AllYouCanTech

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

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.

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.

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.

iOS 26.2 Brings Fresh Features for Apple Music and Fixes Viral Bug Problems

**Apple Music Upgrades in iOS 26.2: Highlighted Features and Resolutions**

Apple has unveiled iOS 26.2 for iPhone users, bringing forth multiple important updates to Apple Music. This upgrade not only enhances the user experience but also remedies a significant bug that impacted the availability of new albums on the platform.

### New Features in Apple Music

1. **Favorite Songs Playlist in Top Picks**: This update prominently displays the “Favorite Songs” playlist in the “Top Picks” section on the home tab of the Apple Music app. This adjustment is designed to enhance the ease of finding users’ favorite tracks, building on the feature that was introduced in iOS 17.2.

2. **Offline Lyrics Access**: A highly awaited feature is the capability to view lyrics for downloaded songs without an internet connection. This enhancement is particularly advantageous for users who enjoy singing along to their preferred tracks while offline, giving Apple Music a competitive advantage over platforms like Spotify, which still necessitate a network connection to access lyrics.

3. **Resolution for Pre-release Album Bug**: iOS 26.2 resolves a persistent issue where users who pre-saved albums, such as Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl,” could not listen to them immediately upon release. This bug had been a source of frustration for fans and is now fixed, ensuring more seamless access to new releases going forward.

### Conclusion

With the launch of iOS 26.2, Apple Music users can anticipate an enhanced listening experience, courtesy of the newly introduced features and bug fixes. The capability to easily access favorite songs, view offline lyrics, and rectify pre-release album problems improves the overall service functionality. Users can subscribe to Apple Music for $10.99 or as part of the Apple One bundle, making it an attractive choice for music aficionados.

HomeKit Weekly: Homey Introduces New Matter Bridge Application to Incorporate More Smart Home Devices into HomeKit

### The Homey Matter Bridge: Merging Legacy Smart Devices with HomeKit

If you’ve been part of the smart home landscape for some time, you probably have legacy devices that are not compatible with Matter, such as Zigbee sensors, Z-Wave thermostats, and infrared remotes. Although these devices work perfectly, they usually operate outside of your HomeKit ecosystem. The latest update from Homey introduces a Matter Bridge app for Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini, enabling HomeKit users to effortlessly integrate a diverse array of non-Matter accessories into the Home app.

#### What Is the Homey Experience?

Homey acts as a flexible smart home hub that supports numerous devices across different protocols, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, infrared, Thread, Matter, and Wi-Fi. The main objective of Homey is to consolidate your smart home devices from various brands and protocols onto one platform. It handles device connections and automations, allowing control through the Homey app or integration with other platforms like HomeKit via Matter. In essence, Homey serves as a universal translator for smart home devices, akin to HomeBridge but in a commercially supported framework.

#### The Functionality of the Matter Bridge App

The Homey Matter Bridge app operates as an intermediary for older devices, permitting them to connect to Matter. Homey already accommodates multiple protocols, and with this app, any device managed by Homey Pro or Homey Pro mini can be made accessible to HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, or Home Assistant as a Matter-native device. For Apple users, it means that devices not initially intended for HomeKit can now be incorporated into the Home app alongside other gadgets.

Significantly, this integration is not cloud-dependent; Homey functions locally, ensuring that automations and communications remain efficient and functional even when internet connectivity is lost. The Matter Bridge app continues this trend by securely presenting accessories to Matter controllers.

#### The Importance for HomeKit Users

Numerous users have committed to smart home devices over the years that do not support Matter. With the Homey update, older equipment such as Z-Wave door sensors, Zigbee light switches, and IR-based fans can now connect and display within the Home app, making them usable in scenes and automations.

HomeKit users can manage these devices through the Home app, Siri, Control Center, and automations. For example, you can connect an older IR-controlled fan to Homey and have it appear in the Home app as a Matter device. This integration fosters a more integrated smart home experience without the necessity to replace operational devices.

#### Positioning This in a HomeKit Environment

After setting up the Matter Bridge app on Homey, users can access the Matter Bridge section in Settings. Homey generates a QR code that can be scanned with Apple Home, allowing users to choose which devices linked to Homey they wish to unveil to HomeKit. This selective exposure enables you to integrate only the devices you prefer, keeping your HomeKit environment uncluttered.

The update is compatible with both Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini, giving you flexibility based on your home configuration. Homey already supports Zigbee, Thread, and Matter locally, and with the Matter Bridge, it introduces Z-Wave, Bluetooth, and infrared functionality, making it a thorough solution for incorporating older devices.

#### Use Cases for HomeKit Users

Here are several situations where the Homey Matter Bridge can greatly improve a HomeKit environment:

– Legacy Z-Wave contact sensors
– Functional Zigbee light switches
– 433 MHz blinds or shades
– IR-controlled window-mounted air conditioning units
– IR-based ceiling fans with remote controllers

Once these gadgets show up in the Home app, they can be added to scenes, triggered by motion, or included in morning routines, functioning like any other Matter accessory.

#### Conclusion

The Matter Bridge app for Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini signifies a major step forward in smart home technology. It provides HomeKit users with a viable solution to integrate older devices into their contemporary setups without necessitating hardware replacement. The update is presently accessible in the Homey App Store for existing users. For those aiming to consolidate various generations of smart home equipment under Apple Home, this is an enticing option.

You can buy the Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini from Amazon.