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Daring Fireball By John Gruber

Daring Fireball is a long-running and influential blog primarily focused on Apple products, technology, and related news. It is written and maintained by John Gruber, a well-respected voice in the Apple community. Known for its insightful analysis, strong opinions, and in-depth articles, Daring Fireball is a popular destination for Apple enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Gruber's writing often delves into the design and philosophy behind Apple's products, offering a unique perspective on the company's decisions and direction. The site also features Gruber's "Linked List" section, a curated collection of links to articles and content from around the web, often with Gruber's brief commentary. Daring Fireball remains a significant voice in the tech world, shaping opinions and sparking discussions about Apple and the broader tech landscape.
Daring Fireball daringfireball.net
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RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Aug 19, 2024

Thread Of Notes

PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions

Following up on my earlier post on Valve’s righteous objection to selling game console hardware at a loss, I should have noted that PlayStation Plus starts at $11/month (and goes up to $20/month) and Xbox Game Pass starts at $10/month (and goes up to $23/month). One draw of these subscriptions is access to a library of game titles — but another one is that you need one of these subscriptions to play online multiplayer games. Not every game demands online access but many (most?) do. There are very few serious PlayStation and Xbox gamers who don’t pay for a subscription, and within a few years those subscriptions cost more than the (subsidized) hardware. It’s not just about licensing fees for game titles players purchase anymore.Valve didn’t make any hay over this point, but should have. Because Steam Deck and Steam Machine are fundamentally more like PCs, all you need to play online multiplayer games is a free Steam account.
https://daringfireball.net/linked/2026/07/01/valve-on-subsidizing-hardware daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Valve Explains Why It Doesn’t Subsidize Its Hardware Platforms

Valve believes that open systems are superior for both the company and its customers in the long run. They argue that the PC ecosystem's openness drives hardware and software innovation by allowing anyone to pursue new ideas. Selling hardware at a loss or securing exclusive content creates closed systems where user choice is limited. Valve wants PC hardware to remain an open platform, offering their devices as one option among many. This allows consumers to choose based on their individual priorities like price and performance. Subsidizing hardware, they contend, contradicts the principles of an open PC platform. The author criticizes console manufacturers like Microsoft for using subsidized hardware as an excuse. They view this strategy as predatory and praise Valve for selling at honest prices. Mobile phone subsidies differ, being driven by carriers, not directly by manufacturers like Apple. These carrier subsidies are recouped through monthly service fees, unlike console sales where profit relies on game purchases.
https://www.theverge.com/games/952004/valve-steam-machine-price-not-subsidizing theverge.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

The Talk Show: ‘Taking Drugs to Get Fat’

The great John Moltz returns to the show. Topics include Apple’s hardware price hikes in response to the global RAM/SSD shortage, and some spitballing on what we like about the UI changes in the MacOS 27 Golden Gate beta.Sponsored by:Coax: Defeat the tyranny of choice. Channel surf your Plex server. Relax with Coax. Even Realities: Even G2, the everyday display smart glasses. Use promo code talkshow to save 10% off the R1 Ring and/or Even Clip. Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code TALKSHOW.
https://daringfireball.net/thetalkshow/2026/06/30/ep-451 daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

404 Media: Vulnerability in iCloud’s ‘Hide My Email’ Reveals Peoples’ Real Email Addresses

Apple's Hide My Email service is reportedly leaking users' real email addresses. This vulnerability was discovered by EasyOptOuts and reported to Apple over a year ago. Despite the long reporting period, the issue remains unpatched. 404 Media verified the vulnerability themselves, confirming that hidden email addresses can still be exposed. This means that attackers could potentially discover the actual email addresses that users are trying to conceal. EasyOptOuts co-founder Tyler Murphy expressed concern about Apple's delay in fixing the problem. He highlighted that users deserve to be aware of this ongoing security risk. In tests conducted by Murphy, every tested Hide My Email address was found to be exploitable. The exact method of exploitation is being kept confidential by 404 Media due to the ongoing vulnerability. The long delay in addressing this issue raises questions about Apple's response to security reports.
https://www.404media.co/apple-hide-my-email-vulnerability-reveals-peoples-real-email-addresses/ 404media.co
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Gnome

Animated GIFs are a crucial part of modern communication, yet accessing them for messages is often a cumbersome, multi-step process. This delays the sharing and can kill the humor. Gnome, an app by Lex Friedman, aims to simplify this by residing in your Mac's menubar. A keyboard shortcut brings up a search window where users can type keywords to find GIFs. A grid of results appears, and clicking a GIF copies it to the clipboard for immediate pasting into any application. The app is designed to be uncomplicated, requiring no accounts or sign-ins. Initially Mac-only, Gnome now also has an iOS version that syncs with the Mac application. Users can integrate their own local GIF folders, which will be searched alongside Gnome's online partner, Klipy. Shared local libraries are possible across devices if stored in cloud services. The iOS version includes a Messages app extension and an optional system-wide keyboard. On Mac, the menu bar icon can be hidden for a cleaner interface. Gnome, despite its simplicity, demonstrates significant craftsmanship and attention to detail. Its user-friendly design makes sending GIFs more appealing, even for infrequent users. The app is available for a one-time purchase on both platforms, with cross-platform unlocking options.
https://lexfriedman.com/gnome/ lexfriedman.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

Supreme Court Agrees to Review Apple’s Petition Regarding Civil Contempt Finding in ‘Apple v. Epic Games’

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Apple's petition in its case against Epic Games. The Court will review only one of the two questions Apple presented. This question concerns whether Apple could be held in civil contempt. The contempt finding relates to Apple charging a commission on external payments. This action allegedly violated the spirit of a previous injunction. The injunction's wording did not explicitly forbid commissions on these external payments. Apple had also questioned the scope of the injunction. They argued it should only apply to Epic, not all developers. However, this second question will not be reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Court's daily orders are, surprisingly, set in Lucida Sans Typewriter font.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/063026zor_3f14.pdf supremecourt.gov
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship in 6-3 Decision

The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutionality of birthright citizenship by a narrow margin, with the majority decision affirming its legality. However, the dissenting opinions, particularly from Justices Gorsuch, Alito, and Thomas, are viewed by the author as a basis for impeachment due to their interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Marshall argues that the plain meaning of the birthright citizenship clause has been inexplicably challenged. He believes that the very fact this case reached the Supreme Court and garnered dissenting votes is a farce. The author expresses surprise at Justice Gorsuch's dissent, considering Alito and Thomas as lost causes. It is unsettling that Trump-appointed justices were necessary for the majority decision. Birthright citizenship is described as unambiguous law and good policy, essential for the entire U.S. citizenship system. This is because the U.S. lacks extensive records of who is and isn't a citizen, unlike naturalized citizens. Birth certificates, the primary documentation for native-born citizens, rely on the principle of birthright citizenship. Without this anchor, the author contends that the entire fabric of U.S. citizenship collapses.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-birthright-citizenship-decision-is-more-evidence-for-court-reform/sharetoken/e2bf9547-fa9b-468c-8af3-aa09e72ca698 talkingpointsmemo.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

CMA Consultation on Mobile App Steering and NFC Access

The UK Competition and Markets Authority: ‘Steering’ — the ability for developers to engage with customers about off‑platform options — is currently banned by Apple and restricted by Google in the UK. Lifting these constraints would allow developers to bypass mandatory fees set by platforms.The CMA’s consultation includes principles to ensure that the fees Apple and Google charge for steering are fair and reasonable. Using an evidence-based framework, the CMA would expect steering fees to be lower than current app store charges, with savings passed onto UK customers or invested back into the developers’ businesses to support future innovation.Japan’s MSCA is a good model for this.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-consults-on-new-requirements-for-apple-and-googles-mobile-platforms gov.uk
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

U.K. Regulator Considers Requiring App Store to Allow Steering to the Web, and iOS NFC to Be Open

Britain's competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has proposed allowing app developers to direct users to external payment options. This aims to reduce fees charged by Apple and Google and foster greater competition. The CMA’s proposals would lift existing restrictions preventing developers from advertising off-platform payment methods. Any fees imposed by Apple or Google for this "steering" would need to be fair, reasonable, and lower than current app store commissions. The CMA suggests that any savings should benefit consumers or be reinvested in innovation. The author questions how savings will be mandatorily passed to consumers, citing an Apple-funded study with contradictory findings. This study suggested that mandated lower commissions benefited developers rather than lowering consumer prices. The author notes that Tiimo, an award-winning app, offers lower subscription prices on its website than through its in-app purchases. The author supports requiring Apple to allow steering to web payments, calling Apple obstinate for resisting it. However, the author also cautions that external payments may not guarantee lower prices or better user policies, as in-app payments offer easier management and cancellation. The CMA is also considering forcing Apple to open its near-field communication (NFC) technology. This could enable third-party payment services within iOS apps, potentially allowing fintech companies to create alternatives to Apple Wallet. The author believes this latter proposal, for NFC access, is primarily desired by fintech companies and could lead to user confusion and a loss of interoperability.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk-regulator-proposes-easing-apple-google-app-store-payment-rules-2026-06-30/ reuters.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

Data Breach at Indian Supplier Tata Electronics Exposes iPhone 18 Pro Details and Photos

Ransomware attackers have posted sensitive data stolen from Apple's Indian supplier, Tata Electronics, onto the dark web. This data includes component lists, supplier information, and photos of upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models. The leak jeopardizes Apple's intricate global supply chain security for iPhone production. Such sensitive details are fiercely protected by Apple and are not publicly disclosed. The exposed documents map specific suppliers to particular iPhone parts, which is crucial information. This breach reveals both Apple's supply dependencies and its leverage points with manufacturers. Apple is reportedly highly concerned about this information being shared online, especially regarding unreleased products. The incident could damage Apple's relationship with Tata Electronics and potentially benefit competitors. Rivals and counterfeiters could gain insights into Apple's manufacturing processes. The exposure of these details raises significant security and business integrity concerns for Apple.
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/apple-iphone-18-pro-supplier-list-parts-photos-exposed-tata-data-leak-2026-06-29/ reuters.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 30

[Sponsor] Day One Journal

Day One recognizes that many people struggle with journaling not because they can’t write, but because they don’t know how to begin or what a “good” journal entry about their day looks like. That’s why we built Daily Chat, a guided reflection experience that helps you talk through your day, organize your thoughts, and shape them into a journal entry.Early testers commented: “Day One’s new Daily Chat is a true game changer for my daily journaling. The AI-powered chat makes capturing thoughts effortless and inspires creativity like never before. Writing my diary has never been this intuitive and fun!”Try it for yourself, it will change the way you think about journalling.
https://dayoneapp.com/blog/introducing-daily-chat/ dayoneapp.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 29

Auth.md — an Open Protocol for Agent Registration From WorkOS

My thanks to WorkOS for sponsoring DF last week to promote Auth.md, their new open protocol for AI agent registration. (Who’d have thunk that I’d be getting paid to promote new uses for Markdown 22 years after releasing it?)Sign-up forms were built for humans in browsers, so how do AI agents programmatically register with services? That’s the question Auth.md aims to answer. It’s a single Markdown file you host at your domain that tells agents how to register your users, which flows you support, what scopes you expose, and how credentials get issued. It’s like robots.txt but for agent registration.Cloudflare, Firecrawl, and Resend have already adopted it.An open protocol authored by WorkOS. Read the spec.
https://workos.com/auth-md workos.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 29

Daniel Agee: ‘Remembering Om’

Daniel Agee remembers Om, an early member of the Glass team. Om's photography, often of arctic landscapes, contrasted with his bright personality. He had a talent for drawing people in and making them feel part of his world. Agee's blog post features Om's photography. Om was a veteran of internet publishing and transitioned into venture capital. When Glass considered seeking VC funding, Om was their first call. He offered to invest but strongly advised against it, believing their project was special. Om's directness was evident in his photography, which focused on minimal detail to highlight essential elements. He believed in stripping subjects down to their core. This simplicity in his art mirrored his communication style: direct and to the point. Om valued unmoderated honesty as a form of courtesy.
https://glass.photo/highlights/remembering-om glass.photo
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 29

Matt Mullenweg: ‘All Roads Lead to Om’

Om was described as a profound lover of humanity with a deep curiosity and respect for everyone he encountered. He quickly became a regular wherever he went, taking the time to learn the names and stories of baristas and even people and dogs in South Park. This genuine interest extended beyond the ordinary, forging connections globally through his encyclopedic knowledge and photographic memory. Om also possessed a deep appreciation for craft, meticulously pursuing the highest quality in his chosen interests, such as photography and pens. He believed in fully committing to things one is passionate about. The question "What Would Om Want?" is posed as a guiding principle for crafting products that would make him proud. Matt Mullenweg is compiling a list of tributes to Om.
https://ma.tt/2026/06/om-forever/ ma.tt
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 29

The New York Times: ‘Om Malik, Whose Blog Shaped How Silicon Valley Saw Itself, Dies at 59’

Om Malik started Gigaom, a prominent Silicon Valley tech journalism blog, as the dot-com bubble burst. He skillfully filled the void left by defunct publications by delivering both scoops and strong opinions. Malik's astute observations, like comparing early Android to the unsatisfying feeling after Chinese food, highlighted Google's institutional struggles with user engagement. He possessed a remarkable talent for identifying truly transformative companies. Malik was an early proponent of Slack and was the first blogger to extensively cover Twitter, though he wasn't a fan. Similar to a "Is This Anything?" segment, his work often sifted through the vast number of startups to identify those with genuine potential. He was notably critical of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg years before widespread condemnation. In 2013, he identified an "air of amorality" surrounding Facebook, a prescient observation. Malik also criticized venture capitalist John Doerr for attempting to manipulate the political process. His ability to be correct early and often distinguished his insightful tech commentary.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/technology/om-malik-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.t1A.AyPT.p7GhDrDcJSfa nytimes.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 29

PuffPal, an App for Accessing Cannabis Clubs, Leaked 1 Million Users’ Passports

Sammy Azdoufal discovered sensitive data belonging to cannabis club patrons, including personal details and consumption habits, was stored without adequate security. This data was accessible through a Spanish app called PuffPal, which had no meaningful security measures. Azdoufal found a payment platform's secret key in plain text and could access any member's profile by altering a single number. Crucially, identification documents like passports and driver's licenses were stored at public URLs, easily discoverable. Thousands of new IDs were uploaded daily through these insecure links. Bruce Schneier highlights that using high-value credentials like passports for low-value authentication systems, such as cannabis club ID verification, poses significant risks. This incident serves as a warning for proposed legislation requiring age verification for online activities, suggesting that similar identity leaks are an inevitable consequence. The vulnerability exposed shows how essential security is for even seemingly minor online systems.
https://www.theverge.com/tech/947157/passports-data-breach-cannabis-club-systems-nefos-puffpal?view_token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6IjdjV0Y5TTBuM0ciLCJwIjoiL3RlY2gvOTQ3MTU3L3Bhc3Nwb3J0cy1kYXRhLWJyZWFjaC1jYW5uYWJpcy1jbHViLXN5c3RlbXMtbmVmb3MtcHVmZnBhbCIsImV4cCI6MTc4MzA5NDY0NiwiaWF0IjoxNzgyNjYyNjQ2fQ.7SjX6B8AAGhzsdrtD5asJWBwzQvTDUD31hWte7K1oec theverge.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 28

Micron Executive Sumit Sadana Tells Tim Cook to Stop Hitting Himself

Apple's recent price increases followed Micron Technology's strong quarterly earnings, which showed profit margins exceeding 80%. Micron experienced significant stock growth after reporting these results. The company's Chief Business Officer, Sumit Sadana, indicated that they previously struggled with negative gross profits during a market downturn. He suggested that aggressive pricing from some customers prevented necessary investments at that time. Sadana mentioned telling these customers that their pricing was not constructive. He also stated that the poor pricing and margins in 2023 led to the shutdown of many industry investments. The report implies Sadana is holding Apple accountable for not offering Micron leniency during a past period of different market conditions. It is suggested that Micron's current high margins might not be permanent. The author believes Micron and Sadana are making critical remarks about Apple with little risk of future repercussions.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-raises-prices-on-macs-ipads-by-200-or-more-on-some-models-a7463f99?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&st=B1aQCP wsj.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

Apple Faced Bipartisan Opposition When It Last Lobbied to Buy Chinese RAM in 2022

Senators Marco Rubio and Mark Warner expressed serious concerns to the Director of National Intelligence regarding Apple's potential purchase of 3D NAND memory chips from China's state-owned manufacturer, Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC). They warned that such a partnership would create substantial privacy and security risks within the global digital supply chain. The senators highlighted YMTC's close, though sometimes unclear, connections to the Chinese Communist Party and other state-backed organizations. Furthermore, they argued that any collaboration with YMTC would legitimize and benefit China's unfair trade practices. These practices, they stated, disadvantage American companies by giving Chinese firms an unfair edge. The Biden administration had previously identified YMTC as China's leading memory chip producer, specifically supporting the CCP's goals to challenge U.S. innovation. This concern extended even to chips intended only for the Chinese market. Apple's attempt in 2022 to gain approval for this plan faced strong bipartisan opposition. Marco Rubio, now a key foreign policy figure in the Trump administration, was one of the senators who raised these objections.
https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-rubio-urge-dni-to-review-risk-chinese-chipmaker-ymtc-presents-to-national-security/ warner.senate.gov
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

Microsoft Raises Xbox Prices, Drops High-End Storage Model From Lineup

Microsoft has announced worldwide price increases for Xbox consoles, effective August 1, 2026. The 512 GB models will rise by $100 and the 1 TB models by $150. Microsoft is also discontinuing the 2 TB model. This follows a previous price hike in the U.S. last October. The company cited significant increases in console storage and memory prices exacerbated by the global components crisis. Consoles, unlike other consumer electronics, are typically sold at a loss. One commenter expressed offense at the all-caps styling of "Xbox" and skepticism regarding profit claims. The decision to discontinue the high-end 2 TB model, rather than the lower-end 512 GB version, is seen as significant. This move is compared to Apple limiting RAM configurations on Mac Studios with the M3 Ultra chip. Apple previously offered higher RAM upgrades, but these are now unavailable, forcing consumers to seek used models at inflated prices.
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/25/xbox-console-price-update/ news.xbox.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

FT Reports That Apple Is Lobbying to Buy Memory Chips From Blacklisted Chinese Company CXMT

Apple is reportedly lobbying the Trump administration to allow it to purchase memory chips from CXMT, a Chinese company. The Pentagon has blacklisted CXMT due to alleged ties with the People's Liberation Army. While not outright prohibited, the company's inclusion on the Chinese Military Company blacklist raises national security concerns. Congress is expected to strongly oppose any administration approval of Apple's purchases from CXMT. Lawmakers view such a partnership as a grave mistake that would benefit the Chinese Communist Party. Critics argue this would increase US dependence on China for critical technology supply chains. There are also warnings that allowing this deal could harm the American memory chip industry. Some believe the decision pits Apple's profit margins against national security and industry competitiveness. Tim Cook, in his new role as executive chairman, will be involved in engaging with policymakers globally. The situation highlights a potential conflict between corporate interests and national security objectives.
https://www.ft.com/content/d72a25e2-7bde-4aa9-bd8d-0c4f3d6cb2cb ft.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

Grok Is a Generative Porno App

xAI has released an improved video model, indicating progress in its visual AI development. This comes as xAI also seeks external assistance to compete in areas like coding. SpaceX has promoted its AI video tools, especially in anticipation of its IPO. However, a significant portion of user engagement with these tools appears to be driven by their less restrictive content policies.According to former xAI employees, more than half of Grok's traffic originates from explicit content, including pornography and adult role-play. Popular user-generated content on Grok forums often consists of explicit material. Users can create these visuals through the consumer app or other Grok products. While this might be a viable business, it may not align with investor expectations for SpaceX. Renaming the companies to reflect their content might clarify their offerings to the public.
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/xai-bets-groks-racy-side?rc=jfy0lk theinformation.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

OpenAI Announces, But Is Blocked From Releasing, New GPT-5.6 Models

OpenAI has announced a limited preview of its new GPT-5.6 series, featuring three models: Sol, Terra, and Luna. Sol is their flagship model, Terra offers balanced performance at a reduced cost, and Luna provides strong capabilities affordably. GPT-5.6 Sol includes enhanced safety features to protect against misuse and real-world attacks. The company plans to make these models generally available to the public in the coming weeks. A staggered release approach is being implemented at the request of the U.S. government. CEO Sam Altman confirmed that the government will approve customer access during the preview period. This preview involves a small group of trusted partners whose participation has been shared with the government. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly cautioned OpenAI against launching without further agency approvals. The author expresses concern over the government's approach to AI regulation, deeming it potentially transactional and uninformed. They advocate for thoughtful and consistent AI oversight, rather than impulsive or subjective measures.
https://openai.com/index/previewing-gpt-5-6-sol/ openai.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

White House Grants Access to Anthropic’s Mythos Model to 100+ U.S. Institutions; Fable Still Shut Down

The Trump administration has de-escalated a confrontation with AI company Anthropic. Previously, export controls were imposed on Anthropic's Mythos AI model due to security concerns. These controls led to the shutdown of Mythos and its related model, Fable 5. Warnings from companies like Amazon highlighted the risk of these models being "jailbroken" for malicious use. The administration's recent letter to Anthropic is silent on Fable 5's release. However, discussions suggest Fable may also be released, though the timeline is uncertain. This situation signals the development of a new regulatory approach for advanced AI models. This new regime would grant the US government oversight on the release of frontier AI models. The author criticizes this as an ad hoc and potentially disastrous regulatory framework, especially under the current administration. The author expresses incredulity that Howard Lutnick appears to be making these critical AI policy decisions.
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/27/2026/us-releases-powerful-anthropic-model-mythos-to-some-us-companies semafor.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

The Steam Machine

The traditional game console goal, since the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972, has been to play proprietary games on a TV. This fundamental formula has been sustained by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft for decades. The Steam Machine, however, proposes a more expansive vision of a console. It aims to offer fewer restrictions and a vast game catalog. This ambition comes at a significant cost, with the Steam Machine starting at $1,049 without a controller. Even with this price, its performance does not surpass a PlayStation 5, which costs considerably less. The PS5 offers sharper visuals in demanding games according to testing. Valve's premium pricing is justified by the Steam Machine's classification as a "PC-plus." It operates as a PC designed with console-like simplicity. The device is noted for its quiet operation, compact size, and smooth user experience. Navigating its interface and launching games can be done entirely with a gamepad. Despite its innovative approach, the Steam Machine still has progress to make in achieving true plug-and-play simplicity.
https://www.theverge.com/games/952765/steam-machine-review?view_token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpZCI6Illsb3pPdVlCSmQiLCJwIjoiL2dhbWVzLzk1Mjc2NS9zdGVhbS1tYWNoaW5lLXJldmlldyIsImV4cCI6MTc4MzAxOTM4OCwiaWF0IjoxNzgyNTg3Mzg4fQ.ksUd5qynurLxKTvjnCTD3mj4xzH9gdFgqAzFJ577ZcE theverge.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 27

Apple’s Full Statement on Yesterday’s Price Increases

Apple, in a statement issues to the press yesterday, quoted fully by MacRumors:The consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge. The rapid expansion of AI data centers has created an extraordinary surge in demand for memory and storage. We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly. We have shielded our customers from these increases so far, but we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today’s increases for iPad and Mac. We know this is not welcome news, and we are working tirelessly to find solutions.I saw a few other publications quote a sentence or two from the statement, but I like to see the whole thing. It’s not long.
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/25/apple-explains-why-it-raised-prices/ macrumors.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 26

The Price-Hiked Apple TV 4K Is 4 Years Old

The current third-generation Apple TV 4K models were released in October 2022, featuring the A15 Bionic chip. New hardware models are anticipated for release this fall. Significant price increases for the existing models, from $130 to $200 and $150 to $250, make them less competitive. These higher prices are considered unjustified for hardware that is effectively four years old with five-year-old technology. The substantial price hike, especially a 67 percent increase for the higher-end model, suggests these prices are intended for an upcoming hardware refresh. It is speculated that the new models will be more advanced home hub devices, justifying the $200 to $250 price points. This situation makes purchasing the current Apple TV models a poor value proposition in the interim. Apple may introduce new Apple TV hardware in September or October that is ready for Apple Intelligence. These price increases could be a prelude to even higher prices for the next-generation hardware. Currently, the Apple TV platform appears to be the most negatively impacted by these price adjustments within Apple's product lineup.
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Apple_TV buyersguide.macrumors.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 26

Apple Journal’s Atrocious Undo Bug Has Been Fixed (and SwiftUI, Per Se, Is Not to Blame)

A bug in Apple's Journal app where undoing a deletion caused the entire sentence to disappear was highlighted. This severe issue, despite being found in a largely SwiftUI-based app, was actually within its UIKit text editing component. Such data-destroying bugs, particularly those affecting undo functionality, are typically considered critical and demand immediate attention in software engineering. Marcin Wichary emphasized that broken undo features should be prioritized for fixing over most other tasks. Apple PR confirmed that the Journal app's undo bug had been identified and a fix was in development. This fix has now been released in developer beta 2 for both macOS and iOS. However, the bug still exists in the current developer beta of macOS 26.6. Users are cautioned to be careful when writing in the Journal app due to this persistent issue. The original author had mistakenly attributed the bug to SwiftUI, but it was later clarified to be a UIKit problem. The fix indicates Apple's response to critical user experience flaws.
https://daringfireball.net/2026/06/swiftui_only_makes_it_easy_to_develop_bad_apps daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 25

Om Malik, 1966-2026

Heartbreaking news, shared by Om’s family:Om Malik passed away on June 24, 2026, at Stanford Hospital after a long health journey with his heart. He was surrounded by family and friends.We invite you to share your remembrances of Om in the comments below or by posting and tagging his accounts on X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, or LinkedIn.Om kept this battle very private, so this news comes as a terrible surprise for many, and an incomprehensible gut punch for everyone who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, my friend.So it goes.
https://om.co/2026/06/24/1966-2026/ om.co
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 25

Apple Raises Prices on Most Products by 15–25 Percent, but Not iPhones, Watches, or AirPods

Apple briefly took down its online store for typical new product announcements. Upon reopening, prices for Mac computers increased by approximately 15% to 20%. iPad prices saw a rise of 15% to 25%. The base MacBook Air increased by $200 to $1,299, and the base MacBook Pro by $300 to $1,999. The entry-level MacBook Neo went up $100 to $699. The iPad Air's price rose $150 to $749, and the iPad Pro increased by $200 to $1,199. iPhone prices remained the same, but Apple indicated further increases are possible. The company cited unprecedented and rapid component price hikes as the reason for these adjustments. Even the Vision Pro's price increased by 6%, from $3,500 to $3,700. The MacBook Neo at its previous $500-$600 price point represents the lowest Apple has ever sold a MacBook.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-raises-prices-on-macs-ipads-by-200-or-more-on-some-models-a7463f99?st=zse57R wsj.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 25

WebKit Always Enables the Copy Menu Item in Every App

John Gruber of Daring Fireball noticed an issue where the Copy menu item in Safari remained enabled even when no text was selected on a webpage. Jeff Johnson confirmed this bug, which originates in WebKit, the rendering engine used by Safari. The problem also affects other applications like Mail, as well as RSS readers such as NetNewsWire and Vienna, which utilize WebKit. When there's no selection in a WebKit view, copying results in nothing useful being pasted, and it overwrites the existing clipboard content. Traditionally, macOS applications disable the Copy and Cut menu items when nothing is selected. Invoking a disabled keyboard shortcut for Copy produces an alert sound to indicate the action's unavailability. However, since early 2025, WebKit-based apps allow copying of empty or unusable data if nothing is selected. This behavior is considered a bug as it can erase valuable clipboard history without offering any functionality. Johnson reported this issue to WebKit's Bugzilla, but it was incorrectly closed as "Won't Fix." The WebKit team conflated the application-level Copy command behavior with JavaScript's document.execCommand("copy") functionality. The bug was introduced when WebKit engineers attempted to fix a long-standing JavaScript bug related to copying. Johnson hopes the WebKit team will re-examine the previously submitted bug report, especially given their recent encouragement for bug submissions.
https://lapcatsoftware.com/articles/2026/6/5.html lapcatsoftware.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 24

WebKit in Safari 27 Beta

WebKit (back during WWDC):If you look through the lists of features and fixes in Safari 27, you’ll notice that, although there are 58 brand-new features and 525 fixes — the largest pile of fixes in any Safari release in recent memory — most of what is released is not about new things.Most of this work has been about existing features behaving more correctly, handling more edge cases, and fitting together with other features the way you’d expect. We committed our time to increasing quality — that’s the story of this release and the year that led to it. [...]If something has been bothering you, test it in Safari 27 beta. You might be pleasantly surprised. And if it hasn’t been fixed yet, file a bug report, or add a comment to an existing issue with a concrete scenario, a link to a real site, or a reduced test case. The more concrete the problem, the more helpful it is.Sounds like it’s a bit of a Snow Leopard year for WebKit, too, not just the OSes.
https://webkit.org/blog/17967/news-from-wwdc26-webkit-in-safari-27-beta/ webkit.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 24

[Sponsor] WorkOS: Agents Need Auth. There’s Now a Spec for It.

When an AI agent tries to complete a task that requires a new account, it hits a wall: the sign-up form. There’s no standard for how an agent registers a user with an app on their behalf.auth.md is a file you host at your domain that tells agents how to register your users, which flows you support, what scopes you expose, and how credentials get issued. Think robots.txt, but for agent registration. It composes existing OAuth standards. Cloudflare, Firecrawl, and Resend have already adopted it.An open protocol authored by WorkOS. Read the spec.
http://workos.com/auth-md workos.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 24

Designed in California: An Apple History Podcast

Kickstarter campaign from Jason Snell and Myke Hurley to fund a 50-episode narrative podcast on Apple’s 50-year history. (Actually, with stretch goals, more than 50 episodes.) The campaign has already hit its primary funding goal but there’s a week left in the campaign and more stretch goals to hit. Jason and I spoke at length about Designed in California on the latest episode of my podcast, and like I said there — if you enjoy podcasts like The Talk Show and Upgrade and aren’t backing this campaign, you’re not hooked up right. Really looking forward to this when episodes start dropping.
https://designed.fm/ designed.fm
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 24

The Talk Show: ‘Perp Walk for Selfies’

Jason Snell returns to the show for a look back at WWDC 2026, and a look ahead to Designed in California, his and Myke Hurley’s upcoming 50-episode Apple history podcast.Sponsored by:Factor: Healthy eating, made easy. Get 50% off your first box, plus free daily greens, with code talkshow50off. Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code TALKSHOW. Finalist — A daily planner for iPhone, iPad and Mac, built on proven paper-based planning methods. DF readers get six months free; see details at the link.
https://daringfireball.net/thetalkshow/2026/06/23/ep-450 daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 23

Ultra-Wide 0.5x Lenses Have Utility Beyond ‘Photography’

The author's previous piece discussed the second-generation iPhone Air's inclusion of an ultra-wide lens instead of a telephoto. This utility stems from the author's personal use of the ultra-wide lens primarily for scanning documents and taking quick reference images. Photography, in the author's view, implies creating aesthetically pleasing images intended for long-term enjoyment. Telephoto lenses are exclusively suited for this purpose. Conversely, the ultra-wide lens offers additional functionality beyond traditional photography. Digital zoom can substitute for a telephoto, but a wider perspective or closer focus cannot be duplicated. The 0.5× ultra-wide lens on the iPhone Pro has a significantly shorter minimum focal distance of 2 cm compared to the 1× lenses on both models. This close-focusing capability is crucial for tasks like taking macro photos of objects and text for AI analysis. A reader who switched from an iPhone Pro to an Air confirmed this sentiment, stating they missed the ultra-wide lens more than the telephoto. This user would consider an upgrade if the ultra-wide lens were added to the Air model.
https://daringfireball.net/linked/2026/06/22/gurman-iphone-air-2 daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 23

Apple Is Going to Raise Device Prices — but When?

Tim Cook's recent interview signaled imminent price increases from Apple due to rising RAM and SSD costs. Mark Gurman speculates these hikes are not tied to the upcoming back-to-school sale, suggesting a more immediate rollout. The author previously bet against RAM price increases on new MacBook Pros, believing Apple values pricing as part of its brand identity. They also believe Apple typically avoids mid-cycle price adjustments on existing products. However, the author acknowledges the unprecedented nature of the global RAM shortage. Cook's early warning is interpreted as an attempt to desensitize consumers to bad news before the fall iPhone launch. The author is less confident in their prediction this time, given the severe supply chain issues. Apple has not yet implemented price changes since Cook's interview. This delay suggests Apple might be waiting for new hardware releases to implement the price increases. It is also possible Apple is undecided on the timing, perhaps hoping the RAM shortage will not worsen significantly. The company might be bracing for further price hikes but aiming to hold out until September. Cook's vague timing might reflect this uncertainty.
https://x.com/markgurman/status/2067741507273289766 x.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 22

Gurman Says Second-Gen iPhone Air, Coming in Early 2027, Will Sport a 0.5× Ultra-Wide Second Camera

Apple is reportedly developing an iPhone Air second generation for release in spring 2027. Prototypes of this new model, internally codenamed V62, are said to include a second rear camera. This additional lens is intended to offer ultrawide-angle photography capabilities. The device is currently in advanced testing at Apple. Previous reports suggested the second camera could be either ultrawide or telephoto. Standard iPhones have historically featured 1x and 0.5x lenses, while Pro models include a telephoto lens. Prior to the iPhone 11, higher-end iPhones used a 2x telephoto lens as the secondary option. The inclusion of an ultrawide lens on the iPhone Air may be driven by its popularity or suitability for the device's thin design. Personal usage data indicates a modest but consistent use of both ultrawide and telephoto lenses for stills. For videos, the ultrawide lens is used more frequently than the telephoto. The author expresses a preference for a telephoto lens if limited to one additional option due to its enhanced zoom capabilities.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-17/apple-prepares-second-generation-iphone-air-for-spring-2027?accessToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzb3VyY2UiOiJTdWJzY3JpYmVyR2lmdGVkQXJ0aWNsZSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MTcyNjU5MiwiZXhwIjoxNzgyMzMxMzkyLCJhcnRpY2xlSWQiOiJUR1BINkJLR0NURlEwMCIsImJjb25uZWN0SWQiOiJBMDdGRjZGMzlBOTY0NzREOTNBQkFGRjUyQjBBQTE2NiJ9.25UCFLJjGHnk7gaJKhfIP2uChXC-tJLjKfOyUeY4QqI&leadSource=uverify+wall bloomberg.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 22

Criterion Collection: The Complete Kubrick

30-disc set includes:4K restorations of Kubrick’s thirteen features and three shorts, with their original soundtracks alongside the 5.1 mixes, restored and remastered Over twenty-five hours of interviews, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes materials Kubrick’s international version of The Shining A new 4K restoration of Vivian Kubrick’s behind-the-scenes documentary Making “The Shining” Newly recorded commentary tracks featuring filmmaker Lee Unkrich (editor of the book Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”) and author Michael Benson (Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece)All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/9000-the-complete-kubrick criterion.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 22

Dickover of the Week: The Observer

The Observer's claim of caring about privacy is contradicted by its sharing of personal data with 161 partners. This practice is compared to being followed by numerous individuals after buying a newspaper, highlighting the extent of surveillance. Including 161 third-party trackers on a website and then stating "We Care About Your Privacy" is described as dystopian. The author likens this to inflicting harm while professing concern, creating an offensive irony. The article refers back to a 2020 piece emphasizing that online privacy should mirror real-world privacy. It uses an analogy of a stranger approaching someone with a sunscreen offer immediately after they visited a drugstore without buying. This scenario is intended to illustrate the "creepiness" of online tracking, invoking a fight-or-flight response. The analogy is further extended to point out that real-world tracking would be even more intrusive. It would persist even after a purchase, leading to annoying and redundant offers. The author suggests that current online tracking methods are both creepy and often nonsensically persistent.
https://bvsveera.net/observer-dickover/ bvsveera.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 22

Before and After: MacOS 27 Golden Gate Beta 1’s App Icons

Basic Apple Guy, back during WWDC:WWDC always brings a torrent of new content, details, and platform-wide changes. One of the first things I noticed after installing the macOS Golden Gate beta was the updated icon design. The colours are much bolder, several icons have been adjusted, and the refraction in the Liquid Glass effect has changed significantly, especially in icons like Journal.There’s also a noticeable sharpness to the icons, along with a flattening of the Liquid Glass effect. I’m not sure yet whether this is simply an early-beta artifact or the intended final look.I think it’s definitely the intended look, and I like it. The changes in these app icons are all subtle, but they’re all changes for the better. I still don’t like the primitive flat shapes and mandated squircle, but at least the trend is finally moving in the right direction again.
https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/macos-golden-gate-icon-comparison basicappleguy.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 21

Mux — Video for Developers

My thanks to Mux for sponsoring Daring Fireball last week. Video is a boatload of data. Every video file in your product contains audio, objects, and scenes that most stacks can’t read or access.Mux Robots turns that data into video intelligence. Configure your video workflows once, and they run automatically on every new upload: ask questions, summarize, find key moments, and more. No asset webhooks or self-hosted glue code needed.Mux is video infrastructure for developers, trusted by Synthesia, Shopify, and the U.S. Soccer Federation. Start building for free. Use code FIREBALL at signup for an extra $50 credit.
https://www.mux.com/ mux.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 21

Another One for the ‘Sorry, We Used to Be Crap’ Truth-in-Advertising File: Carlsberg Beer

Ben Chapman, reporting for The Independent in 2019:After 40 years of advertising its lager as “Probably the best beer in the world”, Danish brewer Carlsberg has confessed that the famous slogan may not be true. Reacting to falling sales and increasingly harsh comments from drinkers about the taste of its beer, Carlsberg has launched a new recipe along with a more honest approach to marketing.The campaign declares: “Probably not the best beer in the world. So we’ve changed it. Somewhere along the line, we lost our way. We focused on brewing quantity, not quality. We became one of the cheapest, not the best.”As part of the new ad campaign Carlsberg is sharing negative comments about the old beer including, “Carlsberg tastes like stale breadsticks” and another comparing it to “drinking the bathwater your nan died in”.I drank a Carlsberg once. Once.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/carlsberg-probably-not-best-beer-in-world-lager-brewer-a8874016.html independent.co.uk
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 20

Trump Mobile T1 Phone Is a Gold-Painted Two-Year-Old HTC U24 Pro

NBC News:The Trump Mobile T1 phone, originally marketed as “Made in the USA,” is nearly identical to the two-year-old HTC U24 Pro, a phone made by the Taiwanese company HTC using Chinese parts, according to a technical analysis the repair-guide and parts company iFixit conducted in partnership with NBC News.That report is paywalled, but NBC News’s five-minute video is on YouTube, and iFixit has a full teardown report of their own. The only thing that’s surprising is that the Trump T1 doesn’t cost much more than the HTC-branded one ($500 vs. $470).
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/gadgets/trump-mobile-t1-phone-nearly-identical-htc-device-analysis-rcna349293 nbcnews.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 19