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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

Apple TV to Finally Air ‘The Savant’ in Early 2027, Supposedly

Apple TV+ has rescheduled the premiere of its thriller series "The Savant," starring Jessica Chastain. The series was initially put on hold just three days before its planned release in September 2025. It is now slated to debut in the spring of 2027. This new release window aims to make the show eligible for the 2027 Emmy Awards. The postponement last year was reportedly due to concerns about its storyline involving extremist attacks and imagery, such as sniper attacks. These elements were considered potentially triggering so soon after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. However, one interpretation suggests the concerns were more likely a response to potential calls from the White House. While Deadline, Variety, and Dark Horizons report the new release, Apple TV+'s official press page still lists the premiere date as "Coming Soon." The exact timing within spring 2027 is still being finalized. The series' plot centers on preventing extremist attacks.
https://deadline.com/2026/09/jessica-chastain-the-savant-new-release-date-apple-tv-1237108228/ deadline.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Today

WorkOS: How SSO Works and the Fastest Way to Add It

My thanks to WorkOS for sponsoring this last week — a big week — at DF.SSO is table stakes for enterprise deals, but building it into your app yourself means writing SAML controllers, parsing XML assertions, and handling IdP-specific quirks for each provider. Learn how SAML flows work, the tradeoffs between building or buying, and best practices for security, routing, and UX.Or, skip the hassle and add SSO with WorkOS. Read their developer’s guide to learn more.
https://workos.com/guide/the-developers-guide-to-sso workos.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

GM Revives CarPlay for 2027 Trucks

Natalie Neff, Autoweek:General Motors is reversing course after having begun to remove Apple CarPlay from its vehicles, showing off instead a redesigned infotainment interface for the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups that melds the smartphone apps with the truck’s native vehicle controls on the same screen.The new system, which will roll out later this year, marks a significant walk-back after the automaker faced widespread criticism for removing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its Ultium-based electric vehicles beginning with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV.One of the dumbest own goals in recent memory. Tesla gets away with not supporting CarPlay because they created their own system that’s so good that many Tesla owners prefer it, or, at least find it good enough as an alternative. GM tried to replace CarPlay with a system that no one liked.
https://www.autoweek.com/news/a73761352/gm-revives-apple-carplay-for-2027-chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra/ autoweek.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Marques Brownlee’s iPhone 18 Pro Review

The author agrees with a reviewer who believes the latest iPhone models are comparable to Apple's "S" year releases. A key point highlighted is that the regular iPhone 18 Pro, according to Apple's specs, offers longer battery life than the previous year's iPhone 17 Pro Max. This year-over-year improvement in an important attribute is easily understandable. The reviewer questions why Apple omits battery capacities in mAh from their published specifications, a fact typically discovered through teardowns. This practice extends to RAM, which is also not listed on Apple's tech specs pages. Apple's philosophy is to only publish specs they deem useful for comparison, such as storage and overall battery life based on usage scenarios. They believe specific metrics like mAh capacity or RAM amounts are not useful comparative tools, especially when contrasting with Android devices. Apple argues that battery life is more complex than just battery size, with chip efficiency playing a significant role. Similarly, they feel that comparing iPhone RAM to Android RAM is misleading due to iOS's optimization. Therefore, Apple chooses not to publish these specific figures, opting instead for metrics they believe users will find more relevant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohqxP8EEumo youtube.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Austin Mann’s iPhone 18 Pro Camera Review, From Dunton, Colorado

Austin Mann:I’m here at the beautiful Dunton River Camp in southwest Colorado, where I’ve spent the last week testing the new camera and features on the iPhone 18 Pro.Beyond the variable aperture and Pro Controls, Apple also built in a bunch of other new features like Photographic Styles 3 with film texture and grain control, 4K Time-lapse and Focus Tracking. As always, when I start a field test I’m asking one question:How will this new tech make our pictures and videos better?Absolutely example photos, a terrific video that illustrates how some of the new “pro controls” in the Camera app work, and some terrific examples of Photographic Styles 3.(I love how Mann takes these new phones to exotic locales around the globe each year, and I take them to the hardware store.)
https://www.austinmann.com/trek/iphone-18-pro-camera-review-dunton austinmann.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 19

Just Me or Does This Argument Not Add Up?

Miriam Pawel, in an op-ed in The New York Times arguing that University of California should not bring back the SAT requirement for admission:What has made the University of California exceptional is its commitment to increase access without sacrificing excellence. [...] Students on University of California campuses may struggle with basic math, but they are graduating at record rates.A success story would be increasing the number of people with solid math skills. Printing degrees for students who struggle with basic math is not a success story, and sounds like the antithesis of “academic excellence”.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/opinion/university-of-california-sat.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CFE.bXBA.V6BFzBn1jlKG nytimes.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Will Oremus Is a Duo Doubter

Apple has unveiled a new foldable iPhone called the iPhone Duo. This device features a "remarkable hinge" and opens like a book to reveal a large 7.6-inch screen. It can be used in both folded and unfolded states, offering versatility with split-screen or full-screen modes. The seamless open screen is noted as an impressive engineering accomplishment. However, the reviewer questions its potential to change many lives, especially given its high price point comparable to a MacBook Pro. The article argues that for many, a phone is their primary computer, making a more expensive iPhone justifiable. The real oddity highlighted is that it has taken Apple twenty years to introduce an iPhone at this price range. Foldable smartphones have been available since Samsung's introduction of the category in 2019, but they have not yet gained widespread popularity. The iPhone Duo is consequently described as feeling like a disappointment, especially when compared to Apple's past "one more thing" announcements. The author contends that a completely new iPhone form factor should qualify as a significant unveiling.
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/09/apple-folding-iphone/688562/?gift=aQyUJR7AIw1mJWdQ6Ed6yE6RbvpIGGpQGFPIX827p48 theatlantic.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Warren Buffett, at 96, Steps Down as Chairman at Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffett, in a letter to Berkshire shareholders:Recently, I celebrated my 96th birthday with family and friends, including one of my great-grandchildren, who had just turned one. He’s moving a bit faster than I am these days. [...]So the timing is right to complete the transition. I will become Chairman Emeritus and remain a Director. My son, Howard, will succeed me as Chairman.Howard has been a Berkshire Director for 33 years. That is a longer apprenticeship than I served before taking the reins at the age of 34. Greg runs the company; Howard will guard its culture and values — both worth more than anything on our balance sheet. Think of Howard as a policy the shareholders own and hope never to claim against.Not many 71-year-olds rise to the position of chairman at leading corporations.
https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/news/sep1826.pdf berkshirehathaway.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Trump Says He’s Banning MS NOW, CNN, and Politico From White House

Let’s check in on the president of the United States, having a normal one on his blog:I am proud to announce that, effective immediately, I am banning Fake News CNN, MSNOW (who recently changed their name from MSNBC due to lack of viewership and credibility!), and Politico (The recipients of an illegal and ridiculous $8 Million Dollar subscription, an All Time Record, directly from the United States Government, under Crooked Joe Biden, in order to keep them “alive.” Seems like corruption to me!), from the White House as a result of their constant “reporting” FAKE NEWS! Media Outlets shouldn’t be able to constantly write or report FICTION and LIES when they’re covering the President of the United States, the Trump Administration, or the United States of America. Other Fake News Media Outlets to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMPRepublicans are the party of free speech.
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117293599348325006 truthsocial.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Hollywood Wants the Duo

Page Six Hollywood:Ternus attended an intimate Apple party the night before the Emmys, filled with stars and powerbrokers, where some talent brazenly hit him up for the phone.“The new phone is big news,” said one top Hollywood exec, who added that they heard of at least one star, “asking [Ternus] to get him on the list” for a phone. Joked the source about who gets the phones: “It’s like CEOs. That’s like the ‘Eddy Cue list of illuminati.’” (Cue is Apple’s senior vice president of services and health.)
https://pagesix.com/2026/09/16/hollywood/mysterious-apple-ceo-charms-hollywood-following-big-emmys-night-by-showing-off-new-iphone/ pagesix.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Gauging Interest in the iPhone Duo

Marques Brownlee's (MKBHD) video about the first look at Apple's Duo is his third most popular, with a follow-up video also ranking highly. This indicates Apple's significant influence in the tech space, particularly concerning new product categories and form factors. When Apple enters a new market segment, their content immediately garners immense attention, surpassing established players. While this doesn't guarantee immediate market dominance for Apple's folding devices, it highlights viewer interest in Apple's innovations. The author argues that humans are visually oriented and naturally drawn to novelty, making "new" a potent marketing tool. Products that visually appear new capture attention and create a perception of freshness. Conversely, incremental updates to existing designs, like a hypothetical iPhone 18 Pro, lack this inherent appeal. The Duo's novel appearance, therefore, naturally attracts interest, regardless of prior foldable phone existence. Ultimately, the author concludes that the appeal is less about the technology itself and more about the Apple brand. The association with Apple transforms a new product into something that "people care about."
https://maxfrequency.net/2026/09/17/iphone-duo-mkbhd-popularity-or-curiosity/ maxfrequency.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

One More Thing About the iPhones 18 Pro: the Bigger/Smaller Dynamic Island

The iPhone 18 Pro features a new under-display Face ID infrared camera. This advancement has resulted in a smaller permanent cutout for the Dynamic Island. However, the usable space within the Dynamic Island for displaying content has effectively increased. iOS can now draw to the left of the cutout, where the Face ID sensor was previously located. This allows the iPhone 18 Pro to display up to three Live Activities simultaneously, an increase from the previous maximum of two. While this offers more functionality, there is a slight visual compromise noted. The pixels directly above the under-display sensor appear less sharp, particularly with status bar text like the time. This fuzziness is subtle and requires close inspection to notice. Apple has progressively reduced the front-facing display obstruction over the years. The company's long-term goal appears to be a completely uninterrupted, all-display front. The placement of Face ID under the display marks a substantial move towards achieving this objective.
https://daringfireball.net/2026/09/the_iphones_18_pro#:~:text=OR%20IS%20IT%20BIGGER daringfireball.net
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

YouTube Changed How It Counts ‘Views’ Last Month, Inflating New Numbers

YouTube is updating its view counting system to a single standard for all video formats. This change will apply to all videos, not just Shorts, beginning on August 24, 2026. From that date, a view will be counted as soon as a video starts playing from its first frame. Previously, YouTube used different view counting systems for various video formats. The platform is making this change to reduce confusion for creators and provide a more accurate measure of exposure. This aligns with creator feedback requesting a consistent metric across the board. The author notes that this update will impact how view counts are interpreted for events like Apple's iPhone keynotes. It will become difficult to objectively measure viewer interest through YouTube view counts after this change. The new standard aims for platform-wide consistency in view counting. This aims to simplify understanding of video performance for all users.
https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/433409976/an-update-to-how-we-count-public-views-across-youtube?hl=en support.google.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 18

Why Do U.S. Models of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Only U.S. Models of the 18 Pro Max, Use Qualcomm Cellular Modems Instead of Apple’s Own Superior C2 Modem?

Apple's iPhone 18 Pro utilizes the C2 modem globally. However, iPhone 18 Pro Max models outside the U.S. also feature the C2 modem. U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max models are the sole exception, equipped with a Qualcomm modem. Apple has not officially explained this discrepancy in modem usage. Speculation suggests this may be to fulfill a contract with Qualcomm. This contract obligated Apple to use Qualcomm modems through 2026. The C2 modem enables ultra-fast mmWave 5G in the U.S. Previous Apple modems did not support this, whereas Qualcomm modems had for years. Apple claims the C2 offers faster uploads and 15% better energy efficiency than the C1X. The author believes Apple has now caught up with Qualcomm on mmWave support. Furthermore, Apple has arguably surpassed Qualcomm in energy efficiency since the C1's introduction. The most plausible reason for the U.S. Pro Max using Qualcomm is to minimally satisfy their agreement.
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/12/iphone-18-pro-max-us-model-difference/ macrumors.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 17

Xcode 27.2 Is Out, but 27.1 Is Not, Which Means Developers Still Can’t Get Started on Duo-Adapted Apps

A note flagged “Important” atop the Xcode 27.2 release notes:The iOS SDK and simulator support for iPhone Duo will be available later this month in an upcoming release of Xcode 27.1.Adapting apps for the Duo is not just a simple “recompile with the new SDK”. It’s different. For just about all apps it’s going to be a significant amount of work, and for some apps it’s going to be a lot of work. But without Xcode 27.1, developers cannot get started. Developers wanted this SDK a week ago. And when day one preorder buyers start using their Duos on October 23, they’re going to wish Apple had shipped this SDK last week too.
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode-release-notes/xcode-27_2-release-notes developer.apple.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 16

Apple OS 27.2 Betas Are Out; Version 27.1 Is the Duo-Exclusive iOS Fork

Apple has released the first beta of iOS 27.2 to developers, skipping version 27.1. This unusual numbering is due to the upcoming iPhone Duo, which will launch on October 23rd with iOS 27.1. Apple is using iOS 27.2 for other devices to keep their OS versions aligned. The 27.2 releases are also expected to ship in October, likely after the iPhone Duo's launch. Historically, Apple used a similar staggered approach with the original iPad in 2010. The iPad launched with iPhone OS 3.2, while iPhones and iPod Touches remained on version 3.1. The operating system was later renamed iOS. Convergence with the iPad finally occurred with iOS 4.2. This time, the convergence with the iPhone Duo is expected to be much quicker. The Duo will eventually join the other devices on a 27.2.x update, aligning version numbers across all platforms. This convergence is anticipated to happen in November or early December.
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/16/heres-why-apple-released-ios-27-2-beta/ macrumors.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 16

AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Works With MagSafe, But Not Magnetically

The author initially stated that the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is compatible with MagSafe chargers. However, Apple's official tech specs only list compatibility with USB-C, Apple Watch chargers, and Qi-certified chargers. The key distinction lies in magnetic attachment, which is a core feature of MagSafe. AirPods Pro cases possess magnets and attach securely to MagSafe chargers, even vertically. The AirPods 5 case, lacking these magnets, will not snap onto a MagSafe charger. Despite this, the AirPods 5 case can still charge on a horizontal MagSafe puck because MagSafe chargers inherently support Qi wireless charging. Apple's strict definition of MagSafe includes magnetic alignment, leading to the omission of MagSafe from the AirPods 5 compatibility list. This lack of mention might lead consumers to believe the AirPods 5 case is not MagSafe compatible at all.
https://www.apple.com/airpods-5/specs/ apple.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 16

‘Apple Reference Image: A New Approach for Verified Photography’

Apple's security research team has detailed their Apple Reference Image system. This system aims to verify image authenticity without compromising photographer privacy. Unlike other solutions, it avoids requiring photographers to use their credentials, which could put them at risk. This is particularly important for those working in sensitive environments like conflict zones. Apple Reference Image ensures anonymity by not publicly associating images with specific photographers or sensors. Instead, the final reference image is signed by Apple's service after validation by a Partitioned Cloud Compute (PCC) system. This signature is backed by Apple's strongest technical security. The system also protects image confidentiality, even from Apple itself. The PCC architecture prevents Apple from accessing image data, mirroring Apple Intelligence's privacy measures. While a revocation service tracks photo GUIDs and sensors, it lacks access to image content. Final revocation checks happen on-device, preventing the device from revealing which photo it is verifying.
https://security.apple.com/blog/apple-reference-image/ security.apple.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 16

FT: ‘Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders Unite in AI Safety Call’

Joe Miller, reporting for the Financial Times (via Political Wire):Veteran socialist Bernie Sanders and rightwing activist Steve Bannon are joining forces to call for greater guardrails on AI, even as Donald Trump insists concerns about the technology are a hoax that will help China overtake the US.In a sign of how the outcry over AI safety is reshaping the US political landscape, speakers from the far right and left of the political spectrum will join an event billed as the “Pro-Human Assembly” in Washington on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to do more to tackle the effects of AI.One take would be that Sanders is a voice of sound reason and compassion, and Bannon is aligned with him on this issue in the way that a stopped clock shows the correct time twice a day. Another take is the horseshoe theory, which holds that leftwing and rightwing zealots are more alike than different, because they’re all crackpot ideologues.
https://www.ft.com/content/bab5c4c5-5377-4dd0-8b46-d8c4ce9a36d5?syn-25a6b1a6=1 ft.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 15

[Sponsor] WorkOS: How SSO Works and the Fastest Way to Add It

SSO is table stakes for enterprise deals, but building it into your app yourself means writing SAML controllers, parsing XML assertions, and handling IdP-specific quirks for each provider.Learn how SAML flows work, the tradeoffs between building or buying, and best practices for security, routing, and UX. Or skip the hassle and add SSO with WorkOS.Read the guide
https://workos.com/guide/the-developers-guide-to-sso workos.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 15

XCancel Shuts Down Again

XCancel:Unfortunately, due to a new development in the ongoing legal proceedings, we are required to suspend this service again until further notice. We can’t share more details.Not surprised, and not sure what to make of the “can’t share more details” part. Again, if you want to avoid visiting X but want to see the content posted there linked from other sites (and, let’s admit it at this point, there’s not just a lot posted on X, it’s resurgent in popularity), install a browser extension like Litterbox (Safari) or Post Peek (Chrome).
https://xcancel.com/ xcancel.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 14

Glyphs 4

My thanks to Glyphs for sponsoring this last week at DF. Glyphs 4 is here: a truly native Mac app for creating fonts, lettering, icons, and pictograms. Glyphs lets you draw with flexible strokes and efficiently reuse shapes across huge sets of glyphs, and explore variable vector designs with complex higher-order interpolation. Glyphs lets you build and manage massive font family and icon sets with ease, and it exports all modern font formats, as well as SVG, PNG, and PDF.Earlier this year Glyph co-creators Georg Seifert and Rainer Scheichelbauer were awarded the RIT Frederic W. Goudy Award for their work on Glyphs. The list of previous winners of this prestigious award reads like a hall of fame for typography: Matthew Carter, Adrian Frutiger, Gudrun and Hermann Zapf, Robert Bringhurst, and Robert Slimbach, to name a few.Glyphs hits my personal interests hard. I’m deeply interested in and fascinated by typography, and nothing pleases me more than a Mac-assed Mac app. I am not, however, a typeface designer. Glyphs is so good, though, that it makes me want to be. This comment from one Glyphs user says a lot: “After using Glyphs, the pen tool in Illustrator feels like carving a chicken with a chainsaw.” In addition to Glyphs 4, the complete font editor, they also offer Glyphs Mini, a “light-weight Mac font editor for beginners”. Their documentation is thorough, and both Glyphs 4 and Glyphs Mini have 30-day free trials. To say it’s been a pleasure to have Glyphs sponsor Daring Fireball is an understatement.Download Glyphs 4 today, and make note of a special offer just for DF readers: use code FIREBALL to save $30 if you purchase in the next month.
https://glyphsapp.com/ glyphsapp.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 13

Unread 5.0

John Brayton:Unread 5.0 is available now from the App Store. This update adds these improvements and more:Improvements around hero images, article list thumbnails, and widget thumbnails Syncing with FreshRSS and Miniflux The ability to quickly mark old articles readI’m a NetNewsWire man personally, but I’ve long admired Unread as a different, very good take on a feed reader. Just a gorgeous app. One of the very best things about RSS is that feed readers take such different shapes and approaches.
https://www.goldenhillsoftware.com/2026/09/unread-50/ goldenhillsoftware.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

Where Are the AI-Generated Killer Apps?

Paul Ford, writing for The New York Times (gift link):For a while, I must admit, it looked as if software developer roles like mine were done for. How could we fight against tireless robots? But our industry is slowly realizing that making truly cutting-edge software still requires humans to think and work together, to maximize their skill sets and to practice their respective crafts. A.I. can write very good software, but it also makes it easy to do someone else’s job badly, which is part of why all those projects fail. Now that everyone can code, it’s become clearer why many shouldn’t.Ford, linking to his own column on Bluesky:I just want one killer app before we get a killer robot.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/opinion/ai-software-coding-apps.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&unlocked_article_code=1.AlE.C9EE.H2j5a1eHFUbQ nytimes.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

T-Mobile Is Charging $5/Month for iPhone Handoff

T-Mobile is launching Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature for compatible iPhones. This allows customers to use their T-Mobile number across two iPhones and choose which device is active. The secondary iPhone will support calls, texts, data, mobile hotspot, Scam Shield, and T-Satellite. iPhone Handoff requires iOS 27 and will be available on the new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo models from launch day. T-Mobile is charging a monthly fee of $5 for this service. The author argues this fee is excessive, as switching eSIMs between devices can currently be done for free, albeit with more manual steps. They express no surprise at a carrier charging for such a feature. The author also notes AT&T has not yet announced support for iPhone Handoff. They criticize AT&T's network and customer service, suggesting users with poor AT&T signal should consider alternatives.
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/devices/iphone-18-pro-iphone-duo-apple-watch-release t-mobile.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

Tristan Buckmaster’s Statement on Getting Scooped by OpenAI on the Navier-Stokes Problem

Tristan Buckmaster, an NYU mathematics professor, has detailed his interactions with OpenAI employees regarding a math-proof controversy. Buckmaster inquired about the timing of OpenAI's first prompt, which was eventually revealed to have been sent after OpenAI learned of his and Levent Alpöge's work. He also questioned whether the OpenAI model was trained on or had access to their project drafts stored in Codex. While OpenAI stated the model doesn't access user data, they did not directly answer the training question. Buckmaster was presented with two proposals: jointly publishing their Euler result alongside OpenAI's Navier-Stokes result, or for Buckmaster to author a paper crediting an internal OpenAI model for the Navier-Stokes solution. Sebastien Bubeck repeatedly insisted on removing Levent Alpöge from authorship, citing his employment at Anthropic as a complicating factor. It was also suggested that OpenAI's early release would position Buckmaster and Alpöge as close to the problem, potentially deserving of a prize. Buckmaster rejected both proposals, stating he would go public if OpenAI proceeded as suggested. He was then warned that such action could ruin his career, to which he responded by questioning the reasoning behind that assertion. The OpenAI representative then threatened to cease being "nice" if Buckmaster did not comply.
https://cims.nyu.edu/~tristanb/statement.pdf cims.nyu.edu
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

Gary Marcus on This Week in AI Drama

OpenAI is accused of cheating in a math contest related to the Navier-Stokes problem. They reportedly spent significantly more on compute than the prize money offered. It is suspected that OpenAI may have used or trained on the work of mathematicians also involved in the contest. This raises concerns about OpenAI potentially stealing intellectual property from users of their models like Codex and ChatGPT.Meanwhile, Anthropic is facing internal controversy as an employee publicly resigned. The employee expressed concerns about the company's increasing recklessness regarding artificial intelligence development. Despite this, a current Anthropic researcher agrees with the former employee's assessment. This researcher believes there is a considerable chance AI could pose an existential threat to humanity within the next decade. He admits Anthropic lacks a definitive plan to ensure superintelligence alignment.The author criticizes this level of alarm as unreasonable, even if AI risks are real. He argues that such language suggests Anthropic operates more like a cult than a rational organization. The author believes former employees who leave such groups may still exhibit cult-like thinking.
https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/two-dire-warnings-one-from-terence garymarcus.substack.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

Last Year’s iPhone Share Amongst Users of Widgetsmith

David Smith, the developer of Widgetsmith, shared data on iPhone 17 family adoption. Overall, the iPhone 17 models performed well, reaching about 20% of Widgetsmith's total usage. However, the iPhone Air significantly underperformed, capturing only 0.3% of overall usage. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Plus achieved 1.4% in its first year. Among Widgetsmith users, the standard iPhone 17 was the most popular of the 17 series. When looking only at users with the iPhone 17 generation, the iPhone 17 model still led in adoption. Conversely, the iPhone Air had a very low adoption rate, even within the 17-generation user group. Smith noted the absence of any Apple advertising for the iPhone Air. He questioned whether Apple's lack of marketing led to low sales or vice-versa. Smith expressed his belief that the iPhone Air is a well-designed phone that many would enjoy if they tried it. He drew parallels to the disappointing sales of the iPhone 12 and 13 Mini, which also featured great designs. The developer speculated that the iPhone Air might be discontinued after its second generation if sales don't improve. He also found the iPhone 17e's lower adoption surprising, suggesting its target demographic might not use Widgetsmith.
https://mastodon.social/@_Davidsmith/117253170115740653 mastodon.social
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 12

Clarus the Dogcow Easter Egg in Apple’s OS 27 Settings

Recent Apple design has been criticized for a loss of its signature whimsy. However, a change in this trend is now apparent with a new discovery in the iOS 27 Settings app. Apple has hidden an easter egg featuring Clarus the Dogcow, a character from classic Mac OS. This nostalgic element has been met with delight from many users. Currently, this specific easter egg is only found on iOS 27, not macOS 27. The macOS 27 Liquid Glass settings panel does exhibit a drawing glitch with a flickering magnifying glass. Despite earlier reports, readers have confirmed Clarus the Dogcow is present in macOS 27 Golden Gate. However, the author was unable to replicate the easter egg on their own macOS 27 beta. Additionally, not all users are observing the magnifying glass flicker on macOS. The return of such character-based easter eggs suggests a potential shift back towards a more playful design approach.
https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/11/apple-hid-a-classic-mac-easter-egg-in-the-ios-27-settings-app/ 9to5mac.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 11

iPhone Duo Only Works With the $80 USB-C Apple Pencil, Not the $130 Apple Pencil Pro

The iPhone Duo likely does not support the Apple Pencil Pro due to the absence of a magnetic charging surface. The Apple Pencil Pro requires magnetic attachment for both charging and pairing with compatible iPads. Without this magnetic support, the Duo cannot even establish a connection with the Pencil Pro. The Apple Pencil with USB-C, however, charges through a hidden USB-C port and is the only model currently compatible with the Duo. The general rule is that if a device can physically connect or magnetically attach to a Pencil, it can use it. Devices with both magnetic attachment and a USB-C port can use either the Pencil Pro or the regular Pencil. Conversely, devices lacking magnetic attachment are limited to the regular Pencil. This fragmented compatibility forces users with multiple Apple devices to carry different Pencils for each. For example, an iPad Pro user with a Pencil Pro would need to purchase and carry a separate USB-C Pencil for their iPhone Duo. This situation highlights the ongoing complexity and inconvenience of Apple’s Pencil compatibility across its product line.
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/09/apple-pencil-usb-c-iphone-duo/ macrumors.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 11

Apple’s OS 27 Updates Will Be Released on Monday, 14 September

9to5 Mac has the iOS 27 release notes too. I haven’t spent much time using Golden Gate, but I’ve been using iOS 27 full-time ever since WWDC. It’s in excellent shape for a .0 release.Now I need to think about how long I want to still hang onto MacOS 15 Sequoia on my main Mac. I’ll probably skip 27.0 and wait for 27.1, but maybe I’ll bite the bullet and upgrade when a 27.0.1 update comes out.
https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/09/apple-confirms-macos-27-golden-gate-launch-date-september-14/ 9to5mac.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 10

[Sponsor] Glyphs 4

Glyphs 4 is here: a Mac-native app for creating fonts, lettering, icons, and pictograms. Draw with flexible strokes and efficiently reuse shapes across huge glyph sets, explore variable vector designs with complex higher-order interpolation. Build and manage massive font families and icon sets with ease, export all modern font formats, SVG, PNG and PDF. Hundreds of refinements and native Tahoe support make designing, testing and shipping your vectors smoother than ever. Glyphs 4: Create. Love the process.Discover Glyphs 4, and use code FIREBALL to save $30 if you purchase in the next month.
https://glyphsapp.com/ glyphsapp.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 7

Trackables 1.5

Many health tracking apps are overly complex, require subscriptions, or misuse user data. Trackables aims to be a simpler, more enjoyable alternative. It presents the existing data from your Apple Watch, such as activity, sleep, steps, and heart rate. The interface is designed to be clear, friendly, and transparent. Trackables is currently free and prioritizes user privacy, developed by a small team. While a paid tier might be introduced later, the essential features will remain free. The app offers a superior dashboard for personal health statistics compared to the native Health app. Unlike Apple Health, Trackables calculates its own sleep score. This is because Apple Health's sleep score is not directly available through HealthKit. Trackables' computed sleep score often aligns with personal feelings of sleep quality.
https://trackables.app/ trackables.app
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Sep 7