Author: Richard

    • Richard
    • Comments Off on 9to5Mac Daily: December 16, 2025 – Summary of AirDrop Functionalities and Recent iOS Speculations
    9to5Mac Daily: December 16, 2025 – Summary of AirDrop Functionalities and Recent iOS Speculations

    ### 9to5Mac Daily: Your Hub for Daily Apple Updates

    In the dynamic realm of technology, remaining informed about the latest updates and trends is crucial, particularly for Apple fans. The **9to5Mac Daily** podcast stands as a trustworthy source for daily summaries of the most important stories within the Apple ecosystem.

    #### What is 9to5Mac Daily?

    **9to5Mac Daily** is a podcast that provides listeners with a brief overview of the top Apple news stories every weekday. Led by informed tech journalists, the podcast addresses an array of subjects, including product launches, software updates, and market trends.

    Listeners can find new episodes on platforms such as [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), or through a dedicated [RSS feed](https://feedpress.me/9to5macdaily) for various podcast clients.

    #### Special Offers and Sponsorships

    Listeners can take advantage of special promotions, including discounts from sponsors. Currently, **Backblaze** is providing a 30% discount for 9to5Mac listeners with the code **9to5Xmas**, offering a fantastic chance for users to safeguard their data with dependable backup solutions.

    #### Subscription Benefits

    For those who want to directly support the podcast, subscribing to **9to5Mac Daily Plus** reveals a range of perks, including ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus material. This subscription aids in maintaining the podcast while enriching the listening experience.

    #### Engaging with the Community

    Listeners are invited to share their opinions and feedback. They can contact via email at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or leave reviews on platforms like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and

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    • Comments Off on Top 4 Budgeting Applications to Explore as Alternatives to Mint
    Top 4 Budgeting Applications to Explore as Alternatives to Mint

    ChatGPT suggestions for saving money indicate that utilizing a high-quality budgeting application can eliminate much of the uncertainty. For years, Mint was regarded as the benchmark — being one of the earliest and most reputable methods to manage your spending and your accounts.

    However, in March 2024, Intuit, the parent company of Mint, discontinued the standalone application to encourage users to transition to its other service, Credit Karma. This closure left numerous users pondering the reasons behind it and seeking alternatives to replace Mint. Whether you’re in search of a straightforward budgeting app similar to Mint, something entirely different, or just a FinTech application that’s more beneficial than Robinhood, there’s plenty to evaluate.

    Quicken Simplifi

    Overall, Quicken is a favored option for small business proprietors and accountants due to its robust business tracking features and detailed reporting. Quicken Simplifi, as suggested by its name, is genuinely intended as a more straightforward option for individuals wanting to budget for their personal finances. Unlike some of Quicken’s other offerings, Simplifi is accessible through a web browser, allowing you to check in without needing to install an application. Naturally, there is also a mobile app that provides many similar functionalities.

    Quicken aims with the Simplifi app to offer a more “automatic” method to budgeting. Instead of manually setting spending category objectives, the app uses your entered accounts and spending history to manage the tracking for you. It provides what Quicken refers to as a Spend Plan tailored to your habits each month. This makes it perfect for someone who desires a comprehensive perspective of their budget and actionable steps, but doesn’t want to invest excessive time analyzing and adjusting. Many happy users appreciate the simplicity, particularly when contrasted with intricate spreadsheets.

    Monarch Money

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Steps to Modify the App Icon and Theme on a Google Pixel Device
    Steps to Modify the App Icon and Theme on a Google Pixel Device

    Here’s how to coordinate your app icons with your wallpaper — or any theme you prefer.

    Google’s Pixel devices feature some of the most powerful customization capabilities found in the Android environment. You can opt for a branded theme pack to transform your device’s look with just a single tap, or you can make individual customization adjustments. Google’s Pixel Launcher is among the select Android variants capable of aligning all of your home screen app icons with your preferred system theme.

    With numerous options accessible for Google Pixel phones, it might seem overwhelming. Fortunately, this guide will detail all the methods for adjusting your app icon and theme on a Pixel.

    All the methods to personalize a Google Pixel home screen

    Google Pixel phones now offer an array of color and theming features, including the latest addition, Pixel theme packs. Currently, these are branded system themes that can alter your wallpaper, system theme, and app icons with a single tap. The existing theme packs available draw inspiration from the “Wicked: For Good” film. You can find a comprehensive guide on utilizing Pixel theme packs here.

    Pixels also enable you to select a color palette that modifies system components, ranging from the hue of your Settings app to the tint of your Quick settings menu. These can be chosen according to your wallpaper or selected manually. There’s a beta feature that ensures all app icons correspond with your chosen color palette theme as well.

    Importantly, app icons will remain standard in the app drawer but will conform to your color palette on your home screen when app icon theming is activated. All these features require manual setup and are disabled by default.

    How to modify your app icon and theme on a Google Pixel device

    Google provides a variety of customization options for Google Pixel phones within the Wallpaper & style section of the Settings app. Here’s how you can utilize it to alter your system theme and app icon theme:

    1. Launch the Settings app.

    2. Select the Wallpaper & style tab.

    3. Swipe left to access the Home screen settings.

    4. Tap one of the following tabs: Theme pack, Colors, or Icons.

    5. In the Theme pack section, pick one of three Wicked-themed packs (For Good, Glinda, or Elphaba) to implement comprehensive changes to your system. A theme pack will modify your home screen, lock screen, color palette, and app icon theme with a single tap.

    6. In the Colors section, select a suggested color palette based on your wallpaper to apply for your system theme.

    7. Alternatively, tap Other colors within the Colors section to choose

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on “Albiriox Assault Allows Cybercriminals to Manipulate Android Gadgets and Reach Bank Accounts”
    “Albiriox Assault Allows Cybercriminals to Manipulate Android Gadgets and Reach Bank Accounts”

    malware release Android users have experienced, yet it certainly ranks highly. The malware in question is named Albiriox, and once it is installed on a smartphone, it can potentially seize full control of the device.

    Research conducted by security experts at Cleafy indicates that the malware is presumably supported by Russian-speaking cybercriminals — a conclusion they reached after uncovering linguistic indicators and chat logs from forums. Cleafy’s analysis of this emerging threat also reveals that it is not limited to banking applications; it additionally targets crypto applications and is engineered for on-device fraud, leveraging Android’s embedded accessibility features to enable attackers to remotely manipulate the devices on which it is installed.

    Particularly troubling about this malware is that Albiriox is marketed as a “malware-as-a-service” subscription. Essentially, this enables anyone to subscribe and gain access to the malware, granting them the ability to disseminate it at will. This amplifies its danger, as various threat actors may attempt to distribute it through numerous methods.

    How to protect yourself from Albiriox

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" srcset="https://www.bgr.com/img/gallery/albiriox-attack-lets-hackers-control-your-android-phone-and-bank-account/how-to-stay-safe-from-albiriox-176

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Gemini’s In-Depth Research Enriches Reports through Engaging Visuals and Interactive Simulations
    Gemini’s In-Depth Research Enriches Reports through Engaging Visuals and Interactive Simulations

    Gemini’s Deep Research functionality is poised to transform the presentation of reports by incorporating interactive visuals into its conventional text-focused layout. This groundbreaking feature, presently accessible to Google AI Ultra subscribers, employs artificial intelligence to generate dynamic charts, simulations, visuals, diagrams, and schematics. This enables users to interact with data in a more engaging and visually attractive way.

    The Deep Research tool, which can extract data from Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Chat, now provides the capability to convert findings into visual reports within Canvas. This conversion is similar to the generative UI functionality in AI Mode on Google Search, which produces graphics and simulations in real-time. As per Google’s announcement, this feature allows users to engage with dynamic simulation models, providing a more thorough understanding of strategies and results.

    Gemini’s AI smartly identifies the most appropriate visuals for a report, such as crafting an interactive periodic table for chemistry-related topics or generating graphs for data-intensive reports. These visuals are customized to the specific research inquiry, ensuring relevance and clarity.

    Users can utilize this feature via the Gemini application on the web by selecting Deep Research from the Tools menu. While currently limited to Google AI Ultra subscribers, there is optimism that these advanced capabilities will be accessible to a larger audience in the future.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Rivian’s CEO Supports CarPlay Integration in Different Vehicles While Maintaining Rivian’s Autonomy from It
    Rivian’s CEO Supports CarPlay Integration in Different Vehicles While Maintaining Rivian’s Autonomy from It

    ### CarPlay: The Present Landscape and Rivian’s Perspective

    CarPlay, Apple’s automotive interface, has emerged as a standard component in the majority of vehicles, enhancing the driving experience by integrating iPhone features seamlessly. Nevertheless, notable exceptions are Tesla and Rivian, two companies that have retained a unique approach to in-vehicle technology. Recent news indicates that Tesla may soon adopt CarPlay, while Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, has openly defended his company’s choice to bypass this feature.

    #### Rivian’s View on CarPlay

    In a recent discussion with Ben Thompson of Stratechery, Scaringe expounded on Rivian’s perspective concerning CarPlay. Historically, he has claimed that customers will ultimately value the absence of CarPlay, implying that Rivian’s proprietary interface delivers a more cohesive and considerate user experience. Scaringe recognized the attractiveness of CarPlay in other cars, labelling it a “disaster” in vehicles without it. He voiced a preference for CarPlay in non-Rivian cars, underscoring its user-friendly design.

    Nonetheless, Scaringe remains resolute in his conviction that Rivian can offer an enhanced experience absent CarPlay. He contends that permitting Apple to manage significant facets of the vehicle’s interface might undermine the overall user experience. Scaringe stressed that a dual-screen arrangement—where CarPlay shares the display with vehicle-specific data—would not conform to Apple’s design ethos, which emphasizes a singular, unified user experience.

    #### The Implications of Tesla’s Possible Adoption of CarPlay

    The discussion around CarPlay has intensified with speculations that Tesla may soon back the platform. When questioned if Tesla’s acceptance of CarPlay would challenge Rivian’s principles, Scaringe acknowledged that it could exert some pressure. However, he articulated confidence in Rivian’s capability to deliver an integrated experience that would lead customers to prefer their system over CarPlay. He opines that if customers were to revert to CarPlay after engaging with Rivian’s interface, they would long for the holistic integration offered by his company.

    #### Conclusion

    Rivian remains steadfast in its choice to exclude CarPlay, concentrating on providing a distinctive and integrated user experience customized for its vehicles. As the automotive landscape transforms, especially with competitors like Tesla potentially altering their stance on in-car technology, it will be fascinating to see how Rivian adapts to these shifts and whether it can sustain its market position. The ongoing debates regarding CarPlay underscore the broader discourse on user experience and the future of in-vehicle technology.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Apple TV Unveils Upcoming Series Starring Matthew Rhys from ‘The Beast in Me’
    Apple TV Unveils Upcoming Series Starring Matthew Rhys from ‘The Beast in Me’

    **Widow’s Bay: A Fresh Comedic Horror Series Debuting on Apple TV**

    Apple TV has recently shared an early glimpse of its forthcoming series, “Widow’s Bay,” featuring Emmy Award winner Matthew Rhys, celebrated for his recent role in Netflix’s “The Beast in Me.” This new show is slated to premiere on **Wednesday, April 29, 2026**, starting with an initial drop of three episodes, followed by weekly releases until June 17.

    **Synopsis of Widow’s Bay**

    “Widow’s Bay” is a comedic horror series crafted by Katie Dippold and primarily directed by Hiro Murai, known for his contributions to “Atlanta” and “Station Eleven.” The series takes place in a charming island town situated 40 miles from the coast of New England, where the local mayor, Tom Loftis (portrayed by Rhys), is resolved to revitalize his ailing community. However, the town contends with peculiar obstacles, including poor connectivity and a superstitious populace that holds the belief that the island is cursed.

    The official summary of the series portrays Mayor Loftis as someone grappling with perceptions of softness and cowardice among the locals. However, he dreams of turning the island into a tourist hotspot for the sake of his teenage son. As visitors begin to flock to the island, ancient legends, once dismissed as simple folklore, begin to emerge, merging authentic horror aspects with character-driven humor.

    **Genre and Anticipations**

    Navigating the comedic horror genre can be intricate, yet Matthew Rhys’s knack for intertwining humor and horror is expected to provide a distinctive essence to the series. Although many facets of “Widow’s Bay” remain undisclosed, the preliminary premise has stirred enthusiasm among prospective viewers.

    **Accessibility**

    “Widow’s Bay” will be accessible on Apple TV, which provides a subscription service costing **$12.99 per month**. Subscribers can also indulge in a wide array of popular shows and movies, including “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” and “Pluribus.” Furthermore, Apple TV is available through the Apple One bundle.

    As the release date draws near, fans are keen to discover how “Widow’s Bay” will develop and if it will effectively intertwine elements of horror and comedy into a captivating narrative.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Possible Launch of Fresh M5 iMac Version Aimed at Professional Users Uncovered by Leak
    Possible Launch of Fresh M5 iMac Version Aimed at Professional Users Uncovered by Leak

    ### iMac Pro with M5 Max Could Be Under Development at Apple

    Speculation suggests that Apple has an intriguing selection of new Macs slated for release next year, with the latest reports hinting at a possible comeback of the iMac Pro featuring the M5 Max chip. Recent revelations from Apple’s internal coding have disclosed plans for forthcoming hardware and software, highlighting the iMac Pro as a central point of interest.

    #### Uncovered Details About the iMac Pro

    The discovery of a new premium iMac model integrated with the M5 Max chip stems from leaked kernel debug kit files employed by Apple engineers. At present, the iMac range is powered by the M4 chip, which lacks configurations for professional-grade options like the M4 Pro or M4 Max. This shortfall in product diversity has heightened expectations for a more potent iMac version intended for professional users.

    Notably, the leaks have solely referenced the M5 Max model, with no sign of an M5 Pro variant. This raises queries about Apple’s approach; if they intend to reintroduce the iMac Pro, one might anticipate both configurations being offered. However, enduring rumors have circulated over the years regarding Apple’s pursuit of a larger iMac aimed at professionals, indicating that the company is indeed contemplating a more powerful option.

    #### Anticipated Features and Dimensions

    Although the leaked code does not clarify the dimensions of the M5 Max iMac model, it is generally accepted that, should this product come to fruition, it will likely surpass the existing 24-inch iMac. Industry insiders, including Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, have previously indicated that a larger iMac remains on Apple’s agenda, further igniting speculation about the iMac Pro’s resurgence.

    The launch of an iMac Pro featuring the M5 Max chip could represent a significant enhancement in performance and functionality, catering to creative professionals and power users who need advanced computational strength for activities such as video editing, graphic design, and software development.

    #### Final Thoughts

    As Apple persists in innovating and broadening its Mac lineup, the potential revival of the iMac Pro with the M5 Max chip has sparked considerable enthusiasm among fans and professionals alike. While specifics remain limited, the idea of a new high-performance iMac model is undoubtedly captivating. Users are invited to express their opinions on the potential for a new iMac Pro in the comments section.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Creative Methods to Reuse Your Old Apple Watch
    Creative Methods to Reuse Your Old Apple Watch

    Apple Watch Series 11 can offer an enjoyable experience, but then you may face the dilemma of what to do with your old device. You certainly can recycle or sell it responsibly, but it’s useful to know that there are additional options at your disposal.

    Examining the list below, your old Apple Watch can serve as a wonderful gift for a grandparent, assist in improving your sleep, function as a backup for specific activities, or even be reimagined into a vintage-style Apple product. Most of these suggestions will just need you to have the Apple Watch, however, at least one suggestion necessitates acquiring an additional accessory. We have also made an effort to inform you when particular ideas might demand further investigation concerning the specific model of your Apple Watch.

    From Apple Watch features that might not be well-known to watchOS 26 offering numerous incentives to upgrade, getting a new one is undoubtedly a good choice — yet there are still many experiences to enjoy with your old device. Explore the ideas below to discover if any of them can ignite some creativity for your old device, as an Apple Watch collecting dust in a sock drawer isn’t the best scenario.

    Turn your old Apple Watch into a specialized sleep tracker

    <source media="(max-width: 428px)" src

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