The 12 free Mac apps in this roundup prove that the best software doesn’t need to cost you anything.
These are the first apps I install on any new Mac, as they either boost my productivity or add essential functionality missing from macOS.
I’ve long been a fan of great sound. But I hesitate to call myself an “audiophile” simply because I’m not a wealthy man. And yet even I can dabble in solid audio because so many affordable products continue to up the ante — including my favorite personal headphones. Behold the Sennheiser HD660S2 open-back cans. An audiophile of means might scoff at spending only several hundred bucks, but the joke’s on them. Thanks to Amazon, this Prime Day Sennheiser deal gets you these great wired, open-back cans for a mere $375 (as of Wednesday evening; the fluctuating price went up about $14 as of Thursday morning).
That’s not nothing, obviously. But it’s a lot more affordable than the $1,000 or more that many audiophile cans command.
If you’re like me, Amazon Prime Day is partly about scoring cool stuff you otherwise find uncomfortably pricey. I can’t go around buying every set of headphones and earbuds that catch my eye. But with Prime Day headphones deals, maybe I can sneak something sweet-sounding past my sense of guilt, you know?
And so can you! Check out some of the absolute best Amazon Prime Days deals on headphones and earbuds below. I found wishlist-worthy cans and buds with savings of $100 or more (in some cases, much more — even discounts of $305 off primo open-back cans, $315 off top noise-canceling headphones and $150 off some seriously nice earbuds).
Apple prepares to launch its first major update to the Vision Pro AR/VR headset as early as this year, featuring a faster M4 processor and a redesigned strap aimed at addressing comfort complaints that have plagued the $3,499 device since its launch, according to a new report.
★★★★☆
The Logitech Flip Folio is a protective keyboard case and stand for iPad Pro and iPad Air models that goes head-to-head against the Apple Magic Keyboard. Having tested both, Logitech’s new offering comes out ahead of Apple’s is some ways, including wider support for screen orientations, and because the keyboard can separate from the case/stand. Plus, a hefty price advantage can’t be overlooked.
Be sure to read the full review for more details.
After a very modest refresh last year, rumors indicate the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — set to launch this September alongside the iPhone 17 series — will mark Apple’s most ambitious wearable update yet.
Here’s what we’re expecting in 2025’s major overhaul of Apple’s rugged smartwatch. Keep reading or check out our latest video.
★★★★★
While Apple doesn’t make an e-scooter, the Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter pairs well with an iPhone. More importantly, it’s both fun and useful, with lots of pickup and range. It comes with plenty of bonus features … all accessible via an iPhone. It even has Bluetooth and Find My support.
I put more than 200 miles on the e-scooter while testing it, driving it on errands and just for fun on streets and sidewalks. I’m genuinely thrilled with it. Here’s why.
The right travel gadgets make your vacation easier. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or a long-haul flight across the globe, the correct gear can make all the difference. From keeping your devices charged and connected to ensuring entertainment on the go, today’s travel tech is designed to streamline every leg of the journey.
As a frequent traveler, I’ve built up a collection of accessories: chargers, hubs, portable monitors and more. In this guide, I’ll share my must-have gadgets, hoping they’ll upgrade your travel experience, too — whether you’re a frequent flyer, a digital nomad or just someone who likes to stay plugged in wherever the road leads.
Early leaks about an upcoming Apple computer with an 18- to 20-inch folding display were vague about whether the device will be an iPad or the first Mac with a touchscreen. In the wake of the introduction of iPadOS 26, the answer now seems obvious: Apple’s extra-large folding tablet will be an iPad.
Recent comments by a high-level Apple executive about not merging macOS and iPadOS add weight to the theory.
The Ultimate 14 Mac & Windows Utility App Bundle delivers just what it says on the tin. This one-year subscription packs a punch, giving you access to 14 premium utility apps designed to make your daily tasks smoother, faster and a whole lot less frustrating.
We’re talking smarter file management, system optimization, enhanced privacy tools and productivity boosters — all in one tidy package. And it’s currently available for just $19.99 (regularly $34.95).
iOS 26 will not just make your iPhone better. It will also add several new features to AirPods, improving the already excellent experience of using Apple’s super-popular earbuds.
The changes will further deepen the AirPods integration with the iPhone. Find out all the ways iOS 26 will improve your AirPods experience.
It’s World Wi-Fi Day, which highlights the ability of wireless internet access to bring people together. But I’d like everyone to instead consider the advantages of an earlier tech: wired networking via good old reliable Ethernet.
Ethernet is easy to overlook now that almost everything has gone wireless, but it still has a role to play: filling in a flaw in Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t build Ethernet ports into MacBooks, but adding one is easy and inexpensive.
★★★★☆
SanDisk designed its Creator Phone SSD specifically for people recording large amounts of 4K ProRes video with a recent iPhone Pro/Pro Max model. The MagSafe drive magnetically attaches to the back of the handset so it’s out of the way during filming.
It holds up to 2TB of data without making the handset difficult to film with. And transferring data to a Mac for editing is a snap.
I tested the SSD with my iPhone and it worked very well. But the cable is bulkier than it should be.
There’s been another big data leak of over 16 billion records, and that’s a great opportunity to do something you’ve probably been procrastinating on: Replace your website passwords that hackers stole because of some lax security. Fortunately, Apple’s new Passwords app makes it easy to find out which of your passwords leaked so you can change passwords right on your iPhone.
Stay one step ahead by fixing a potentially serious problem now, before something bad happens.
iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS 26 introduce a host of new features in addition to the Liquid Glass design makeover that will bring glossy, translucent harmony to Apple’s software ecosystem this fall. However, not all of those advanced features will make it to every compatible device when Apple releases its next-gen operating systems.
If you own an old iPhone or Intel-based Mac, you will miss out on several improvements. Here’s a look at what won’t make the cut.
★★★★☆
iPad cases that fold into stands are old news, but the Moft Dynamic Folio takes that idea and builds on it. The front flap can be folded into a variety of shapes to support the tablet at a range of angles, in both landscape and portrait orientations. A highlight is one that lifts the iPad up about 3 inches so it’s easier to see.
Plus, the case/stand is lightweight and very easy to attach and remove. There are versions for all recent Apple tablets.
I tested the flexible iPad accessory for several weeks. Here’s what I found out.
Despite all the criticism, mockery and predictions of doom, the fact that Apple is lagging the pack in artificial intelligence isn’t a catastrophe. The AI boom has barely started, and average consumers remain doubtful about the technology.
More importantly, an Apple executive points out that the company doesn’t need to develop its own cutting-edge AI to benefit from the research done by other companies.
Apple focused heavily on the new Liquid Glass design language during the iOS 26 unveiling last week. But there’s more to the operating system than the glossy new look that’s coming to all the company’s operating systems.
While Apple highlighted iOS 26’s major features during the WWDC25 keynote, many meaningful quality-of-life improvements flew under the radar. Here are some of the smaller, hidden features in iOS 26 that you shouldn’t miss.
I’ve spent the week hands-on with iOS 26, living with its stunning new design and incredible features. I really love the direction iOS is going — even if there are a lot of kinks that need to be worked out before its September release.
Liquid Glass, the flashy new user interface, is gorgeous. Loads of people will love the new Lock Screen and Home Screen features, like Spatial Scenes and clear icons. A few other features may need some tweaking, however, like the new Camera app and Phone app.
Should you install it yourself? God no, it’s a buggy mess. You should definitely not install it on your daily driver. But should you be excited to get it in September, after Apple irons out the kinks? Absolutely. Keep reading or watch our video for a hands-on look at the joys (and annoyances) of iOS 26.
iPadOS 26 moves the iPad closer to the Mac than ever before. But don’t take the upcoming operating system as a stepping stone toward an eventual unification between iPadOS and macOS. That’s clearly not going to happen.
The reason can be summed up with a phrase that Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software development, used in an interview at WWDC this week: “iPad’s gonna be iPad.”
Those who want their iPad to function more like a Mac got their wish: iPadOS 26 includes multitasking features very similar to the ones in macOS. This year’s iPad upgrade also borrows plenty of other things from Apple’s desktop OS.
I loaded the initial iPadOS 26 beta on my iPad Pro. Here’s what it’s like to use it … and why pro users should be excited while non-pro users shouldn’t worry.
iPadOS 26 lets Apple’s tablets act more like a Mac than ever before. It also includes a new design that makes all Apple computers look more similar, further bringing iPads and Macs together.
“iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, during Monday’s WWDC25 keynote. “With a beautiful new design, an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system, even more features powered by Apple Intelligence, huge improvements to working with files, and new capabilities for creatives to power their workflows, iPadOS 26 makes our most versatile device even more capable.”
With Monday’s iOS 26 announcement at WWDC25, Apple transforms how users interact with their iPhones through big design changes headlined by the striking look of “Liquid Glass,” enhanced AI capabilities and improved cross-platform integration with helpful changes to core apps like Phone, Messages and more. All in all, iOS 26 represents Apple’s boldest OS step forward in years.
“iOS 26 shines with the gorgeous new design and meaningful improvements to the features users rely on every day, making iPhone even more helpful,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “Experiences are more expressive and personal, from the Lock Screen and Home Screen, to new capabilities across Phone and Messages that help users focus on the connections that matter most.”
“And with powerful new Apple Intelligence capabilities integrated across the system, users can get things done easier than ever,” he added.
Apple’s Image Playground is a free app for iPhone and other Apple devices that lets you generate unlimited AI images for free. You can generate images based on your friends, from a text prompt or totally from scratch, in a wide variety of themes and styles.
It’s part of Apple Intelligence, the growing set of AI features that work on the latest iPhones, Macs and iPads. Here’s how to use Image Playground.
Apple reportedly is cooking up significant changes to core iPhone and iPad apps, with redesigned interfaces coming soon to the Phone, Safari, Camera and Messages apps. The company plans to reveal the app updates Monday during the WWDC25 keynote, alongside other sweeping changes to its operating systems.