Cook responded by saying that "the Trump administration is very accessible."
"So you can talk with them about your point of view on things," said Cook. "They may not agree, but you can engage. You can be heard. You may not, in the end, be able to convince. But engagement for me, not just in the U.S. but around the world, is so important because it is very complex, working through local laws, local customs, local culture, local regulations. Every country is its own story. Everybody's looks at things differently."
"The only way you get a feel for that is to sit before someone and communicate and engage," he added. "If you went in my conference room, you would see the Teddy Roosevelt quote 'It is not the critic who counts.' I've never believed that just yelling from the sideline about plus or minus was a good strategy. Your voice just goes into the wind."
Cook went on to say that it is important to have "values that are consistent," and he assured that Apple's values and his own have not changed.
He emphasized Apple's focus on user privacy, the environment, accessibility, and education.
"So you'll see me everywhere, and you'll wonder 'oh, he's meeting with somebody that has a different view than him,'" Cook concluded. "I think that's good. I think it's good. I think a problem in the world right now is that it's so polarized and different views aren't shared or discussed. They just become hardened. And I don't think that's good."
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Starting today, the AirPods Max 2 are available for purchase at many Apple Store locations around the world, and deliveries to customers have also begun.
Apple's website shows same-day pickup availability at many Apple Stores in the U.S. and abroad.
AirPods Max 2 are equipped with the H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2. Compared to the previous generation, the new AirPods Max feature up to 1.5× more active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation.
AirPods Max 2 feature a new high dynamic range amplifier for "even cleaner audio," and Apple says Spatial Audio content "sounds better than ever." The headphones also have reduced wireless audio latency compared to the previous generation.
A new Camera Remote feature allows users to press the Digital Crown on the AirPods Max 2 to take a photo and start or stop video recording while using Apple's Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps on an iPhone or iPad.
The headphones still have a USB-C port and up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled.
Color options remain Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Purple, and Blue, and pricing remains set at $549 in the U.S., although there is already an Amazon sale.
TechRadar's Jacob Krol recently sat down with Apple's VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet and Director of Audio Product Marketing Eric Treski to discuss the AirPods Max 2, including the H2 chip and increased active noise cancellation.
AirPods Max 2 have the same overall design as the previous generation, with most of the improvements coming from the upgrade to the H2 chip, including up to 1.5× more active noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation.
Even still, Apple suggested that the H2 chip has more to offer, with future AirPods Max 2 firmware updates likely to unlock additional features.
"H2 is this platform that continues to demonstrate that it has continued headroom," said Millet.
Regarding the up to 1.5× more active noise cancellation, Apple said it is not a cherry-picked stat.
"We take that average at 1.5 times across an average of all frequencies," said Treski. "We're not cherry-picking individual frequencies or a certain range."
TechRadar's interview contains more comments from Millet and Treski, so be sure to check it out if you are interested in learning more.
AirPods Max 2 are available at Apple Stores and began arriving to customers starting today.
The iPhone 17e and iPhone 17 are among the most affordable iPhones in Apple's current lineup, separated by just $200, but the gap between them is more significant than the price difference alone suggests.
The $599 iPhone 17e is Apple's budget-first option, built around the efficient C1X modem and a single-camera system. The $799 iPhone 17, meanwhile, represents a substantial update over the iPhone 16, featuring a larger display with ProMotion, a much-improved Ultra Wide camera, a brighter panel, and significantly longer battery life. Understanding where the 17e makes compromises is key to making the right choice. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.
The two devices share the same A19 chip and main rear camera system. Both support Face ID, MagSafe charging, USB-C, and Apple Intelligence. Here is everything that differs between them:
Available in Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, and Black
12-megapixel front-facing camera
18-megapixel front-facing camera
Tap to zoom and rotate on front-facing camera
Center Stage front-facing camera
Ultra-stabilized video on front-facing camera
48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera
1x or 2x optical zoom options
0.5x, 1x, or 2x optical zoom options
Optical image stabilization
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Photographic Styles
Latest-generation Photographic Styles
Macro photography
Spatial photos and videos
Cinematic mode (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)
Action mode
Dual Capture (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps)
Camera Control
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
Apple C1X modem
Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 modem
mmWave 5G connectivity
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Bluetooth 6 connectivity
Apple N1 chip for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Thread connectivity
Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding
GPS
Precision dual-frequency GPS
26-hour battery life
30-hour battery life
Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher
256GB or 512GB storage
256GB or 512GB storage
Starts at $599
Starts at $799
Released March 2026
Released September 2025
For most buyers choosing between these two devices, the iPhone 17e is the default choice. At $200 less, it delivers the same A19 chip and main rear camera as the iPhone 17, with an excellent 26-hour battery life and Apple Intelligence support. The iPhone 17e is an outstanding device for price-conscious customers.
That said, the iPhone 17 is a substantially more capable device across several areas that will matter to many buyers. The jump to a 6.3-inch ProMotion display with Always-On is one of the most significant display upgrades ever to come to a non-Pro iPhone. The iPhone 17 also brings a peak outdoor brightness of 3,000 nits versus the 17e's 800 nits, which makes a dramatic difference in direct sunlight.
The camera gap is also wide. The iPhone 17's 48-megapixel Ultra Wide represents a major increase in utility over the 17e, which has no Ultra Wide camera at all. The 17 also gains Camera Control, macro photography, Spatial photo and video capture, Cinematic mode, Action mode, and a significantly upgraded 18-megapixel front-facing camera with Center Stage and Dual Capture. If you shoot video regularly, take a lot of selfies, or use your camera as a creative tool, the iPhone 17 is the meaningfully better device.
The two devices also differ significantly in design. The iPhone 17e carries forward a form factor based on the iPhone 13, with flatter edges and a traditional notch, while the iPhone 17 features a more modern design with softer, more rounded edges and the Dynamic Island in place of a notch. The iPhone 17 also offers a wider selection of colors, with five options compared to the 17e's three.
For buyers upgrading from an iPhone 13 or older, either model will feel like a dramatic improvement, but the iPhone 17 is the better long-term investment given the display and camera advantages. The iPhone 17e is an excellent value at $599 and it makes very few compromises on the fundamentals, but the iPhone 17 offers so much more for $200 extra that it is hard to argue against if your budget allows. A larger display with ProMotion and the Dynamic Island, a vastly more capable camera system, and four additional hours of battery life represent a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade. New buyers who want the most complete iPhone experience at the lower end of the lineup should strongly consider spending the extra $200 for the iPhone 17.
In iOS, Apple's Audio Zoom feature automatically focuses your iPhone's microphones on whatever you've zoomed in on while recording video. It's great for isolating a subject in a noisy environment, but it can also strip away the ambient sound that can give your footage a broader context. Fortunately, iOS 26.4 adds a dedicated toggle for Audio Zoom so you can decide for yourself when it's truly required.
What Is Audio Zoom?
Audio Zoom is likely to be most useful if you're recording at a concert, sporting event, or any scenario where you want to isolate a specific sound source from a noisy environment. But what if you want to capture the full acoustic experience rather than just the subject you've zoomed in on? In those situations, the audio narrowing effect could risk making your video sound flat and unnatural.
In iOS 26.4, Audio Zoom is on by default, but now you can also turn it off. If you haven't updated yet, head to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your iPhone to download the latest version. Once you're up and running, here's how to find the setting:
Open Settings on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Camera.
Tap Record Sound.
Toggle Audio Zoom on or off.
Note that Audio Zoom only works when Spatial Audio or Stereo is selected as your recording format. If you've switched to Mono, the option will be grayed out.
If you shoot a lot of zoomed-in video and want the clearest possible audio of your subject, it's best to leave Audio Zoom enabled. But if you prefer capturing the full ambient soundscape of a scene regardless of zoom level, be sure to switch it off.
Accessory company Alogic has been releasing an increasing number of displays, and the latest model arrives as a 40-inch 5K2K ultrawide model that joins existing 34-inch and 40-inch 4K models in the Edge family. I've been testing out the new 40-inch 5K2K model for the past few months, and I've found it to be a solid display offering major screen real estate for productivity users.
As a 40-inch ultrawide display, the Edge 5K is big, and it arrives in a fairly large box, although it is packaged efficiently with styrofoam padding, stand parts, and other accessories nestled around the massive display. The Edge 5K is available in either silver or space gray, and setup is simple, with a large metal foot that's attractively thin paired with a solid arm that features a cable passthrough for organization. The two stand pieces attach easily to each other with a single screw that can be tightened by hand or with a screwdriver, and the whole stand snaps easily into the back of the display.
Alternatively, you can use any sturdy 100×100mm VESA mount if you prefer a different method of supporting the display. A separate 180-watt power brick powers the display and attached accessories, and it can push up to 90 watts upstream to a connected computer.
I will say that there is a bit of wobble in the display, due partly to the sheer size of the display panel and also the range of adjustments supported by the stand, which includes height, tilt, swivel, and rotation. It remains stable enough on my desk amid vibrations from typing and other movement, but it can definitely wobble if you bump it or have it on surface that is anything less than rock solid. Alogic tells me the bit of wobble is a tradeoff it elected to make in order to maximize adjustability. It's certainly not a deal-breaker for me, but something to be aware of.
This display looks sleek, with thin black bezels around the top and sides and then a thicker silver aluminum chin with some subtle Alogic branding and a power status light (that does unfortunately pulse rather brightly while the display is sleeping, so be aware if you're using it in a bedroom). The panel housing itself has a very thin profile on the upper two-thirds, and then a thicker portion bulging out of the back on the lower third where the stand attachment, ports, and electronics are housed.
The upper two thirds is actually glass on the rear, which brings a bit of class if you position your display such that the rear of it is visible. The design also takes advantage of the display backlight to provide a lighted Alogic logo on the rear of the display, which could be a positive or a negative depending on your preference. Alogic tells me it put extra focus on the design of the display's backside, based on feedback from users who like to use these monitors in offices where the rear is frequently visible to others sitting across a desk, for example.
I was impressed with the display quality out of the box. I really didn't need to make any adjustments in either macOS or the through on-screen menus of the display, though I did ultimately play around with them to understand the range of adjustments that are available. As a 40-inch 5K2K display, it measures in at 5,120 by 2,160 pixels at 138 pixels per inch. That doesn't match true Retina pixel density of an iMac or a smaller 4K or 5K display, but I was pleasantly surprised at how sharp everything looked, even coming from my usual setup of as pair of high-density LG UltraFine 5K displays.
The Edge 5K offers 100% coverage of the sRGB spectrum, 99% of DCI-P3, and 94% of Adobe RGB. It also supports refresh rates up to 100Hz, and while that's not as high as some gaming-specific displays on the market, the bandwidth demands of the display's high resolution limits the ability to push a super-high refresh rate. Still, 100Hz is great for a productivity-focused setup and will even work fine for many games.
This is a matte display, so definitely be aware of that if it's a concern for you. I'm doing productivity work near a window and can get a bit of glare at certain times of day, so I prefer matte displays and this one looks great to my eye. It's an IPS panel with up to 400 nits of typical brightness, which is fine for my workspace although there are brighter displays on the market.
While you can certainly run the display at full 5,120 × 2,160 resolution, I found that it made on-screen content too small given the viewing distance I am typically at. On the other end, running at 2,560 × 1,080 as a true Retina display made content too large, so I found the 3,840 × 1,620 scaled option to be the perfect resolution for this display in my setup. It provides a large canvas for putting multiple apps and windows side-by-side, with everything appearing at a legible size, and macOS handles scaled resolutions quite well so I had no issues with display quality.
Coming from a pair of 27-inch 5K displays, I did have to figure out a new layout for my desktop with the slightly smaller amount of screen real estate, but having it all on one display made it easier to adjust my window sizes and tile them on my desktop.
The Edge 5K features a number of handy connectivity options on the rear, with display connectivity options of USB-C (supports both data and power delivery), DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI 2.0 (refresh rate limited to 30Hz at 5K resolution). When connected over USB-C, the display also acts as a hub with two additional downstream USB-C ports running at USB 2.0 speeds, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack for connecting headphones or externally-powered speakers (does not support microphone input).
Two 3-watt speakers are built into the display, but as is typical in most displays, they don't sound great. The speakers also don't integrate with Mac keyboard shortcut keys for volume (the same is true for display brightness), but Alogic tells me it's planning a firmware update for around the middle of the year to add this functionality.
The rear of the Edge 5K features a joystick button to access and navigate through the on-screen menus. It provides quick access to volume, brightness, display presets, and cycling through connected video sources, and then you can dive deeper into an array of adjustments for the backlight, contrast, blue light shift, Adaptive Sync, sharpness, Picture by Picture and Picture in Picture mode settings, color temperature, HDR, and more.
The Alogic Edge 5K is normally priced at $1,699.99, but Alogic is currently offering a 10% discount that brings it down to $1,529.99. Silver and Space Gray color options are available, and it comes with a solid two-year warranty.
Comparison to Apple's Studio Display
At this price point, it is natural to compare the Edge 5K to Apple's just-upgraded Studio Display, but these displays serve very different purposes. The Studio Display measures just 27 inches with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and for most users it will run best in true Retina mode, yielding a desktop size of 2,560 × 1,440 from the display's 5,120 × 2,880 pixels.
While the Edge 5K also offers 5,120 pixels in the horizontal dimension, the 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio means it offers fewer pixels in the vertical dimension than the Studio Display. But the much larger 40-inch size means you can effectively have more screen real estate than on the Studio Display if you run it a scaled resolution in between full and Retina sizes.
The Studio Display does of course also offer a true Apple design aesthetic and build quality, and offers tight integration with macOS that the Edge 5K can't currently match. The Edge 5K also lacks a built-in webcam and microphone, and downstream USB-C connectivity options are more limited at just USB 2.0 speeds.
On the positive side, the Edge 5K offers more connectivity options, so if you have a PC or other video source, you can use HDMI or DisplayPort to connect it directly to the Edge 5K without the need for adapters, and you can easily switch between inputs or even take advantage of dual sources simultaneously with Picture in Picture or Picture by Picture.
Both of these displays are toward the pricier end of things among more mainstream displays, but they're different enough that you should be able weigh your needs (physical display size, connectivity, etc.) to figure out what's most important to you and which display will meet those needs the best.
Note: Alogic provided MacRumors with the Edge 5K display for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Alogic. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple was founded 50 years ago today, and the company has celebrated the milestone in a variety of ways over the past few weeks, as outlined below.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook kicked things off by sharing a letter titled "50 Years of Thinking Different" on Apple's website. The letter touches on the 50th anniversary and says that "the world is moved forward by people who think different."
"Think Different" was a famous slogan used by Apple in the late 1990s to early 2000s.
"At Apple, we're more focused on building tomorrow than remembering yesterday," a part of Cook's letter reads. "But we couldn't let this milestone pass without thanking the millions of people who make Apple what it is today."
Third, much of Apple's senior leadership gathered at Apple Park to ring the Nasdaq stock market index's opening bell on Tuesday morning. Apple executives in attendance included Cook, operations chief Sabih Khan, services chief Eddy Cue, retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, financial chief Kevan Parekh, hardware engineering chief John Ternus, hardware design chief Molly Anderson, and others.
50 years of Apple, 50 years of innovation.
Thank you to our teams, our users, and everyone who’s been part of the journey. #Apple50pic.twitter.com/YYkMN24Vzc
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 1, 2026
Apple may have a few other things in store for us, but with it now being April 1, the anniversary celebrations are likely wrapping up. So far, the company has not publicly released any special products or merchandise to mark the occasion.
Apple's new AirPods Max 2 launch today, and Amazon is one of the only retailers offering any sort of discount on the headphones. You can get the Midnight color option for $529.00 on Amazon, down from $549.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Although this is only a $20 discount on the AirPods Max 2, it's the best markdown you'll find online if you're looking to order the new headphones. Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around April 6, but they can be delivered as soon as tomorrow with Prime shipping.
In other AirPods discounts on Amazon, you can get the AirPods Pro 3 for the all-time low price of $199.00 right now, down from $249.00. 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.
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Apple's website homepage is doing its part for the company's 50th anniversary celebrations today, showcasing a special animated video that references some of Apple's most memorable products.
The sketch-style animation outlines the original Mac, iMac, iPod, MacBook, AirPods, iPhone 17 Pro, and Vision Pro, as well as the Finder icon, App Store, Apple Music, and more. Beneath the video, the webpage reads:
50 Years of Thinking Different
At 50 years, it's only natural to look back. But Apple has always looked forward, building tools and delivering experiences that enrich people's lives. As we celebrate how far we've come, we're inspired by where we'll go – together.
Separately, Apple CEO Tim Cook has shared on X (Twitter) a video celebrating 50 years of innovation at Apple, featuring many of the same products alluded to in the homepage animation.
50 years of Apple, 50 years of innovation.
Thank you to our teams, our users, and everyone who’s been part of the journey. #Apple50pic.twitter.com/YYkMN24Vzc
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 1, 2026
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, making the company officially 50 years old today. An Apple Park show headlined by Paul McCartney last night capped weeks of anniversary events that also included performances by Alicia Keys at Apple Grand Central in New York City and Mumford & Sons at Apple Battersea in London.
Paul McCartney performed a concert for Apple employees at Apple Park in Cupertino last night, capping the company's 50th anniversary celebrations with a career-spanning set that included songs from The Beatles, Wings, and his solo career.
Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced McCartney to the crowd, calling him "a songwriter, a pioneer and one of the most influential artists of all time" and adding that he has "been a lifelong fan of his music and so have billions of people all over the planet." The show took place under Apple Park's rainbow arches, which had been transformed into a full concert stage with lighting rigs and large screens on either side.
McCartney's setlist spanned his entire career. Beatles classics including "Help," "Got To Get You Into My Life," "Blackbird," "Lady Madonna," "Something," "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," "From Me To You," "Getting Better," "Let It Be," and "Hey Jude" featured alongside Wings cuts "Coming Up," "Let Me Roll It," "Let 'Em In," "Band On The Run," and solo favorites "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Every Night." The show closed with "Golden Slumbers." McCartney also staged his famous "Live and Let Die" pyrotechnics segment.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman had hinted at McCartney as the headliner days before the show, saying "he's still going strong, was part of the British Invasion and Jobs would've been ecstatic." McCartney's Apple Park appearance was confirmed when images of his soundcheck circulated on social media, showing the 83-year-old artist and his band on the illuminated rainbow stage inside the ring.
The concert came just days after McCartney played two intimate, phone-free shows at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, where the 1,200-seat venue attracted a remarkable cross-section of Hollywood: Attendees included Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Margot Robbie, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Elton John, Jon Hamm, Harrison Ford, Reese Witherspoon, Anthony Kiedis, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McCrae, Laura Dern, Emma Watson, Steve Carell, Dakota Johnson, and more. McCartney's 19th studio album, "The Boys of Dungeon Lane," is set to be released next month.
It’s one thing to have Paul McCartney at work, but it’s another thing to have a display like this at the same time pic.twitter.com/MAF21f2kJ2
— Steven Peterson ️ (@squeakytoy) April 1, 2026
The choice of McCartney carries particular historical resonance. The Beatles founded Apple Corps, their own record label and holding company, in 1968, eight years before Steve Jobs started Apple Computer. Jobs was a lifelong Beatles fan who once said "my model for business is The Beatles," describing them as four people who balanced each other and produced something greater than the sum of their parts.
The shared name was a source of costly legal friction between the two companies for nearly three decades, resolved only in 2007 when Apple Inc. purchased all trademarks related to "Apple" and licensed some of them back to Apple Corps. The Beatles' catalogue didn't arrive on iTunes until 2010, and has been on Apple Music ever since, making McCartney's appearance at Apple Park something of a full-circle moment.
Apple has quietly reduced the price of the Studio Display XDR when configured with the VESA mount adapter, dropping it from $3,299 to $2,899 – a $400 cut. The nano-texture VESA version has also dropped from $3,599 to $3,199.
Apple has also reworked the purchasing pattern on its website, making the stand choice the first step in the configuration process instead of the glass selection.
When the Studio Display XDR launched last month, both stand options cost the same $3,299. That felt unfair to a lot of people, since the VESA mount adapter is just a flat metal plate that lets you attach the display to a monitor arm or wall mount, whereas the alternative stand is both height- and tilt-adjustable.
VESA mount options are normally priced lower than the fancier stand versions on most displays (including Apple's own Pro Display XDR, for which the VESA option was always cheaper). The price change for the Studio Display XDR is therefore more in line with how these things are typically priced.
The standard Studio Display has not received a similar adjustment – both the tilt-adjustable stand and VESA mount configurations of the non-XDR model remain priced at $1,599 – but the cheaper tilt-adjustable stand is usually considered price-equivalent to the VESA mount.
Apple on Wednesday will issue software updates to devices still running iOS 18 to protect them from an exploit called DarkSword, which can silently take over an iPhone if it visits a website infected with the malicious code.
Devices on iOS 26 are already protected against DarkSword, but in a surprising move for Apple, its latest critical update is designed to specifically protect vulnerable iOS 18 users who have consciously decided not to update to iOS 26, even though their iPhone model supports it. Some users may be hesitant to upgrade to iOS 26 because of the Liquid Glass design overhaul that makes major changes to the iPhone interface.
"Tomorrow we are enabling the availability of an iOS 18 update for more devices so users with auto-update enabled can automatically receive important security protections," an Apple spokesperson told Wired. "We encourage all users with supported devices to update to iOS 26 to receive our most advanced protections."
iPhone users can install the updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, and selecting the Software Update option. Those with automatic updates turned on will see the new software installed automatically.
It's the second time in the last few weeks that Apple has pushed a critical update to iPhones running out-of-date software. On March 11, Apple issued a patch to protect users from a different iOS hacking toolkit known as Coruna. The patch was for older devices that can't run iOS 26. Apple recommended that everyone else update to the latest OS version that their device supports.
The practice of protecting an older operating system version is known in the cybersecurity industry as "backporting," but it's not something that Apple typically does if a newer, compatible version of iOS has the same protections already baked in.
According to Google, DarkSword has been used by various hacker groups to break into the iPhones of users in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Last week, the exploit kit was posted to open source code repository GitHub, making it even more likely to be used by bad actors.
Ken Pillonel describes the project as a tongue-in-cheek response to reader requests, and says he has no plans to sell it. "It's part hack, part mod, and one of the most cursed things I've ever built," he wrote in the video description, "Be careful what you wish for."
The build involved designing custom PCBs for precise connector placement, 3D printing a flexible TPU case on a Formlabs SLS printer, and fabricating a magnet installation jig on a Prusa printer. The finished case is slim and flexible, with MagSafe alignment and a snap-fit assembly.
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, meaning the company is officially 50 years old as of today. To honor the occasion, we have reflected on some of Apple's biggest moments of each decade, from the 1970s through to the 2020s.
Apple has an extensive history, so this list is far from comprehensive, but it captures some of the pivotal events over the company's first 50 years.
1970s
While the Apple-1 was released in 1976, it was the Apple II in 1977 that became the company's first successful, mass-market computer.
Unlike the Apple-1, the Apple II came fully assembled in a plastic case with a keyboard, and Apple sold millions of units of the computer over the years. This product gave Apple sustained cash flow, allowing it to become a major company.
1980s
In 1984, Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh, the world's first successful mass-marketed computer with a graphical user interface (GUI).
The original Macintosh popularized the computer mouse, allowing users to control an on-screen pointer. This point-and-click method of computer navigation was still a novel concept to most people at the time, as personal computers in this era typically had text-based command-line interfaces controlled with a keyboard.
Apple said the Macintosh typically took "only a few hours to learn," and it touted what are now basic computer features, such as a desktop with icons, the ability to use multiple programs in windows, drop-down menus, and copy and paste.
Pricing for the original Macintosh started at $2,495, equivalent to nearly $8,000 today. Key specs and features included an 8 MHz processor, 128 KB of RAM, a 400 KB floppy disk drive for storage, and serial ports for connecting a printer and other accessories.
In 1985, Apple released the LaserWriter, one of the first mass-market laser printers.
1990s
By the 1990s, Apple had largely lost its way. That changed when Jobs returned to the company in 1997, as part of Apple's acquisition of NeXT, another computer company founded by Jobs after he was ousted from Apple in the mid-1980s.
Apple did release some unique products in the 1990s, ranging from the Newton personal assistant to the QuickTake digital camera to the Pippin video game console, but Jobs' return was easily the company's pinnacle moment of the decade. He quickly simplified and improved Apple's product lineup, with the turnaround beginning in earnest with the colorful iMac in 1998.
Apple's acquisition of NeXT also gave it NeXTSTEP, the UNIX-based operating system that ultimately became Mac OS X, the successor to classic Mac OS.
2000s
Apple's renaissance continued into the 2000s with the launch of the iPod in 2001. The portable music player was extremely popular and helped turn Apple into a consumer electronics company rather than merely a computer company.
Six years later, Apple combined an iPod with a mobile phone. Enter the iPhone.
Jobs famously introduced the original iPhone as if it were three separate products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough internet communications device. The crowd at Macworld San Francisco erupted with cheerful applause upon realizing that Jobs was referring to a single device.
While the iPod was hugely successful, the iPhone is absolutely massive, and it is now one of the most successful products of any kind ever released. Last year, Apple announced that it had shipped its three billionth iPhone. That is 3,000,000,000.
2010s
Three major Apple products launched throughout the 2010s, including the iPad in 2010, the Apple Watch in 2015, and the AirPods in 2016.
While the iPad was essentially just a large-screened iPhone when it first launched, the device has received significant advancements like trackpad support over the years, and it has since redefined what a personal computer is.
Millions of people wear an Apple Watch, and it has become one of the world's most popular fitness devices. With health and safety features like the ECG app, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and more, the Apple Watch has even saved lives, which is a remarkable feat and something that Apple's CEO Tim Cook is very proud of.
As for AirPods, Apple says they are the world's most popular wireless headphones. Enough said.
2020s
In 2020, the Mac's transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon began, resulting in industry-leading performance-per-watt to this day.
After years of rumors, Apple unveiled its plan to transition the entire Mac lineup from Intel processors to its own custom-designed chips at WWDC in June 2020. Later that year saw the release of the first three Mac models powered by Apple silicon, including a 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini. The transition was completed in 2023 when the Mac Pro—which was recently discontinued—received the M2 Ultra chip.
In 2023, the Apple Vision Pro launched, ushering in the spatial computing era. A year later, the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features arrived. Unfortunately, these hardware and software categories have not entirely panned out yet.
Over the coming years, Apple is expected to push further into wearables, with products such as smart glasses, a pendant, and AirPods with cameras.
Apple today released new firmware for its second-generation AirTag item trackers. The firmware has a 3.0.45 version number, up from 3.0.41, and it is the first firmware update that Apple has provided for the AirTag 2 that launched in January 2026.
AirTag updates are infrequent, and there is no word yet on what's included in the new firmware. Apple has shared release notes in the past, and software updates are usually bug fixes and improvements.
In the past, new AirTag firmware was distributed on a rolling basis over two weeks, but it appears the latest firmware is available for all AirTag 2 users immediately.
You can check your AirTag firmware by opening up the Find My app, going to the Items tab, tapping on an AirTag in the list, and tapping on the AirTag's name to see its firmware version.
There is no way to force an AirTag update, and firmware is installed over the air via a connected iPhone. To get new firmware, make sure your AirTag is within range of your iPhone, and then wait for the firmware to roll out.
OpenAI has updated ChatGPT with support for CarPlay, which means CarPlay users can now ask ChatGPT questions and make requests directly from their vehicle dashboard.
Apple began allowing third-party voice-based conversational apps to interface with CarPlay in iOS 26.4, but apps need to implement the feature and get a special entitlement from Apple.
For the ChatGPT app and other apps that implement CarPlay support, voice has to be the primary method of interaction. Apple says that chatbot apps should not show text or imagery in response to queries.
Apple has a voice control template that apps are required to use. Apps have to display the voice control screen while voice-based services are active, and apps are able to have up to four action buttons. To use ChatGPT with CarPlay, an iPhone running iOS 26.4 or later is required.
CarPlay has supported third-party apps for years, but Apple limits the types of apps that are available to cut down on driver distractions. Apple has a list of allowed app categories, which includes audio apps, communication apps, EV charging apps, and navigation apps.
ChatGPT integration will let users ask questions hands-free, but the chatbot is not able to control vehicle or iPhone functions. There is no wake word, so users will need to open the ChatGPT app to use it.
Apple is providing employees with a special gift in honor of its 50th anniversary, which takes place on Wednesday, April 1. Employees will receive a commemorative t-shirt, enamel pin, and limited-edition poster, all of which have the scribble-style rainbow Apple logo that Apple has been using for its 50th anniversary artwork.
An Apple Park sign says that products are "crafted by hand" and are available for employees to pick up until April 30.
Apple 50th Anniversary employee gifts!
Each employee gets a 50th T-shirt, limited edition poster and enamel pin! pic.twitter.com/EpvT9no3Yh
— Mr. Macintosh (@ClassicII_MrMac) March 31, 2026
Apple kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations in March, and has been hosting concerts and Today at Apple events around the world. There was an Alicia Keys concert in New York, a Li Yuchun performance in Chengdu, a Mumford & Sons concert in London, a meetup with professional figure skater Elladj Baldé in Vancouver, a light show with music composed by Bailey Pickles in Sydney, and more.
Apple plans to wrap up its 50th anniversary party with a special finale performance at its Apple Park campus for employees. The musical guest hasn't yet been announced, but rumors suggest that it will be Paul McCartney.
Just ahead of the launch of the AirPods Max 2, Apple has released new firmware for the headphones. The updated firmware is version number 8E251.
The AirPods Max 2 include the H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. The new firmware likely optimizes some of these new features.
Customers who buy the AirPods Max 2 can follow Apple's steps to get the new firmware.
To get the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth. From there, connect the Apple device to Wi-Fi, then connect the AirPods Max to power with a USB-C cable. Keep the AirPods Max in Bluetooth range of the Apple device, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
From there, reconnect the AirPods to the Apple device, and check the firmware version to see if it's updated. Apple says if the firmware doesn't install, to restart the AirPods Max and try again.
