Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

**Anna’s Archive: The Contentious Scraping of Spotify’s Music Catalog**

Anna’s Archive, a platform that claims to be the largest open repository in history, has recently garnered attention by announcing that it has scraped an incredible 99.6% of all music found on Spotify. This extensive initiative has led to the download of nearly 300 terabytes of information, which the platform intends to offer for torrenting.

The site characterizes its actions as a “backup” of Spotify, highlighting its goal to safeguard humanity’s knowledge and culture across various forms of media, not limited to text. Historically, Anna’s Archive has concentrated on archiving books and documents but has now expanded into the domain of music preservation. The organization claims to have uncovered a technique to scrape Spotify on a large scale, enabling it to establish a significant music archive.

Although Anna’s Archive has managed to capture only about one-third of Spotify’s total 256 million tracks, it contends that the 86 million tracks it has preserved represent nearly all of the music that users actually engage with. The site utilized Spotify’s “popularity” metric to prioritize which tracks to scrape, concentrating on those with a popularity rating above zero.

In its evaluation of the data, Anna’s Archive has disclosed some fascinating insights. For example, it discovered that the three most popular songs on the platform have a total stream count that exceeds the combined streams of the least popular 100 million songs. The top three tracks include:

– **Billie Eilish** – “Birds of a Feather” with 3.137 billion streams
– **Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars** – “Die With A Smile” with 3.075 billion streams
– **Bad Bunny** – “DtMF” with 1.124 billion streams

In reaction to the scraping, Spotify has acted by disabling the accounts responsible for the data extraction. A spokesperson for the company indicated that they have put new measures in place to prevent such copyright breaches and are actively monitoring for any suspicious activities. Spotify remains dedicated to safeguarding the rights of creators and opposing piracy.

The actions of Anna’s Archive prompt crucial questions regarding copyright, data ownership, and the ethics of digital archiving. As the discussion progresses, the ramifications of such extensive data scraping on the music industry and the rights of artists are yet to be completely understood.

### Apple @ Work: Insights from MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026

In the constantly changing tech landscape, overseeing Apple devices within the workplace has become increasingly vital for organizations. The latest episode of Apple @ Work features Alexander Tatarchuk, who elaborates on the results of MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026. This survey offers important insights into the challenges and trends experienced by IT professionals managing Apple devices.

#### Key Findings from the Survey

The Mac Admins Survey 2026 brings to light several significant trends and obstacles that organizations face while overseeing Apple devices. Some of the principal findings include:

1. **Device Management Challenges**: Numerous IT professionals report facing issues in handling a variety of Apple devices, especially in settings with diverse operating systems.

2. **Security Concerns**: Given the increase in cyber threats, security continues to be a major concern. The survey reveals that organizations are progressively investing in solutions to safeguard their Apple devices from possible vulnerabilities.

3. **Adoption of Unified Platforms**: There is a rising trend towards the implementation of unified management platforms that simplify the deployment and supervision of Apple devices. This method not only boosts efficiency but also lowers expenses.

4. **Remote Work Impact**: The transition to remote work has greatly affected how organizations manage their devices. IT teams are adjusting to provide support for remote employees while ensuring that security measures are upheld.

5. **Training and Support**: The necessity for continuous training and support for both IT personnel and end-users is highlighted. Organizations are acknowledging that investing in training can lead to improved device management and greater user satisfaction.

#### The Role of Mosyle

Mosyle distinguishes itself as a premier solution for organizations seeking to effectively oversee their Apple devices. As the sole Apple Unified Platform, Mosyle incorporates all essential tools for deploying, managing, and securing Apple devices without any hassle. With over 45,000 organizations depending on Mosyle, it has demonstrated to be a cost-efficient solution that alleviates the intricacies of Apple device management.

#### Conclusion

The insights from MacPaw’s Mac Admins Survey 2026 highlight the significance of proficient device management in today’s workplace. Organizations must remain aware of the latest trends and challenges to ensure they are prepared to manage their Apple devices effectively. With solutions such as Mosyle, businesses can optimize their processes and concentrate on what is most important—enhancing productivity and security in their operations.

For further insights and to listen to the complete discussion, tune into the latest episode of Apple @ Work.

Cloudflare has published its 2025 Cloudflare Radar Year in Review, showcasing the trends it detected over the year as one of the leading internet infrastructure providers globally. Here’s a look at Apple’s performance.

### Trends related to Apple in 2025, according to Cloudflare’s report

As per Cloudflare (via MacMagazine), Apple secured the third position in the Internet Services ranking, which assesses major online services based on their relative popularity using Cloudflare’s global DNS data.

The data from Cloudflare indicates that Apple surpassed TikTok early in the year and maintained a strong third place until around July, when it began alternating positions with Microsoft.

Nonetheless, “Apple concluded the year at #3,” with Microsoft experiencing better tool performance compared to 2024. TikTok finished the year in the 10th position, enduring a challenging year due to regulatory issues that may be nearing resolution.

Cloudflare also pointed out that “iOS devices accounted for 35% of mobile device traffic worldwide,” with Android taking the remaining 65%. However, “the share of traffic from iOS increased slightly year-over-year, rising two percentage points to 35% in 2025.” They observed that although Monaco was an exception with a 70% iOS share, 27 countries reported that Android represented over 90% of mobile traffic, such as Papua New Guinea, Sudan, Malawi, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia.

Here’s how Cloudflare assesses mobile traffic:

> “By examining the User-Agent header data included with each Web request, we can determine the distribution of traffic by client operating system throughout the year. Android devices generate the bulk of mobile device traffic globally, attributed to the diverse range of price points, form factors, and device capabilities.”

### A few interesting insights

Beyond Apple, Cloudflare’s 2025 Radar Year in Review presents additional valuable observations about the wider web and tech landscape:

– Global Internet traffic experienced a 19% increase in 2025, with marked growth commencing in August.
– Starlink traffic saw a twofold increase in 2025, including contributions from over 20 new countries/regions.
– Anthropic achieved the highest crawl-to-refer ratio among the top AI and search platforms.
– Google remains the leading search engine, with Yandex, Bing, and DuckDuckGo lagging significantly behind.

To explore the Cloudflare Radar 2025 Year in Review, click this link.

OpenAI has embraced the trend of personalized year-end recaps similar to Spotify Wrapped with “Your Year with ChatGPT,” which is currently being rolled out to users in the U.S. and certain other countries. Here’s how to access yours.

### OpenAI Embraces the Wrapped Trend

In a message shared on X, OpenAI announced that “Your Year with ChatGPT” is now available to users in the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia who are utilizing the most recent version of the ChatGPT app. This feature depends on memory and chat history, so it is exclusively available to those who have those settings activated.

If you have these options enabled, you will likely notice a “Your Year with ChatGPT” banner as soon as you launch the app. Clicking on it will display a Stories-style interface featuring intriguing nuggets, highlights, and trends from your ChatGPT interactions over the past year, all of which are shareable.

TechCrunch elaborated on what the feature entails: OpenAI incorporates engaging visuals and customizes the experience by presenting “awards” based on your ChatGPT usage throughout the year. For example, you may receive the “Creative Debugger” accolade if you’ve leveraged the chatbot to address a challenge or navigate a concept.

Additionally, the app generates a poem and an image themed around your interests for the year. OpenAI mentions that “Your Year with ChatGPT” is limited to individual accounts, making it unavailable for Education, Enterprise, and Team users. If you reside in one of the supported nations but cannot view the highlight upon opening the app, you can directly request it from ChatGPT.

Today’s launch of “Your Year with ChatGPT” comes just days after OpenAI integrated a holiday-themed easter egg in ChatGPT, where Santa rewards the user with either a good or bad gift based on their actions over the previous year.

### Apple Commits to Long-Term Development in China

In a recent discussion with Li Chenggang, China’s International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of Commerce, Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan underscored the firm’s dedication to sustained development and investment in China. This declaration follows a series of assurances from Apple leaders about their commitment to the Chinese market, especially considering the ongoing U.S.–China trade dynamics and the company’s initiatives to diversify its supply chain.

#### Background

Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook traveled to China, where he reassured Chinese officials of Apple’s continued commitment to investing in the area. His statements coincided with a resurgence in iPhone sales in China, emphasizing the significance of the Chinese market for Apple’s overarching business strategy.

#### Recent Developments

During his conversation with Chinese officials, Sabih Khan reaffirmed Apple’s enduring relationship with its Chinese partners. Per a report from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Khan remarked that Apple appreciates the capabilities and potential of China’s supply chain. He outlined the firm’s intentions to keep boosting investments across various sectors, such as supply chain development, research and development, and social welfare projects within China. Khan stressed an emphasis on intelligence, sustainability, and integration to realize shared benefits and win-win scenarios.

#### Economic Impact

In the previous fiscal quarter, Greater China represented 14% of Apple’s overall revenue, highlighting the area’s importance to the company’s financial stability. Despite Apple’s ongoing endeavors to diversify its production, particularly for devices aimed at the U.S. market, China continues to be a crucial center for manufacturing and assembly.

Apple’s reaffirmation of its commitment to China embodies a strategic choice to sustain robust connections with one of its largest markets while navigating the intricacies of international trade affairs. As the company persists in investing in the region, it intends to cultivate a collaborative setting that advantages both Apple and its Chinese partners.

### Conclusion

Apple’s ongoing investments and commitment to China indicate its awareness of the country’s essential role in its global operations. As the company adjusts to evolving market conditions and geopolitical obstacles, its emphasis on long-term development in China is likely to remain an integral part of its strategy moving ahead.

Apple’s Reminders application has undergone noteworthy improvements, especially with the launch of time zone support in iOS 26. This feature is particularly advantageous for those traveling, as it facilitates better task management across varying time zones.

### Reminders Introduces Time Zone Features in iOS 26

With the holiday season on the horizon, the necessity for efficient task management rises. The newly added time zone support in the Reminders app meets this demand by providing two essential functionalities:

1. **Specific Time Zone Assignment**: Users now have the option to specify a time zone for each reminder.
2. **Default Time Zone Selection**: Users can select a default time zone applicable to all reminders.

This enhancement is inspired by the Apple Calendar app, which has consistently offered extensive time zone features.

#### How to Access Time Zone Settings

In iOS 26, users can access the updated time zone settings through a few methods:

– **Per-Reminder Time Zone**: During the creation of a new reminder, users will see a “Time Zone” option below the time setting. This enables changes on a reminder-specific basis.

– **Overall Time Zone Preference**: For frequent travelers, a global time zone preference can be modified in the Settings app. Go to Settings > Apps > Reminders, and look for the Time Zone menu to change the default location-based setting.

Once the ‘Set Manually’ option is enabled, a time zone icon will show at the top of the Reminders app interface, allowing for quick visibility and adjustments of the default time zone without returning to the Settings.

### Conclusion

The time zone functionalities in iOS 26 considerably improve the Reminders app’s usability, making it an essential tool for anyone traveling, whether for leisure or business. Users can now handle their tasks with increased accuracy, ensuring they remain organized regardless of their whereabouts.

The most recent WhatsApp beta for iOS unveils an exciting new functionality named Channel Quiz, designed to boost engagement within channels. This feature permits channel administrators to create and distribute quizzes to their followers, promoting a more lively user experience.

### Crafted to Introduce a More Interactive Element to Channels

As reported by WABetaInfo, the Channel Quiz feature allows admins to create questions and offer multiple answer choices, which can also include images for each option. This versatility supports a broad array of content types, from visual tests to educational queries. In contrast to standard polls, quizzes necessitate that admins identify one answer as the correct one prior to publication, ensuring that the interaction focuses on knowledge rather than personal belief. This straightforwardness aids participants in grasping the purpose of the quiz, as they can quickly determine if their response is accurate.

When users choose the right answer, they are celebrated with a confetti animation, introducing a playful aspect to the experience. Admins gain insights into participant involvement, as they can analyze a summary of answers. Nonetheless, there are privacy measures in place: if participants are not among the admin’s contacts, their involvement is visible but with restricted information. Depending on privacy preferences, only a profile image may be shown, while personal information such as phone numbers and names remain confidential, ensuring user privacy while still offering useful participation metrics.

The introduction of the quiz feature on the WhatsApp beta for iOS follows a comparable launch on the Android beta, indicating that a broader release could be on the horizon.

This new functionality is anticipated to greatly enhance user interaction within WhatsApp channels, rendering engagements more informative and enjoyable for users.

### Visa Travel Alerts for Apple Staff: Grasping the Present Situation

According to *Business Insider*, a legal firm representing Apple has issued a precautionary message to certain employees with visas concerning international travel. This notice underscores the likelihood of prolonged and unpredictable delays upon re-entering the United States, leading several tech firms, including Microsoft and Google, to advise employees against traveling abroad.

#### The Caution from Apple’s Legal Team

A memorandum from Fragomen, the law firm advising Apple, cautioned employees lacking a current H-1B visa stamp to avoid trips outside the country. The memorandum highlighted the dangers linked to international travel, stating, “In light of the latest updates and the chance of unpredictable, prolonged delays upon returning to the U.S., we strongly advise that employees without a valid H-1B visa stamp refrain from international travel at this time.” Employees were also urged to seek guidance from Apple Immigration and Fragomen if travel cannot be sidestepped.

#### Visa Processing Hold-Ups

The urgency surrounding this advisory arises from substantial delays in visa processing, worsened by a recently implemented social media screening requirement. In the fiscal year 2024, Apple submitted 3,880 H-1B visa applications, illustrating the company’s dependence on global talent. However, these submissions are experiencing processing delays of up to 12 months, with countless appointments at U.S. embassies around the globe being deferred.

The new requirement stipulates that H-1B visa candidates, along with their dependents and various visa categories, must reveal all social media usernames used in the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form. Furthermore, applicants are required to make their social media profiles public, enabling consular officers to examine their online activities.

#### Worldwide Effect of Delays

The delays are not confined to one area; American consulates and embassies worldwide are facing significant backlogs in standard visa appointments. Nations such as Ireland and Vietnam have indicated considerable delays, impacting many visa holders and their travel capabilities.

#### Final Thoughts

The recommendations from Apple and other tech companies highlight the intricacies and difficulties confronted by visa holders in the current immigration environment. As employees deal with these unpredictable circumstances, it remains essential for them to stay informed and engaged with their company’s immigration support to minimize risks linked to international travel.

### Streamlining Travel Charging for Apple Users

When journeying with several Apple devices like a Mac, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch, it can quickly become a hassle to manage chargers. Conventional multi-device chargers often miss the Mac, requiring additional gear such as a laptop brick, MagSafe stand, separate Apple Watch charger, and cables for AirPods. This can result in a disorganized packing scenario.

#### Creative Solution: Zens USB-C Pro 3 Cable

Zens has come up with a solution through their USB-C Pro 3 cable, crafted to simplify the charging experience for Apple users. This cable enables you to charge a MacBook while concurrently charging other devices wirelessly. By utilizing a single high-watt USB-C brick alongside this cable, you can keep all your Apple devices powered during your travels or even while at your desk.

#### Operational Mechanism

The Zens cable redefines the charging arrangement by treating the Mac as the central unit. By attaching the USB-C end to your Mac charger, the cable regulates the power distribution. It supplies up to 140 watts to a MacBook Pro/Air or iPad, while also incorporating two magnetic charging spots along the cable. One spot serves as a Qi2 pad that offers up to 15 watts for your iPhone or AirPods, and the other is an Apple Watch puck that provides 5 watts, enabling fast charging for newer models.

With the Qi2 standard, the iPhone easily snaps into position, assuring a secure connection without the need for exact alignment. The cable remains flat, and the robust magnets ensure it remains connected even in a hectic environment, making it an optimal choice for travel or office settings.

#### General Assessment

The design of the Zens USB-C Pro 3 cable is stylish and functional. It skillfully daisy-chains the charging process, presenting itself as a versatile multi-device charger. Even if you don’t require charging for your Mac, it remains efficient for other devices. The cable is lightweight, folds neatly, and prevents snags in your bag, tackling common issues encountered with traditional multi-device charging stations.

One slight downside is that you cannot simultaneously charge an iPhone and AirPods, but this is an acceptable compromise for many users who seldom need to charge both at once.

#### Final Thoughts

The Zens USB-C Pro 3 cable serves as a practical answer for individuals wanting to simplify their travel charging setup. It replaces the standard Mac charging cable while offering inline charging for an iPhone and an Apple Watch. This minimalist approach allows travelers to reduce their gear to just one charging brick and this cable, ensuring all devices stay powered without the inconvenience of multiple cables.

For anyone who travels often, this cable is a valuable investment, delivering an effortless charging experience without the mess. The Zens USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable Pro 3 is available for purchase from [Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/product/hsb82zm/a/zens-usb-c-to-usb-c-charging-cable-pro-3?fnode=7a6560db8171550fc732993a9a731b432fa14ad8be5e52f13ab435a1fccef9c4887736334bccce0ed51d870521cd0e2bad27cffdb537724cf8fd9e7b965c0b9b6d00df6e9e45afd03c364431f3bbcad442156a8b5346b75f513de116f87ab2c0) or directly from [Zens](https://zens.tech/products/charging-cable-usb-c-c-pro-3?variant=55895233593676).

Italy’s competition regulatory body, Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), has imposed a fine of € 98.6 million ($ 116 million) on Apple due to its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature. This article delves into the context surrounding the issue, specifics of the penalty, and the consequences for Apple.

### A Brief Overview

Since the launch of App Tracking Transparency in April 2021, Apple has encountered backlash from numerous companies and media organizations concerning the execution of this feature. Detractors claim that although ATT enforces stringent restrictions on third-party applications regarding data gathering and tracking, Apple’s own services are not subject to equivalent limitations.

Apple justifies its stance by asserting that it has structured its offerings—such as Siri, Maps, FaceTime, and iMessage—in a manner that prevents the association of user data across these platforms. Nevertheless, the company has been under the spotlight from various antitrust probes, notably regarding whether ATT yields anticompetitive outcomes.

Recently, Apple has made moves to counter antitrust apprehensions in several nations, including Germany, France, and Brazil, where it has encountered similar probes and penalties.

### The Italian Penalty

The AGCM’s penalty against Apple arises from what it refers to as the “exploitation of a dominant market position.” The authority carried out a thorough investigation in cooperation with the European Commission and other national competition bodies, along with the Italian Data Protection Authority.

The investigation found that the ATT policy is limiting from a competition-law viewpoint. In particular, third-party app developers are required to get explicit consent for data collection and linking for advertising purposes via Apple’s ATT prompt. However, this prompt does not meet the requirements of privacy legislation, compelling developers to apply a secondary consent request for the same objectives.

The AGCM indicated that Apple’s ATT policies are imposed unilaterally and adversely affect the interests of its business partners. The authority described the feature as excessive compared to the data protection aims Apple professes to follow.

While recognizing that Apple might have valid reasons for instituting privacy protections, the AGCM criticized the policies as overly burdensome for developers and disproportionate to the privacy protection intentions.

Additionally, the present execution of ATT mandates that developers seek consent twice for identical purposes, as the ATT prompt fails to satisfy the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) consent stipulations, requiring developers to incorporate additional consent methods.

Apple has expressed its plan to contest the fine. For more information, the complete decision is available on the AGCM’s official site.

### Conclusion

The penalty levied by Italy’s AGCM underscores the persistent conflicts between privacy initiatives and competition in the technology sector. As Apple tackles these issues, the ramifications of the ATT feature and its implementation will remain under careful examination by regulators and developers alike.