Tag: Source: 9to5mac.com

### Vibe Coding Apps Challenge Established App Store Norms

In the wake of a conflict that resulted in two removals from the App Store, the creators of the vibe coding platform Anything are openly charging Apple with excluding a new wave of app developers due to antiquated app review policies. Here are the specifics.

A few weeks prior, *The Information* disclosed that Apple had removed the vibe coding application “Anything” from the App Store. Apple asserted that the Anything app breached “longstanding App Store rules that stipulate that an app cannot execute code that modifies the functionality of itself or other apps.”

The pertinent rules were:

– **Section 2.5.2 of the App Review Guidelines**: “Apps should be self-sufficient within their bundles and must not read or write data outside their assigned container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code that adds or alters features or functionality of the app, including other applications.”

– **Section 3.3.1(B) of the Developer Program License**: “Interpreted code may be downloaded to an Application, provided that such code: (a) does not alter the main purpose of the Application by adding features or functionality that diverge from the intended and advertised purpose of the Application.”

This is partly how vibe coding applications operate. They typically allow users to submit text prompts that AI models transform into code, subsequently creating a functioning version of the app. In the case of Anything, users can test the app on their devices and determine if they wish to submit it for App Store approval, given they possess a developer account.

However, Apple has expressed concerns regarding Anything’s app development and preview processes, leading to its removal from the App Store. Twice. The developers report that Apple removed the app from the App Store on March 26, and then again shortly after it was reinstated, following ongoing discussions with the company.

In a detailed post on X (via *TechCrunch*), the developers shared their perspective:

> “Our mobile app received approval last year. We didn’t hear any concerns. Then in December, they began obstructing our updates, citing the notorious Guideline 2.5.2. The guideline aimed at preventing harmful apps from downloading code to alter their behavior post-review. We recognized the concern, even if we disagree it applies to our case. We attempted to resolve the issue. Four distinct technical solutions, each tailored to address their feedback. All were rejected. We didn’t go public. We didn’t tweet. We kept making efforts. Then they removed us from the App Store. We still kept quiet. We collaborated with them, got reinstated, and thought we’d found a way forward. Then they removed us again.”

In the post, the Anything team contends that “the number of individuals who can create apps is set to soar from millions to hundreds of millions, ultimately reaching everyone,” asserting that “these individuals represent the future of the App Store.”

They also provide examples of users who successfully launched their vibe-coded apps on the App Store and pledge to continue evolving their product:

> “We’re not holding back. We launched text-to-app. Message us and we’ll create your iOS app in the cloud. Next, we’re releasing a desktop companion for on-device previews. We will discover a way to support our builders.”

### 9to5Mac’s Perspective

Anything’s announcement follows shortly after *The Information* reported a surge of new apps on the App Store, at least partly attributed to the rise of vibe coding tools. Naturally, not all vibe-coded apps will be equally useful or impactful (or even secure) as those mentioned in Anything’s post. However, this shouldn’t disqualify the new potential offered by vibe coding tools altogether.

In recent months, there has been mounting pressure for Apple to confront, or at minimum acknowledge, the evolving landscape of app development. As vibe coding gains greater traction and with WWDC26 approaching, it will be intriguing to observe how Apple decides to address the matter, if at all.

The Now Playing split-view overhaul that YouTube Music has been developing since last year is now being released widely.

At the top, you’ll see that the “Song” and “Video” toggler now features icons, while the cover art has been slightly enlarged compared to the previous version.

The arrangement of the button carousel and main controls remains the same, but the progress bar has transitioned from a thin line and playhead to a sturdier container. The line becomes thicker when you tap and scrub.

In addition, YTM has eliminated “Lyrics” and “Related.” The lower section of Now Playing is now focused on your Up Next queue. You can swipe anywhere within the player (even at the very top) to pull it up to the halfway mark.

This redesign brings forth a new dual-pane layout that allows you to view cover art, controls, and what’s coming next. Swipe up again to revert to the previous fullscreen format.

You’ll find Lyrics right after the thumbs up/down capsule, while Related can be accessed by tapping the song title and the right-facing chevron.

The split-view Now Playing redesign is now being rolled out extensively to YouTube Music for Android (version 9.14) and iOS (9.15). This update is server-side, with dismissing the queue and force-stopping the app prompting the new appearance.

The global smartphone industry witnessed a notable drop of over 4% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, signaling the conclusion of 2.5 years of ongoing growth, as noted by market analysis firms. This decline is primarily linked to escalating component prices, especially memory, which have skyrocketed by 100% or more. Consequently, smartphone manufacturers are forced to transfer these expenses to consumers, resulting in reduced demand and lower shipment numbers.

As per IDC, global smartphone shipments decreased by 4.1% in the first quarter, and the forecast indicates that conditions may deteriorate further as memory supply issues persist in affecting the market. In developing markets, prices have allegedly surged by 40-50%, putting additional pressure on consumer demand. The report suggests that the present downturn is merely a precursor to more considerable obstacles ahead.

On the other hand, Apple and Samsung have succeeded in maintaining their market standings due to their capacity to absorb costs in their high-end devices. Both companies recorded increases in smartphone shipments, with Samsung seeing a 3.6% rise and Apple a 3.3% boost. However, Samsung recently elevated prices on several models, including premium smartphones and tablets, which may position Apple as the sole major contender to keep its prices unchanged. This approach might enable Apple to take advantage of the market’s downturn and sustain its growth pace.

Analysts propose that Apple may be focusing on growth rather than profit margins given the current technology environment, leveraging the opportunity created by rivals’ price increases. Despite the dependency on various metrics for shipment forecasts, inconsistencies in reports from firms like IDC and Counterpoint are prevalent, underscoring the challenges of accurately assessing market conditions.

In conclusion, the smartphone market is undergoing one of its most difficult phases, propelled by severe memory supply limitations and rising costs. While numerous brands face difficulties, Apple’s tactic of maintaining consistent prices may grant it a competitive advantage as the market continues to shift.

### iOS 26.4 Brings New Ambient Music Widgets for iPhone

Apple’s most recent update, iOS 26.4, introduces a variety of new features, notably the launch of Ambient Music widgets. These widgets improve the user experience by enabling swift access to music that aligns with specific moods directly from the Home Screen of the iPhone.

#### Overview of Ambient Music Widgets

The Ambient Music widgets are crafted to offer users easy one-tap actions for initiating music playback. Two widget sizes are available: a smaller widget dedicated to a single playlist and a larger widget that grants access to multiple playlists.

– **Small Ambient Music Widget**: This widget lets users choose one playlist from a selection of mood options, including:
– Chill
– Productivity
– Sleep
– Wellbeing

– **Large Ambient Music Widget**: This larger version gives access to all four mood playlists, featuring one-tap play buttons for each, enabling users to easily transition between various music styles according to their current preferences.

#### Customization and Playlist Options

The Ambient Music widgets enhance the capability that was added to the Control Center last year. Users can tailor which playlists are linked to each mood. For example, under the Sleep category, users can select from default playlists like Sleep Sounds, Bedtime Beats, Sound Bath, and Piano Sleep.

For those seeking a more individualized experience, it’s possible to utilize custom playlists. Users just need to long-press on the widget, choose ‘Edit Widget,’ and assign their desired music for each mood.

#### Compatibility and Availability

The Ambient Music widgets are currently integrated with Apple Music, meaning that users of alternative streaming services, such as Spotify, will not be able to use these features. Apple Music is offered for a subscription price of $10.99 per month or as part of the Apple One bundle, which encompasses additional Apple services.

#### Conclusion

The addition of Ambient Music widgets in iOS 26.4 marks a notable upgrade to the music capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to conveniently access mood-specific playlists. This feature not only enhances the device’s usability but also enriches the overall listening experience for Apple Music subscribers. For a full overview of all the new features in Apple Music with iOS 26.4, users can consult Apple’s official guides.

Apple is making significant strides to bolster the abilities of its Siri team by sending a chosen group of engineers to a multi-week coding bootcamp centered on artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative, disclosed by The Information, involves fewer than 200 engineers from the broader Siri development team, which comprises hundreds of personnel. The bootcamp is designed to furnish these engineers with cutting-edge AI coding skills, signifying Apple’s acknowledgment of the swift progress in programming and AI technologies.

The choice to implement this bootcamp highlights Apple’s dedication to enhancing Siri’s performance and adaptability in a competitive realm where AI coding instruments, such as Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex, have revolutionized software development methodologies. These tools have empowered developers to generate code more effectively, prompting Apple to ensure its Siri engineers are proficient in these emerging technologies.

AI coding instruments have already gained momentum within other sectors of Apple, especially in software engineering, where teams have dedicated significant budgets for AI resources. This trend aligns with wider industry movements, as indicated by reports showing that companies like Uber have swiftly utilized their AI budgets, illustrating the increasing reliance on AI in technology development.

The bootcamp will retain roughly 60 members of the core Siri development team, while another 60 will concentrate on assessing Siri’s performance and compliance with Apple’s safety protocols. This restructuring coincides with a pivotal moment, just prior to the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026, where Apple is expected to debut a revamped, AI-enhanced version of Siri, utilizing Google’s Gemini models.

This initiative comes in response to a series of obstacles in Apple’s AI strategy, which led to a reorganization of its AI-related divisions, including Apple Intelligence and Siri. The recent exit of John Giannandrea, Apple’s former AI head, along with the appointment of Amar Subramanya, a veteran from Google, as the new VP of AI, constitutes part of this strategic realignment. Furthermore, the Siri team has been placed under the direction of Mike Rockwell, recognized for his successful management of intricate projects like the Apple Vision Pro.

While the specifics of the bootcamp’s framework are not entirely clear, including whether it will occur internally or in partnership with external entities, it signifies a proactive effort by Apple to upgrade the expertise of its engineers in light of changing technological requirements.

For more information, readers can consult the complete report from The Information.

### The Xfinity Data Breach

In late 2023, a major cybersecurity event transpired involving Xfinity, impacting the personal information of around 36 million clients. The breach was attributed to a flaw in a product utilized by Xfinity, supplied by Citrix, a software vendor.

On October 10, 2023, Citrix disclosed the vulnerability and issued a patch to remedy the issue. However, it was later revealed that unauthorized entry to Xfinity’s internal systems occurred between October 16 and October 19, 2023, prior to the patch being applied. The investigation indicated that hackers likely obtained sensitive data, which included usernames, hashed passwords, names, contact information, the last four digits of social security numbers, dates of birth, and responses to security questions.

Post-breach, Comcast informed affected customers and a class action lawsuit was filed, culminating in a settlement of $117.5 million.

### How to Claim Your Payout

Customers impacted are eligible to claim their portion of the settlement. Comcast has reached out to all affected users, providing them with a unique settlement member ID number, which is required for the claims process. If customers cannot find the notification email, they may utilize a lookup form to retrieve their ID.

To file a claim, customers can opt for a flat cash amount, estimated at $50, or they may present evidence of any out-of-pocket expenses and time lost to potentially request a larger sum. The ultimate payout will be determined by the total number of claims received.

For additional information and to file a claim, affected individuals can visit the official claim submission page.

As Apple shifts from IPS LCD displays to OLED technology, the timeline for the iPad Air’s integration of OLED remains ambiguous. Initial predictions indicated a launch could happen this year, but later information pointed towards a potential release in 2027 or later. Nevertheless, recent insights from the supply chain suggest that production strategies are now in motion, with a possible unveiling in the spring of next year, perhaps as soon as March.

The upcoming OLED iPad is likely to follow the launch of a new iPad mini, which is also expected to incorporate OLED technology. Reports indicate that the iPad mini will be the first to adopt OLED, and Apple is simultaneously developing a new water-resistant design for this device.

While the OLED upgrade for the iPad mini seems more imminent, the timeline for the iPad Air remains less defined, with some sources speculating it may not debut until 2027. However, a recent report from ET News indicates that Samsung is gearing up to produce OLED display panels specifically for the new iPad Air model. Supply chain sources suggest that Samsung Display is poised to commence mass production of these panels by the end of this year or early next year, coinciding with an expected release in the first half of the year, likely between March and May.

It is crucial to highlight that while the iPad Air will come with an OLED display, it might not match the specifications of the more advanced iPad Pro models. The OLED panel for the iPad Air is expected to have lower specifications compared to those found in the Pro series.

Currently, the M4 iPad Air sits between the entry-level model and the iPad Pro. The addition of an OLED display may bring it closer to the Pro tier, but it is anticipated that Apple will withhold certain features, such as ProMotion support, solely for its high-end models.

A recent video from the Veritasium YouTube channel uncovers a specific loophole that may enable someone to steal $10,000 from a locked iPhone, though the risk remains minimal for most users.

### Veritasium Video Showcases Specific Security Flaw First Revealed in 2021

Apple frequently publishes security updates for the iPhone, publicly documenting these changes. Nevertheless, the new Veritasium video brings attention to a particular vulnerability that has lingered since 2021 without resolution.

Professors Ioana Boureanu and Tom Chothia found that a locked iPhone can be tricked into processing an NFC payment through a series of specialized hacks. This technique involves misleading the iPhone into thinking that a payment terminal is a mass transit terminal using Apple’s ‘Express Transit’ feature. The video explains how this method bypasses multiple security protocols established by Apple, allowing for the potential withdrawal of $10,000 from the device.

The vulnerability only applies when a Visa card is set as the iPhone’s ‘Express Transit’ option in the Settings, and does not apply to Mastercard or other card issuers. Apple has stated that the problem arises from an issue with Visa.

Visa has guaranteed that its cardholders are covered by a zero liability policy, which would compensate for any potential losses incurred from the exploitation of this vulnerability. Nonetheless, the company characterized the vulnerability as “very unlikely” to materialize in everyday situations, despite its feasibility in a controlled setting.

For more information, you can view the complete video on Veritasium’s channel.

### Best iPhone Accessories

[Check out the top accessories for your iPhone to boost its functionality and protection.]

The repercussions of MacBook Neo continue to resonate throughout the PC sector this week.

As noted by The Verge, Microsoft has launched a new initiative called the “Microsoft College Offer.” This program allows college students in the US to receive 12 months of complimentary Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the acquisition of an eligible PC, along with a complimentary custom Xbox controller.

According to a blog post, Microsoft states that the leading PC manufacturers have agreed to join in, including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Microsoft Surface laptops are also included in this offer.

Typically, a year of Microsoft 365 Premium is priced at $19.99/month or $199.99/year, while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $29.99. However, the Microsoft College Offer promotion is only applicable for new subscribers. If you have previously subscribed to either service, you cannot take advantage of this deal.

“Microsoft generally offers back-to-school promotions on laptops during the summer, but it’s uncommon to see the company initiate deals this early,” Tom Warren remarks. “The timing seems like a preemptive response to the $599 MacBook Neo and the $100 discount that Apple provides eligible students in the US.”

College life is overflowing in every conceivable way. Full schedules, overflowing inboxes, and high expectations. The pressure to maintain pace, remain productive, and always be “on” is significant. Windows is simplifying preparations for all that college entails – from job hunting and exam studying to game nights and leisure with peers. Starting today, eligible U.S. students can enjoy fantastic deals on select Windows 11 PCs, in addition to the Microsoft College Offer, providing over $500 in added value for free.

MacBook Neo represents an excellent value at its retail price of $599 — but even better for educational purchasers, starting at $499.

I don’t believe this “Microsoft College Offer” will significantly impact the market. Even if you attribute full value to the Microsoft 365 Premium and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, it does little to affect the distinctions between these PCs and the MacBook Neo — both concerning overall quality and cost.

Moreover, the offering of free Microsoft 365 Premium will be irrelevant for certain college students. Numerous universities in the United States provide “free” access to students (or free access to an equivalent service they are mandated to use instead).

**Update on Apple vs. Jon Prosser Trade Secrets Lawsuit**

**Case Update**

As of April 15, 2026, a collaborative status report has been submitted by legal representatives of Apple and Michael Ramacciotti concerning the ongoing trade secrets litigation related to the disclosure of iOS 26 design information. The report underscores the advancements made in the case since the previous update in February.

In the most recent updates, Apple and Ramacciotti have persistently engaged in limited discovery. Apple has performed a forensic examination of an extra device supplied by Ramacciotti, who has agreed to enhance his interrogatory responses and is prepared to partake in a subsequent deposition once Apple concludes its third-party discovery, which includes the deposition of Jon Prosser.

**Prosser Update**

The circumstances for Jon Prosser appear to be more complex. After failing to meet a deadline to respond to the lawsuit, the court granted Apple’s request for a default judgment against him, resulting in the loss of his right to formally challenge the claims. Despite this situation, Prosser asserted that he has maintained communication with Apple throughout the litigation.

In the latest joint status report, Apple recognized that, even though a default judgment was issued against Prosser, he has been served with subpoenas for documents and depositions. However, Prosser has only partially complied with these demands, indicating he is in the process of securing legal representation and plans to contest the default judgment.

Apple has expressed annoyance over Prosser’s incomplete answers and has signaled intentions to file a motion in federal court in Ohio to compel his full compliance with the subpoenas.

**Recent Developments**

On April 13, 2026, Prosser’s attorney lodged a separate status report confirming that Prosser has acquired legal counsel. His attorney has requested that Apple consent to vacate the default judgment to prevent further legal actions, mentioning that Prosser has started responding to subpoenas.

Furthermore, Prosser’s attorney remarked that he was not mentioned in the joint status report submitted by Apple and Ramacciotti and intends to argue that Prosser’s reporting is safeguarded under the First Amendment.

The case continues to progress as both parties navigate the intricacies of discovery and legal representation.