Author: Richard

**The Advancement of Apple IT Management: Findings from the Mac Admin Survey 2026**

As we celebrate the five-year milestone of the inaugural Apple Silicon Mac, the shift to M-series chips has profoundly influenced both Apple and IT teams overseeing Apple hardware. The latest MacPaw Mac Admin Survey for 2026 uncovers significant trends in the IT domain, emphasizing the durability of Macs, the growing dependence on automation, and the incorporation of AI into everyday tasks.

### The Mac’s Longevity is Unprecedented

One of the most notable revelations from the survey is the prolonged lifespan of Macs in business settings. Almost half of those surveyed indicated that their Macs are utilized for three to five years. This durability can be linked to the efficiency of the M1 chip and its successors, which surpass past Intel hardware in terms of performance and resilience. Consequently, IT teams are pivoting their emphasis from frequent replacement cycles to sustaining productivity and reducing downtime. This transformation not only allows companies to use their budgets more strategically but also provides the opportunity to invest in advanced features and management tools.

### Achieving More with Fewer Resources

The survey shows that IT teams face the challenge of managing larger numbers of devices with limited resources. Approximately one-third of Mac administrators stated that they employ AI tools in their workflows, motivated more by necessity than by desire. As the need for support escalates, IT teams are relying on community expertise and automation to fill the resource void. Channels such as the Mac Admins Slack and Apple’s support forums are becoming crucial for troubleshooting and knowledge exchange, as teams adjust to heightened expectations amid constrained staffing.

### Security and Apple Device Management

Security continues to be a top priority for IT teams, with an 8% rise in the number of administrators seeking more straightforward patching and software update processes. As hardware reliability improves, the emphasis shifts toward maintaining a strong software environment. IT teams must navigate the intricacies of remote work, SaaS proliferation, and AI-driven threats while ensuring that Macs stay secure and updated without requiring direct user input.

### Conclusion

The MacPaw survey paints a picture of a swiftly evolving platform where Macs are enduring longer, automation is becoming vital, and AI is gradually becoming part of IT operations. Nonetheless, the issues of workforce shortages and increasing complexities remain, demanding a forward-thinking approach to IT management. As the ecosystem surrounding Apple devices transforms, IT teams must keep adjusting to fulfill the requirements of a dynamic work atmosphere.

For businesses aiming to optimize their Apple device management, Mosyle delivers a comprehensive platform that consolidates all essential solutions for the efficient and cost-effective deployment, management, and protection of Apple devices.

**The Effect of Apple Watch on New Year’s Fitness Goals**

In a recent announcement, Apple shared intriguing information on how the Apple Watch supports users in improving their workout routines during January and maintaining them for the rest of the year. This data comes from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, which included approximately 100,000 participants over four years.

Many people give up on their New Year’s fitness goals by the second Friday of January, a day known as Quitter’s Day. However, Apple Watch users show a considerably greater chance of sticking to their fitness objectives. As reported by Apple, there is a significant trend where the average daily exercise minutes for Apple Watch users not only recover in January after a holiday dip but continue to increase into the spring months.

In the first two weeks of January, more than 60% of Apple Watch users raised their daily exercise minutes by over 10% compared to their December averages. Notably, almost 80% of those who enhanced their exercise levels maintained this improvement through the latter part of January, with 90% of that group keeping elevated activity levels into February and March.

Apple also emphasized new features for Apple Fitness+ designed to encourage consistency in workout habits. These consist of multi-week programs aimed at generating momentum for users at the start of the year. Furthermore, Apple is promoting its annual “Ring in the New Year” challenge, which takes place from January 7 to January 31, urging users to close all three Activity rings for seven consecutive days.

For users utilizing Strava with an Apple Watch, a “Quit Quitting” challenge is also available within the Strava app, designed to keep participants motivated throughout January.

The findings and efforts put forth by Apple highlight the beneficial impact of the Apple Watch and Apple Fitness+ in aiding users to adhere to their New Year’s fitness goals, fostering a healthier lifestyle far beyond the initial weeks of the year.

Apple TV is poised to amplify its content in February with the launch of the film “Eternity,” featuring Elizabeth Olsen. This A24 project hit theaters in late November and has received favorable reviews from both critics and audiences for its captivating narrative and compelling performances.

“Eternity” offers a distinctive concept: in an afterlife where souls have a week to decide their eternal fate, the main character, Joan (portrayed by Olsen), faces the choice between her lifelong companion (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who has been patiently waiting for her for many years. This high-concept romantic comedy is predicted to strike a chord with audiences, especially with its expected release close to Valentine’s Day.

Although Apple TV has yet to specify an exact release date, it has suggested a mid-February launch, coinciding with the winter season. The film was recently featured in a roundup of forthcoming Apple TV content, showcasing the company’s dedication to broadening its cinematic range.

Alongside “Eternity,” Apple TV continues to offer a varied selection of shows and films, including well-known series like “Ted Lasso” and “Severance.” Subscriptions are offered at $12.99 monthly, with options to bundle via Apple One.

As excitement mounts for “Eternity,” viewers are invited to express their enthusiasm and plans to view the film when it debuts on Apple TV.

iOS 26.2 is the newest iPhone software upgrade, bringing various novel features that improve customization and usability. Here’s a summary of the main updates.

## 1: Enhanced Liquid Glass Slider for Lock Screen Clock

The Lock Screen is an essential element of making your iPhone personal. With iOS 26.2, Apple has improved the Liquid Glass aesthetic for the Lock Screen clock. Users can now modify the clock’s opacity with a wider slider, facilitating greater transparency or opacity than previously available. To utilize this feature, make sure your clock is set to the ‘Glass’ option and try out the slider to achieve your preferred appearance. This upgraded slider works with any font choice, although the clock size can only be modified with the default font.

## 2: New Screen Flash for Notifications

iOS 26.2 brings a fresh visual notification feature that complements the existing camera flash alert. Users can now activate a ‘Screen’ option under Settings ⇾ Accessibility ⇾ Audio & Visual ⇾ Flash for Alerts. When enabled, notifications will cause the iPhone’s screen to light up completely for a brief moment, improving visibility for incoming notifications. This feature can be used alongside the camera flash for a more significant notification impact, particularly advantageous for users who may experience hearing challenges.

## 3: Reminders Alarm Options

The Reminders app in iOS 26.2 features a new ‘Urgent’ toggle for time-sensitive reminders. This option allows users to create reminders that trigger an alarm on the Lock Screen when they are due. The alarm offers options to ‘Snooze’ or ‘Stop,’ much like a conventional alarm clock. Users can personalize this behavior in Settings ⇾ Apps ⇾ Reminders, where they can substitute the ‘Snooze’ option with a ‘Complete’ button. This button not only halts the alarm but also marks the reminder as done, simplifying task management for users who favor immediate action.

These enhancements in iOS 26.2 offer users improved customization opportunities and enhanced accessibility features, tailoring the iPhone experience more closely to individual preferences and requirements.

### M1 MacBook Air Continues to Function Well After Stopping Artillery Fragment

Apple devices are known for their resilience, and the latest proof of this is particularly astonishing. A soldier from Ukraine shared an account of how his M1 MacBook Air intercepted a fragment from an artillery shell while continuing to operate effectively.

#### An Incredible Survival Tale

Most of us are fortunate enough not to find ourselves in situations where artillery shell fragments are zipping through the air. However, a soldier from the Azov Brigade seems to be an exception. He recently shared compelling evidence showcasing the toughness of the MacBook Air design. His M1 MacBook Air blocked a fragment from an artillery shell and remains in remarkable working condition.

You can observe the damage in the post below:

> “@Apple MacBook Air 2020 M1 intercepted a fragment from an artillery shell 🤙” — Лаꑭевич (@lanevychs)

Another post features a video demonstrating macOS running smoothly, despite some apparent display issues.

#### Prior Examples of Resilience

In 2022, images circulated of an iPhone that reportedly protected a Ukrainian soldier from a bullet. While this recent MacBook Air incident may not be as dramatic, it further underscores the high quality of Apple products.

What’s your most unforgettable story about the durability of Apple hardware? Share with us in the comments.