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Meta Wants You to Pay for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Now

Meta is rolling out paid Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus, and WhatsApp Plus plans worldwide as of today.


Instagram Plus is priced at $3.99 per month, Facebook Plus is priced at $3.99 per month, and WhatsApp Plus is priced at $2.99 per month. According to TechCrunch, the paid plans provide features like profile customization, super reactions, and story insights.

Instagram Plus lets users see how many people have rewatched a Story, and it adds unlimited audience lists for Stories for creating groups other than Close Friends. Users can spotlight a story once a week for extra views, use Super Heart animated reactions, choose custom app icons, add customized fonts to a profile bio, extend a story beyond 24 hours, and search a story viewer list to see who is watching. Subscribers will also be able to post straight to their profiles without having the post show up in their followers' feeds, and they will be able to stealthily "preview" Instagram stories without showing up as a viewer.

Facebook Plus includes most of the same features as Instagram Plus, while WhatsApp Plus includes app themes, custom ringtones, more pinned chats, list customization, and premium stickers.

Meta head of product Naomi Gleit said the company is also exploring new subscription plans for creators and businesses, along with plans for AI users. The new plans are being offered under "Meta One" branding that combines subscription offerings from multiple Meta platforms.

The $7.99 Meta One Plus plan and the $19.99 Meta One Premium plan are aimed at Meta AI users. Both plans unlock higher compute queries, reasoning, and image/video generation, but Premium offers more capacity, including deeper reasoning for complex tasks.

A Meta One Essential plan priced at $14.99 per month is designed for creators and businesses. It includes a verified badge, impersonation protection, better analytics, and a linksheet that lets users link to their online profiles on the web and on other social media networks. The $49.99 Meta One Advanced plan includes the Essential options plus features in the Facebook feed, optimized scheduling tools, notifications when others reuse a creator's content, higher rankings in Instagram and Facebook search, a bolder Follow button on Reels, and automatic follow invitations for people who engage with a creator or brand's content.

Meta is going to start testing the AI Meta One plans in Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia next month. The business plans will be tested in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Thailand, and Bangladesh starting later this week.

Gleit described Meta One as a place that brings Meta subscriptions "together" across all Meta apps. She said Meta's new plans were "just the beginning with a lot more value to come."
This article, "Meta Wants You to Pay for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Now" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Samsung's 2026 Monitors Launch With $50 Discounts and Credit Towards Future Purchases

Samsung's newest monitors are now available to purchase this week, including the Odyssey G8, ViewFinity S8, and Movingstyle Essential. All of these are available with a $50 launch discount, plus your choice of extras including up to $300 in Samsung credit on a future purchase, a free Music Studio speaker, or free Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the Samsung Odyssey G8 monitors, you will find $50 discounts across every model of the new 2026 devices. Prices start at $899.99 for the 27-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor, and also include Samsung's first 6K monitor with the 32-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor for $1,549.99.



Samsung also has a new 40-inch ViewFinity S8 Curved Monitor on sale for $1,349.99 for launch week, as well as the Movingstyle Essential Monitor for $849.99, both $50 discounts. Additionally, the company announced a 27-inch model of the ViewFinity S8, but it's not yet available for purchase.



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.




Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Apple Just Expanded iPhone Driver's License Feature to 14th U.S. State

In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.


Starting today, the feature is available in Arkansas, which is the 14th state to offer it. However, it may take some time to roll out to all users.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards, select Arkansas from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

Supported States


The following states offer driver's licenses in the Wallet app:The feature is also available in Puerto Rico.

Future States


Apple or local DMV offices previously announced that the following U.S. states had signed on to adopt the feature, but no timeframes were disclosed:
  • Connecticut

  • Kentucky

  • Mississippi

  • Oklahoma

  • Utah

  • Virginia

Participating Airports


Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports in the U.S., for domestic travel. Given that Apple Wallet IDs are not accepted by law enforcement, and lack many other use cases, carrying a physical ID is still necessary.

Here are just some of the airports that offer the feature β€”Β there are hundreds of others:
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • Denver International Airport (DEN)

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)

  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

  • Los Angeles International (LAX)

  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

  • Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)

  • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

  • Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

  • Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

  • Missoula International Airport (MSO)

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

  • St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

  • Richmond International Airport (RIC)

  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

  • Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

  • Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
Travelers should refer to TSA signage to confirm availability of the feature.

Digital Passport



If you live in a state that does not yet offer Apple Wallet IDs, you can now create a Digital ID based on your U.S. passport, and present it at the same participating TSA checkpoints, for age and identity verification purposes during domestic travel. It is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel.

This feature requires iOS 26.1 or watchOS 26.1 and later.
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Atlanta's MARTA Breeze Card Now Available in Apple Wallet

Starting today, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)'s Breeze Card can be added to the Apple Wallet app, allowing commuters in the Atlanta, Georgia area to tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to pay their fare at train stations and on buses.


To add the Breeze Card to Apple Wallet, open the app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Transit Card and scroll down and select the Breeze Card. Then, follow the on-screen steps to complete the setup process.

Funds can be added to the Breeze Card directly in Apple Wallet, with both pay-per-ride and discounted passes for multiple rides available.

Express Mode allows commuters to simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment reader to pay for their ride, without needing to unlock or wake the device. This mode even works for up to five hours after an iPhone runs out of battery. Express Transit can be enabled per card in the Settings app under Wallet & Apple Pay.

Breeze Card has been available in the Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet apps since earlier this month, but Apple Wallet support was just added now.
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First Cases for Apple's Foldable iPhone Surface Online

Accessory maker iFunSmart has begun listing the first protective cases for Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, corroborating rumors about the device's design.


Case makers routinely begin mass producing accessories ahead of a new iPhone announcement, working from dummy units or leaked CAD files to size their molds. Their designs are speculative, but they have historically proven accurate to the millimeter, since accessory makers cannot afford to be left without product on launch day. Leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of foldable iPhone dummy units in April, providing the kind of reference template that typically circulates among case manufacturers.

The listings, spotted by French Apple site iPhoneSoft, show an unobtrusive rear camera plateau housing two lenses, a slim profile, and a circular cutout for MagSafe-style magnets. iFunSmart describes the cases as offering military-grade drop protection, integrated N52 magnets, a translucent matte finish, and 1.5mm raised camera lips alongside a 1mm raised screen bezel.

The design broadly corroborates the design outlined in rumors and seen on dummy units, suggesting the foldable's exterior is increasingly clear. Only two camera lens cutouts are present, in line with reports that Apple plans to skip the telephoto camera. A cutout for a Camera Control button is also visible, but there is no Action button. The listing depicts a multi-part case with separate snap-on sections rather than a single-piece shell owing to its folding design.


The presence of magnets in the case does not necessarily mean Apple has built MagSafe into the foldable iPhone itself, and there has previously been speculation that the device could lack the feature. The N52 magnets could simply be embedded into the case to attach to external β€ŒMagSafeβ€Œ accessories such as wireless chargers and car mounts, without aligning with a corresponding magnet array inside the device.

iFunSmart's listings are likely to be among the first of many. Accessory makers typically flood the market with cases in the months ahead of a new iPhone launch, and further variants from competing brands should appear in the run-up to the device's announcement.

Apple is widely expected to launch the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and β€ŒiPhone 18 Proβ€Œ Max in fall 2026. Leaks point to a 5.5-inch external display, a 7.8-inch inner display, a folded thickness of around 9.5mm and a thickness of about to 4.5mm when open, the A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, and Touch ID in the side button rather than Face ID. The device is expected to start at around $2,000.
Related Roundup: iPhone Fold

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iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is Just $59

Amazon is still offering the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.00, down from $99.00. We started tracking this deal earlier in the month, and it beats the previous low price by about $20.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is only compatible with the iPhone Air, and it can add up to 65 percent additional charge to the smartphone. The MagSafe Battery supports up to 12W of fast wireless charging, and it sports a thin and light design similar to the iPhone Air.



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.




Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Apple Updates Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch

Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most current iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models while reducing several Android offers.


The headline iPhone trade-in figure rises from $685 to $695, with every iPhone 16 model gaining value:


  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: $685 to $695

  • iPhone 16 Pro: $550 to $560

  • iPhone 16 Plus: $455 to $465

  • iPhone 16: $435 to $460



Every current β€ŒiPadβ€Œ also gains value, with the headline range shifting from $40 to $670 up to $45 to $690:


  • iPad Pro: $670 to $690

  • iPad Air: $445 to $460

  • iPad: $220 to $235

  • iPad mini: $250 to $265



Mac changes are mixed, with most current models gaining value:


  • MacBook Pro: $685 to $690

  • MacBook Air: $485 to $520

  • Mac mini: $340 to $375

  • iMac: Unchanged at $355



Despite those increases, the top of Apple's Mac trade-in range slips from $2,090 to $2,045, suggesting a reduction for a higher-end model not shown in Apple's summary table, such as the Mac Pro or Mac Studio. The Apple Watch lineup also gets a mix of revisions:


  • Apple Watch Ultra 2: $295 to $305

  • Apple Watch Series 9: $120 to $130

  • Apple Watch Series 10: Unchanged at $150

  • Apple Watch Ultra: $215 to $205



Android trade-in offers have largely been cut, with the headline range narrowing from $30 to $370 down to $30 to $360:


  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: $230 to $200

  • Google Pixel 8 Pro: $170 to $165

  • Samsung Galaxy S23: Unchanged at $125

  • OnePlus 12: Unchanged at $200



All Apple-listed values are estimates, with final offers determined after the device is received and inspected. Customers can apply trade-in credit toward a new purchase or receive the value as an Apple Gift Card, and Apple will recycle ineligible devices for free.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Apple's 'After the Whistle' Podcast to Return for World Cup

Apple today announced that "After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe" will return on June 7 for a third season built around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.


Hunt is an actor and cocreator of Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Lowe hosts NBC Sports' Premier League coverage and is cohosting FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast. The two will recap games as the tournament unfolds, with new episodes landing multiple times a week in the hours after notable matches.

The show is produced by Apple News and presented by Verizon, and will be available in audio and video on β€ŒApple Newsβ€Œ, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. The first episode arrives on June 7 with tournament previews.

Alongside the podcast, the β€ŒApple Newsβ€Œ app will feature tournament coverage from outside publishers, the schedule, scores, brackets, and player feeds. The free Apple Sports app, which Apple expanded to 90 more countries earlier this month, will offer live scores, stats, and a bracket view for the tournament.
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Apple Publishes Document to Help Users Tell Creator Studio Apps Apart

Apple yesterday published a support document to help users distinguish Apple Creator Studio versions of its professional creative apps from the standalone editions sold as one-time purchases.


The confusion stems from Apple's decision to ship two parallel variants of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, MainStage, Motion, Compressor, and Pixelmator Pro, with one available through the Apple Creator Studio subscription and one sold separately. Both editions share the same name and can be installed on the same Mac at the same time, leaving little to tell them apart at a glance.

Apple's solution is to give the Creator Studio versions of the apps redesigned icons with Liquid Glass. The new support document presents side-by-side icon comparisons for each of the six apps so users can identify which edition they are running or troubleshooting from the Dock or the Applications folder.

Apple does not typically publish a dedicated reference document for telling two of its own apps apart, and the move suggests the dual-version setup has produced enough real-world confusion to warrant public guidance.

Apple Creator Studio launched in January for $12.99 per month or $129 per year, bringing the company's pro creative apps under a single subscription. Apple said that some new features in its creative apps would be available only to subscribers going forward. Pixelmator Pro's inclusion was the first significant sign of how Apple is integrating the Pixelmator team, which it acquired in November 2024.
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More All-Black Apple Vision Pro Parts Surface Online

Images of parts designed for an unreleased all-black Apple Vision headset have been leaked online, courtesy of X account @LusiRoy8.


The image shows what appear to be power strap and audio pod parts that look identical to Apple's existing Apple Vision Pro hardware, except with a dark finish that is not commercially available. The account that shared the images claims that the parts are for a "upcoming" second-generation Apple Vision Pro in black.

It's not the first time we've seen black versions of hardware related to Apple's headset, with images surfacing of similar parts last year. The leaker of those earlier images claimed that Apple has been testing a thinner and lighter mixed-reality headset referred to internally as "Vision Air," featuring a Midnight-colored exterior and reduced weight achieved by switching several structural components and the battery enclosure to titanium.

Apple vison pro 2 upcoming black color pic.twitter.com/bCxtI7Yq5b

β€” pipfix (@LusiRoy8) May 26, 2026



Apple was widely expected to launch both a lower-cost headset, tentatively dubbed "Vision Air," and a redesigned second-generation Vision Pro. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in October that the company had paused development of all Vision headsets to focus on accelerating work on AI-powered smart glasses.

Gurman recently resisted reports that Apple has walked away from the headset entirely. The reporter says Apple hasn't fully abandoned the Vision Pro, but anyone hoping for a successor will be waiting at least two more years.

Indeed, Apple's smart glasses project is now the focus, and former Vision Products Group members have been reassigned to that team, as well as shoring up its Siri chatbot development. Apple is also busy working on other AI wearables such as the AirPods with cameras and a planned AI pendant.

Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirTag 2

Apple today released new firmware for its second-generation AirTag item trackers. The firmware has a 3.0.49 version number, up from 3.0.45, and it is the second firmware update that Apple has provided for the β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ 2.


There is no word yet on what's included in the firmware, but β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ firmware updates most often address bugs and make other under-the-hood improvements. Apple's prior firmware update tweaked the unwanted tracking sound to make it easier to find an unknown β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ when using Precision Finding.

Apple will provide details on what's in the 3.0.49 firmware when it updates its firmware support page.

For the original β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ, firmware was distributed on a rolling basis over two weeks, but Apple appears to be pushing firmware updates to all β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ 2 users at the same time.

You can check your AirTag firmware by opening the Find My app, going to the Items tab, selecting an β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ in the list, and tapping on the β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ's name to see its firmware version.

There is no way to force an β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ update, and firmware is installed over the air via a connected iPhone. To get new firmware, make sure your β€ŒAirTagβ€Œ is within range of your iPhone, and then wait for the firmware to roll out.
Related Roundup: AirTag
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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iOS 27 Siri Redesign Will Use Dark Color Scheme, Matching Apple's WWDC Art

Apple is redesigning Siri for iOS 27 to accommodate new artificial intelligence features and chatbot capabilities. β€ŒSiriβ€Œ is getting a dedicated app, integration with the iPhone's Dynamic Island, and a new design scheme.


The graphics that Apple is using to promote WWDC hint at its design plans for β€ŒSiriβ€Œ, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In this week's Power On newsletter, Gurman said the logo Apple uses for its WWDC website features the same colors it will use for β€ŒSiriβ€Œ animations and input fields in β€ŒiOS 27β€Œ.

Apple's WWDC site features the Swift bird logo in white on a black background, with subtle highlights in pink, dark blue, purple, and orange. The colors are reminiscent of the current β€ŒSiriβ€Œ animation that surrounds the iPhone's display when β€ŒSiriβ€Œ is activated, but the shades are softer and not as saturated.

The β€ŒSiriβ€Œ interface that Apple is testing uses all dark colors with no light mode available for now. Several of the new β€ŒSiriβ€Œ UI elements will have a dark background with a cursor that blinks in those same colors.

Apple is creating a dedicated app for β€ŒSiriβ€Œ for ongoing chatbot-style conversations, and it'll look similar to existing chatbot apps but with a Messages-style aesthetic. When β€ŒSiriβ€Œ is activated, there will be a pill-shaped animation in the β€ŒDynamic Islandβ€Œ and a glowing "searching" label while β€ŒSiriβ€Œ is answering a query. Results are displayed in a translucent panel, and pulling down on the panel will initiate a conversation interface.

Swiping down from the top center of the display will activate a system-wide search interface with a Search or Ask bar for typing or speaking questions to β€ŒSiriβ€Œ.

Apple plans to entirely overhaul β€ŒSiriβ€Œ, and the personal assistant will be able to do far more than before. Apple has licensed Google's Gemini models to power β€ŒSiriβ€Œ after its own AI models proved inadequate. With Gemini as β€ŒSiriβ€Œ's backbone, Apple should be able to match many of the AI features that Google offers.

β€ŒiOS 27β€Œ will be introduced at the WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, WWDC 2026
Tag: Siri

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Level Lock Pro Review: An Apple Home Key Smart Lock That Doesn't Look Like One

The Level Lock Pro is Level's latest smart lock, featuring Matter connectivity for Apple Home, multiple unlocking methods, door status, and the unassuming design that Level products are known for.


I've tested and reviewed several great HomeKit-compatible smart locks, but Level Locks are my personal favorite because of the look. From both the inside and the outside, Level Locks look like a standard deadbolt and not like a smart lock. I had feature-rich smart locks from Aqara that I was using for about a year after a review, but I got tired of looking at the bulky boxes on my doors. A couple of months ago, I bought two standard Level Locks, and then later, Level sent me the Level Lock Pro.

I don't think there's any smart lock solution that has a better aesthetic than the Level Lock, so if that's important to you, these are the locks to get. It comes in satin nickel and matte black, so it should match many standard doorknobs. The Level Lock Pro has an IP54 water and dust resistance rating, so it will hold up fine in the rain.


Level Locks are not the cheapest locks on the market, and depending on what you're comparing against, there's a premium for design. The Level Lock Pro is $349, and the Level Lock is $249. Aqara locks range from $150 to $270, and Matter locks from Eufy, Yale, and Kwikset are in that same range.

The Level Lock Pro replaces a standard deadbolt and strike plate on your door, so installation is a matter of pulling out the existing deadbolt and walking through the Level Lock Pro instructions to install the new lock. I am going to blame this on my crummy doors, but I have more trouble installing Level Locks than other smart locks. Level Locks have a wide, circular bolt that's not the shape of most deadbolts, and I haven't had a Level Lock setup where I didn't have to fuss with the fit of the lock in the door or the fit of the plate on the doorframe. I generally get things to work, but there's frustration involved.


There are smart locks that can unlock your door with fingerprint sensors, palm recognition, facial scans, and codes, but the Level Lock Pro is simpler. You can use a key, one of the two included NFC key fobs, tap to unlock with your phone or watch, use the Home app or Level app, or ask Siri to unlock the door.

The Level Lock Pro integrates with HomeKit using Matter, and it also supports Apple Home Key so you can store a key in the Wallet app on iPhone or Apple Watch. With Home Key, I can unlock my door without having to unlock my iPhone and with no need for Face ID. I just tap my phone or my watch on the lock, and it unlocks.


β€ŒSiriβ€Œ and the Home app work for unlocking too, and there's a Level app. I don't use the Level app, but it is available for locking and unlocking, assigning codes, setting up auto lock and auto unlock (which uses Bluetooth and unlocks when you're in range), adjusting sound, giving someone a door code, and enabling door status. Like the Level Lock, the Level app has an uncomplicated design, so it's easy to get to all of the features.

Door status is a Level Lock Pro feature that lets you know if your door is open or closed, and it works when the door is unlocked. I have the Level Lock Pro on my garage door, and it's a door that's often not locked, so it's useful to get an alert when it's opened.

I use the Home app and β€ŒSiriβ€Œ to unlock my Level Locks, especially if I'm not home and need to let someone in. I also ask β€ŒSiriβ€Œ to open the door as I approach, so a lot of the time, I'm not even using tap to unlock. The Home app sends a notification to my iPhone and Apple TV when a connected lock is locked or unlocked, and the Home app Activity log keeps track of when each door was locked or unlocked. Everyone that's invited to an Apple Home can access the lock, but you can also share access with the Level app. The Level app supports temporary entry, which is useful for a one-time event or a weekly cleaning.


The Home app is also useful for automations, like locking up automatically when everyone leaves the home or unlocking the door at a certain time. I have an automation that locks all my locks at 10:00 p.m., just in case I forget to lock one of the doors.


For remote access features, you need a Matter-over-Thread controller and a border router, which are requirements fulfilled by a HomePod or β€ŒApple TVβ€Œ. You need one of those to add any Matter-enabled device to β€ŒHomeKitβ€Œ. The Level Lock Pro connects to Apple Home using Thread instead of Wi-Fi, but if you want Wi-Fi connectivity, there is an optional Level Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. I haven't needed it because β€ŒHomeKitβ€Œ provides all of the same functionality. You can also add on a keypad if you want that option.


Most smart locks have a battery in the box that goes on the door, but the Level Lock Pro's battery is in the deadbolt. It uses a CR2 Lithium battery, which fits inside the deadbolt once the cap is taken off. Changing the battery is a matter of opening the door, locking it, popping out the old battery, and adding in the new one. The Level app lets you know battery status, so you can keep tabs on when it's time to update the battery. Each battery lasts for about a year, and I haven't had to change mine yet.

According to Level, the Level Lock Pro has an ANSI Grade 1 bump- and pick resistant cylinder, which isn't common for smart locks. That means it's resistant to lockpicking, it's harder to drill out, and lock bumping is harder.

How to Buy


The Level Lock Pro is available from the Level website or from Amazon.com for $349.

Note: Level provided MacRumors with Level Lock Pro for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

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Apple's Beautiful Barcelona Store Reopens With Pickup Station and More

Apple's beautiful Passeig de GrΓ cia store in the heart of Barcelona reopened today, after being closed for around three months for renovations.


According to the Spanish blog Applesfera, the store's large video wall has been replaced with a dedicated Apple Pickup station for online orders. The indoor trees and wood cube seats that surrounded the screen have also been removed. With these fixtures removed, the store's iconic glass staircase is more visible again.

In addition, the store's terrazzo floor has received a brighter white finish.

Apple Passeig de GrΓ cia's main floor after remodeling (via Applesfera)

Apple Passeig de GrΓ cia first opened in 2012, and it is one of the company's flagship retail locations. The store is on one of the most popular avenues in Barcelona, inside a historic former bank building with a stunning stone facade.
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Earn a Running Day Apple Watch Activity Award on June 3

Apple plans to hold an Apple Watch Activity Challenge to celebrate Global Running Day on Wednesday, June 3.


To complete the challenge, Apple Watch owners will be required to record a running workout of at least 5K on Global Running Day.
On June 3, the world runs as one. This Global Running Day, record a running workout of at least 5K (3.1 mi) to earn this award. Use the Workout app or any app that records workouts to Health.

As a reward, Apple Watch owners can unlock a dedicated award in the Fitness app, plus animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.








Apple has been celebrating Global Running Day since 2024, and it comes after the April 2026 Earth Day and International Dance Day Activity Challenges.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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iOS 26.6 Will Alert You When You've Maxed Out Blocked Contacts

Apple's iOS 26.6 update appears to add new wording around blocked contact limits, though it is unclear if the actual limits have changed.


Code in the beta suggests users will get a warning if they exceed the maximum number of blocked contacts. "You've reached the maximum number of blocked contacts. To block additional callers, remove a blocked contact in Settings," reads the alert, which is titled "Blocked Contacts Limit Reached."

Based on discussions on social media and Apple's Support Communities, some users have been unable to block additional contacts after hitting a 20,000 limit. Other people have mentioned running into issues after 8,000, and some have experienced issues with even fewer phone numbers blocked. Apple does not offer documentation on blocking limits.

With limits in the thousands at least, it's unlikely most people have had blocking problems, though a person who is blocking spam callers regularly could eventually hit a cap. iOS 26.6 might make it clearer when a limit has been reached, and what to do about it.

Removing older blocked contacts is the solution, which can be done by going to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts. There is no bulk unblocking tool, and the easiest way to remove a contact is to swipe left on each entry. Alternatively, you can select Edit, tap on the red minus button next to each contact, and choose the unblock option.

iOS 26 added an Ask Reason for Calling option that sends calls from people who aren't in your Contacts directly to voicemail, which is an easier option for spam call management than blocking phone numbers. With the feature turned on, a caller can state their reason for calling and the person receiving the call can decide whether to pick up. Alternatively, all calls from unknown numbers can be silenced and sent to voicemail with no alert using the Silence option.

Missed calls and voicemails from unknown callers can also be filtered into a separate Unknown Callers list in the Phone app. Some carriers also offer a separate spam detection option that can send calls from known spammers to the Spam list.

Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 26.6 to developers today, and the software may soon be made available to public beta testers. A public release is likely several weeks away. So far, there are no other known features in iOS 26.6.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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First macOS Tahoe 26.6 Beta Now Available for Developers

Apple today provided the first beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple launched β€ŒmacOS Tahoeβ€Œ 26.5.


Developers can download the β€ŒmacOS Tahoeβ€Œ 26.6 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

With macOS 27 set to be unveiled in less than a month, Apple is likely focusing most of its attention on the new software. We are not expecting any major new features in β€ŒmacOS Tahoeβ€Œ 26.6.

The beta is limited to developers right now, but a public beta is expected in the next week or two.
Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe
Related Forum: macOS Tahoe

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Apple Seeds First iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 Betas to Developers

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.


Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

With the debut of iOS 27 approaching in early June, Apple is wrapping up work on iOS 26. We are not expecting any major new features in the iOS 26.6 update, and it will likely focus on bug fixes and performance improvements.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Apple Releases First watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software two weeks after Apple launched the 26.5 versions of each platform.


The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.

There's no word on what's in the software as of yet. watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS often get few features in each new beta, with updates primarily focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements.

Apple will likely provide public beta testers with access to the tvOS 26.6 and watchOS 26.6 betas in a week or two, but visionOS 26.6 will remain limited to developers.
This article, "Apple Releases First watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Android Brands May Copy Apple's New Split iPhone Launch Strategy

Android manufacturers are planning to adopt Apple's split launch strategy, releasing high-end and standard models in separate windows rather than simultaneously, according to the leaker known as "Digital Chat Station."


The leaker made the claim in a new post on Weibo this week, saying the "Android camp may repeat this style of play" with Pro series and standard models launching separately in a move to "comprehensively go head-to-head" with Apple. The leaker described it as a move to "fully benchmark" Apple, suggesting the motivation is competitive rather than logistical.

The same post reiterated earlier predictions about Apple's plans. Starting this year, Apple is widely expected to break from its long-standing September release cycle by splitting the iPhone 18 lineup across two windows: the iPhone 18 Pro, β€ŒiPhone 18 Proβ€Œ Max, and the first foldable iPhone are expected to launch in fall 2026, while the standard β€ŒiPhone 18β€Œ, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air are expected in spring 2027.

Digital Chat Station attributed the delay partly to supply pressure on memory and 2nm chip production, which is an explanation consistent with Nikkei Asia's corroborating report in January, which also cited a deliberate commercial motive to maximize revenue from premium models before cheaper alternatives arrive.

Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information have also supported the rumor of the split launch. Kuo framed the strategy as a way to prevent "diluted marketing efforts" as Apple's lineup expands to six devices and to address the "marketing gap" created by Chinese Android brands that typically launch their flagships in the first half of the year, a window Apple has historically ceded entirely to Android.

If Android brands do adopt the same release plan, it would mark a noticeable departure from current practice. Samsung, Apple's most direct competitor, launches its Galaxy S flagship family, standard, Plus, and Ultra, simultaneously each February or March, then launches foldables in a separate mid-year event in July. All tiers of the S series ship together and there is no equivalent of deliberately holding the base model back.

Xiaomi regularly launches flagship models in China several months before a global rollout, and its Ultra-tier models often arrive weeks or months after standard and Pro variants within the same generation. Oppo and Vivo similarly stagger Ultra devices relative to their base flagships, but in each case the split is led by entry level models debuting first, followed by high-end devices.

Should Android manufacturers adopt Apple's new plan, it would largely represent an inversion of the current approach, with premium models leading and standard devices following months later.
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Apple Watch for Diabetes: The Latest on Apple's Plans for Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Monitoring

For many years now, it has been rumored that the Apple Watch will eventually gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring capabilities, which would enable millions of people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels without needing to prick their skin with a needle or wear a dedicated continuous glucose monitor.


According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple recently shifted oversight of the project from its platform architecture chief Tim Millet to Zongjian Chen, a senior engineer overseeing advanced technologies within the company.

He framed this change as positive news for the project, which has apparently been in development for more than 15 years.

"Some view the transition as a sign the work may finally be progressing to a point where Chen, known as someone who delivers, can ramp up development of the technology into an eventual consumer-grade offering," he said.

In 2023, Gurman reported that Apple's system would rely on a laser that would emit light under the skin to determine a person's blood glucose level.

"The system uses lasers to emit specific wavelengths of light into an area below the skin where there is interstitial fluid β€” substances that leak out of capillaries β€” that can be absorbed by glucose," he said. "The light is then reflected back to the sensor in a way that indicates the concentration of glucose."

An algorithm would ultimately determine a person's blood glucose level, and the feature could also alert users to potential signs of prediabetes.

While the project has new leadership, the Apple Watch is still unlikely to gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring for several more years, if ever. But if Apple eventually achieves this moonshot, the Apple Watch would provide diabetic people with a more comfortable and convenient solution for keeping track of their blood sugar.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Leaker Pushes Back on Rumors of Pro iPhone's Return to Titanium

The Pro iPhone models are unlikely to return to titanium in the near future due to the heat dissipation demands of local AI, according to a known Weibo leaker.


The claim comes from the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," and pushes back on an earlier report from "Instant Digital," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames. Fixed Focus Digital argues that aluminum's thermal properties make it the only practical choice for now, given the processing requirements of AI features. The leaker adds that this is not an Apple-specific issue, noting that Android and Huawei HarmonyOS devices also prioritize aluminum for the same reason.

Instant Digital's earlier report argued that Apple's switch from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro was a compromise solution while it continued to develop longer-term alternatives. The leaker claimed Apple was exploring both liquid metal and revised titanium alloys for future Pro models, with both materials reportedly already earmarked for the upcoming foldable iPhone.

Apple switched away from titanium following overheating complaints on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, although the iPhone Air continues to use it. Fixed Focus Digital's assessment suggests aluminum is more deeply entrenched in Apple's plans than Instant Digital's framing implied, at least for the foreseeable future. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum unibody design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, meaning any material change is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
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Distribution Release: IPFire 2.29 Core 202

The DistroWatch news feed is brought to you by TUXEDO COMPUTERS. The IPFire team have announced the release of a new version, IPFire 2.29 Core Update 202. The new version mostly places a focus on addressing kernel security bugs. "We would like to encourage to install this update as soon as possible to be protected against the unusually large....
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iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.


It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of May 2026:
  • Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.

  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.

  • LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which should contribute to longer battery life.

  • Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

  • A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.

  • C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.

  • 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.

  • N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.

  • Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.

  • Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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Distribution Releases: AlmaLinux OS 10.2, 9.8

The DistroWatch news feed is brought to you by TUXEDO COMPUTERS. The AlmaLinux project has published two new versions of its distribution - AlmaLinux OS 10.2 and 9.8. The combined release announcement shares new features: "AlmaLinux 10.2 introduces updated compiler toolsets, new language and database packages, and improved security. This release adds Python 3.14, PostgreSQL 18, MariaDB 11.8, Ruby....
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Apple's M5 MacBook Air Hits New Low Price of $899.99

Amazon today has introduced a new record low price on the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, available for $899.99, down from $1,099.00. This deal is available in all colors and as of writing only Amazon has the discount.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This new price is about $50 cheaper when compared to past sales. Amazon also has $149 off the 1TB models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, which match all-time low prices on these devices. Delivery dates vary depending on the color selected, but most will arrive before the end of the month.



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.




Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Foldable iPhone Reportedly Facing Mass Production Issues

Apple's first foldable iPhone is running into mass production yield problems at the pre-assembly stage, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" claims.


In a post today on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said Apple's troubles are not related to hinge reliability, as was previously reported, but rather due to surface-mount technology (SMT) during pre-assembly, with production yields failing to ramp up. The leaker framed the situation as somewhat concerning, stopping short of suggesting the fall launch is at risk.

The update arrives days after a separate leaker known as "Instant Digital" reported that the device's hinge was consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. Instant Digital described that issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection," though a follow-up post suggested the hinge difficulties were unlikely to affect the expected release window.

DigiTimes reported in April that production was already running roughly one to two months behind schedule, while still maintaining that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital reported in April that price negotiations with Apple's assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.

Whatever the precise nature of the problems, the picture that has emerged across multiple supply chain sources in recent weeks is one of unusual production difficulties. That said, a fall launch does not appear to be at risk; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple is aiming to put it on sale at roughly the same time or slightly later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that "the release is six months away and production has yet to ramp up" and "the timing isn't final."

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000.
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Russ Allbery: Review: The Keeper of Magical Things

Review: The Keeper of Magical Things, by Julie Leong

Publisher: Ace
Copyright: 2025
ISBN: 0-593-81593-9
Format: Kindle
Pages: 353

The Keeper of Magical Things is a cozy fantasy novel. It is set in the same universe as The Teller of Small Fortunes, but it doesn't share any characters or plot, they're not marketed as a series, and so far as I can remember neither book would spoil the other. It is Julie Leong's second novel.

Certainty Bulrush is a novice mage with one reliable magical ability: She can talk to objects and occasionally convince them to do small things. This ability is clearly magical, which means Certainty is indeed a mage, but this appears to be all that her magic can do. The Guild has requirements for the level of magical ability required to become a full mage that go beyond talking stained quilts into unstaining themselves, which is why Certainty has been a novice for six years.

This by itself is a problem, since Certainty's cohort keeps passing her by. Worse, though, is that she was counting on the wages of a full mage to pay for her brother's training to become an apothecary. The thought of failing him is extremely upsetting. Certainty therefore jumps at an offered mission to take a cartload of excess magical objects that are causing a dangerous build-up of energies in the Guildtower to safe storage in the small and very unmagical village of Shpelling. Successful completion of that mission will earn Certainty a promotion to Deputy Keeper and therefore to a full mage.

This is the opportunity she didn't know to hope for. The only drawback is that she will have to work with Mage Aurelia, the famously off-putting farspeaker and magical scholar the other novices refer to as the ice witch.

Aurelia is every bit as icy, formal, and condescending as Certainty was afraid she would be, Shpelling grows nothing but garlic, and the inhabitants are suspicious and hostile. The mission could be a disaster if it weren't for Certainty's stubborn good nature.

It's arguably a spoiler to say that there's an enemies to lovers romance, but it's hinted at on the cover, mentioned in the publisher's blurb and, honestly, if you aren't expecting an enemies to lovers romance by a few chapters in, you probably haven't read many books of this sort.

I found The Keeper of Magical Things quietly enjoyable but extremely predictable. If you're in the mood for what it's offering, the predictability may not be a problem, but it was the kind of book where the direction the plot was headed was so obvious that I got a bit bored waiting for it to arrive. Certainty has a good heart, humble origins, limited but specialized magical ability, and a self-esteem problem, and if you've read much fantasy, you've probably read two or three or a dozen other books with variations of this protagonist. You know how they generally turn out, and that is indeed what you're going to get after the obligatory setbacks and tragedies and looming catastrophes.

Aurelia, similarly, is a variation on a character you've probably met before. Certainty discovers, not long into the book, that the brilliant over-achieving mage wears a necklace (supposedly to help her focus) that constantly whispers to her how inadequate she is and how much harder she needs to work. The necklace was given to her by her parents. This book is not exactly subtle.

That said, there's nothing wrong with the characterization. Both Certainty and Aurelia are interesting characters with rounded-out personalities, although it takes a while before Certainty (or the reader) is allowed to see Aurelia's. Their interactions with the inhabitants of Shpelling are fun to watch in the same way that it can be fun to watch people play PowerWash Simulator. You're not in overwhelming suspense about what's going to happen, but the details are amusing and it is satisfying to watch people with good intentions slowly fix things. There is a plot, and a villain, and a not-subtle message about how everyone deserves acknowledgment and respect, and the hours I spent reading about these characters were enjoyable.

The problem with this book isn't that there's anything wrong with it, but that it may not give you more enjoyment than another book you could have been reading. I quite liked The Teller of Small Fortunes in part because it surprised me in a few places and the main character felt a bit different than the typical fantasy protagonist. The Keeper of Magical Things felt less original and a bit more obvious and predictable. It was still quietly good-hearted and occasionally charming, and I think I'll still remember Certainty in a few months, but I'm not feeling the urge to push it into anyone's hands.

If you're in the mood for a gentle fantasy about finding solutions to people's problems and waiting out the prickliness of people who desperately need a friend, you may enjoy this a great deal. Just don't expect unpredictable twists and turns or a surprising plot structure.

An apparent third book in this loose series, The Isle of Lonely Monsters, is currently scheduled for publication in 2027.

Rating: 6 out of 10

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Ferrari Reveals $640,000 EV Co-Designed by Jony Ive

Ferrari today unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, designed with help from Apple's former design chief Jony Ive.


"Designed with Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson at the creative collective LoveFrom, a singular design language unites the exterior, interior, and interface with clarity and refined simplicity throughout," said Ferrari.

The exterior of the car has a "smooth, continuous, and uninterrupted" design, with a "shell-like form" and "floating front and rear aerodynamic wings."


The interior has "precision-engineered mechanical buttons, dials, toggles, and switches" combined with "multifunctional digital displays."

The three-spoke steering wheel is machined from 100% recycled aluminum.


The four-door, five-seat Luce is powered by four electric motors providing up to 1,035 horsepower, and it is equipped with a high‑capacity 122 kWh battery. Ferrari says the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.5 seconds.

A dedicated app offers climate controls and charging settings, and it displays the car's status.


Luce pricing starts at €550,000 ($640,000) in Europe, with production set to begin in late 2026. The car will launch in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2027.


Apple was rumored to be working on its own electric vehicle for more than a decade, but the project was ultimately canceled in 2024.
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