Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

OpenAI has verified that both ChatGPT and Codex are presently facing major challenges, impacting numerous users’ capability to access these services. Reports from Downdetector indicate that the issues commenced between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. ET, with users indicating struggles in logging in, searching, and using voice mode, among other features.

The official OpenAI system status page confirms these persistent problems, stating, “Users unable to load ChatGPT and Codex.” The organization is actively looking into the issue but has not yet offered a timeline for resolution or additional updates at this point.

The initial acknowledgment of the problem from OpenAI was made at 10:35 a.m., signaling that they were investigating the concern. A following update at 11:13 a.m. reiterated that the investigation was still in progress.

As users continue to encounter difficulties with both platforms, OpenAI has urged individuals facing issues to share their experiences in the comments. The situation is under close observation, and updates will be shared as they become available.

### Apple’s 2026 MacBook Pro and iPad Air Promotions: Unmatched Savings

The newest offers on Apple products are creating a buzz, especially with the 2026 collection of MacBook Pros and iPad Airs. As shoppers search for the best deals, notable price reductions have been noted across several models, making this the perfect moment for tech lovers and professionals to invest in top-tier devices.

#### 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro: Unprecedented Price

The **2026 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro** has recently experienced a discount of **$200**, lowering its price to **$2,499** from the standard price of **$2,699**. This version comes equipped with a powerful **18-core CPU** and **20-core GPU**, along with **24GB of RAM** and a **1TB SSD**. At present, this offer is available solely for the Space Black model, while the silver version remains at its original price.

This reduction marks the lowest price recorded since its launch last month, making it a tempting choice for anyone in need of a capable laptop for intensive tasks such as video editing, software development, or graphic design.

#### 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro: Year’s Top Offer

In tandem with the 16-inch variant, the **14-inch M5 MacBook Pro** featuring **24GB of RAM** and **1TB of storage** has fallen to **$1,759**, which is **$240 less** than its launch price. This markdown positions it as the year’s best offer for this model. The M5 MacBook Pro was originally priced at **$1,999**, but with the recent introduction of the M5 Pro lineup, its price has been revised, making it an enticing option for those seeking a blend of power and portability.

#### Clearance Offers on iPad Air

Alongside the MacBook offers, there are also notable savings on the **1TB M3 iPad Air**. Currently priced at **$1,249**, this model is **$200 less** than its initial price of **$1,450**. This clearance pricing is particularly important as the M4 iPad Air series has recently been released, leading to limited availability and substantial discounts on the prior generation.

The M3 iPad Air provides a flexible solution for users in search of a high-performance tablet for both work and leisure. With limited stock, this offer is expected to be short-lived, so interested shoppers should act promptly.

#### Overview of Current Offers

– **16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro**: $2,499 (Reg. $2,699) – $200 off
– **14-inch M5 MacBook Pro**: $1,759 (Reg. $1,999) – $240 off
– **1TB M3 iPad Air**: $1,249 (Reg. $1,450) – $200 off

These reductions showcase some of the best pricing available and highlight the competitive landscape of the tech market. Whether upgrading current devices or acquiring new ones, consumers have a distinct opportunity to obtain high-quality Apple products at lower costs.

**Apple Vision Pro: Revolutionizing Star Wars Filmmaking**

Apple and Star Wars share a rich history of partnership, which persists with the forthcoming film, *The Mandalorian & Grogu*, scheduled to debut in May. Jon Favreau, the film’s director, recently revealed how he employed the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset to enhance the filmmaking experience.

### Apple Vision Pro: A Mobile IMAX Experience

In a discussion at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Favreau talked about the groundbreaking consumer technology that was essential to crafting the latest Star Wars installment. He highlighted the benefits of utilizing consumer tech, especially in regard to the swift advancements compared to more niche technologies.

Favreau remarked, “There’s a lot of exceptional gaming technology being developed. There was minimal innovation in motion capture since only a few of us were using MotionBuilder. The floodgates opened with gaming.” He clarified that the production team utilized gaming hardware to establish a pre-production motion capture and pre-visualization pipeline, which has become more attainable due to improvements in consumer products.

### The Significance of Apple Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro headset became an indispensable tool for Favreau, enabling him to frame IMAX shots from the set. He described the experience of using the headset: “So I’m producing an IMAX movie and I’m viewing a TV screen. Regardless of your TV screen size, it can’t match an IMAX screen.” With the Vision Pro, he was able to fully immerse himself in an IMAX theater setting, observing the complete aspect ratio while aligning shots.

Favreau further explained, “I could view that take and know what the audience will experience. That’s a piece of technology that existed independently of us. We conducted a minor software build on top of it, but we’re utilizing consumer-facing tech in an industrial manner.”

### Conclusion

The incorporation of Apple Vision Pro into the filmmaking process marks a new chapter of innovation within the industry. As audiences get ready to witness *The Mandalorian & Grogu* on the big screen, they can value the cutting-edge technology that played a role in its making. The alliance between Apple and Star Wars continues to redefine the limits of storytelling and visual experiences in cinema.

**The Emergence of Foldable Smartphones: An Overview of Apple’s Upcoming iPhone Ultra**

Whether by chance or design, the newest Android foldable smartphones reflect the form factor anticipated for the iPhone Ultra, now thought to be Apple’s terminology for what was previously known as the iPhone Fold. The recent introduction of products like the Oppo Find N6 and the Huawei Pura X Max 5G has offered a preview of what users might expect from Apple’s venture into the foldable arena.

The Oppo Find N6 exhibited a display that nearly eliminates creases, a characteristic that Apple is rumored to be integrating into its foldable offering. Recent unboxing and hands-on evaluations of the Huawei Pura X Max 5G uncover a design that strikingly resembles the expected iPhone Ultra layout. This device, currently available in China, sports a broader aspect ratio for both its exterior and interior displays, a design strategy Apple is likely to embrace as well.

Apple has taken a measured approach in entering the foldable smartphone realm, with its first release projected to be around eight years post Samsung’s inaugural attempt. This postponement is mainly due to the durability of folding displays. Initial models from rivals like Samsung encountered difficulties with screen longevity, especially concerning harm from dirt and debris, along with visible creases that compromised the user experience. Nevertheless, Apple seems to have tackled these issues, reportedly achieving noteworthy improvements in display technology and hinge designs.

The display of the Oppo Find N6 is thought to be very similar to what Apple is working on, with an emphasis on reducing the crease effect. This development is vital for Apple, as it seeks to provide a high-end product that fulfills the substantial expectations of its clientele. The company is now poised for a prospective launch in September or soon after.

The design of the Huawei Pura X Max 5G includes an external display that is broader than that of standard smartphones, facilitating a more expansive internal display as well. This design philosophy resonates with Apple’s speculated intentions for the iPhone Ultra, indicating that the device will be both functional and visually appealing.

In summary, as the foldable smartphone segment continues to progress, Apple’s arrival with the iPhone Ultra is eagerly awaited. Through advancements in display technology and design, Apple aims to establish a new benchmark in the foldable category, potentially transforming user expectations for mobile devices. The forthcoming months will be crucial as consumers look forward to more information and the eventual debut of this groundbreaking device.

# Apple Watch Sleep Monitoring: Comprehending the Sleep Score Feature

The Apple Watch has transformed personal health tracking, and one of its most impressive features is the integrated sleep monitoring capability. Users can effortlessly wear their Apple Watch to sleep, and the device automatically records their sleep patterns without requiring extra apps or specialized modes.

## Improvements in watchOS 26: The Sleep Score Feature

With the rollout of watchOS 26, Apple has elevated sleep tracking by introducing a sleep score feature. This score offers users a visual depiction of their sleep quality from one night to the next, simplifying the understanding of sleep patterns and allowing for necessary modifications.

### Adjustable Sleep Score Alerts

One of the most advantageous elements of the sleep score feature is the option to receive alerts for particular score ranges. After its initial release, Apple enhanced the sleep score system based on user suggestions, improving its functionality and experience.

Each morning, users can get an alert that outlines their sleep score, aiding in the comprehension of their sleep quality. Initially, daily notifications were beneficial for users to get acquainted with the feature. However, many have discovered that personalizing notifications according to score ranges is more effective.

The sleep score falls into five categories:

– **Very Low:** 0-40
– **Low:** 41-60
– **OK:** 61-80
– **High:** 81-95
– **Very High:** 96+

For numerous users, myself included, receiving alerts for high and very high scores may not be required, as a restful night’s sleep should be the expected standard. Instead, concentrating on notifications for OK, Low, or Very Low scores can offer significant insights into sleep quality and prompt reflection on elements that may have led to a poor sleep experience.

To customize sleep score notifications, users can modify settings on either their iPhone or Apple Watch:

– **On iPhone:** Launch the Watch app, scroll to the Sleep section, and tap on Sleep Score Notifications to toggle alerts for specified ranges.
– **On Apple Watch:** Open the Settings app, scroll down to the Sleep section, and tap on Sleep Score Notifications to modify alerts.

## Grasping How Sleep Score is Determined

The sleep score is calculated based on three primary factors:

– **Sleep Duration (50 points):** The total time spent asleep.
– **Bedtime Consistency (30 points):** How consistently a user goes to bed at the same hour.
– **Interruptions (20 points):** Any disruptions that happen during sleep.

This scoring system provides a detailed overview of sleep quality, enabling users to monitor their progress over time.

### Compatibility and Accessibility

The sleep score feature necessitates watchOS 26, which works with Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, Apple Watch Ultra and newer, and Apple Watch SE 2 and newer. For those considering an upgrade, the Apple Watch Series 11 is currently offered at a reduced rate of $329 on Amazon, down from its standard price of $399.

For more in-depth information regarding sleep tracking with the Apple Watch, users can visit Apple’s official support page.

In summary, the sleep monitoring capability on the Apple Watch, especially with the improvements unveiled in watchOS 26, provides users with essential insights into their sleep quality. By leveraging the sleep score and customizable alerts, individuals can take proactive measures towards enhancing their overall health and wellness.

NASA’s Reid Wiseman, the commander of the latest Artemis II mission orbiting the Moon, has shared an incredible video taken with the iPhone 17 Pro Max that depicts ‘Earthset’—the Earth descending behind the Moon.

### Fresh Video Displays Earth Descending Behind the Moon, Captured at 8x on iPhone 17 Pro Max

We’ve witnessed numerous breathtaking images and videos from NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. Some of these were even recorded on an iPhone. However, Reid Wiseman, astronaut and commander of the Artemis II mission, recently shared a new video that may just claim the title for the most remarkable one yet.

It was filmed with the iPhone 17 Pro Max using 8x zoom, revealing the Earth setting behind the Moon.

[Check out the video from Reid Wiseman on X](https://x.com/astro_reid/status/2046009031613907029?s=61&t=a-bloX1n-TZ50ofqhetO1A):

> Only one opportunity in this lifetime… Like experiencing a sunset at the beach from the most alien seat in the cosmos, I couldn’t resist capturing a cell phone video of Earthset. You can hear the shutter on the Nikon while @Astro_Christina is diligently taking 3-shot brackets and capturing those…  — Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 19, 2026

From Wiseman’s message:

> I could barely make out the Moon through the docking hatch window, but the iPhone was just the right size to capture the view…this is unedited, uncut with 8x zoom, which is quite similar to the view of the human eye. Enjoy.

NASA’s astronaut team has already provided Apple with ample Artemis II content for future ‘Shot on iPhone’ marketing, but this particular piece is quite extraordinary in its own right.

To find out more about how NASA obtained approval to take iPhones on the Artemis II mission, [check our earlier article here](https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/04/heres-how-nasa-cleared-the-iphone-17-pro-max-for-astronauts-on-artemis-ii/).

iOS 27 is set to be revealed on June 8 during WWDC, and a fresh leak suggests that the software update might discontinue support for four iPhone models. Here are the specifics.

### iOS 27 may exclude iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and others

We’re approaching Apple’s much-anticipated iOS 27 reveal at WWDC. The most recent speculations from this weekend highlighted a revamped Siri design and a possible new Home Screen feature.

Additional notable rumored features of iOS 27 include a substantial Siri redesign, enhancements to Liquid Glass design, and more.

But will your iPhone be compatible with the new update?

Some years Apple withdraws compatibility for older iPhone models, while other years they don’t. However, a recent leak suggests there will be a shift with iOS 27.

Yesterday, Weibo leaker Instant Digital shared a comprehensive list of what is purported to be all iPhone models that will support iOS 27.

Four models capable of running iOS 26 are absent from the list:

– iPhone 11 Pro Max
– iPhone 11 Pro
– iPhone 11
– iPhone SE (2nd generation)

According to the leaker’s information, iOS 27 will necessitate an iPhone 12 or newer. While iOS 26 supported the second-gen iPhone SE, the new update will only function on iPhone SE 3 or newer.

If this is accurate, it will mark two consecutive years that Apple has excluded several iPhone models from its major iOS update. Last year, the iPhone XS generation was left out.

Many of iOS 27’s key features are anticipated to involve Apple Intelligence. Furthermore, those features will demand an iPhone 15 Pro or later. Thus, even if your iPhone can still operate iOS 27, it may not support all the upcoming features.

Would you be astonished if Apple removed the iPhone 11 series from iOS 27 support? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Developers contend that Apple’s App Store ratings are inherently flawed in at least a few significant respects – including the notion that a 4-star rating could potentially be more detrimental than beneficial.

They also underline the tension between users’ desire for an uninterrupted app experience and Apple’s insistence that developers prompt users for ratings and reviews.

Every iPhone developer understands that having their app spotlighted by Apple can be the crucial factor separating obscurity from tremendous success. This, they argue, is where the initial problem with App Store ratings emerges.

## Encouraging/nagging users to review

App users typically dislike being asked repeatedly to rate and review an app, particularly when it disrupts their intended use of the app. Developer Steven Troughton-Smith states that they have no option but to do so, as a substantial number of 5-star reviews is what prompts Apple to showcase apps – and encouraging users is what secures those reviews.

> Rating prompts can determine whether a fantastic app garners five favorable reviews or thousands of them. I would never advise a developer against utilizing the APIs. Not doing so is akin to App Store Editorial demise for most apps, as Apple tends to selectively highlight those with substantial review data.

He suggests that developers should display this prompt when users launch the app, revisiting it every few months. However, others argue that this is the least favorable moment to do so.

> Present it after an action that **concludes** what the user aimed to achieve. Like saving or publishing. But absolutely not after launching the app. I opened the app because I wish to accomplish something with it – this is the worst time for interruptions.

This can be challenging, however, as developers may not necessarily recognize when you have fulfilled your goal.

## A 4-star review is a negative evaluation

Another problem is the inconsistency between user perceptions of the star rating system and how it functions in reality. This mirrors the concern that has arisen with Uber driver ratings.

Logically, one might anticipate the star ratings to function as follows:

– 3 is the standard rating, indicating that the app performed as anticipated
– 4 = ‘Better than expected’
– 5 = ‘Flawless – could not be enhanced’
– 2 = ‘Below expectations’
– 1 = ‘Terrible/unusable’

Developers like Terry Godier assert this isn’t how it operates in practice. Apple is solely focused on 5-star ratings, and if you submit a 4-star review with positive intent, it may inadvertently harm the app’s reputation.

> If your app has a 4.1 star rating in the App Store, any 4-star review will lower that average. In essence, submitting a 4-star review equates to providing a negative evaluation.

## Should Apple transition to thumbs?

John Gruber posits that the solution for Apple lies in discarding the star system to better align it with the rating behavior of the majority of users – which generally involves giving a 5 to an app they appreciate and a 1 to one they disdain.

> Star-rating systems are fundamentally ineffective for aggregation. If you want to compile and average ratings from users, the most efficient system is binary: thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Netflix switched from stars to thumbs in 2017, and YouTube made the transition as far back as 2009. The App Store should adopt thumbs.

What do you think? Should Apple replace star ratings with a like/dislike feature? And how should Apple address the challenge of rating/review prompts?

A judge has determined that the Trump administration should not have pressured Apple and Google into eliminating apps that monitor the activities of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). A preliminary injunction has been granted, suggesting that the developers of ICE Sightings and Eyes Up are poised to prevail in their assertion that the government stifled protected speech under the First Amendment.

### A Brief Overview of the ICE Tracker Dispute

The dispute began with an application called ICEBlock, which enabled users to report sightings of ICE agents. After receiving criticism from the White House, the app experienced a surge in popularity, illustrating the Streisand Effect. The US Attorney General cautioned the developer to “be careful,” resulting in Apple removing the app from its App Store. Lawmakers interrogated Apple regarding its actions, and Meta disbanded a Facebook group with a comparable objective. The House Judiciary Committee later initiated an investigation into whether the DOJ illicitly coerced Apple and Google into removing these applications.

### Judge Issues Developers an Injunction

The developers of ICE Sightings and Eyes Up initiated legal action, contending that the government was infringing upon their First Amendment rights by restricting their speech. Judge Jorge L. Alonso of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a preliminary injunction, indicating that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their lawsuit. The ruling prevents the federal government from compelling platforms to eliminate these applications.

The plaintiffs receive support from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which expressed optimism regarding the ruling. FIRE noted that the court’s verdict safeguards the reporting on ICE activities utilizing publicly accessible information.

Apple is presently caught up in a major antitrust confrontation in India, staring down the possibility of an enormous $38 billion penalty owing to its unwillingness to engage with the Competition Commission of India (CCI). This predicament arises from claims that Apple has exploited its leading role in the smartphone landscape by failing to provide necessary financial documentation.

Traditionally, Apple has faced antitrust examination on a global scale, mainly focusing on its App Store policies. The firm requires iPhone users to acquire applications solely through its outlet, establishing commission rates that developers must adhere to in order to access iOS consumers. While Apple argues that it does not have a commanding position in the overall smartphone app market—highlighting Android’s greater share—regulators have concluded that Apple’s grip on the iPhone sector is significant enough to warrant investigation.

In India, the circumstances are somewhat distinct. By 2021, Apple’s share of the Indian smartphone market was just 4%, a figure that has risen to around 9% since then. This relatively minor market presence complicates the CCI’s stance, as it must navigate the subtleties of market dominance within this framework. Apple is challenging the CCI’s jurisdiction in court and has sought a halt to enforcement actions until the legal matters are settled, resulting in its non-compliance with requests for financial disclosures.

The CCI has sharpened its approach towards Apple, signaling a prompt move to impose penalties since the company has not submitted the required financial information since October 2024. The commission has scheduled a final hearing for May 21, 2026, and has offered Apple a short extension to meet the financial information request. Legal analysts suggest that failure to comply may impede Apple’s ability to dispute the extent of the fine.

Even with the looming $38 billion penalty, it is essential to recognize that numerous jurisdictions calculate antitrust fines based on a proportion of global revenue, and no nation has yet imposed penalties nearing this amount. This scenario raises concerns regarding the justification for the CCI’s requests and Apple’s reluctance to supply the desired data, particularly since its global revenue figures are publicly accessible.

In conclusion, Apple’s persistent antitrust challenges in India underscore the intricacies of market regulation and the obstacles encountered by corporations operating within a global framework. The resolution of this case could carry significant consequences for Apple’s operational practices and regulatory compliance approaches in the future.