Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

### Opera One R3: A New Chapter in Browsing Experience

The most recent update to the Opera One browser, referred to as Opera One R3, brings notable improvements, such as an enhanced Tab Islands feature, a redesigned AI assistant, and captivating theme-specific soundscapes. This update is designed to offer users a more structured and interactive browsing experience.

#### A Stunning Visual and Auditory Journey

After the recent debut of the AI-driven Opera Neon browser, Opera is shifting its focus back to its core product with the Opera One R3 update. This edition enables users to color-coordinate their Tab Islands, which serve as an automated version of tab groups. Users can now select from nine diverse colors and label each Tab Island, making it easier to manage various projects and browsing activities.

#### Advanced AI Features

Opera One R3 utilizes the AI engine from Opera Neon, boosting performance on AI-related tasks by as much as 20%. The AI is capable of recognizing the context of open tabs or Tab Islands, delivering context-sensitive responses without conflating information across different groups. Users also have the option to disable this feature in the chat if they wish.

Moreover, the AI can understand YouTube videos, enabling users to inquire about the content they are watching.

#### Vibrant Themes and Soundscapes

The update launches three new dynamic themes: Radiance, Orbit, and Sonic. Radiance and Orbit present a new visual aesthetic accompanied by unique soundscapes, while Sonic, created in partnership with Spotify, reacts to the tunes being streamed on Opera’s in-browser player.

#### Improved Integration with Google Services

Opera One R3 boosts its connection with Google services, bringing Gmail and Google Calendar directly to the sidebar. The update also offers an “early bird mode,” permitting users to explore experimental features such as a four-way split screen.

For further details about Opera One, visit [Opera’s official website](https://www.opera.com/one).

**Apple Confronts Renewed Demand to Eliminate X and Grok from the App Store**

Recently, a consortium of 28 organizations focused on digital rights, child safety, and women’s rights has appealed to Apple to swiftly address the applications X and Grok, created by xAI. The open letter from the coalition illustrates worries regarding the generation of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM), which breach both legal regulations and Apple’s App Review Guidelines.

The call for action follows reports from numerous users of X and Grok who allegedly solicited the AI to modify images of women and underage girls to depict them as less clothed. Despite xAI’s initial assertions that these occurrences were due to “failures in safeguards,” the company continued to handle these requests, resulting in X being restricted in various countries and facing scrutiny in others.

The coalition’s correspondence stresses that Apple is not only facilitating the production of harmful content but is also benefiting from it. They insist on the withdrawal of Grok and X from the App Store to avert further exploitation and criminal endeavors.

**xAI’s Statement: Grok Will Halt Image Editing, Kind Of**

In light of the escalating pressure, xAI declared that Grok will introduce measures to stop the editing of images of real individuals in scant attire, such as bikinis. This limitation will apply universally to all users, including those who pay for subscriptions. Moreover, image creation and editing through Grok will now be confined to confirmed Premium subscribers, a move that xAI claims will enhance user accountability for any infractions.

Regardless of these measures, reports suggest that some users are already attempting to circumvent the new limitations. Non-subscribers find themselves receiving notifications indicating that image generation capabilities are now reserved for paying users.

**9to5Mac’s Perspective**

As xAI implements these new filters and regulations, it’s unclear whether they will effectively tackle the persistent problems. Historical trends indicate that individuals intent on bypassing safety protocols can be quite resourceful, especially in targeting women online. The existence of multiple exceptions in xAI’s announcement raises doubts that this dilemma will be adequately resolved, particularly for the involved victims.

Critics have voiced disappointment over Apple’s absence of a public reaction to the situation, positing that the company’s inaction compromises its dedication to maintaining a secure environment within the App Store. The ongoing availability of nonconsensual images via X’s iOS application has prompted concerns regarding Apple’s integrity and attentiveness to user safety issues.

**Appfigures’ Yearly Report on the App Economy: 2025 Summary**

Appfigures’ yearly report showcases a notable change in the app economy for 2025, underscoring a reduction in app downloads while total revenue reached record levels. This article examines the primary insights of the report, demonstrating the diverging trends in downloads and revenue.

### Downloads Decreased, but Subscriptions Fueled Revenue Growth

In 2025, worldwide consumer expenditure on mobile applications surged to $155.8 billion, reflecting a 21.6% rise from 2024. On the other hand, the volume of app downloads saw a decrease of 2.7%, amounting to 106.9 billion compared to 109.8 billion in 2024 and 113.6 billion in 2023. This decrease marks the fifth straight year of lowered downloads, a trend that reached a peak of 135 billion during the pandemic in 2020.

The influence of the subscription model has been crucial in compensating for the drop in downloads. While mobile games experienced a notable fall of 8.6% year-over-year, hitting 39.4 billion downloads, non-game applications enjoyed a slight growth of 1.1%, reaching 67.4 billion downloads.

### Revenue Patterns

The revenue picture paralleled the download patterns, with non-game app expenditure enjoying an impressive increase of 33.9%, totaling $82.6 billion. This expansion enabled non-game apps to overtake mobile game expenditure, which grew by a more modest 10% to $72.2 billion. Consequently, games now comprise merely 46% of total app expenditure.

In the United States, consumer investment in mobile applications rose by 18.1%, achieving $55.5 billion, while downloads dipped by 4.2% to 10 billion. Non-game applications led this surge, with spending increasing by 26.8% to $33.6 billion, in contrast to game spending, which saw a 6.8% rise to $21.9 billion.

### Conclusion

The insights from Appfigures’ report signify a substantial shift in the app economy, marked by declining downloads but strong revenue growth fueled by subscriptions. As the market continues to transform, the effects for both developers and consumers will be essential to observe. For further detailed information, readers can check out TechCrunch’s analysis of the report.

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Destination for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly changing tech landscape, keeping abreast of the newest news and advancements is vital, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily acts as a crucial resource, offering listeners a summary of the most important stories related to Apple and its ecosystem each weekday.

**Podcast Availability**

Listeners can conveniently tune into 9to5Mac Daily across a range of platforms, such as [iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app](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) compatible with Overcast and other podcast platforms. This versatility allows fans to access the latest episodes whenever they choose.

**Sponsorship and Offers**

The podcast is supported by Stuff, a productivity application aimed at assisting users in managing their tasks effectively. By entering the code 9TO5 at checkout, listeners can receive a 50% discount on their initial year, presenting an appealing opportunity for those wishing to alleviate mental clutter.

**Content and Features**

Every episode of 9to5Mac Daily is filled with enlightening discussions concerning the latest Apple news, product releases, software updates, and industry trends. The podcast not only keeps listeners updated but also captivates them with bonus material and ad-free versions accessible through a subscription to 9to5Mac Daily Plus. Subscribers can gain access to exclusive features, enriching their listening journey.

**Community Engagement**

Listeners are invited to share their opinions and feedback via email at [email protected]. Furthermore, reviews on platforms like [Apple Podcasts](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1331816080?at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) and [Overcast](https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857?mt=8&at=10laZc&pt=11l8808) boost the show’s visibility, enabling more Apple enthusiasts to discover this invaluable resource.

**Conclusion**

9to5Mac Daily distinguishes itself as a top-notch podcast for anyone interested in Apple news and technology. With its dedication to providing timely and pertinent content, it has become essential for listeners eager to stay informed in the ever-changing tech world. Whether you’re an occasional user or a devoted Apple aficionado, tuning into 9to5Mac Daily is an excellent way to remain engaged with the latest developments.

### iOS 26.2: Launch of AirDrop Codes

iOS 26.2, which was launched last month, brings a host of new features, one of which is an update to the widely used AirDrop functionality termed “AirDrop codes.” This innovative feature is designed to bolster the security and simplify the sharing of files among users who may not be in each other’s contact lists.

#### What Are AirDrop Codes?

AirDrop has been a preferred feature for iPhone users for a long time, enabling effortless sharing of pictures, files, and more with friends and family. With the launch of AirDrop codes in iOS 26.2, Apple has introduced an additional layer of verification for users sharing files with unfamiliar contacts. As per Apple’s official release notes, AirDrop codes generate a one-time code on the receiver’s device that the sender must input to finalize the transfer. This procedure guarantees that only authorized individuals can send files, thus enhancing the overall security of the feature.

#### How AirDrop Functions in iOS 26.2

When configuring AirDrop on an iPhone, users have historically had three choices:

1. **Receiving Off**
2. **Contacts Only**
3. **Everyone for 10 Minutes**

With the launch of AirDrop codes, a practical fourth option is added. If a user wishes to share files with someone not in their contacts, they can now use a one-time code to temporarily authorize each other. After the sender inputs the code, both the sender and receiver will appear as AirDrop options for the following 30 days.

#### Managing AirDrop Contacts

Users can oversee their AirDrop contacts via the Settings app by going to **Settings ⇾ General ⇾ AirDrop**. Apple mentions, “You will automatically show up for 30 days to individuals with whom you have shared a one-time code.” This feature is particularly advantageous for those who often exchange files with acquaintances without the intention of saving them as permanent contacts.

#### Benefits of AirDrop Codes

The rollout of AirDrop codes responds to certain drawbacks of previous options. The “Everyone for 10 Minutes” option significantly relaxes security, while “Contacts Only” can be tedious due to the time involved in creating a new contact. AirDrop codes streamline the process, allowing for rapid and secure sharing without requiring the creation of permanent contacts.

#### Conclusion

The newly introduced AirDrop codes feature in iOS 26.2 improves the user experience by offering a secure and effective means to share files with unfamiliar contacts. This enhancement signifies Apple’s dedication to user privacy and convenience, making AirDrop a more valuable utility for iPhone users. Have you had the chance to use AirDrop codes yet? Share your thoughts in the comments.

**Apple Card Transition: From Goldman Sachs to Chase**

Last week, Apple made it official that Chase will take over the Apple Card, signaling the conclusion of its collaboration with Goldman Sachs. This noteworthy change has been outlined in a report from The Wall Street Journal, which characterizes the relationship between Apple and Goldman Sachs as an “unhappy marriage.”

### An Unhappy Marriage for Apple and Goldman Sachs

The report suggests that Apple had considerable hopes for the Apple Card, particularly regarding applicant approval rates. Apple expected Goldman Sachs to endorse nearly all applicants, which resulted in a rise in the number of subprime borrowers. Over 30% of Apple Card balances are held by individuals with credit scores deemed subprime, a percentage that surpasses those usually encountered by banks that focus on subprime lending.

As the relationship deteriorated, Apple officially recommended terminating its partnership with Goldman Sachs and initiated dialogues with other financial entities. In its outreach, Apple compared its partnership with Goldman Sachs to an unfulfilled marriage, implying that though both sides were inclined to continue, it was evident that neither was content.

### Exploring Alternatives

In a bid to tackle the issues stemming from the partnership, Apple, Goldman Sachs, and prospective new issuers considered the idea of utilizing a private-credit fund to oversee the existing balances. This strategy, although novel, would signify a considerable shift from conventional lending methods.

Goldman Sachs contacted various private-credit firms to gauge their interest, and Apple engaged with a boutique investment bank and a small fintech entity to aid in finding an appropriate partner. However, the timeline for a decision regarding the new issuer extended beyond original expectations, causing frustration among Goldman executives.

### The Selection Process

Throughout the negotiations, Apple was reportedly in talks with several firms, including Chase, American Express, and Synchrony. Synchrony felt it was nearing a deal and started planning on how to reduce the expenses linked to the card transition. Nevertheless, in May 2025, Apple notified Chase that it was its chosen partner.

Despite this, Apple also reached out to Capital One, suggesting that an agreement was on the horizon but permitting them one last chance to engage. In the end, Apple selected JP Morgan Chase, which negotiated terms that included safeguards against possible increases in card delinquencies and the option to withdraw from the agreement prior to its finalization.

### Transition Timeline

The transition from Goldman Sachs to Chase is anticipated to take place over the forthcoming two years. Apple has pledged to share further details as the process develops, indicating a new phase for the Apple Card and its users.

This significant transition not only signifies Apple’s shifting strategy in the financial services arena but also underscores the intricacies and hurdles of partnerships in the fintech sector. As Apple moves ahead with Chase, the impacts for both companies and their clientele will be closely observed.

**Digg Makes a Comeback: A Fresh Chapter for Community-Driven Content**

Digg has officially returned. After several months in a closed beta phase, the revamped platform is now accessible to the public, relaunching with an emphasis on trust indicators, transparency in moderation, and safeguards against AI-generated spam.

### Second Time’s the Charm

Last March, Digg’s founder, Kevin Rose, partnered with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and the pair (along with various investors) reclaimed Digg from the digital advertising firm BuySellAds. The platform, once a contender in news aggregation, faltered during the Web 2.0 phase and was dismantled in 2012, with its assets switching owners multiple times until last year’s reacquisition.

Since then, Rose, Ohanian, and their small team have been dedicated to reinventing Digg, implementing innovative ideas to foster more constructive discussions within its trust-oriented community. According to TechCrunch:

> “They’re optimistically wagering that AI can assist in mitigating some of the chaos and toxicity prevalent in today’s social media environment. Concurrently, social platforms will require a fresh array of tools to prevent AI bots from masquerading as humans.”

With this perspective, the new Digg will utilize trust signals to identify patterns of genuine participation. They will combine various validation indicators and technologies to combat AI-driven spam, and may even mandate proof of product ownership before users can join and contribute in certain communities.

### Community-Focused Features

Beginning today, users can easily establish their own communities, moving beyond the 21 general-theme communities (like entertainment and gaming) active during the closed beta. TechCrunch notes that “community managers (i.e., moderators) for these specific forums will have the authority to create their own rules, and their moderation records will be made public, allowing members to see what decisions are being executed.”

At this point, there’s no schedule for when the new Digg will finish its open beta. The company intends to heed user feedback and adapt the platform as needed. You can participate by following [this link](https://digg.com/) or by downloading the Digg app [from the App Store](https://apple.co/3NnBQko).

Apple researchers have released a study on Manzano, a multimodal framework that combines visual comprehension and text-to-image generation while reducing the performance and quality trade-offs evident in existing models. The study, titled [MANZANO: A Simple and Scalable Unified Multimodal Model with a Hybrid Vision Tokenizer](https://machinelearning.apple.com/research/manzano), introduces a cohesive method that enables both image comprehension and creation within a singular framework.

Present-day multimodal models frequently encounter difficulties in reconciling visual comprehension with generative capabilities. Generally, these models either emphasize autoregressive image generation at the cost of visual understanding or the other way around. This challenge stems from the conflicting needs of visual tokenization, where autoregressive generation thrives on discrete image tokens, whereas understanding necessitates continuous embeddings. Numerous current models adopt a dual-tokenizer approach, resulting in inefficiencies and task conflicts.

Manzano resolves these challenges by utilizing an autoregressive language model (LLM) to anticipate the semantic meaning of an image, which is subsequently processed by a diffusion decoder to generate the actual pixels. The structure of Manzano consists of three essential elements:

1. A hybrid vision tokenizer that produces both continuous and discrete visual representations.
2. An LLM decoder that forecasts the subsequent discrete image or text tokens from a combined vocabulary.
3. An image decoder that translates the anticipated image tokens into pixel data.

This groundbreaking architecture enables Manzano to adeptly manage intricate prompts, achieving performance on par with top models like GPT-4o and Nano Banana. Across various benchmarks, both the 3B and 30B parameter versions of Manzano displayed superior or competitive outcomes compared to other leading unified multimodal LLMs.

The researchers evaluated Manzano with a spectrum of model sizes, ranging from 300 million parameters to 30 billion parameters, to analyze how performance scales with increased model size. Furthermore, Manzano excels in image editing tasks, including instruction-guided editing, style transfer, inpainting/outpainting, and depth estimation.

For a detailed examination of Manzano’s architecture, tokenizer training, diffusion decoder design, and evaluation findings, the complete study can be accessed [here](https://machinelearning.apple.com/research/manzano). This research highlights Apple’s ongoing endeavors to improve image generation capabilities, with potential future applications in their products.

Netflix is officially making its entrance into the podcasting world, representing a major extension of its content repertoire. Following the recent debut of video podcasts through a collaboration with Spotify, Netflix is now poised to launch its first original podcasts featuring well-known figures.

### Launch of Netflix Original Podcasts with Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin

Podcasting has experienced a dramatic rise in popularity, fueled by platforms such as YouTube and Spotify, with Apple Podcasts also witnessing a revival. The medium has become essential to political campaigns and promotional efforts for films and television, underscored by the Golden Globes’ establishment of an award for ‘Best Podcast.’

Acknowledging the increasing impact of podcasts, Netflix, the foremost global streaming service, has opted to embrace the movement. The company has secured partnerships with Spotify and iHeartRadio for exclusive video podcasts, while also introducing its own original content.

Netflix has revealed its first two in-house podcasts:

– **The Pete Davidson Show**, debuting on Friday, January 30
– **The White House with Michael Irvin**, launching on Monday, January 19

#### Show Descriptions

**The Pete Davidson Show**: This podcast showcases the former *Saturday Night Live* star in a relaxed atmosphere, engaging in open discussions with friends. The show guarantees an unfiltered approach to conversations.

**The White House with Michael Irvin**: This sports-themed podcast will address current sports headlines, game evaluations, and commentary. It will present two episodes weekly and will feature a rotating cast of co-hosts, including former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who is also engaged in the show’s production.

New episodes of *The Pete Davidson Show* will be published every Friday, whereas *The White House with Michael Irvin* will deliver two episodes each week. Both podcasts will be available to anyone with a Netflix subscription, fitting with the platform’s goal to assimilate various types of content.

As Netflix broadens its podcast offerings, it prompts the inquiry of how audiences will interact with this novel format. The fusion of video and audio content could transform the podcasting landscape, creating an exhilarating advancement for both the platform and its subscribers.

### Verizon Outage Impacts Numerous Customers

If you’re encountering difficulties with your mobile service today, you’re not the only one. Verizon is currently undergoing a major outage, which is also leading to secondary issues for T-Mobile and AT&T users, even though those networks remain functional.

#### Extensive Issues Reported

Data from Downdetector indicates that the troubles started shortly after 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Users across various social media channels have mentioned connectivity challenges involving all three providers. The Verizon outage seems to be widespread, affecting clients across the country from both the eastern and western coasts.

Impacted iPhone users on Verizon are displaying “SOS” in their status bar, signifying a complete absence of cellular connectivity. As Apple clarifies, this status indicates that while the device is not linked to a cellular network, emergency calls remain possible.

#### Comprehending the Outage

It appears that Verizon is the main carrier facing the outage, while AT&T and T-Mobile customers are dealing with related issues due to cross-network communication. There’s no indication that AT&T and T-Mobile networks are down.

Verizon has acknowledged the outage on social media, stating:

> “We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience.”

#### Community Responses

Are you encountering issues with your Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile service today? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

*Last updated January 14, 2025, at 1:27 p.m. ET*