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9to5Mac Daily: December 12, 2025 – News on AirTag Speculations and Upcoming Shazam Enhancements

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly evolving realm of technology, keeping up with the newest updates is vital, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily provides a handy way to get up to speed on the day’s top stories, offering listeners informative commentary and analysis on Apple-related subjects.

**What is 9to5Mac Daily?**

9to5Mac Daily is a podcast that presents daily summaries of noteworthy news events within the Apple ecosystem. Each episode is produced on weekdays, guaranteeing that subscribers get prompt updates on everything from product debuts to software improvements and market trends. The podcast is accessible on multiple platforms, including [iTunes](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9to5mac-daily/id1331816080), [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/9to5mac-daily), [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/9to5Mac-Daily-p1089524/), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/I5d4dzs7dauazmfxvvrynyiuram?t=9to5Mac_Daily), and through a dedicated [RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily).

**Content and Features**

Each edition of 9to5Mac Daily contains discussions about the most urgent topics within the Apple community. Listeners can look forward to updates on the newest product releases, software modifications, and insights into Apple’s business approaches. The podcast also features a section for listener contributions, fostering audience involvement and interaction.

For those seeking an enriched experience, subscribing to 9to5Mac Daily Plus provides extra perks, such as ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus material. This subscription framework aids the creators and helps sustain the podcast’s quality.

**Sponsorship and Promotions**

9to5Mac Daily frequently incorporates sponsorships that offer listeners exclusive deals. For instance, a recent promotion from Backblaze grants a 30% discount to listeners utilizing the code **9to5Xmas**. Such collaborations not only financially support the podcast but also deliver valuable resources to the audience.

**How to Subscribe and Listen**

To make sure you never skip an episode, subscribing to 9to5Mac Daily is straightforward. You can discover the podcast on your preferred platform, whether it’s Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or any other podcast application. This subscription ensures that fresh episodes are sent directly to your device as soon as they become available.

**Engagement and Community**

Listeners are invited to connect with the podcast by sharing their opinions and feedback. You can reach out via email at

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Security Updates for Every Apple Operating System in Version 26.2

### Apple Unveils Security Updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS

Earlier today, Apple revealed the launch of important updates for its operating systems, which encompass iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. In conjunction with these updates, Apple has released comprehensive security information addressing a variety of vulnerabilities across its platforms.

#### Major Security Fixes

The updates incorporate essential corrections for several issues impacting the App Store, FaceTime, kernel, Messages, and WebKit. Notably, one vulnerability permitted harmful applications to detect other apps present on the user’s device.

#### In-Depth Vulnerabilities and Corrections

1. **App Store**
– **Impact**: Apps could potentially access sensitive payment tokens.
– **Fix**: Mitigated with extra restrictions.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-46288

2. **AppleJPEG**
– **Impact**: Memory corruption could arise during file processing.
– **Fix**: Enhanced bounds checks.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43539

3. **Calling Framework**
– **Impact**: Possible spoofing of FaceTime caller ID.
– **Fix**: Advanced state management.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-46287

4. **curl**
– **Impact**: Multiple vulnerabilities found in curl.
– **Fix**: Resolved in open-source code.
– **CVE**: CVE-2024-7264, CVE-2025-9086

5. **FaceTime**
– **Impact**: Password fields may be inadvertently exposed.
– **Fix**: Enhanced state management.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43542

6. **Foundation**
– **Impact**: Unauthorized access to files through the spellcheck API.
– **Fix**: Improved verification processes.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-43518

7. **Kernel**
– **Impact**: Potential for an app to gain root privileges.
– **Fix**: Resolved integer overflow with 64-bit timestamps.
– **CVE**: CVE-2025-46285

8. **WebKit**
– **Impact**: Maliciously designed web content could cause crashes or arbitrary code execution.
– **Fix**: Enhanced memory management and state control.
– **CVE**: Multiple CVEs including CVE-2025-43541, CVE-2025-43529, CVE-2025-14174

#### Availability

The updates are accessible for devices including iPhone 11 and newer, various iPad models, and other compatible devices. Users are advised to apply these updates to safeguard their devices against the recognized vulnerabilities.

#### Conclusion

Apple’s recent updates underscore the company’s dedication to security and user privacy. By addressing these vulnerabilities, Apple intends to bolster the overall safety of its ecosystem, ensuring that users can utilize their devices with increased tranquility. For more information on the updates and corrections, users can consult Apple’s official release notes.

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Apple Purchases Two More Structures in Cupertino, Surpassing $1 Billion in Recent Local Property Investments

As Apple’s growth in the South Bay progresses, the company has now secured two additional office buildings for a total of $216 million. Here are the facts.

## Apple’s real estate endeavor persists

Over the last several months, Apple has been engaging in a significant real estate acquisition phase.

Since July, it has acquired the $365 million four-building Mathilda Campus, another duo of nearby buildings for $350 million, and the $166 million three-building Cupertino Gateway complex.

Now, SiliconValley.com reveals that the firm has disbursed $216 million to secure two more office buildings, this time located on Stevens Creek Boulevard, bringing its total real estate expenditure in the region to over $1 billion since June.

Altogether, the properties at 19319 and 19339 Stevens Creek Blvd. comprise 266,500 square feet, and as per official documents submitted earlier this week, Apple made the payment in cash.

When approached for a statement, Kristina Raspe, Apple’s vice president of Global Real Estate and Facilities, remarked:

> “The Santa Clara Valley has been our home for nearly 50 years, and we’re proud to continue investing in world-class facilities here that are designed to foster innovation and collaboration amongst our team members in support of our customers around the world.”

Apple also indicated that, with this latest purchase, its Bay Area expansion will “surpass 1.5 million square feet of office and lab space” this year alone.

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Special Seasonal Promotions on Apple Accessories, Chargers, Tech Necessities, and Cloud Storage

# 2025 9to5Mac Festive Deal Aggregator

The festive season of 2025 is here, and 9to5Mac has assembled a special selection of savings for its audience. This year’s Festive Deal Aggregator showcases an assortment of items, including leather goods, charging accessories, Apple Watch straps, iPad holders, everyday carry (EDC) enhancements, cloud storage promotions, and more. Numerous deals are available for a limited time, making them ideal for festive shopping or enhancing your technology collection.

## Twelve South

– **Promotion**: 20% off sitewide using code **9TO52025** at checkout.
– **Info**: This promotion is active until December 19 and encompasses all items, including the latest 2025 version Apple Watch Bands and the Curve Mini foldable tablet holder.

## Bluebonnet

– **Promotion**: 20% off across the site with code **9to5** at checkout.
– **Info**: Bluebonnet specializes in American-crafted leather products for Apple gadgets. This exclusive discount applies to their premium handmade leather items, including iPhone and Apple Watch accessories.

## Harber London

– **Promotion**: 15% off everything with code **9to5-15%**.
– **Info**: Harber London presents a selection of exquisite full-grain leather products, from bags to tech sleeves, available at a reduced price until Christmas Day 2025.

## Burton Goods

– **Promotion**: 25% off using code **9to525** at checkout.
– **Info**: Renowned for its stunning leather accessories, Burton Goods is offering this discount until December 15 on products like Apple Watch straps and leather cases for iPads and MacBooks.

## KeySmart

– **Promotion**: Extra 10% off selected products.
– **Info**: KeySmart features a range of wallet accessories and key organizers, with discounts reaching as high as 80% on certain items.

## STATIK

– **Promotion**: Extra 10% off already reduced items with code **9to510**.
– **Info**: STATIK offers distinctive charging accessories, ideal as stocking stuffers or EDC additions.

## SANDMARC

– **Promotion**: 10% off all items with code **9TO5TOYS**.
– **Info**: SANDMARC is celebrated for high-quality titanium Apple Watch bands and leather cases for iPhones, with exceptional discounts available this festive season.

## Bluetti

– **Promotion**: Up to 8% extra savings on power stations.
– **Info**: During Bluetti’s festive sale, readers can benefit from initial discounts of up to 55% along with additional savings by using specific codes for various product lines.

## CardPointers

– **Promotion**: 50% off annual subscription for $45 and a lifetime option for $140.
– **Info**: CardPointers assists users in maximizing credit card rewards and features a Safari extension for convenient access to spending insights.

Stay tuned for further exclusive festive deals from more brands set to be unveiled next week.

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Five Essential Costco Devices for Holiday Presents

at your nearby Costco warehouse, you can discover a variety of exciting electronics, encompassing numerous gadgets, devices, and appliances. You do require a Costco membership to shop either in-person or online, naturally, but completing your holiday shopping at Costco could potentially save you some money compared to other places. Additionally, if you possess an Executive membership, you’ll receive cashback on your purchases at the year’s end, making it a nice little perk for gift shopping.

All of the subsequent items are easily accessible, either in physical Costco stores or through its online shop. Each one is supported by user ratings of at least 4 out of 5 stars, based on a minimum of 400 user reviews or more.

Ninja Professional Blender

Incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables into your diet is beneficial, but it can sometimes be challenging to include all that greenery in your meals. A quality blender can assist in this regard, allowing you to blend almost anything into delicious shakes and smoothies. For the smoothie enthusiast in your life, consider the Ninja Professional Blender, available at Costco for $79.99.

This specific model of Ninja blender is tailored for smoothie preparation, featuring 1,400-peak-watt motors and total crushing blades that can handle nearly any type of ingredient, from dairy to fruit to ice. The blender comes with Auto-iQ preset programs, mixing your selected ingredients into smooth beverages with no intervention required, although manual pulse controls are also available if you wish. If smoothies aren’t your thing, this blender is also perfect for making dips, dressings, and salsas. Moreover, both the blades and pitcher are dishwasher safe for convenient cleanup.

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Location of the Most Severe Nuclear Catastrophe in US History to Be Converted for AI Energy Production

Based on data from Pew Research, in 2024, 4% of the overall electricity in the United States was utilized by data centers. In total, they accounted for approximately 183 terawatt-hours of electricity consumption. Additionally, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute indicates that large data centers can use up to 5 million gallons of fresh water daily — comparable to a community of 10,000 to 50,000 residents. To meet these significant demands, dependable resources are essential, especially in generating the vast amounts of power and electricity required. This necessity led to an unusual decision by the Trump administration to reactivate Three Mile Island, the site of one of the most significant nuclear disasters in the nation’s past. There are already indications that the AI surge may be causing electrical spikes and outages. This situation is likely to deteriorate as more data centers are established and demands increase.

The U.S. Department of Energy, by granting a $1 billion federal loan to Constellation Energy, the operator of Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island facility, approved the plan to reconstruct and reactivate. The plant will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center and modified to generate 835 megawatts for the community and Microsoft’s nearby data centers. In 2024, Constellation entered into a 20-year purchasing agreement with Microsoft, committing to restart the reactor to bolster its AI solutions.

According to the DOE, the reactivated facility will supply energy to around 800,000 homes in the vicinity, reduce electricity costs, create over 600 jobs, and enhance the power grid. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright elaborates that it will “offer affordable, reliable, and secure energy to Americans throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.” It will also guarantee that “America has the energy necessary to expand its domestic manufacturing sector and succeed in the AI competition.” This is encouraging news for supporters of AI, at least.

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Top Android Tablet of 2025 Gets Extra Black Friday Discount: A Festive Buying Suggestion

Put aside the iPads and Galaxies; this is the ultimate tablet offer of the season.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

If you’re in search of an excellent Android tablet deal to complete your holiday shopping, it’s the perfect moment to end the quest. The OnePlus Pad 3, our top choice for tablets in 2025, has just received a 17% price cut at Amazon, bringing it down to its all-time lowest price.

To provide some context, that’s the same level of discount we witnessed during last month’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. I thought we were done with amazing discounts on Android tablets until the new year, but I’m pleasantly surprised to be incorrect about this.

<div data-custom-prom

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Information on Google’s Three Key Updates for Translate on Android

Users traveling or exploring new content receive enhanced real-time translations.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Essential information to consider

  • Google has introduced an update to its Translate app on Android, enhancing its ability to translate slang and colloquial phrases.
  • The application, utilizing Gemini’s AI capabilities, incorporates “streaks” into its practice sessions, allowing users to further challenge themselves.
  • Google indicates it is expanding the beta version of the Translate app on Android, allowing users with headphones to hear real-time translations in various formats.

Note

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Apple Introduces iOS 26.2 Showcasing Liquid Glass Upgrades, CarPlay Enhancements, and More Improvements [Release Notes]

# iOS 26.2: An In-Depth Look at New Functionalities and Upgrades

Apple has officially released iOS 26.2 for iPhone, unveiling an array of thrilling functionalities and upgrades that elevate user engagement. This update is accessible to all users, including those utilizing developer and public beta versions. Below, we delve into the main revisions and enhancements present in this latest version.

## Release Notes

### Apple Music
– **Favorite Songs Playlist**: The Favorite Songs playlist is now featured in the Top Picks area on the home tab.
– **Offline Lyrics**: Users can access lyrics for downloaded tracks without an internet connection.

### Podcasts
– **Automatically Generated Chapters**: This functionality makes it easier to navigate through podcast episodes.
– **Links to Mentioned Podcasts**: Users can directly follow other podcasts mentioned in episodes from the player and transcript.

### Games
– **Library Filters**: Users can search for games by category, size, and other criteria.
– **In-Game Challenge Score Banners**: Real-time notifications inform players when someone gains the lead.
– **Controller Support**: Enhanced compatibility for connected controllers like Backbone and Razer.

### General Enhancements and Bug Fixes
– **Lock Screen Customization**: New options for modifying the look of the Lock Screen with Liquid Glass material.
– **Enhanced Safety Alerts**: Users receive notifications about imminent dangers like floods and natural disasters, including maps and safety tips (available in the U.S.).
– **Reminder Alarms**: New alarms for reminders assist users in effectively managing urgent tasks.
– **AirDrop Codes**: A verification code appears on the receiver’s device for added security when AirDropping with unknown contacts.
– **Apple News Navigation**: Quick links to trending topics are now accessible at the top of the Today feed.
– **Home App Multipack Pairing**: Simplifies the configuration of multiple accessories sold as a bundle.
– **Accessibility Flash Alerts**: The device screen can flash upon receiving notifications.
– **Freeform Tables**: Tables can now accommodate various types of content, dynamically resizing as needed.

## Notable Features in Beta

### AirDrop Codes
A new functionality enables users to AirDrop between devices without needing to be saved contacts for 30 days. This was first introduced in iOS 26.2 beta 3.

### Liquid Glass Level Design
The Measure app has undergone a Liquid Glass-inspired redesign, enhancing the visual presentation while keeping clarity of displayed numbers.

### iPadOS Improvements
iPadOS 26.2 beta 3 reintroduces multitasking capabilities, allowing users to drag app icons from the Dock to activate Slide Over or Split View.

### Default Voice Assistant Code
Leaked code suggests that Apple is working on a feature to substitute Siri as the default voice assistant in Japan, adhering to regulatory requirements.

### Games App Navigation
The Games app now features sorting and filtering capabilities, alongside real-time score updates during gameplay.

### Sleep Score Changes
The Sleep Score system for monitoring sleep has been revised, with “Very High” replacing “Excellent” as the top rating, reacting to user input for more precise evaluations.

### Apple Podcasts Enhancements
AI technology is being used to enhance the Apple Podcasts app, facilitating automatic chapter generation and linking to mentioned podcasts.

### Apple News Design
The News app has been optimized with quick links to popular sections, improving user navigation.

### AirPods Live Translation
Commencing in December, AirPods Live Translation will be available in EU countries, aligning with the full rollout of iOS 26.2.

### Liquid Glass Lock Screen Slider
A new Liquid Glass slider empowers users to modify the translucency of the Lock Screen clock, enhancing customization possibilities.

### Reminders Alarms and Timers
The Reminders app now includes alarms for urgent tasks, offering a heightened notification level that can bypass Focus modes.

## Conclusion

iOS 26.2 introduces a plethora of new functionalities and upgrades that markedly enhance user experience across a range of applications and settings. From improved music and podcast features to better safety notifications and customization choices, this update showcases Apple’s dedication to continuously improving its software ecosystem. Users are encouraged to explore these new functionalities and fully leverage the capabilities available in iOS 26.2.

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tvOS 26.2 Launched for Apple TV 4K: Fresh Features and Enhancements

Apple has recently unveiled its latest software updates, which include tvOS 26.2, HomePod 26.2, and visionOS 26.2. This article highlights the key improvements introduced in tvOS 26.2, especially concerning user profiles on Apple TV.

### Apple TV Profiles Receive Two Enhancements in tvOS 26.2

User profiles on Apple TV were rolled out several years back, yet their functionality has only recently become a prominent feature. With the introduction of tvOS 26, Apple prioritized profile selection as the initial screen users see when turning on their Apple TV 4K. The recent update, tvOS 26.2, introduces two important modifications that enhance the accessibility and utility of profiles.

#### Flexible Profile Creation

A key development in tvOS 26.2 is the capacity to establish new user profiles without the necessity of linking them to a specific Apple Account. This adaptability is especially advantageous for different situations, like creating profiles for visitors or kids. Previously, setting up a profile required the creation of a complete Apple Account, often through a Family Sharing setup. Now, initiating profiles is as simple as it is on popular third-party applications such as Netflix and Disney+.

#### Improved Kids’ Profiles

The second significant update pertains to the functionality of children’s profiles. With the latest update, kids’ profiles will influence the content shown within Apple’s TV app. During the setup of a child’s profile, users can set content rating limits, ensuring that only age-suitable TV shows and movies are visible according to the designated restrictions. This feature enables parents to more effectively tailor their child’s viewing experience, simplifying the management of accessible content.

In summary, these updates showcase Apple’s dedication to enhancing the user experience on Apple TV, particularly in the realm of profile management. The ability to conveniently establish a profile for a young child, for example, allows for a more customized viewing experience, guaranteeing that content such as “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” is highlighted for younger audiences.

While visionOS 26.2 and HomePod 26.2 have also been launched, there have been no new features reported for these updates at this time.

As users become acquainted with the new capabilities in tvOS 26.2, many may contemplate using profiles on their Apple TV for the first time.

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