The Mac Pro could be the latest addition to Apple’s product purgatory

The wait for a new Mac Pro may take a lot longer, according to the latest Power On newsletter. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Pro has an uncertain future within Apple's desktop strategy and isn't likely to see a refresh in 2026.

According to Gurman, Apple is no longer working on the M4 Ultra chip, which was meant to be offered in a refreshed Mac Pro. Instead, Apple is planning for the M5 Ultra to be its "high-end desktop chip," which will only be available on the Mac Studio so far, according to Gurman.

Despite earning a solid reputation amongst creatives looking for a Mac desktop, the Mac Pro has fallen out of favor even after sporadic refreshes between 2013 and 2023. Apple experimented with some risky redesigns, including the "trash can" style, but the current Mac Pro model returns to a modern cheese grater look while also upgrading to Apple silicon with the M2 Ultra chip. However, Apple customers seeking the most powerful desktop options might be more likely to opt for the latest Mac Studio with the M4 Ultra. Gurman also reported that Apple is internally shifting towards the Mac Studio as the focus of Apple's professional desktop offerings.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/the-mac-pro-could-be-the-latest-addition-to-apples-product-purgatory-165609102.html?src=rss

A federal jury ruled that Apple has to pay $634 million for infringing smartwatch patents

In a longstanding and complicated legal battle between Apple and Masimo, a recent ruling from a California jury may be the first step towards a certain conclusion. As reported by Reuters, a federal jury sided with Masimo, a medical tech company known for its patient monitoring devices, when it said that Apple infringed on the company's patent for technology that tracks blood-oxygen levels.

The case revolves around whether Apple violated Masimo's patent related to blood-oxygen sensors, which the jury claimed can be seen with the Apple Watch's Workout and Heart Rate apps. According to Reuters, Apple disagreed with the verdict, adding that "the single patent in this case expired in 2022, and is specific to historic patient monitoring technology from decades ago." The tech giant is reportedly planning to appeal the decision. 

While there may be some closure with this California lawsuit, Apple and Masimo are entangled in a web of related but separate lawsuits. Masimo first accused Apple of infringing on its pulse oximeter patents, leading to Apple temporarily halting sales of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches. In August, Apple redesigned its blood-oxygen monitoring feature and rolled it out to the Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2. The redesign was approved by the US Customs and Border Protection, but Masimo filed a suit against the agency for overstepping its authority by allowing the sale of these updated Apple Watches without input from Masimo.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/a-federal-jury-ruled-that-apple-has-to-pay-634-million-for-infringing-smartwatch-patents-202846266.html?src=rss

Google ordered to pay $665 million for anticompetitive practices in Germany

Google may have to fork over 572 million euros, or nearly $665 million, to two German companies for "market abuse," according to a recent ruling from a Berlin court. First reported by Reuters, the tech giant was ordered to pay approximately 465 million euros, or approximately $540 million, to Idealo and another 107 million euros, or roughly $124 million, to Producto, both of which are price comparison platforms based in Germany. According to the ruling, Google abused its dominant market position by favoring Google Shopping in its own search results.

Idealo pursued legal action against Google, claiming that the Alphabet subsidiary was "self-preferencing" its own platforms, which led to unfair market advantages that hindered competitors. The company first demanded at least 3.3 billion euros, or more than $3.8 billion, in damages in February 2025. To counter, Google said it made changes in 2017 that allowed competing shopping platforms the same opportunity as Google Shopping to display ads through Google Search.

Idealo said in a press release that it will continue the legal pressure on Google, claiming that "the amount awarded reflects only a fraction of the actual damage." Albrecht von Sonntag, co-founder and member of Idealo's advisory board, added in a press release that "abuse of dominance must have consequences and must not be a profitable business model that pays off despite fines and damages."

It's not the first time Google has found itself in legal trouble in Europe. Beyond Google Shopping, Google was accused of favoring its own Google Flights and Google Hotels in search results, leading the European Union to threaten massive fines for violating its Digital Markets Act. A month prior, the European Commission fined Google nearly 3 billion euros, or more than $3.4 billion, for its anticompetitive practices in the advertising tech industry.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-ordered-to-pay-665-million-for-anticompetitive-practices-in-germany-184505191.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly getting ready to replace Tim Cook as early as next year

According to the Financial Times, Tim Cook may be ready to leave his position as soon as next year, and Apple's board and senior executives have ramped up their preparations to secure his replacement.

Cook, who has been at the helm of Apple for more than 14 years, succeeded Steve Jobs and led the company to a market cap of more than $4 trillion. Cook's tenure since 2011 has overseen the introduction of hardware, including Apple Watch, AirPods and Vision Pro, but also services like Apple Arcade and Apple TV+. According to the Financial Times's sources, Apple's senior vice president of engineering, John Ternus, will most likely take on the CEO role, but this decision hasn't been finalized yet. Ternus has been with Apple since 2001 as part of its Product Design team and eventually stepped into a vice president role within the Hardware Engineering division, where he played a heavy role in the company's transition to Apple silicon.

According to the Financial Times, Apple isn't planning to announce the new CEO before its January earnings report. However, the report also noted that this announcement would come earlier in the year to allow the leadership team to transition smoothly in time for all of Apple's annual events. Earlier this year, Apple also announced Sabih Khan as the new chief operating officer, taking over for Jeff Williams.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-is-reportedly-getting-ready-to-replace-tim-cook-as-early-as-next-year-171407974.html?src=rss

How to adjust the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26.1

Apple's latest iterative update for iPhones brings a welcome change for those who aren't a fan of its Liquid Glass design overhaul. After user complaints that the Liquid Glass' translucent design was hard to read, Apple introduced a compromise in iOS 26's fourth beta that allowed for a more frosted look as well as a Reduce Transparency option buried in the Accessibility settings. Now, Apple is making this Liquid Glass toggle available for all iPhone users with iOS 26.1.

Apple debuted Liquid Glass at WWDC 2025 as its major visual redesign, which prompted a lot of comparisons to Windows Vista. Everything from switches and sliders to sidebars and panels would imitate glass, so that users can see the underlying colors and content. While some iPhone users liked the fluidity and freshness, others said the transparent look often created legibility issues, caused lag from the animations and led to eye strain over extended periods of time.

To access the new Liquid Glass toggle, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 26.1. You can check which version you're by navigating to Settings, then General, then Software Update. After you confirmed that you're on the most recent iOS, you can go back into Settings, then Display & Brightness. From there, you'll find a new setting for Liquid Glass that lets you choose between "Clear" or "Tinted." The Clear option is Apple's original vision for Liquid Glass with see-through controls, while the Tinted option "increases opacity and adds more contrast."

You can preview the differences between the two choices in the Liquid Glass setting before you commit to one. When in use, the Tinted option switches to the same frosted look first seen by iOS beta testers, which adds a more solid background to panels that have been Liquid Glass-ified. It's important to note that there are only two options and Apple didn't instead opt for a slider to adjust opacity. However, Apple is leaning more into customizability with its operating systems, as indicated by its recently introduced Spatial Scenes feature.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-adjust-the-liquid-glass-effect-in-ios-261-203634681.html?src=rss

OneXPlayer’s premium gaming handheld packs an external 85Wh battery

For about the price of a mid-range custom PC build, you could instead opt for a top-of-the-line gaming handheld called the OneXFly Apex. OneXPlayer launched its latest Indiegogo campaign for its upcoming handheld that starts at $1,399 and goes up to $2,299 for a fully kitted-out version. While most portable gamers are better off with the Steam Deck, the OneXFly Apex separates itself from the crowd with high-end specs, an external 85Wh battery, and the option for liquid cooling.

OneXPlayer hasn't divulged the estimated play time you'll get with its massive battery, but it's designed to be quickly swapped out with a spare battery that's sold separately. If the battery runs low, you can either wait a few hours to recharge or hardwire into a power outlet to keep gaming. You can build the OneXFly Apex with up to an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip and 128GB of memory. The Windows handheld has up to 4TB of local storage, but you can expand it by another 4TB thanks to both a mini SSD and a microSD card slot.

OneXPlayer uniquely offers an optional liquid cooling module for the OneXFly Apex, which you have to pay $60 more for. While the starting price may turn people away, OneXPlayer also included non-contact capacitive joysticks that will never get stick drift and Hall triggers that can be toggled for short or long travel modes to justify the handheld's cost. The OneXFly Apex crowdfunding campaign managed to reach its goal of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars, or roughly $12,850, in less than two minutes. OneXPlayer currently offers four configurations of its gaming handheld, which is expected to start shipping in January 2026.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/onexplayers-premium-gaming-handheld-packs-an-external-85wh-battery-185515162.html?src=rss

Apple is reportedly working on more satellite features for iPhone

Your iPhone may soon be able to do more than call for emergency help and send messages via satellite, according to the latest Power On newsletter. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is planning to expand on satellite features available on iPhones.

Apple introduced the ability to send and receive texts with the Messages via Satellite feature last year, but is reportedly looking to enhance this with the option to send photos too. Beyond texting, Apple wants to enable 5G NTN support on its iPhones, which allows cell towers to get a coverage boost by tapping into satellites, according to Gurman. For anyone who needs directions in a remote area without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, Apple reportedly has plans to introduce satellite connectivity to Apple Maps.

Along with these upgrades, Gurman reported that Apple is looking into "natural usage" improvements where users won't have to point their iPhones towards the sky to connect to a satellite network. Instead, an iPhone could stay connected even when there's no clear view of the sky, like in indoor environments. On the developer side of things, Gurman said that Apple is also working on an API that allows app makers to add satellite connections.

There's no timeline for when these rumored satellite features will go live, but Apple previously waited a couple of years between introducing Emergency SOS via Satellite in 2022 and Messages via Satellite with the release of iOS 18.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-is-reportedly-working-on-more-satellite-features-for-iphone-172151203.html?src=rss

Logitech is going after keyboard snobs with the hot-swappable Alto Keys K98M

Logitech is hoping to attract all the keebheads out there with its latest Alto Keys K98M. While this keyboard has been available in Asian markets for a while, Logitech finally brought its customizable work keyboard to the US. It may appeal to a specific demographic, but it's a welcome return to hot-swappable offerings from Logitech. The Alto Keys K98M is now available in US markets through its website for $119.

According to Logitech, the Alto Keys K98M comes with hot-swappable Logi Marble linear switches. While Logitech sells several mechanical keyboards, the last notable one with a hot-swappable board was the Logitech G Pro X from 2019. Now, Logitech wants to dive back into the hardcore side of the keyboard world with something that's more tailored for the workspace. Instead of obnoxious RGB lighting, the Alto Keys K98M features a translucent frame that's paired with white backlighting. For long days, the keyboard has a UniCushion design, where the full frame gasket mount absorbs typing vibrations for an improved feel and sound.

For customizability beyond switches, Logitech included three action keys that can be programmed for whatever you need. The first three F keys also work as Easy-Switch buttons that let you cycle between up to three devices. The Alto Keys K98M works wirelessly through Bluetooth and is compatible with Windows, macOS, ChromeOS and iPadOS. Logitech said that the keyboard will get up to a year of wireless use if you keep the backlighting off. When the Alto Keys K98M's battery runs low, you can continue using it as you recharge it through the USB-C port.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/logitech-is-going-after-keyboard-snobs-with-the-hot-swappable-alto-keys-k98m-031051209.html?src=rss

You can now buy Anbernic’s budget DS clone, but don’t get your hopes up for 3DS emulation

After teasing its dual-screen gaming handheld last month, Anbernic has already put its RG DS up for preorder on its website. When the Anbernic RG DS was revealed for the first time, the handheld maker only hinted at a price range of less than $100. To Anbernic's credit, the RG DS starts at $93.99 for preorder pricing and will go up to $99.99 once preorders end.

While Anbernic has kept its pricing promise, the RG DS product page is missing a transparent white colorway that was part of the reveal. Instead, the RG DS is currently only available in three color choices: black & crimson red, turquoise blue and polar white. Perhaps even more disappointing, Anbernic revealed the full specs of the RG DS, which will run on an RK3568 chip. The chip should handle Nintendo DS emulation without a problem, but it will likely struggle to run even the least-intensive 3DS titles. However, Anbernic posted some gameplay demos that show the RG DS running 3DS games like Shovel Knight, Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns and Rune Factory 4.

Besides the chip, the RG DS is built with two four-inch IPS displays that have a 640 x 480 resolution. The twin displays support touch and capacitive stylus input, unlike other dual-screen handhelds. To round out the design, Anbernic included a six-axis gyroscope and a button that switches focus to either display. The Anbernic RG DS will run on Android 14, and you should expect to get roughly six hours of battery life thanks to a 4,000mAh battery. Anbernic said it will start shipping RG DS preorders before December 15. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/you-can-now-buy-anbernics-budget-ds-clone-but-dont-get-your-hopes-up-for-3ds-emulation-183140820.html?src=rss

iOS 26.1 could arrive this week with a toggle to reduce the Liquid Glass effect

All the complaining about the Liquid Glass redesign may have amounted to some real change, since Apple could be offering a compromise with its forthcoming iOS update. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is getting ready to release iOS 26.1, which will have a toggle to reduce the Liquid Glass effect. Gurman said the iOS 26.1 update could roll out to users as early as Monday, while the first beta version of iOS 26.2 should arrive for developers the day after.

Liquid Glass was introduced at WWDC 2025 as Apple's next big visual overhaul. It didn't take long for users to test it out and offer up criticisms about the readability and lag caused by the animations. To address these grievances, Apple introduced an option to apply a tinted setting to its transparent redesign in iOS 26.1's fourth beta. 

While the upcoming iOS update won't introduce anything groundbreaking, Gurman said that the latest update will be "more reliable, with fewer bugs." Besides the toggle option, iOS 26.1 will have an updated Apple TV icon and other bug fixes, according to Gurman. Looking ahead, Apple is likely to follow the same update pattern as usual, meaning macOS 26.1 and the first beta of watchOS 26.2 should follow.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/ios-261-could-arrive-this-week-with-a-toggle-to-reduce-the-liquid-glass-effect-170451034.html?src=rss