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Availability of iPhone 17 for Christmas: Present Stock Details

the iPhone 17 models that were still unavailable last week, encompassing the standard iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Shoppers searching for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air variants should find the two devices in stores and online with relative simplicity. All color and storage options should dispatch immediately after placing the order. The iPhone 17 Pro Max inventory is also generally accessible worldwide, with a few exceptions. Specifically, the 1TB variant continues to be out of stock in the U.S. Among all four iPhones, the base iPhone 17 model remains the hardest to locate, although delivery delays have improved.

Nonetheless, the shipping estimates are set at 3-5 days for all color and storage configurations for the base iPhone 17 models in those regions where the device is sold out online. Certain iPhone 17 Pro Max editions will similarly ship within 3-5 days, depending on the region. The earlier you place your order, the better your chances of having the iPhone 17 delivered to your doorstep in time for Christmas.

iPhone 17 sold out for three months later

MacBook Air Offered at Historic Low Price Under $750 During Holiday Promotions

### Holiday Mac Offers: Unmatched Deals on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini

As the festive season draws near, tech aficionados and Apple supporters are eagerly seeking the finest deals on Mac products. This year, Best Buy has unveiled an outstanding deal on the M4 MacBook Air, reducing it to its all-time low price of $749, which coincides with the Black Friday rate. Alongside this incredible markdown, shoppers will receive a $25 Best Buy gift card with their purchase, enhancing the attractiveness of the offer.

#### Current Deals on Mac Products

Beyond the MacBook Air, there are active promotions on other favored Apple products, such as the MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Whether you appreciate the elegant design of the Mac mini, the portability of the MacBook Air, or the powerful performance of the MacBook Pro, there is a deal that satisfies every taste this holiday season.

The M4 MacBook Air is highlighted as one of the top choices available, particularly with the additional benefit of the Best Buy gift card. This card can be utilized for various accessories, including dongles, cables, or even a protective sleeve for your new device.

#### New Launches and Price Reductions

Apple has also launched its cutting-edge M5 chip, which powers the latest iPad Pro and the new MacBook Pro models. The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is now available at a substantial discount, with prices slashed to a historic low of $1,349 from its usual price of $1,599. This offers savings of up to $200, making it a compelling choice for those seeking state-of-the-art technology.

B&H, a prominent retailer for Apple products, is also providing competitive pricing on popular M5 MacBook Pro configurations, guaranteeing a variety of options for customers.

#### The Adaptability of the Mac Mini

For those who favor a desktop setup, the Mac mini continues to be an excellent selection. With prices beginning at $479, the current-generation Mac mini offers outstanding value. Although it may not be as favored as the MacBook Air, it delivers robust performance and functionality, rendering it a worthwhile option for holiday shoppers.

#### Final Thoughts

This holiday season, the selection of deals on Mac products is remarkable, featuring considerable discounts on the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini. Whether you’re upgrading your existing device or buying a gift for a loved one, these deals present a fantastic opportunity to invest in high-caliber Apple technology. Make sure to take advantage of these limited-time offers as you embark on your holiday shopping!

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Five Crucial CISA Security Recommendations for iPhone Users

iPhone 17 features a robust new security capability, yet even those utilizing Apple’s most advanced technology must comprehend and apply fundamental security practices. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an update to its Mobile Communications Best Practices Guidelines, offering five key pieces of advice tailored for iPhone users.

CISA serves as the primary authority for federal cybersecurity, aiming to mitigate risks to the nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure. It delivers security recommendations to both governmental bodies and the public, and its security advice is grounded in government intelligence and historical cyberattack analyses. The recently revised guidance for iPhone users is not overly complex or difficult to adopt. In fact, the five recommendations from CISA are simple actions you can implement immediately.

Activate Lockdown Mode

“5 Possible Attributes of Apple AirTag 2 That Might Improve Its Usefulness”

details regarding Apple’s HomePod and a brand-new security device, Macworld persists in uncovering specifics about the company’s forthcoming products based on an internal leaked iOS build. This time, the outlet has managed to gather additional insights into the long-anticipated AirTag 2. This item tracker was anticipated to debut sometime this year, but despite numerous indications that the business was poised to unveil it, Apple opted to postpone its announcement. Curiously, the same occurred with the first AirTag release, which faced delays of a couple of years.

That being said, the anticipation for the AirTag 2 could prove to be worthwhile, as the leaked code discloses multiple significant enhancements. Apple’s item tracker is said to be more easily discoverable in crowded environments, possess improved battery management, and even extend the range for iPhone users to find their belongings using Precision Finding feature. Here’s what you should know about it.

AirTag 2 might be worth the wait, even though we don’t know when it’s releasing

Reasons Behind the Rising Use of VPNs Among Americans

You’d be insane not to utilize a VPN service in this era: Indeed, it can primarily be used to access media from different countries, but in the current environment, it serves a greater purpose. With an increasing number of regions implementing laws that restrict access to websites and content through so-called age verification regulations, VPNs can assist in circumventing those as well. Missouri’s recent statewide verification regulations serve as a prime example, with in-state inquiries for VPNs quadrupling following their enactment.

The issues arise from the manner in which the verification is executed to lift the restrictions. The Age Verification Providers Association indicates that any website or application containing one-third or more of “material harmful to minors” must confirm users’ ages prior to granting access. Other states with similar legislation include Florida, Louisiana, Utah, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, North and South Carolina, among others. Not only are the definitions of “harmful content” ambiguous, but age verification is conducted through concerning methods. Scanning or photographing your government-issued ID and other sensitive documents isn’t an unmanageable task, yet it poses certain risks.

After you finalize the verification procedure, that information is available online with no assurance that it will stay secure. The law prohibits involved entities from keeping identifying information unless mandated by law enforcement, but that offers little comfort. Some of the largest data breaches in history happened at companies that should have been able to adequately secure user data, and the same could easily occur with IDs needed for verification.

Age verification regulations might do more harm than good

Top 5 Chromebook Offers from Walmart’s Holiday Promotion: Discounts on ASUS, Lenovo, HP, and More

I would recommend placing that order promptly if you’re aiming for delivery by Christmas!

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Chromebooks have emerged as the must-have gift this holiday season, and fortunately, a plethora of deals exists to make these products affordable enough to hide beneath the tree. Walmart’s festive sale currently features a wide array of these discounted laptops, and I’ve curated a choice of my top picks below.

  • Check out the comprehensive list of deals from Walmart’s festive sale

My TOP 5 Chromebook bargains from Walmart’s festive sale

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Apple Faces Regulatory Scrutiny in Switzerland Over iPhone NFC Chip

Apple is presently facing an antitrust inquiry in Switzerland over its management of access to the NFC chip in iPhones. The Swiss Competition Commission has launched this investigation to assess whether Apple’s conditions for providing access to the NFC chip could possibly breach competition laws.

The investigation seeks to evaluate if mobile payment app providers can effectively compete with Apple Pay while utilizing iOS devices for contactless transactions in retail settings. This review comes after Apple’s choice to permit third-party access to the iPhone’s NFC chip, which was initially rolled out in the European Union before being made available to developers worldwide.

Access to the NFC chip is provided through the NFC & SE Platform API, allowing third-party apps to deliver functions akin to those in Apple Wallet, such as payments, digital keys, IDs, and event tickets. Nevertheless, developers are required to enter into a commercial agreement with Apple and cover related fees to obtain this access.

The Swiss Competition Commission is undertaking a preliminary examination to determine if Apple’s terms and conditions adhere to Swiss antitrust laws. This process includes collecting insights from various market participants. The commission has been in talks with Apple since early 2024 to enhance access for Swiss app developers, and Apple has been granting this access since late 2024.

The main concern seems to hinge on the specific terms and fees set by Apple, rather than the technical details of how third-party developers can utilize the NFC chip and Secure Element. The result of this inquiry is still unclear, but it underscores ongoing worries regarding competition and market accessibility in the mobile payment industry.

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Wireless Charging Support for the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Would a foldable of this caliber facilitate wireless charging?

Indeed, the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold offers 15W wireless charging, thanks to compatibility with Samsung’s Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 protocol.

What to anticipate from the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold’s battery and charging specifications

Samsung recently unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold, and Android Central’s Harish Jonnalagadda has already had a chance for a brief hands-on experience with the TriFold. The massive foldable will provide substantial screen area, featuring 10 inches of stunning AMOLED in a well-folded design.

According to the official press release from Samsung, it can be confidently stated that the Galaxy Z TriFold will include a 5,600 mAh three-cell battery system. Samsung is complementing this ample battery with 45W fast wired charging via USB-C, and, naturally, 15W fast wireless charging as well. The TriFold will also feature Wireless PowerShare, enabling users to charge their earbuds or other smartphones with the TriFold in a pinch.

The additional specifications of the device sound quite impressive as well. Everything from the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor to the 200MP camera seems phenomenal. It’s unfortunate that support for magnetic Qi2 is currently absent, but hopefully, Samsung will address this in the next version of the TriFold.

For now, we are keen to see how the U.S. launch of the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold unfolds. The tri-foldable market is quite limited, and so far, only Huawei has astonished us with its magnificent, unbelievably thin Mate XT.

Our reviewer Harish Jonnalagadda described the Huawei Mate XT as “the most thrilling phone” he has used in a long time, meaning Samsung faces significant competition. Can Samsung, a well-established and reputable name in the foldables market, dethrone Huawei’s dominance? While Jonnalagadda’s hands-on experience was remarkably positive, it’s difficult to determine conclusively until the device has undergone long-term testing and in-depth reviews. We’ll need to wait until Q1 2026 to find out, as that is the tentative launch timeframe for the device.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

A new chapter in foldables

Samsung is entering the foldable market with the Galaxy Z TriFold. Anticipated to debut in early 2026 in the U.S., the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold promises to deliver a massive 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X within a tri-foldable body, alongside a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, an astounding 200MP primary camera, a robust 5,600mAh battery, 45W fast wired charging, and 15W fast wireless charging.

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Microsoft Ends WordPad After Three Decades: Factors Influencing the Choice

subscription platform referred to as Microsoft 365. However, commencing with the launch of Windows 95 in the mid-1990s, Microsoft recognized the necessity to provide a complimentary word processor for the more casual user demographic. This led to the introduction of WordPad. Positioned between the basic text editor Windows Notepad and the more sophisticated Microsoft Word, WordPad served as a streamlined word processor that was included in Windows 11.

At least until the rollout of Windows 11 24H2, at which point Microsoft classified WordPad as a Deprecated Feature. Many users were taken aback by WordPad’s removal, expressing their dissatisfaction on official Microsoft forums. The software giant has not officially disclosed the reasons behind discontinuing support for WordPad, but many believe it is related to security issues. Microsoft now suggests using Word for rich text documents such as .doc and .rtf and Notepad for any plain text files.

Your alternatives to WordPad