is protected by end-to-end encryption. This means that not even Apple can access your passkeys or passwords. iCloud Keychain also has built-in protection against brute force attacks, even if someone were to gain unauthorized access to Apple’s servers.

    If you lose your devices, you can still recover your passkeys through iCloud Keychain recovery. To do this, you must sign in with your Apple ID and password, verify your identity with a code sent to your trusted number and confirm using your device passcode. The system limits the number of attempts, and if too many failed attempts occur, the recovery record is locked or destroyed to prevent misuse.

    You can also set an account recovery contact to make sure you never lose access, even if you forget your Apple ID password or device passcode. This multi-layered design ensures that your data remains secure even in extreme scenarios, such as a compromised Apple account or cloud breach.

    How to set up passkeys on your Mac

    Setting up passkeys is simple and requires iCloud Keychain to be enabled.

    • Choose the Apple menu, then select System Settings.
    • Click your name, then click iCloud.
    • Click Passwords. In macOS Sonoma or earlier, click Passwords & Keychain.
    • Click Sync this Mac, then click Done.
    • When you sign up for a website or app that supports passkeys, you’ll now see the option to create a passkey.
    • If your Mac has Touch ID, place your finger on the sensor to confirm.
    • If you are using an iPhone or iPad nearby, select Other Options and scan the QR code shown on your Mac to confirm with Face ID.
    • You can also replace an existing password by visiting the account settings of a supported website or app and selecting the option to switch to a passkey.

    Once created, your passkeys are automatically stored in iCloud Keychain and available on all devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

    Major services that support passkeys

    Passkey adoption is growing quickly across major tech platforms. As of now, many of the biggest online services already let you sign in without a password.

    Some of the key ones include:

    • Google
    • Microsoft
    • Apple
    • Amazon
    • PayPal
    • GitHub
    • Uber
    • eBay
    • WhatsApp
    • Facebook

    Support for passkeys continues to expand every month as more companies integrate the technology into their login systems. On most of these platforms, you can now create new accounts or switch your existing ones to passkeys for faster, more secure sign-ins.

    Man sitting with a MacBook on his lap with the Google search engine on the screen

    Each passkey is unique to your account and safely stored in your device’s iCloud Keychain. (iStock)

    6 additional steps to keep your Mac safe

    Passkeys add a strong layer of protection, but good security habits still matter. Here are more steps to strengthen your Mac’s defenses. 

    1) Enable two-factor authentication

    Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds another layer of protection to your Apple ID. It works by requiring two forms of verification: your password and a one-time code sent to a trusted device or phone number. This means that even if someone somehow gets your password, they still cannot access your account without also having your device.

    10 WAYS TO SECURE YOUR OLDER MAC FROM THREATS AND MALWARE

    2) Review your trusted devices and numbers

    Regularly check which devices and phone numbers are linked to your Apple ID. On your Mac, click the Apple icon in the upper left of the screen. Then go to System Settings → Apple ID → Devices and remove anything you don’t recognize. Make sure your trusted phone number is still current, since it’s critical for account recovery.

    3) Use a password manager

    Even though passkeys are replacing passwords, many sites still rely on traditional logins. A password manager helps you create, store and fill in unique passwords for every account. iCloud Keychain can do this automatically across all your Apple devices, but if you want more flexibility, you might want to consider a third-party password manager.

    Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

    Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com.

    4) Be wary of phishing attempts and install strong antivirus software

    Phishing remains one of the most common ways attackers try to steal personal information. They may send fake emails or messages pretending to be from Apple or other trusted companies, urging you to click links or provide login details. Always double-check the sender’s address and avoid clicking on links that seem suspicious. Instead, visit the website directly by typing the address into your browser.

    While macOS has strong built-in defenses such as Gatekeeper and XProtect, installing strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection against malware, adware and potentially unwanted programs. Strong antivirus software continuously monitors your system for suspicious behavior and can alert you to threats before they cause damage. It is especially useful if you download files from outside the App Store or connect external drives frequently.

    The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

    securing passwords 1

    Using a passkey with Touch ID or Face ID keeps your information protected from phishing and leaks. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    5) Turn On FileVault disk encryption

    FileVault protects everything stored on your Mac by encrypting the entire hard drive. That means if your computer is ever lost or stolen, your data stays locked away from prying eyes. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → FileVault to enable it.

    6) Keep macOS updated automatically

    Apple regularly releases software updates that include important security patches. Cybercriminals often target outdated systems because they contain known vulnerabilities. By keeping macOS and your apps up to date, you make it harder for attackers to exploit weaknesses. To make this effortless, turn on Automatic Updates under System Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates.

    7) Back up with time machine

    Backing up your Mac is just as important as protecting it. Time Machine automatically backs up your files to an external drive or network disk, keeping your data safe from ransomware, hardware failure or accidental deletion. Make sure your backup drive is encrypted for extra protection.

    HOW A SINGLE MACBOOK COMPROMISE SPREAD ACROSS A USER’S APPLE DEVICES

    8) Use a data removal service

    Even with passkeys, your personal information can still be exposed through data broker sites that collect and sell your details. Using a data removal service can help remove your private data from hundreds of these sites automatically. It’s an effective way to reduce your online footprint and protect your identity, especially when combined with Apple’s built-in security tools.

    While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

    Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

    Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

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    Kurt’s key takeaway

    Passwords have served us for decades, but they are no longer enough to protect our digital identities. Passkeys make signing in faster, easier and significantly more secure by removing the weaknesses of traditional passwords. Combined with Apple’s encryption, iCloud Keychain and two-factor authentication, they represent one of the safest ways to protect your Mac and everything on it.

    Have you tried using passkeys yet on your Mac, and what was your experience like? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • These are the 37 donors helping pay for Trump’s $300 million White House ballroom

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his $300 million White House ballroom will be paid for “100% by me and some friends of mine.”

    The White House released a list of 37 donors, including crypto billionaires, charitable organizations, sports team owners, powerful financiers, tech and tobacco giants, media companies, longtime supporters of Republican causes and several of the president’s neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida.

    It’s incomplete. Among others, the list doesn’t include Carrier Group, which offered to donate an HVAC system for the ballroom, and artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia, whose CEO, Jensen Huang, publicly discussed its donation.

    The White House hasn’t said how much each donor is giving, and almost none was willing to divulge that. Very few commented on their contributions when contacted by The Associated Press.

    A senior White House official said the list has grown since it was first released in October, but some companies don’t want to be publicly named until required to do so by financial disclosure regulations. No foreign individuals or entities were among the donors, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that haven’t been made public.

    Here’s a look at the divulged donors:

    Tech giants (8):

    Amazon Background: Trump was once highly critical of company founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns The Washington Post, but has been much less so lately. Amazon donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, an event attended by Bezos. Its video streaming service paid $40 million to license a documentary about first lady Melania Trump. Its cloud-based computing operation, Amazon Web Services, is a major government contractor.

    Apple Background: After an up-and-down relationship during Trump’s first term, CEO Tim Cook has sought to improve his standing with the president this time. Before returning to the White House, Trump hosted Cook at his Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago, and said he had spoken with Cook about the company’s long-running tax battles with the European Union. Cook also donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund. In the spring, Trump threatened the computing giant with tariffs after Apple announced plans to build manufacturing facilities in India. In August, Cook presented the president with a customized glass plaque with a gold base as the CEO announced plans to bring Apple’s total investment commitment in U.S. manufacturing over four years to $600 billion.

    Google Background: During his first term, Trump’s administration sued Google for antitrust violations. While a candidate last year, Trump suggested he might seek to break up the search engine behemoth. Once Trump won the election, Google donated $1 million to his inauguration, and its CEO, Sundar Pichai, joined other major tech executives in attending the ceremony. Google’s subsidiary, YouTube, agreed in September to pay $24.5 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump after it suspended his account following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. According to court filings, $22 million of that went to the Trust for the National Mall, which can help pay for ballroom construction.

    HP Background: An original Silicon Valley stalwart, the company donated to Trump’s inaugural fund. HP ‘s CEO, Enrique Lores, participated in a White House roundtable event in September. Lores also previously met with President Joe Biden at the White House on multiple occasions as top CEOs endorsed that administration’s economic plans.

    Meta Background: Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg had been critical of Trump going back to 2016, and Facebook suspended Trump for years after the Jan. 6 insurrection. This time around, Meta contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, and Zuckerberg attended.

    Micron Technology Background: The producer of advanced memory computer chips announced an April 2024 agreement with the Biden administration to provide $6.1 billion in government support for Micron to make chips domestically. Then, in June, Micron pledged $200 billion for U.S. memory chip manufacturing expansion under Trump. But at least $120 billion of that involved holdovers first announced during Biden’s administration.

    Microsoft Background: The company donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, twice what it spent for Biden’s or for Trump’s first inauguration. CEO Satya Nadella has also met with Trump numerous times, as Microsoft has supported the administration’s relaxation of regulations on artificial intelligence. He met previously with Biden, too. Trump has called for Microsoft’s president of global affairs, Lisa Monaco, to be fired because she was a deputy attorney general under Biden when the Justice Department led several investigations against Trump.

    Palantir Technologies Background: Co-founded by billionaire libertarian Peter Thiel, the firm concentrates on artificial intelligence and machine learning. It has seen profits soar thanks to lucrative defense and other federal contracts.

    Crypto (5):

    Coinbase Background: The major cryptocurrency exchange was founded by Brian Armstrong, a top donor to a political action committee that helped Trump and other pro-crypto candidates in 2024. Armstrong attended the first crypto summit at the White House in March. Coinbase also hired Trump’s co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, to its Global Advisory Council.

    Ripple Background: In March, the Securities and Exchange Commission dropped a lawsuit filed during Trump’s first term, which accused the company of violating securities laws by selling XRP crypto coins without a securities registration. In his second term, Trump has eased regulations on digital assets, repealing an SEC accounting rule and a previous presidential executive order mandating more federal study and proposed changes to crypto regulations.

    Tether Background: A cryptocurrency company and major stablecoin issuer, Tether paid fines for misleading investors. CEO Paolo Ardoino has been to Trump’s White House, and, in April, the company hired former Trump administration crypto policy official Bo Hines to lead its domestic expansion efforts.

    Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss Background: Each Winklevoss twin is listed as a separate donor. Best known as Zuckerberg’s chief antagonists in “The Social Network,” the brothers founded the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange. Biden’s SEC sued Gemini for selling unregistered securities, but the case has been paused under Trump.

    Energy and industrial (4):

    Caterpillar Background: The equipment maker ‘s PAC has donated to candidates from both parties, but given more to Republicans. It has also said publicly that Trump’s tariffs, some of which the administration has now eased, could increase its costs and hurt earnings.

    NextEra Energy Background: NextEra is the world’s largest electric utility holding company. Trump says he’ll work to ensure tech giants can secure their own sources of electricity to power data centers, especially as they expand energy-hogging artificial intelligence operations. Google recently entered into an agreement to buy power from a shuttered nuclear power plant in Iowa owned by NextEra, which the company plans to bring back online in 2029.

    Paolo Tiramani Background: An American industrial designer who has donated to Trump’s political campaigns. Tiramani, with his son, runs BOXABL, a firm specializing in modular, prefabricated homes.

    Union Pacific Background: Trump has endorsed the company’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, which would be the largest-ever rail merger. It also will be up to the president to appoint two more Republican members of the Surface Transportation Board, who will ultimately decide whether to approve the merger. In August, Trump fired one of the two Democratic members of the board.

    Philanthropy (3):

    Adelson Family Foundation Background: Founded to strengthen the state of Israel and the Jewish people, the foundation was created by Miriam Adelson, the majority owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, close Trump ally and longtime GOP megadonor. She’s also the widow of Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire founder and owner of Las Vegas Sands.

    Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Background: Based in Palm Beach, the foundation supports health, arts and culture initiatives, as well as environmental and educational programs. It’s named in honor of the mother of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Kingdom during his first term.

    Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation Background: The nonprofit based in Lake Worth Beach, near Palm Beach, focuses on promoting health care, social justice, the arts and community initiatives. Isaac is an Israeli American businessman and financier and former chair of Marvel Entertainment. He and his wife have donated to Trump’s presidential campaigns and affiliated PACs.

    Trump administration officials (3):

    Benjamin Leon Jr. Background: The Cuban American founder of Miami-based Leon Medical Centers is Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Spain.

    Kelly Loeffler and Jeffrey Sprecher Background: A former Republican senator from Georgia, Loeffler heads Trump’s Small Business Administration. Her husband is CEO of the energy market Intercontinental Exchange Inc. and chairs the New York Stock Exchange. The couple faced scrutiny in 2020 for dumping substantial portions of their portfolio and purchasing new stocks, including in firms making protective equipment, after Congress received briefings on the severity of the coming coronavirus pandemic.

    Lutnick Family Background: Howard Lutnick is Trump’s commerce secretary. A crypto enthusiast, he once headed the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald.

    Communications/entertainment (3):

    Comcast Background: The mass media and telecom conglomerate has often been criticized by Trump, including in April, when the president posted that Comcast was a “disgrace to the integrity of broadcasting.” The company owns NBC and is spinning off MSNBC. It could be interested in acquiring Warner Bros. Discover, and that would leave Comcast looking for government approval.

    Hard Rock International Background: A Florida-based gaming and tourism concern owned by the Seminole Tribe, the company operates a number of casinos, including the former Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Trump has for decades criticized federal exemptions allowing tribes to operate casinos.

    T-Mobile Background: The wireless carrier is indirectly linked to Trump Mobile, which the president’s family controls and offers gold phones and cell service in a licensing deal. Trump Mobile uses Liberty Mobile Wireless, a small, Florida-based network that T-Mobile says runs its operations on T-Mobile’s network. T-Mobile says that is unrelated to its decision to donate to Trump’s ballroom, which it says is meant to “restore and enrich the historic landmarks that define our nation’s capital.”

    Big Tobacco (2):

    Altria Group Background: The tobacco giant controls Philip Morris USA, maker of Marlboro. It has pressed for federal crackdowns on counterfeit and illegal vaping products. The company donated $50,000 to Trump’s inauguration.

    Reynolds American Background: With brands including Lucky Strike and Camel, the company has been active in lobbying to steer the Trump administration away from a Biden-proposed ban on menthol cigarettes.

    Defense/national security (2):

    Booz Allen Hamilton Background: A major defense and national security technology firm with extensive government contracts, it paid fines to settle lawsuits with the Justice Department under Biden. Booz Allen Hamilton agreed to pay more than $377 million in 2023 to settle allegations that it improperly billing costs to its government contracts. In January, it paid nearly $16 million to settle allegations that it submitted fraudulent claims in connection with government contracts.

    Lockheed Martin Corporation Background: The massive defense contractor has huge government contracts. It said in a statement that it “is grateful for the opportunity to help bring the President’s vision to reality and make this addition to the People’s House.”

    Individuals (7):

    Stefan E. Brodie Background: A biotech entrepreneur and co-founder of the chemical manufacturing company Purolite, Brodie and his family donated to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and affiliated committees. Brodie and his brother, Donald, were convicted in 2002 of circumventing U.S. sanctions on Cuba.

    Charles and Marissa Cascarilla Background: Charles Cascarilla is co‑founder of the blockchain firm Paxos. He and his wife are philanthropists who have advocated for financial technology sector deregulation.

    J. Pepe and Emilia Fanjul Background: Longtime Republican donors and Palm Beach residents, the couple controls U.S. sugar refining interests that includes the Domino brand.

    Edward and Shari Glazer Background: Members of the family that owns the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has a controlling stake in the Manchester United football club, the couple donated to Trump’s campaign. Edward is the founder and CEO of US Property Trust, which operates shopping centers, and the car dealership company US Auto Trust.

    Harold Hamm Background: The billionaire oil tycoon and pioneer of hydraulic fracturing heads the oil producer Continental Resources. He’s praised the Trump administration for aggressively moving to purchase oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve stockpile.

    Stephen A. Schwarzman Background: A Palm Beach resident and chair and CEO of the Blackstone Group, a global private equity firm he helped establish in 1985. Schwarzman has donated to Trump and his PACs previously and led his first-term President’s Strategic and Policy Forum.

    Konstantin Sokolov Background: Born in Russia, he immigrated to the U.S. and now heads the Chicago-based private equity firm IJS Investments. Sokolov has donated to many educational and charitable causes in the past, and to Trump’s political campaigns.

    ___

    Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

    ___

    This story has been updated to correct the first name of an individual who donated to the White House ballroom. He is Harold Hamm, not Howard Hamm.

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  • As Spyware Companies Get Chummy with White House, Apple and WhatsApp Say They’ll Protect Your Phone

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    Statements that they’ll help thwart “mercenary spyware” are putting Apple and Meta on the side of platform users with fears about spying tools.

    The Guardian reports that two spyware firms with ties to Israel are seeking to “make inroads with the Trump administration.” Those companies include the NSO Group—the notorious seller of the powerful Pegasus mobile spyware—and a firm called Paragon, which has previously contracted with the government.

    Due to its many, many controversies over the years, NSO has had its fair share of financial problems, but the Israeli firm was recently bought by a U.S.-based group of investors. David Friedman, who previously served as Trump’s ambassador to Israel during his first administration, has been named NSO’s new head executive.

    Recently, Friedman told the Wall Street Journal that he wanted to cozy up to the White House and sell NSO’s services to American law enforcement agencies. “If the administration, as I expect they’ll be, is receptive to considering any opportunity that might keep Americans safer, it will consider us,” Friedman told the newspaper.

    Paragon, meanwhile, is another Israeli spyware firm that was also recently purchased by an American company. Last December, Paragon, maker of a piece of spyware called Graphite, was acquired by a U.S. investment firm called Red Lattice, Reuters previously reported. The Guardian notes that Paragon has worked in the past with the U.S. government, having “entered an agreement with ICE in 2024, under the Biden administration.” The outlet writes: 

    Several people who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the relatively small contract had slipped under the White House’s radar until it was reported by Wired. The contract was then paused in order to determine whether the contract met the requirements of an ambitious executive order that had been signed by the White House in May 2023 and prohibited the operational use of spyware that poses “risks to national security or has been misused by foreign actors to enable human rights abuses around the world.”

    NSO has been accused of letting its products hack into some of the most prominent web messengers and platforms—including Meta’s WhatsApp and Apple’s iMessage. Paragon has also been accused of allowing its tool Graphite to target WhatsApp users. Now, The Guardian reports that both of those companies are pledging that they will protect mobile users from any future spyware.

    A spokesperson from Apple told The Guardian: “Threat notifications are designed to inform and assist users who may have been individually targeted by mercenary spyware and geographic location is not a factor in who they are sent to.” Apple did not respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment.

    When reached for comment by Gizmodo, a Meta spokesperson said: “WhatsApp’s priority is to protect our users by disrupting hacking efforts by mercenary spyware, building new layers of protection and alerting people whose device has come under threat, no matter where they are in the world.”

    Gizmodo reached out to NSO for comment. It was unclear how to reach Paragon Solutions, as its website didn’t appear to have a contact portal. NSO has previously claimed that its products do not target U.S. citizens.

    Authorities in the U.S. have had their eyes on these spyware firms for some time—albeit for different, often contradictory, reasons. On the one hand, in 2021, the Biden administration acknowledged that companies like NSO were having a detrimental impact and blacklisted it from U.S. investment. On the other hand, the FBI also spent years mulling whether to use the spyware for domestic law enforcement investigations. Now, the two powerful cyberweapons distributors seem to be attempting to cozy up to the Trump administration.

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    Lucas Ropek

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  • Houston Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving 2025 – Houston Press

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    This Thanksgiving — coming up on Thursday, November 28 — skip the stress of cooking and let Houston’s top restaurants treat you to a festive feast. From family-friendly affairs featuring classic roast turkey and all the fixin’s to prix fixe menus featuring bubbles, oysters and TK, here is where to celebrate the season of gratitude with a tasty meal in Houston this year.

    The Audrey, 9595 Six Pines 

    Celebrate Thanksgiving November 27 from 2 to 9 p.m. with a three-course prix fixe featuring roasted parsnip bisque, herb-roasted turkey or chateaubriand and pumpkin pie. Cost is $55–$65 for adults and $18–25 for kids. 

    Bar Bludorn, 9061 Gaylord

    The neighborhood taver is offering a three-course pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu ($75 per person), with a two-course children’s menu for $55. Guests can enjoy holiday classics like roast turkey, squash soup, and stuffing, alongside Bar Bludorn specialties including country ham beignets, steak tartare, steak frites and mushroom ravioli. 

    Bludorn, 807 Taft

    Enjoy a special three-course Thanksgiving dinner of traditional favorites like roast turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie, alongside Bludorn signatures such as steak tartare, hanger steak and Oysters Everyway. The three-course menu is $105 per person, with a two-course children’s menu available for $55.

    Brennan’s, 3300 Smith
    Enjoy a three-course prix fixe feast of Creole and holiday classics in a cozy, festive atmosphere, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; reservations required. Cost is $87 per person plus tax and tip. Call 713-522-9711.

    Duck N Bao, multiple locations

    Create your own Chinese-inspired Thanksgiving with crispy-skinned Peking duck, soup dumplings, specialty rice, noodles, seafood and vegetable plates. Open regular hours; walk-ins welcome.

    Etoile Cuisine et Bar, 1101-11 Uptown Park

    Étoile will be open for Thanksgiving with a special three-course menu ($78 per adult, $28 per child, plus tax and gratuity) — expect seasonal hors d’oeuvres like butternut squash soup with orange zest, Scottish smoked salmon with dill cream, or chilled shrimp with tarragon cocktail sauce; main courses including free-range roasted turkey with all the classics, braised Akaushi beef, Iberico pork skirt steak, seared salmon, or a fall vegetable risotto with white truffle oil; and vanilla bourbon pecan pie or warm pear and brioche pudding with chocolate sorbet.

    Hongdae 33, 9889 Bellaire
    Break from tradition with all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue in a vibrant, high-energy space. $33 per person for 90 minutes of unlimited food; a la carte drinks available. Walk-ins welcome; no reservations needed.

    Leo’s River Oaks, 2009 West Gray 

    Guests can dine in style a three-course prix fixe from 2 to 9pm with — choose herb-roasted turkey ($75) or filet mignon ($85) with refined sides and pumpkin pie. Kids’ menu available. 

    Navy Blue, 2445 Times 

    The modern American seafood restaurant is hosting a festive three-course Thanksgiving dinner. Guests can choose from signature dishes like crab cakes, seafood gumbo, and seared scallops, as well as seasonal specials including roasted turkey roulade with puff pastry and sweet potato, and hanger steak with kale, bone marrow butter, and sauce bordelaise. The three-course menu is $85 per person, with a two-course children’s menu available for $55.

    Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella

    Celebrate Thanksgiving in lodge-style comfort with a three-course menu ($85 per adult, $45 child, plus beverages, tax and gratuity). Highlights include smoked duck gumbo, wild game tasting, Southern-style roast turkey with cornbread dressing and indulgent desserts like warm croissant bread pudding. Late-night snack packs with turkey, dressing, and gravy are also available to-go. 

    Remi, 1080 Uptown Park

    Hotel Granduca’s Remi is offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu with oven-roasted heritage turkey, truffled mac and cheese, spiced pumpkin tarts and artisanal apple Dutch pies in an elegant setting. Seating runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $105/adult and $54/children 10+. Reservations required via OpenTable or at 713-418-1000.

    Roma, 2347 University

    Enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving meal with Italian twists ($55 adults, $25 kids, $35 optional wine pairing), with options from butternut squash soup and hand-carved turkey breast to pecan pie or pumpkin pie.

    Tipping Point Restaurant and Terrace, 9787 Katy Freeway

    Tipping Point will be open on Thanksgiving with a special a la carte or three-course menu for $75. Highlights include raspberry brie en croute, lamb duo with apple chutney, slow-roasted turkey with green beans, cornbread stuffing, rosemary mashed potatoes and a yeast roll, roasted rack of lamb and pecan pie.

    Winsome Prime, 5888 Westheimer

    Winsome Prime will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a select menu of customer favorites and holiday specials.

    This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.

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    Brooke Viggiano

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  • ‘Breaking Bad’ creator’s new show ‘Pluribus’ was emphatically ‘made by humans,’ not AI | TechCrunch

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    If you watched all the way to the end of the new Apple TV show “Pluribus,” you may have noticed an unusual disclaimer in the credits: “This show was made by humans.”

    That terse message —  placed right below a note that “animal wranglers were on set to ensure animal safety” — could potentially provide a model for other filmmakers seeking to highlight that their work was made without the use of generative AI.

    And just in case the disclaimer wasn’t clear enough, creator Vince Gilligan (best known for “Better Call Saul”) was even more emphatic in a Variety feature story about the show, declaring flatly, “I hate AI.” 

    He went on to describe the technology as “the world’s most expensive and energy-intensive plagiarism machine” and compared AI-generated content to “a cow chewing its cud — an endlessly regurgitated loop of nonsense.”

    “Thank you, Silicon Valley!” he added while laughing. “Yet again, you’ve f—ed up the world.”

    “Pluribus” is the former “X-Files” writer’s return to science fiction, and it reunites him with his “Better Call Saul” co-star Rhea Seehorn, who plays a romantasy author confronting an alien invasion.

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    Anthony Ha

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  • Black Friday Apple deals include $100 off the Mac mini M4

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    While there are lots of great Black Friday sales on cheaper devices, it’s the big ticket items that really make a world of difference. Take Apple’s 2024 Mac mini M4, which has dropped to $499 from $599 as part of early Black Friday deals. The 17 percent discount brings Apple’s mini desktop computer with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD to only $30 more than its all-time low.

    We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review, in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors.

    Apple

    However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $690, down from $799. Then there’s the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $890, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal.

    If you’re looking to build a desktop setup from scratch, there’s a small but notable discount on Apple’s Magic Trackpad as well. It’s down to $120, which is only seven percent off its usual price but it’s the cheapest we’ve seen it.

    Image for the mini product module

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    Sarah Fielding

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  • Black Friday deals 2025: The best tech sales we could find so far from Apple, Amazon, Lego, Dyson and more

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    November has turned into Black Friday and vice versa. What was once a one-day shopping sprint has turned into a month-long marathon, with retailers rolling out discounts week after week. Thanks to this, it can be easy to get deal fatigue after a while — but no one wants to miss out on a good discount, regardless of if you’re buying for yourself or someone else. We’re tracking all of the best Black Friday deals you can get right now so you don’t have to go searching for them.

    Engadget can help if you have tech on your shopping list this year. Here, we’ve curated the best Black Friday tech deals you can get right now, and we’ll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering.

    Black Friday deals to shop now

    Apple AirTags (four pack) for $65 (34 percent off): iPhone users who frequently misplace things should invest in a few AirTags. Slip them into your wallet, bag, jacket and other belongings to keep track of their locations in the Find My app. Just make sure that, if you’re going to attach one to your keys, you also pick up an AirTag holder to go along with it.

    Lego Disney advent calendar 2025 43253 for $41 (9 percent off): I probably don’t need to tell you ’tis the season for advent calendars. Lego has a bunch, and this one in particular is on a good deal right now. Like most Lego advent calendars, this one includes a number of bricks and minifigs that, when put together, make a coherent, themed scene.

    Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuum for $500 (50 percent off): This is one of the best robot vacuums you can get, period. It doesn’t have a self-emptying base, but its superior suction power almost makes up for that. It’s one of the strongest robot vacuums I’ve ever tested, and it has excellent obstacle avoidance. The latter means you will rarely, if ever, have to attend to it getting caught on the edge of a carpet or getting stuck under a piece of furniture. If a cordless stick vacuum is what you’re looking for, don’t forget to check out all of the other Dyson Black Friday deals.

    EcoFlow Black Friday deals — get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599.

    Apple

    Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support.

    Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you’ll find in more expensive model.

    Apple iPad mini for $399 ($100 off): Apple’s smallest tablet, the iPad mini is the best option for those who prefer their tablet be roughly the size of a paperback book. The latest model runs on the A17 Pro chipset and has an upgraded 128GB of storage in the base configuration. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro.

    Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don’t have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan’s blades show its remaining battery level.

    Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat.

    Monarch Money budgeting app (one year) for $50 (50 percent off with code MONARCHVIP): One of our favorite budgeting apps, Monarch Money gives you a lot of control over the organization of your funds. There’s a helpful goals feature for when you’re planning out big purchases or financial milestones you want to hit, and we found the month-in-review recap it provides to be more thorough than other budgeting apps we tried. There’s even Zillow integration for folks looking to buy a home.

    Image for the small product module

    SanDisk

    Google TV Streamer 4K for $75 ($25 off): Our top pick for the best streaming device right now, the latest version of Google’s streamer supports 4K video and an excellent, easy-to-use interface that will feel familiar to anyone who’s seen a set with the Google TV technology built in. It provides access to all of the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube and more, plus it has a handy on-screen pop up that lets you control all compatible smart home devices right from your TV. Also available at Walmart.

    Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): I personally have this air fryer, one of our top picks, in my house and I’ve used it for over a year with no issues. I love that it makes good use of vertical space so it doesn’t take up too much space on my counter, and its rounded-square shape allows me to cook more food than you’d think in one go in the basket. It crisps all kinds of foods up well and generally takes a lot of the guess work (and time) out of making a good meal.

    Shark Steam and Scrub Steamer Mop for $110 (31 percent off): This is a slightly more affordable version of this Shark steamer I bought earlier this year and has become one of my favorite things. The one on sale has almost an identical design and arguably the most important feature: rotating dual pads on the bottom that actually lift up the dirt and stains on your floor without too much extra elbow grease needed on your part. It also has three different cleaning modes to choose from, depending on how stubborn the mess is that you’re trying to clean up.

    Bose QuietComfort headphones for $199 (43 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an “Aware” mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life. Also available at Best Buy.

    Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base for $300 (50 percent off): This is a version of one of our top picks for the best robot vacuums. We generally like Shark machines because they do a good job cleaning all types of flooring, produce accurate home maps and the companion app is pretty easy to use. This one in particularly comes with a self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris.

    Black Friday FAQs

    When is Black Friday 2025?

    Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28.

    Which stores have Black Friday deals?

    Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others.

    When do Black Friday sales start?

    Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper.

    When do Black Friday sales end?

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday.

    Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals?

    The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It’s also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want — for example, if you’re looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you’ll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers.

    Does Apple have Black Friday sales?

    No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple’s website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday.

    Does Amazon have Black Friday sales?

    Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer’s site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech.

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    Valentina Palladino

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  • I tried the Apple Crossbody Strap. It’s convenient, but the phone looks silly when the strap is removed. | TechCrunch

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    Alongside the launch of the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and Air in September, Apple also introduced its first crossbody strap, which allows you to wear your iPhone similar to how you’d carry a small shoulder bag, with the strap lying diagonally across your body. The $59 accessory so far has received mixed reviews, with some saying it’s useful and convenient, while others have decided it’s definitely not an accessory they’d like to use.

    Some have also debated whether the strap makes iPhone owners more of a target for thieves as it advertises you’re carrying a nice, new smartphone, or whether it deters thieves who’d rather opportunistically grab a loose iPhone out of someone’s hand than have to use a knife to cut through a strap.

    After trying the strap (which was sent to me by Apple for review), I found there were things I both liked and disliked about this new accessory. The strap would certainly be convenient for travel, for being out and about where you need to have your iPhone close at hand, or in some professions where you’re often needing to use your phone.

    Image Credits:Apple

    However, the strap can rub uncomfortably against your neck and shoulder at times, and the phone looks silly when the strap is removed — two drawbacks worth considering.

    At first glance, the crossbody strap may look like a typical lanyard, but Apple, of course, has made some unique choices to differentiate its strap from the many others already available on the market.

    The accessory is made with recycled PET yarns (an eco-friendly polyester derived from recycled plastics), which give the woven strap more heft and weight than a flimsier fabric.

    But what’s more interesting is that the strap has embedded flexible magnets inside that help keep both of the overlapping straps secured together and aligned. This makes the strap stick together sleekly, even as you adjust the stainless steel sliders to the length you prefer.

    Apple also gives you a lot of strap to work with, so it will work well for both tall and shorter folks — something that can’t be said for some crossbody purses! (The maximum length is 81.9 inches and the minimum length is 42.5 inches, for reference.)

    Another point in Apple’s favor is that the strap has a fairly unisex look, unlike many of the existing straps that are marketed toward women or look like jewelry or purses. Plus, at $59, you can buy a couple of different colors to match different outfits if you choose.

    How the strap sits on your body will have a lot to do with your own body shape and chest size, but in some cases, wearers may find that the strap rubs against their shoulder or neck as they move around and walk. That’s because as your leg slightly taps your dangling iPhone, the strap moves too. This would also be an issue if you’re wearing some off-the-shoulder top, which exposes more of your skin.

    In these cases, the strap can be a bit uncomfortable — not so much that it would outweigh its convenience, but it could become a situation where you find yourself switching the strap to different sides of your body after a couple of hours of consistent rubbing.

    Image Credits:TechCrunch

    However, the biggest drawback to Apple’s strap is how it makes your iPhone look when the strap is removed. This is purely an aesthetic complaint, but if you’re wearing your phone, you’re likely already thinking about the fashion angle here.

    The strap connects to your phone by way of two thin, looped cords that fit through the holes on the bottom of your compatible phone case. At the end of these cords are metal anchors that the strap snaps onto to secure it in place.

    Threading the stringed connectors through the holes initially can be a little fiddly, especially if you have larger fingers. You’re not going to want to do this every time you want to go strapless. Instead, the idea is that you’ll simply unsnap the strap to remove it, but then you’re left with a silly-looking iPhone that has little cords hanging from the bottom.

    Image Credits:TechCrunch

    Maybe you’ll find that cute, or maybe you don’t care about how this looks, but I’d argue that if you’re going to go strapless a lot, you might be better off upgrading to a more fashionable strap or case where the connectors are metal rings in gold or silver, not hanging strings with metal feet.

    (As an aside: I’ve been eyeing the Bandolier cases, and you can see in the company’s product photos how much better these look when their strap is removed. Plus, it offers chains that look like those found on higher-quality purses, leather phone cases, and attachable wristlets that accompany your strap. You can also add accessories like AirPods holders and expanded pouches. Of course, these are not affordably priced at $59! Once you start upgrading, you’re going to be spending around $100-$150 on the case and strap alone.)

    There are, of course, many cheaper straps and lanyards on sites like Amazon and others, and from top case and accessory makers, such as Casetify or PopSockets, but these tend to attach through an insertable card that fits inside your phone case, offering a single metal loop to attach the cord to.

    As someone who has run through a good handful of cheap wristlet straps from Amazon, I can attest to the fact that many of these will eventually break, even if the metal loop they attach to stays in place. I don’t have that concern with the Apple crossbody strap, given that it doesn’t have a single point of failure.

    The iPhone Crossbody Strap comes in neon yellow, light blue, blue, purple, sienna, orange, tan, green, light gray, and black, and is available online at apple.com and in stores.

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    Sarah Perez

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  • Cozy Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake – Gooey, Easy, and Perfect for Fall Baking

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    This Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake is pure cozy magic — warm apples, gooey caramel, and buttery cake all in one easy pan. You don’t need eggs (or fancy steps) to get that bakery-worthy flavor; just simple pantry ingredients and a few minutes to layer it all up. After more than a decade of egg-free baking, I can promise this one’s foolproof, family-approved, and smells like fall comfort itself. Perfect for holidays or any chilly night when you crave something sweet and stress-free.

    Oriana’s Thoughts On The Recipe

    Oriana Romero, creator of Mommy's Home Cooking and egg-free baking queen.

    This Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake recipe started in my kitchen on one of those busy holiday weeks when everything felt like too much to cook. I wanted the cozy flavor of apple pie without the stress of rolling dough or washing a dozen dishes. That’s when this dump cake became a lifesaver — simple, forgiving, and so satisfying.

    And of course, it’s 100% egg-free and easy to adapt for other allergies. My homemade apple pie filling gives it that real-from-scratch taste, and the swirls of dulce de leche (or caramel sauce) make it irresistible. Every spoonful tastes like apple pie and caramel cobbler rolled into one — rich, gooey, and absolutely delicious.

    Why You’ll Want to Try My Recipe

    • Effortless to make: No mixing bowls needed — just layer, bake, and enjoy.
    • Cozy fall flavor: Think apple pie meets caramel cobbler in the easiest way possible.
    • Allergy-friendly: Completely egg-free, with easy swaps to make it dairy-free if needed.
    • Perfect for holidays: A crowd-pleasing dessert that’s festive yet low-stress.
    • Tested to perfection: I made sure this recipe works even on your busiest days.

    Ingredients You’ll Need, Substitutions & Notes

    Top-down view of ingredients for Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, including green apples, cake mix, caramel sauce, melted butter, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.Top-down view of ingredients for Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, including green apples, cake mix, caramel sauce, melted butter, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

    Scroll down to the recipe card for all the details, including measurements and instructions.

    For the Apple Pie Filling:

    • Apples (4 medium / about 4 cups or 500 g): The heart of this dessert! I love using a mix of tart and sweet apples for the best flavor.
    • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the apples.
    • Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that bring the cozy flavor we all love.
    • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the apples and helps create that syrupy texture.
    • Lemon Juice: Keeps the apples from sticking while they cook and balances the sweetness.
    • Cornstarch + Water ( for slurry): Thickens the filling so it’s glossy and perfectly gooey.

    For the Cake Layer:

    • Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche: Brings that rich, creamy caramel flavor that makes this dessert shine.
    • Yellow or Vanilla Cake Mix: The “dump” part of the dump cake! Choose your favorite brand — most are naturally egg-free.
    • Butter: Makes the cake layer crisp, golden, and buttery.

    This recipe is naturally egg, dairy, wheat/gluten, nut, peanut, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs, but always check labels for hidden allergens.

    • Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives.
      • Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter, Trader Joe’s brand vegan butter, and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking. For the best flavor, use a vegan butter that tastes good. Use sticks or blocks, not tub (spreadable) butter.
      • Caramel: You can use your fave dairy-free caramel. I have used Coconut Caramel Sauce by Hey Boo, which tastes good. However, it’s a bit more liquid than dairy caramel, so add just 1/2 cup, check consistency, and add more if necessary.
    • Gluten-Free: Use a certified gluten-free cake mix, such as Bobs Red Mill Yellow Cake Mix.

    Process Overview: Step-by-Step Photos

    Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).

    Get Ready to Bake

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter. You’ll want to have it ready to go once the filling is done.

    Make the Apple Filling

    • A white skillet with diced apples coated in cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, perfect for making Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, on a white surface.A white skillet with diced apples coated in cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, perfect for making Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, on a white surface.
      Peel, core, and chop or slice the apples (½-inch cubes or ¼-inch slices). In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat, then stir in cinnamon and nutmeg. Add apples, sugar, and lemon juice; cook covered for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, stir it in, and cook 1–2 minutes more until thick and glossy. Remove from heat and set aside.

    Assemble the Cake

    • Two-step image: diced apples in a baking dish on the left, and the same apples covered with caramel sauce on the right. Both dishes are shown from above, perfect for making an Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake.Two-step image: diced apples in a baking dish on the left, and the same apples covered with caramel sauce on the right. Both dishes are shown from above, perfect for making an Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake.
      Spread the apple filling evenly in your prepared baking dish. If you want, lightly mash a few apple pieces with a fork to help everything spread out smoothly. Warm your dulce de leche or caramel sauce just a bit (so it’s easier to drizzle), then pour it evenly over the apples.
    • Side-by-side images: left shows a baking dish with dry cake mix for Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, right shows the same dish with melted butter poured over the mix.Side-by-side images: left shows a baking dish with dry cake mix for Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake, right shows the same dish with melted butter poured over the mix.
      Next, sprinkle the dry cake mix right on top — don’t stir it in! Finally, slowly pour the melted butter all over the cake mix, making sure to cover as much as you can for that beautiful golden crust. If you’d like a little extra crunch, sprinkle on some chopped nuts or turbinado sugar.

    Bake and Enjoy

    • An Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake with a golden-brown top sits in a white rectangular dish on a cooling rack, with a red-striped towel beside it.An Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake with a golden-brown top sits in a white rectangular dish on a cooling rack, with a red-striped towel beside it.
      Pop your dish into the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and you see the edges bubbling with caramel goodness. Let it cool for 10–15 minutes before serving — this helps the filling set a bit. Then grab a spoon, drizzle a little extra caramel on top if you’d like, and enjoy that warm, cozy sweetness!

    Recipe Tips For Success

    ➤ Troubleshooting Tips:

    • Apples Turn Too Soft: If the apples are cooked too long before baking, they might get mushy. Pro Tip: Cook them just until tender — they’ll continue softening in the oven.
    • Uneven Cake Texture: If the cake mix doesn’t get enough butter on top, you might end up with some dry spots. Pro Tip: Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix — make sure every area gets a little love!
    • Too Sweet for Your Taste: Between apples, caramel, and cake mix, it can get extra sweet. Pro Tip: Use tart apples like Granny Smith or reduce the sugar in the apple filling slightly.
    • Shortcut: If you’re short on time, you can use 2 (20 oz) cans of canned apple pie filling — just add the caramel or dulce de leche as directed.
    • Don’t overmix — actually, don’t mix at all! The magic happens in the layering.
    • Let it cool for at least 15–20 minutes before serving; the caramel thickens as it rests.
    • Serve it warm for the ultimate gooey experience (and maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!).
    • If using store-bought caramel, choose a thick one — thin sauces can make the cake soggy.
    A close-up of a serving spoon lifting a portion of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake from a white baking dish.A close-up of a serving spoon lifting a portion of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake from a white baking dish.

    Variations & Additions

    • Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or oats over the top before baking.
    • Make It Extra Decadent: Drizzle warm caramel over the baked cake and top with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve it warm right out of the oven with a drizzle of caramel or dulce de leche and a scoop of vanilla ice cream — or a dollop of whipped cream if you prefer. It’s also delicious at room temperature (and even better the next day if you can wait that long!).

    Storage and Freezing Instructions

    Store: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Warm individual portions in the microwave before serving.

    Freeze: Once cooled, wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    A serving of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce on a white plate.A serving of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce on a white plate.

    Recipe Card

    A plate of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle, with green apples and caramel sauce in the background.A plate of Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle, with green apples and caramel sauce in the background.

    Apple Caramel Dump Cake

    Oriana Romero

    Warm apples, gooey caramel, and buttery cake come together in this easy Eggless Apple Caramel Dump Cake — cozy, comforting, and perfect for fall.

    Prep Time 15 minutes

    Cook Time 40 minutes

    Total Time 55 minutes

    Servings 12 servings

    For the Apple Pie Filling:

    You can find step-by-step photos above in the post and/or right here on the recipe card. They’ll walk you through the process and make everything super clear! Just click the camera icon button below on the right to show or hide them. Turn them off before printing if you prefer a cleaner copy!

    Make the Apple Filling:

    • Peel, core, and chop or slice the apples. Cut them into 1/2-inch cubes or 1/4-inch slices.

    • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.

    • Add the apples, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Stir to combine, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4–6 minutes, or until the apples are just beginning to soften.

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Add the mixture to the pan while stirring. Continue to cook until the apples are tender (not mushy) and the filling has thickened. Let it bubble for about 1 minute.

    • Remove from heat and set aside.

     
    Apples: For the best flavor, use tart apples, such as Granny Smith, for a bright, tart balance with the sweetness of the caramel and cake mix. Their firm texture also holds up beautifully while baking!
     
    Dulce de Leche/Caramel: You can make this dessert with whatever caramel you have on hand! Use dulce de leche for a rich, creamy flavor, caramel sauce for a gooey drizzle, or melt Kraft caramel squares for a classic, old-fashioned caramel layer. If using Kraft caramel squares, you will need 25–30 squares / about 8 oz or 225 g approx. Any of these options will make your apple dump cake irresistibly sweet and delicious!
     
    Shortcut: If you’re short on time, you can use 2 (20 oz) cans of canned apple pie filling — just add the caramel or dulce de leche as directed.
     
    Store: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Warm individual portions in the microwave before serving.
     
    Freeze: Once cooled, wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
     
    Food Allergy Swaps:
    This recipe is naturally egg, dairy, wheat/gluten, nut, peanut, soy, sesame, fish, and shellfish-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs, but always check labels for hidden allergens.

    • Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, you can easily swap out the dairy ingredients for non-dairy alternatives.
      • Butter: Substitute butter with dairy-free butter substitutes. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Vegan Butter, Trader Joe’s brand vegan butter, and Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks are my favorite butter substitutes for baking. For the best flavor, use a vegan butter that tastes good. Use sticks or blocks, not tub (spreadable) butter.
      • Caramel: You can use your fave dairy-free caramel. I have used Coconut Caramel Sauce by Hey Boo, which tastes good. However, it’s a bit more liquid than dairy caramel, so add just 1/2 cup, check consistency, and add more if necessary.
    • Gluten-Free: Use a certified gluten-free cake mix, such as Bobs Red Mill Yellow Cake Mix.

     
    Recipe Tips For Success:
    ➤ Troubleshooting Tips:

    • Apples Turn Too Soft: If the apples are cooked too long before baking, they might get mushy. Pro Tip: Cook them just until tender — they’ll continue softening in the oven.
    • Uneven Cake Texture: If the cake mix doesn’t get enough butter on top, you might end up with some dry spots. Pro Tip: Drizzle melted butter evenly over the cake mix — make sure every area gets a little love!
    • Too Sweet for Your Taste: Between apples, caramel, and cake mix, it can get extra sweet. Pro Tip: Use tart apples like Granny Smith or reduce the sugar in the apple filling slightly.

     
    ➤ Extra Tips:

    • Don’t overmix — actually, don’t mix at all! The magic happens in the layering.
    • Let it cool for at least 15–20 minutes before serving; the caramel thickens as it rests.
    • Serve it warm for the ultimate gooey experience (and maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!).
    • If using store-bought caramel, choose a thick one — thin sauces can make the cake soggy.

     
    ➤ Variations & Additions:

    • Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or oats over the top before baking.
    • Make It Extra Decadent: Drizzle warm caramel over the baked cake and top with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

     

    Recipe reviews on the website are extremely valuable to other readers online. So, please don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating below.

    Calories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 353mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 2gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 583IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

    Course Dessert

    Cuisine American

    Calories 333

    Keyword apple cake egg-free recipe

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    Oriana Romero

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  • Apple releases iOS 26.1 with major security improvements and new features for iPhone users

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    Apple’s iOS 26.1 update is more than a standard patch. It boosts security, speeds up performance and adds practical upgrades to features you already use. The update fixes dozens of vulnerabilities that impact Safari, Photos and Apple Account settings. 

    It also introduces stronger privacy controls, design tweaks and expanded support for Apple Intelligence. Since iOS 26.1 is the first major follow-up to iOS 26, it builds on the foundation of the original release with key fixes and refinements. 

    If you value protection, speed and reliability, updating now is an easy way to keep your iPhone secure and performing at its best.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter 

    WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS

    The new update focuses on privacy, stability, and performance, giving iPhone users stronger protection and a more polished overall experience. (Cyberguy.com)

    How to update to iOS 26.1

    Here are a few simple steps to install iOS 26.1:

    • Plug in your iPhone and connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network to prevent interruptions.
    • Go to Settings.
    • Tap General.
    • Click Software Update.
    • Tap Update Now or Download and Install when iOS 26.1 appears.
    • Follow the prompts and wait for your phone to restart.

    Once complete, your iPhone will have the latest protections and performance enhancements. iOS 26.1 is available for all iPhones from the iPhone 11 and later. Because it is a smaller point update, installation is quick and delivers immediate benefits without the delays of a major version upgrade.

    WHY WI-FI CALLING MAY BE KILLING YOUR PHONE’S BATTERY LIFE

    Top 10 Reasons to Update to iOS 26.1

    Apple packed plenty of improvements into this release, but these ten stand out as the most important reasons to install iOS 26.1 right now.

    1) Stronger security protections

    Apple fixed over 50 vulnerabilities in this update. Those include serious flaws that could let apps access sensitive data or take screenshots without permission. Installing iOS 26.1 keeps your personal information safer than before. 

    2) Streamlined security

    Apple added a new option in iOS 26.1 that quietly keeps your iPhone protected between major updates. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Security Improvements, then turn on the toggle for automatic background security updates. These smaller patches install automatically without waiting for the next iOS version, helping your device stay protected against new threats with less effort.

    EVEN WITH TRUMP’S TARIFF BLESSING, APPLE HIKES IPHONE PRICES

    3) Alarm upgrade

    Apple changed how alarms work in iOS 26.1 to make mornings more reliable. You now need to swipe across the screen to turn an alarm off, rather than tapping it. The snooze button still works with a single tap, so you can easily tell the difference between stopping and snoozing. This simple change helps prevent accidental silencing and makes it easier to wake up on time.

    The new iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are displayed

    Apple’s iOS 26.1 update boosts security, speeds up performance and adds practical upgrades to already existing features. (BRITTANY HOSEA-SMALL/AFP via Getty Images)

    4) Customizable liquid glass look

    The semi-transparent iOS 26 design now includes new options for opacity. You can make screens easier to read and reduce glare with more visual clarity.

    Open Settings > Display & Brightness > then choose Liquid Glass. From there, select either Clear for a sharper background or Tinted for a softer, more subdued look that reduces glare.

    5) New camera toggle

    iOS 26.1 adds a new setting that gives you control over the camera shortcut on your lock screen. Go to Settings > Camera, then look for the option “Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.” You can now turn this feature off if you often trigger the camera by accident or prefer using the dedicated Camera Control instead. It’s a small but useful change for anyone who wants fewer unintentional photos or faster access to other lock screen tools.

    6) Expanded live translation

    Frequent travelers and language learners will appreciate the expanded real-time translation. iOS 26.1 adds Italian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese to AirPods translation, making global communication smoother.

    APPLE EXPECTED TO ROLL OUT TEXTING UPDATE THAT WOULD HIT GOP HARDEST AHEAD OF MIDTERMS, FUNDRAISERS SAY

    7) More languages for Apple Intelligence

    Apple Intelligence now understands additional languages, including Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Turkish and Vietnamese. That expands how Siri and on-device AI respond to more users. 

    8) Smarter music and audio controls

    Apple added handy gesture controls to the Apple Music MiniPlayer in iOS 26.1. You can now swipe left to go back or right to skip ahead while a song plays, making it easier to control music without opening the full player. The update also adds AutoMix support over AirPlay and lets creators adjust USB microphone gain directly from their iPhone for clearer recordings.

    9) Phone call haptics control

    iOS 26.1 adds a simple but welcome change for anyone who prefers fewer distractions. You can now turn off the vibration feedback that happens when a call connects or ends. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone and toggle Haptics off to stop those subtle buzzes that can feel like extra notifications. It’s a small tweak that makes phone calls feel cleaner and less intrusive.

    10) Local Capture options

    iOS 26.1 adds a new Local Capture menu that makes it easier to record high-quality audio and video from your own device during calls. Go to Settings > General > Local Capture to choose where your recordings are saved or to enable audio-only recording.

    10 IOS 26 TRICKS THAT HELP YOU GET MORE OUT OF YOUR IPHONE

    A man scrolling on social media on his phone.

    The new IOS update also introduces stronger privacy controls, enhancing online security. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    Pro Tip: Use strong antivirus software

    Use trusted antivirus software as an extra layer of protection for your iPhone or iPad. While Apple’s built-in defenses are strong, security threats evolve fast. Installing strong antivirus software adds real-time protection against phishing, unsafe links, and rogue apps. Keep it updated and run regular scans to catch potential risks early. This extra step helps your device stay clean, fast, and fully protected between iOS updates.

    Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

    Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

    Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    The iOS 26.1 update brings more than simple fixes. It fine-tunes how your iPhone works, sounds and protects your information. With expanded translation, smarter music gestures, new privacy options and better camera controls, every improvement makes daily use smoother. Features like Local Capture, streamlined security updates and the ability to turn off phone call haptics highlight Apple’s focus on practical upgrades that matter. If you have not updated yet, now is a good time. iOS 26.1 strengthens your phone’s security, improves stability and adds thoughtful details that make your device easier to use every day.

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

    Which new iOS 26.1 feature will you try first, the enhanced privacy tools or the camera and haptic settings? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter 

    Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • The 15-Inch MacBook Air Is $200 Off

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    Looking for an Apple laptop with a bigger screen? You’re in luck, as the 15-inch MacBook Air with the M4 CPU is currently marked down by $200 on Amazon in a variety of configurations and colors, including the new Sky Blue finish. It’s a great fit for work or play, and only serious power users will need to consider upgrading to the MacBook Pro.

    Photograph: Luke Larsen

    Apple

    MacBook Air (15-inch, 2025)

    This generation of MacBook Air got a big upgrade in the form of a new M4 processor, which boosts performance and adds support for a number of much-desired features. According to our reviewer Luke Larsen, the updated M4 chip “is 22 percent faster GPU, 31 percent multi-core, and 18 percent single-core, as measured in Cinebench R24.” It manages that performance bump without any fans, so it stays nice and quiet, even when you fire up Baldur’s Gate 3. The extra GPU power also helps the system run two extra screens with the lid open, a feat the previous year’s model couldn’t pull off.

    Battery life is also a standout feature of MacBooks over the years, and this year’s model is no different. In our testing, it ran for over 20 hours while playing a local video, more than enough to get you through a rough day of work or a long flight. It did drain a bit faster when working actively, but still managed four and a half hours even when stressed, which should help alleviate any battery anxiety. It has an excellent keyboard, trackpad, and speakers too, making it a perfect fit for handling a variety of daily work and fun tasks.

    While availability varies a little by color and size, you’ll get about a $200 discount regardless of the model you buy. The most basic version has 16GB of unified memory and a 256GB SSD, with an option to upgrade to 512GB of storage for $200 more. The top spec version also has a 512GB SSD, with 24GB of unified memory, but you’re paying a significant $200 fee for the extra 8GB of memory. If you want to know more about the different options, make sure to check out our in-depth guide for a full look at the entire MacBook lineup.

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    Brad Bourque

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  • Black Friday 2025: The best early tech deals on Apple, Shark, Lego and other gear ahead of the biggest sale of the year

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    November has turned into Black Friday and vice versa. What was once a one-day shopping sprint has turned into a month-long marathon, with retailers rolling out discounts week after week. Thanks to this, it can be easy to get deal fatigue after a while — but no one wants to miss out on a good discount, regardless of if you’re buying for yourself or someone else. We’re tracking all of the best Black Friday deals you can get right now so you don’t have to go searching for them.

    Engadget can help if you have tech on your shopping list this year. Here, we’ve curated the best Black Friday tech deals you can get right now, and we’ll continue to update this post as we get closer to the big day at the end of November. Note that you probably have the best chance of snagging record-low prices when we get to about one week before Thanksgiving, but these deals available now are worth considering.

    Black Friday deals to shop now

    Apple iPad mini for $399 ($100 off): Apple’s smallest tablet, the iPad mini is the best option for those who prefer their tablet be roughly the size of a paperback book. The latest model runs on the A17 Pro chipset and has an upgraded 128GB of storage in the base configuration. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro.

    Apple Mac Mini M4 for $499 ($100 off): Desktop users looking for an upgrade should consider the latest Mac Mini, which runs on the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM as standard in the base configuration. This version has a smaller design that takes up less space, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack, plus Thunderbolt 5 support.

    Google Pixel 9a for $499 (38 percent off): It doesn’t get much better than the Pixel 9a if you’re looking for a smartphone well under $1,000. It’s our top pick for the best midrange smartphone on the market right now thanks to its simple yet excellent design, AMOLED display, strong battery life and solid camera array.

    Bose QuietComfort headphones for $199 (43 percent off): These noise-cancelling headphones have a comfortable (albeit a bit boring) design, an “Aware” mode that lets you hear more of your surroundings when you need to and up to 24 hours of battery life. Also available at Best Buy.

    Lego Disney advent calendar 2025 43253 for $40 (11 percent off): I probably don’t need to tell you ’tis the season for advent calendars. Lego has a bunch, and this one in particular is on a good deal right now. Like most Lego advent calendars, this one includes a number of bricks and minifigs that, when put together, make a coherent, themed scene.

    EcoFlow Black Friday deals — get up to 80 percent off: Portable power stations are an investment, but they can be crucial pieces of tech during emergencies. The top pick from our friends at Yahoo Tech has been heavily discounted in this early Black Friday sale. You can pick up the EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 for $1,400 off, down to $2,299, or the power station with an extra battery bundled in for $2,699 off, down to $3,599.

    Apple

    Apple Watch SE 3 for $200 ($50 off): The SE has been our top pick for the best Apple Watch for those on a budget, and the latest model only solidifies that further. It has the same chipset found in the latest flagship Apple Watches, fast-charging capabilities, an always-on display and most of the same activity-tracking features you’ll find in more expensive model.

    Jisulife Life 7 handheld fan for $25 (14 percent off): This handy little fan is a must-have if you life in a warm climate or have a tropical vacation planned anytime soon. It can be used as a table or handheld fan and even be worn around the neck so you don’t have to hold it at all. Its 5,000 mAh battery allows it to last hours on a single charge, and the small display in the middle of the fan’s blades show its remaining battery level.

    Leebin 2025 electric spin scrubber for $40 (43 percent off, Prime exclusive): This weird little scrubber makes cleaning my bathroom and shower much less of a pain. Just choose the brush head you need for your job and the rotating head takes care of most of the hard work. I love the adjustable handle, which extends from 12 to 50 inches so you can get into hard-to-reach places without breaking a sweat.

    SanDisk microSD Express card (256GB) for $60 (12 percent off): If you have a Switch 2, no regular microSD card will do if you want to expand the console’s storage. You need a newer microSD Express card, and currently there are only a handful on the market. We did some testing to find the best microSD Express card for the Switch 2 and found that performance was, in general, very similar amongst all the readily available cards. We recommend getting whichever fits within your budget at the capacity you want.

    Google TV Streamer 4K for $75 ($25 off): Our top pick for the best streaming device right now, the latest version of Google’s streamer supports 4K video and an excellent, easy-to-use interface that will feel familiar to anyone who’s seen a set with the Google TV technology built in. It provides access to all of the major streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube and more, plus it has a handy on-screen pop up that lets you control all compatible smart home devices right from your TV. Also available at Walmart.

    Image for the small product module

    Shark

    Shark Steam and Scrub Steamer Mop for $110 (31 percent off): This is a slightly more affordable version of this Shark steamer I bought earlier this year and has become one of my favorite things. The one on sale has almost an identical design and arguably the most important feature: rotating dual pads on the bottom that actually lift up the dirt and stains on your floor without too much extra elbow grease needed on your part. It also has three different cleaning modes to choose from, depending on how stubborn the mess is that you’re trying to clean up.

    $110 at Amazon

    Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 (25 percent off): I personally have this air fryer, one of our top picks, in my house and I’ve used it for over a year with no issues. I love that it makes good use of vertical space so it doesn’t take up too much space on my counter, and its rounded-square shape allows me to cook more food than you’d think in one go in the basket. It crisps all kinds of foods up well and generally takes a lot of the guess work (and time) out of making a good meal.

    Shark AI Ultra robot vacuum with 60-day self-emptying base for $300 (50 percent off): This is a version of one of our top picks for the best robot vacuums. We generally like Shark machines because they do a good job cleaning all types of flooring, produce accurate home maps and the companion app is pretty easy to use. This one in particularly comes with a self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris.

    Black Friday FAQs

    When is Black Friday 2025?

    Black Friday 2025 lands on November 28.

    Which stores have Black Friday deals?

    Many physical retail stores have Black Friday deals including Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others. Even more retailers have online Black Friday deals, including Amazon, GameStop, Costco and others.

    When do Black Friday sales start?

    Gone are the times when Black Friday sales were one-day-only affairs. Now, Black Friday deals are often available starting on Thanksgiving, or even earlier. Last year, we saw Black Friday deals online begin the week before Black Friday proper.

    When do Black Friday sales end?

    Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blended a lot over the past few years. Now, you can expect to see a good portion of Black Friday deals extend through the weekend and into Cyber Monday. It’s not uncommon for Black Friday deals to expire at the end of Cyber Monday.

    Which retailers have the best Black Friday tech deals?

    The best Black Friday tech deals are typically available online at retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. It’s also a good idea to check the store websites of the companies that make the products you want — for example, if you’re looking for a Sonos speaker, check the Sonos website on Black Friday. Most of the time, you’ll find the best Black Friday tech deals are matched at multiple retailers.

    Does Apple have Black Friday sales?

    No, you will usually not find Black Friday sales at Apple stores or on Apple’s website. However, you can find Black Friday deals on Apple devices elsewhere; we recommend checking Amazon, Best Buy and other big retailers for discounts on iPads, Apple Watches and more on Black Friday.

    Does Amazon have Black Friday sales?

    Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales. The online retailer’s site will look similar to Prime Day on Black Friday, with discounts on all sorts of items from household essentials to fashion to tech.

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    Valentina Palladino

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  • Tinder is Testing AI Features That Look Through Your Camera Roll

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    Tinder is testing a new AI-powered feature that looks at the photos on your camera roll in an effort to find you better matches, according to an announcement from parent company Match Group. And while that might sounds like a rather invasive way to find a match, the dating app notes that it’s opt-in and will hopefully combat what it calls “swipe fatigue.”

    The feature is called Chemistry and was announced by Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff during an earnings call on Tuesday. The AI asks users interactive questions and seeks to find out what matters to a given user the most.

    “Powered by AI, this interactive matching feature—a major part of Tinder’s upcoming 2026 product experience—gets to know users through fun, conversational prompts and, with permission, learns from their camera roll to better understand their interests and personality,” the company said in a prepared statement published online.

    Gizmodo hasn’t tested the feature yet, but the company is clearly stressing that it will only look through your camera roll if users give it permission to do just that. The Tinder app has gotten a refresh for Apple’s Liquid Glass on iOS and the company thinks that its new AI experiments will help improve the user experience.

    “Using deep learning, Chemistry aims to reduce dating app fatigue by surfacing a few highly relevant profiles each day—driving more compatible matches and more engaging conversations,” a Tinder spokesperson told Gizmodo via email.

    The AI feature is currently being tested in Australia and New Zealand. The company has plans to roll out the feature to additional countries “in the coming months,” but it’s not clear yet when that might include the U.S.

    Aside from Chemistry, Tinder is also experimenting with other features, like a new Modes navigation, which was launched in September. Users can choose things like College Mode, which includes meeting new people with a friend in their college community or Double Date Mode, which lets you match with other pairs. Tinder reports that Double Date has been popular, particularly in Europe and with Gen Z more broadly.

    The app is also reportedly being improved on the tech side of things, with Android startup times 38% faster and crash rates reduced by 32%, according to Match. The company also claims that app stability on iOS has improved considerably.

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    Matt Novak

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  • Apple will reportedly use a custom version of Gemini to power the new Siri

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    When Apple introduces its more capable version of Siri in 2026, it increasingly sounds like it’ll have Google to thank. Bloomberg reports that Apple is finalizing plans to use a custom version of Gemini to power the new Siri and plans to pay Google handsomely for the privilege.

    The new Siri will still use some of Apple’s homegrown models, but will also rely on a version of Gemini running on the company’s Private Cloud Compute servers to “handle Siri’s summarizer and planner functions,” Bloomberg writes. Those functions “help the voice assistant synthesize information and decide how to execute complex tasks.” Since using apps on people’s behalf is core to Apple’s pitch for its updated assistant, Gemini appears to be playing a critical role.

    Apple will reportedly pay $1 billion annually to use Google’s technology, a fraction of what Google has reportedly paid the company to make Google Search the default search option on Apple’s devices. The partnership will likely not be advertised, though, and Apple plans to eventually replace Google’s model with its own. Specifically, with “a one trillion parameter cloud-based model that it hopes to have ready for consumer applications as early as next year,” according to Bloomberg.

    Siri can use ChatGPT for specific requests as part of Apple Intelligence, and Gemini was rumored to be added as another AI option in March 2024. After Apple delayed Siri a year later in 2025, though, the need for more substantial help reportedly became necessary. The possibility of Siri being backed by Gemini was first reported in August, when Google was asked to create a version of its model that could run securely on Apple’s servers. The iPhone maker was previously rumored to have explored deals with both Anthropic and OpenAI before that.

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  • Apple’s Mac mini M4 is $100 off ahead of Black Friday

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    While there are lots of great Black Friday sales on cheaper devices, it’s the big ticket items that really make a world of difference. Take Apple’s 2024 Mac mini M4, which has dropped to $499 from $599 as part of early Black Friday deals. The 17 percent discount brings Apple’s mini desktop computer with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD to only $30 more than its all-time low.

    We gave the Mac mini M4 a 90 in our review, in part, because it packs an incredible amount of power into such a small design. It also has front facing USB-C and headphone ports, a first for the Mac mini lineup. Plus, it starts with 16GB of RAM, an upgrade from its predecessors.

    Apple

    However, if you want more memory or storage, the other Mac Mini M4 models are also on sale. You can get 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD for $690, down from $799. Then there’s the option for 24GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD at $890, down from $999. Plus, if you want to bundle in three years of AppleCare+, each model ends up being about $100 cheaper than normal.

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    Sarah Fielding

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  • iOS 26.1 lets you turn down liquid glass’ transparency | TechCrunch

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    Apple’s latest iOS update, available for eligible devices from Monday, doesn’t introduce any major features, but it does bring one highly-requested tweak: the ability to change the transparency of the translucent liquid glass design.

    If you didn’t like the look of iOS 26, all you could do so far was to reduce transparency via the accessibility settings, which pretty much turned off the liquid glass overlay. With iOS 26.1, we now get a new menu to retain the look while increasing opacity.

    You can head to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass to select either the original “Clear” option or a more opaque “Tinted” option. You can also see a preview of each option when you’re selecting them.

    Liquid glass was the company’s biggest design overhaul since its move to a flat design back in 2013, but similar to most changes of this scale and significance, not everybody has been on board.

    Some people said the more translucent design made various parts of the interface harder to read, including notifications or navigation controls in apps, while others professed their love for the attention to detail and the new look, which felt like a much-needed update to an interface that had grown stale over the years.

    Image Credits: Screenshot by TechCrunch

    Besides the transparency settings, iOS 26.1 also lets you tweak what gestures do on the home screen: You now get an option to open the camera app by swiping to the left on the lockscreen. You change this by going to Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.

    IOS 26.1 also gives users the ability to locally capture audio and video while recording a video call. This can be useful if you’re recording a call or podcast on the move. The company announced this feature for iPadOS in June during the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC).

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    The update also brings support for eight new languages for Apple Intelligence: Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese (Portugal), Vietnamese and Turkish. The company is also adding live translation support for five new languages: Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Japanese and Korean.

    We also get some quality of life improvements, including gestures to change songs in Apple Music; a slider to stop alarms instead of a button so you don’t accidentally shut it off; and an option to automatically install security improvements.

    You can update your device by going to Settings > General > Software update.

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    Ivan Mehta

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  • Apple’s App Store website is actually an app store website now

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    For those of us living in the Apple ecosystem, the App Store is second nature. It’s a core part of the Apple experience and the go-to spot for any applications you might want for your device. So I was fairly shocked to learn that up until today, the link apps.apple.com would send you to a page with information about the App Store, but not actually take you to said digital storefront.

    That’s right, it took until the year 2025 for Apple to create a browser version of the App Store.

    Maybe it never seemed necessary since the App Store is pre-loaded on any Apple device. I don’t foresee many edge cases where I’d want to look in a browser rather than actually use the App Store on one of my machines, although I’m sure now that I’ve said so, I’ll wind up doing exactly that within a week. But still, the first App Store debuted 17 years ago. Which, particularly in tech years, is a really, really long time.

    In any case, the browser App Store lets you pick your hardware platform from a dropdown on the far left, so you can peruse software for different platforms wherever you’re on the web. There’s also a search field as well as a list of app categories that you can sift through. All the stuff you’d expect from the actual App Store, just in a browser. Entries for specific applications will prompt you to open the listing in the device’s App Store where the button would normally let you buy the software. Which leaves me once again surprised this took so long to create and also questioning who will actually use it.

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  • iOS, iPadOS and macOS now let you frost Apple’s Liquid Glass

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    As expected, iOS 26.1 is out now for all Apple smartphone users today, and it includes what is sure to be a popular feature from the beta. Once installed, this update lets people opt to give the Liquid Glass look a frostier, more opaque appearance. You can find the option to tint the screen behind notifications and tab bars within the Settings menu. It’s under Display & Brightness, then the Liquid Glass section. The feature is also present in iPadOS 26.1 and macOS 26.1, both of which also dropped today.

    Ever since Apple unveiled the Liquid Glass design it had planned for the next versions of iOS, the aesthetic has been divisive. (We at Engadget have been pretty well split down the middle about it from the start.) The tinting of the newest operating systems joins a growing roster of accessibility and visibility options to customize how Liquid Glass looks, from the full-on transparent mode to a higher-contrast and higher-opacity approach.

    One other standout from the 26.1 OS releases is for the iPad users. Those of you who wanted the return of Slide Over for multitasking can breathe a sigh of relief: after appearing in the beta last month, the feature is back. Many iPad owners appreciated how Slide Over let them control screen real estate without constant rearranging of windows. The feature has been reimagined for the tablet’s current capabilities, essentially letting you pin a window to the top of your screen and hide it when you want. This window can also be resized and given your aspect ratio of choice.

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