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Apple Brings Back Beloved MagSafe iPhone Stand and Grip Following Initial Sell-Out

For those who were unable to get their hands on a sought-after Apple accessory, there’s positive news. Apple has brought back the Hikawa Phone Grip & Stand, which was originally a limited-edition item that sold out rapidly. Available for $54.95, the accessory now features new color selections and is anticipated to be more accessible due to a partnership with PopSockets.

Created to help users hold their iPhones more comfortably, the silicone accessory also serves as a stand for both portrait and landscape modes. Initially launched in partnership with Los Angeles artist Bailey Hikawa to mark 40 years of accessibility, the accessory was well-regarded but received backlash for its limited availability and $70 price point.

The Hikawa Grip & Stand is compatible with MagSafe and was designed with feedback from individuals with disabilities that impact muscle strength and dexterity. Now accessible worldwide, it is offered in Stone, Orange, and Blue. A promotional video showcases its design phase, which involved conversations with individuals with diverse disabilities. Customers value its distinctive design for its usability in various contexts, such as watching content in bed or while preparing meals.

Although Apple hasn’t detailed stock quantities, shipments are planned for mid-June. With PopSockets now handling mass production, acquiring the accessory should be simpler this time around. If you’re exploring other iPhone accessories, there are also alternatives available that are not from Apple.

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Top 4 Alternative Smartphones to Explore Instead of the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026

The Razr Ultra 2026 is an impressive smartphone, but its price is steep. Here are the top four alternatives worth exploring.

Motorola struck gold with the Razr Ultra last year, combining exceptional cover screen software with a robust Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and durable rear cameras. The significant downside was undoubtedly the pricing — the Razr Ultra 2025 surpassed all previous Galaxy Z Flip models at $1,299, which turned out to be more than even the latest Galaxy Z Flip 7.

If you thought the prior Razr Ultra was overpriced, there’s unfortunate news. The newly launched Razr Ultra 2026 has arrived, but it costs an additional $200, bringing the flip phone’s price to a substantial $1,499.

Many will argue that $1,500 is excessive for a flip phone, and I can’t blame them. With the right offers, you can find large-screen foldables available at the same price. Premium Android flagships, such as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, are surprisingly cheaper. If you’re unsure about the Razr Ultra 2026, here are four top alternatives. They hit similar notes as Motorola’s upscale flip phone while providing better value.

Motorola Razr Ultra 2025

The Razr Ultra 2026 made a significant error — it carries an inflated price and offers few enhancements. Typically, consumers can accept a higher cost or stagnant innovation, but demanding both is challenging. It maintains the same design, similar displays, and identical processor as the Razr Ultra 2025.

Don’t misunderstand, there are some noteworthy upgrades in the Razr Ultra 2026, including Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3, a brighter main display, and a new 50MP LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) primary camera sensor.

However, with identical processor, displays, thickness, and weight, the Razr Ultra 2025 stands out as a practical alternative. You can find brand-new Razr Ultra 2025 units for approximately $700 or less currently, which is about half the cost of a Razr Ultra 2026. Paying half the price for a year-old device in new condition that shares the same processor and design with its successor seems like a fantastic bargain.

The only drawback? Software support. Motorola is notorious for providing limited software support durations even for its top-tier devices. Both the Razr Ultra 2025 and Razr Ultra 2026 are promised three years of Android OS updates, which means the 2025 model has only two years left. If there’s any reason to bypass the 2025 model in favor of the 2026 or another option on this list, it’s about the software support.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 may not boast as powerful hardware compared to the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026, at least theoretically. It’s powered by the Samsung Exynos 2500 processor, which some may perceive as inferior to the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the flagship Razrs. However, I tested the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and didn’t encounter any lags or hiccups. It performed as a flagship phone should. Most impressively, it’s $400 less expensive than the Razr Ultra 2026 at its full retail price.

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn’t just a more affordable option to the Razr Ultra 2026; it actually surpasses it in several aspects. Specifically, Samsung’s flip phone is slimmer at 13.7mm when folded and weighs less at 188 grams. Additionally, it offers a full seven years of Android OS upgrade support, so if you purchase it now, you’ll still enjoy around six years of support remaining after Samsung releases Android 17.

The drawback of opting for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the limited cover screen software. With optional Good Lock modules, you can enhance the Galaxy Z Flip 7 cover screen’s versatility, but it still doesn’t match the agility of the Razr’s software.

Personally, I find the hardware of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 to feel more premium and refined compared to the Motorola Razr Ultra, mainly due to its slimmer, lighter design and flat edges. When you consider you’re saving approximately $500 by selecting the Galaxy Z Flip 7, it’s an easy decision.

Motorola Razr Fold

I recognize that the target audience for flip and fold phones often differs. Those preferring clamshell foldables seek a compact, portable experience, while those favoring book-style foldables desire a larger screen for multitasking, gaming, or media consumption. That said, some people want a folding phone for sure and choose a flip phone to save costs. In that scenario, there’s a solid case for choosing the Motorola Razr Fold over the Razr Ultra 2026.

If you were contemplating the Razr Ultra

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iPhone 18 Pro Could Convert Specialized Life-Saving Function into a Standard Utility

### iPhone 18 Pro: Enhancements in Satellite Connectivity

The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to bring major improvements to satellite connectivity, possibly transforming a function usually designated for emergencies into a regular feature for users. This enhancement is likely to utilize Apple’s new C2 chip, which will not only accommodate 5G cellular connectivity but also facilitate seamless 5G satellite connections.

#### Progression of Satellite Connectivity in iPhones

Satellite connectivity first appeared with the iPhone 14 in 2022, and Apple has steadily improved its satellite features over time. Notably, the launch of “Messages via Satellite” in 2024 enabled users to communicate even in regions without cellular coverage. Nonetheless, the imminent iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra are expected to elevate these functionalities significantly.

#### The C2 Chip: A Transformative Innovation

The C2 modem is intended to replace Qualcomm modems in Apple’s flagship products, providing the ability to support 5G via satellite through a technology referred to as 5G NR-NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Networks). This integration aims to streamline the user experience by enabling the iPhone 18 Pro to automatically switch to a satellite connection when cellular service is insufficient, removing the necessity for users to manually direct their devices toward satellites.

#### Advantages of Improved Connectivity

The potential for automatic satellite connectivity could transform how users engage with their devices in low-coverage regions. Reports indicate that Apple is striving to ensure that users can stay connected even when their iPhones are in pockets, vehicles, or indoors. If realized, this feature could transition satellite connectivity from a specialized emergency tool to a regular resource for everyday scenarios.

At present, Apple’s satellite functionalities are mainly beneficial in life-threatening situations, but with the C2 chip, the iPhone 18 Pro might offer dependable connectivity in typical circumstances where cellular signals are feeble.

#### Conclusion

The iPhone 18 Pro’s improvements in satellite connectivity, driven by the groundbreaking C2 chip, promise to significantly enhance the user experience. By rendering satellite connectivity more accessible and automatic, Apple may reshape the purpose of this technology, making it a vital component of everyday communication for users worldwide.

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“Shortcuts Playground: Build Shortcuts Utilizing Everyday Language”

**Shortcuts Playground: An Innovative Tool for Apple’s Shortcuts App**

Federico Viticci, recognized for his insightful work at MacStories, has introduced a groundbreaking tool known as Shortcuts Playground. This plugin for Claude Code and Codex enables users to craft any shortcut for Apple’s Shortcuts app using natural language, making the shortcut creation process much simpler.

### What is Shortcuts Playground?

Shortcuts Playground is crafted to allow users to generate shortcuts with ease. By merely prompting Claude Code or Codex with a natural language request, users can get a fully functional shortcut that is ready to be imported into the Shortcuts app. Federico highlights the tool as the result of six months of development, underscoring its user-friendly nature.

### Getting Started with Shortcuts Playground

Users should begin with straightforward requests. Examples could include generating a “humorous and chaotic Hello World shortcut,” a shortcut that shares the five most recent screenshots with a contact via iMessage, or one that shows the time left until the next calendar event. The tool handles these requests and produces a validated shortcut in just minutes, depending on the complexity.

### Open Source and Community Participation

Shortcuts Playground is available for free and is open source, with detailed documentation accessible on GitHub. This openness allows users to grasp the tool’s underlying mechanics and promotes community involvement.

### Advanced Features for Club MacStories Members

For Club MacStories members, Federico has rolled out an advanced feature: “Shortcuts Playground as a generative shortcut.” This meta-functionality lets users create more shortcuts directly on their devices after installing the primary plugin on a Mac. This feature enhances the tool’s flexibility, making it simpler to manage shortcuts across various Apple devices.

### Conclusion

Shortcuts Playground signifies a major improvement in the accessibility of Apple’s Shortcuts app, empowering users to leverage the power of automation without requiring extensive programming skills. To further explore this innovative tool and download it, visit MacStories. Federico’s efforts continue to motivate and enable users to boost their productivity through inventive automation solutions.

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Endless AI Guitar Pedal Shows Promise

I’m not sure anyone was really asking for an AI guitar pedal. But it was inevitable that someone would build one. One of the first to take the plunge is Polyend, a well-respected music gear maker with a reputation for building niche, idiosyncratic devices. The company has built grooveboxes around old-school trackers and a multi-effect […]

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The Original Chromecast Approaches Discontinuation

First-generation Chromecast devices are allegedly ceasing to function with various prominent streaming applications.

What you need to be aware of:
– Several first-generation Chromecast devices are missing from applications such as YouTube and HBO Max.
– Google officially terminated support for Chromecast in 2023, yet numerous apps continued to function until now.
– Applications like Spotify and Disney+ are still operational, indicating that support is waning app by app.

It has been over 13 years since Google launched the first-generation Chromecast, and it appears the device may finally be saying farewell to all of us.

Even after more than ten years, the original Chromecast has proven to be an unexpectedly effective streaming device. In fact, it was the only Chromecast that didn’t truly operate apps or possess a complete interface — it merely cast content straight from your phone to the television. And with a price point of just $35 back then, it became a massive success for Google.

Google officially ceased support for the first-generation Chromecast back in 2023, but up until now, many apps continued to work seamlessly with it. However, it now seems the device may truly be approaching the end of its lifespan.

Some users on Reddit are indicating that their 2013 Chromecast is no longer visible in applications like YouTube and HBO Max (via 9to5Google). Interestingly, some applications such as Spotify and Disney+ still appear to function normally, yet YouTube and HBO Max no longer display the first-generation Chromecast as an available casting device.

It remains uncertain exactly why this situation is occurring, as neither Google nor HBO has issued any official comment, but it certainly seems as though Google may have discreetly disconnected support for the original Chromecast.

Google had previously cautioned users in 2023 that owners of the original Chromecast “may notice a degradation in performance,” but it now appears that we’re genuinely witnessing the conclusive end of support. Google has yet to publicly address the issue, but we’ll provide updates once the company communicates anything officially.

Until that time, unfortunately, there is little users can do. If you’re still utilizing the original Chromecast from 2013, it may finally be time to consider upgrading to a newer Chromecast or transitioning to a different streaming device entirely.

Android Central’s Feedback:
Honestly, the original Chromecast continues to feel more refined than many streaming devices currently available. No advertisements, no remote, no cluttered interface, just seamless casting. It’s unfortunate to see Google quietly discontinue one of its simplest and greatest products.

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