AllYouCanTech

Current Offers: iPad at $274, $250 Discount on 24GB M5 MacBook, Apple Pencil Pro, Magic Mouse, and Additional Items

### Current Apple Product Offers: AirPods Pro 3, iPad 11, MacBook Pro, and More

As the festive season nears, leading retailers are unleashing considerable markdowns on sought-after Apple products. Here’s a summary of the freshest deals that both tech aficionados and casual users should take into account.

#### AirPods Pro 3 at Historic Low Price

Amazon has once again reduced the price of the **AirPods Pro 3** to **$199**, reflecting a $50 reduction from its standard price of $249. This offer is particularly enticing as it matches the historic low price previously encountered during Black Friday. Shoppers can anticipate delivery before Christmas in most regions, making it a timely gifting option.

#### Best Buy’s iPad 11 Deal

Best Buy is presently providing the **current-generation iPad 11** for **$274**, reverting to its Black Friday pricing. This base model includes 128GB of storage and comes in silver, blue, and pink. The iPad typically sells for $349, resulting in a significant discount. While it may not suit power users, it performs well for casual browsing, streaming, and day-to-day activities.

#### Apple Watch Ultra 2 Price Cuts

The **Apple Watch Ultra 2** is experiencing a price reduction of **$250** across different configurations, with the black model featuring a Black Titanium Milanese Loop now accessible for **$649**. This model generally sells for $899, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a premium smartwatch at a lower cost.

#### MacBook Pro Discounts

For those looking to acquire a new laptop, B&H is providing a **24GB M5 MacBook Pro** at a **$250 discount**, lowering the price to **$1,549**. This configuration includes a 512GB SSD and is a fantastic deal compared to Amazon’s prices for equivalent models. The entry-level 16GB/1TB version is also up for grabs on Amazon for **$1,349**, but this B&H offer features a more robust setup at a competitive price.

#### M4 MacBook Air Models Discounted

Amazon has reinstated a **$250 discount** on all **M4 MacBook Air** models, encompassing both 13-inch and 15-inch versions. This promotion mirrors the Black Friday pricing and is available in multiple colors. As inventory levels vary, this is a timely chance for anyone looking to buy a new MacBook Air.

### Conclusion

With these ongoing promotions, now is an ideal moment to contemplate upgrading your Apple devices or acquiring gifts for friends and family. From the AirPods Pro 3 to the latest iPad and MacBook models, these reductions offer significant savings on top-tier technology. Be sure to respond swiftly, as these deals might not be available for long.

“Apple’s Age Verification System Focused on Privacy: Tackling Two Challenges”

While Apple is actively opposing the imposition of legal responsibility for age verification in relation to app downloads, many of its users would gain from the company adopting this responsibility. Given Apple’s history of finding privacy-conscious methods for handling personal data, there is a compelling argument for the company to enhance its efforts beyond the current proposals.

### The Age Verification Narrative Thus Far

Certain US states and countries enforce minimum age requirements for specific categories of apps. A notable instance is Australia, which prohibits anyone under 16 from using social media applications. Likewise, there are increasing demands for age verification across various US states. Presently, individual developers, rather than Apple and Google, bear the responsibility for confirming the ages of users downloading their apps. However, federal lawmakers are contemplating a shift with the introduction of a new proposed legislation, the App Store Accountability Act. This law would permit users to verify their age once with either Apple or Google, allowing these companies to age-gate apps accordingly, instead of necessitating age verification for each app downloaded.

### I Trust Apple More Than Developers

There are persuasive reasons to support this method. Requiring users to submit government-issued photo IDs and video selfies to multiple developers presents a considerable privacy threat. Many would rather trust Apple to conduct identity and age verification once, subsequently blocking access to apps deemed inappropriate for certain ages. This initiative would also improve user experience since individuals would only need to confirm their age one time rather than each time they install a new age-restricted app.

For example, users might opt to validate their identity with Apple instead of Meta to gain access to Instagram, with Meta only receiving an age verification confirmation. This option highlights a preference for Apple, which is viewed as having a greater dedication to privacy. Even if the law necessitates photo ID, it is anticipated that Apple would manage such data securely, ensuring its immediate destruction post-verification.

### It Isn’t Limited to Apps

Age verification extends beyond apps; it is rapidly becoming a prominent concern for websites. The UK has recently enacted a law mandating adult websites to confirm the age of visitors, but the ambiguous wording raises fears it could inadvertently impact educational sites. Furthermore, there are calls for gambling platforms to incorporate photo ID verification to prevent minors from accessing services through parental credit cards. Detractors contend that the core motive behind these regulations may be an inclination towards enhanced government oversight online.

### Apple Could Seamlessly Be the Answer

Should Apple assume the role of age verifier, the process could be made significantly more efficient. When users authenticate their identity with Apple, the company could link that verification to Safari on their devices. Thus, when accessing a website requiring age confirmation, the site would only receive validation from Apple that the user is of legal age, without any personal data being disclosed.

This framework is already operational with Apple Pay, where retailers do not see identity proof but receive assurance that biometric verification has taken place. Similarly, a “verified adult” marker could be incorporated into the information Apple shares with websites, safeguarding privacy while fulfilling regulatory obligations.

### Would You Care to See This?

While some may contest the necessity for age verification for apps or websites, positing that it should fall under parental duties, the fact remains that such measures are being put in place irrespective of individual viewpoints. The crucial question is not if age verification will take place, but who ought to take responsibility for it.

This conversation encourages users to reflect on their preferences surrounding age verification and which entities they trust to manage such sensitive data.

Ongoing Screen Flickering Problems Noted by macOS Tahoe Users

### macOS Tahoe Presents an Exasperating Display Issue for Certain Users

If you’ve observed peculiar screen flickers following the installation of macOS Tahoe, you’re not the only one. An increasing number of users are reporting brief yet bothersome display flickering, especially when utilizing Apple’s Studio Display.

In a recent Mastodon post, Dan Moren recounted his troubles with screen flickering on his Mac mini and MacBook Air while connected to the Studio Display. MacRumors has recently drawn attention to this issue, noting that flickering typically arises when switching between applications featuring bright white backgrounds or when scrolling through websites with light backgrounds. The flickering can occur sporadically and is usually brief, though it can sometimes last several seconds, particularly when moving from dark to light content.

Moren tried to fix the problem by disabling features like True Tone, Night Shift, and automatic brightness. He mentioned that while turning off Night Shift appeared to offer some relief, the flickering continues to be an intermittent and exasperating issue.

Regrettably, the most recent macOS updates (26.1 and 26.2) have not remedied the situation for the majority of users. In fact, some have claimed that macOS 26.2 may have intensified the flickering. Apple has yet to acknowledge the problem, leaving many users in search of solutions.

It is still uncertain whether this issue is limited to the Studio Display or if it impacts additional displays as well. Anecdotal reports indicate that some users, including those with the Pro Display XDR, have not encountered any flickering problems with macOS Tahoe.

If you are facing screen flickering concerns after updating to macOS Tahoe, please share your insights in the comments.

Apple Might Mandate iPhone Users to Upgrade to iOS 26 for Security Enhancements

Apple launched iOS 26.2 last week, bringing important security updates along with iOS 18.7.3 for those who have not yet made the jump to the latest version. However, reports suggest that some iPhone users are not receiving the iOS 18 update and are instead being guided toward iOS 26. This scenario raises issues regarding user options and safety.

### iOS 26.2 and iOS 18.7.3 Updates

The iOS 26.2 update features noteworthy security improvements, tackling two WebKit vulnerabilities that might have been leveraged in targeted assaults against certain individuals utilizing earlier iOS versions. The iOS 18.7.3 update also addresses the same WebKit vulnerabilities as well as additional security weaknesses for those who continue to use iOS 18.

The problem lies for users who have chosen to remain on iOS 18, as they are not given the choice to upgrade to iOS 18.7.3. Instead, the only option available is iOS 26.2, effectively forcing users to switch to the newest operating system to gain critical security protections.

### User Concerns

Numerous users might opt to postpone upgrading to iOS 26 for various reasons, such as worries about new features, app compatibility, or an overall desire for stability. This predicament creates a conflict for users who want to keep their existing operating system while still obtaining essential security updates.

### Workaround for Users

For those reluctant to transition to iOS 26, a possible workaround is to enroll in Apple’s public beta program and select the iOS 18 public beta track, which grants access to the 18.7.3 update. Nevertheless, this workaround may appear inconvenient for users merely looking for security remedies.

### Conclusion

It is still unclear whether the unavailability of iOS 18.7.3 is an error or an intentional policy shift by Apple. Historically, Apple has supplied security updates for older iOS versions to maintain user safety. The current scenario might indicate a glitch, as users should ideally have access to all available updates, including the security-centric iOS 18.7.3.

Apple TV Set to Launch Season Finale of Pluribus Early Next Week

**Pluribus Season One Finale: Early Release Announcement**

Apple TV+ subscribers have something to look forward to as the eagerly awaited finale of the inaugural season of *Pluribus* is set to debut sooner than anticipated. Initially planned for December 26, the ninth episode will now be accessible on December 24, just in time for the holiday festivities.

This is not the first occasion Apple TV+ has delighted its viewers with an earlier release. Last month, episode five was released two days prior to its scheduled airing during the Thanksgiving/Black Friday week. This pattern of early releases appears to be a tactical decision by Apple to boost viewer interaction during holiday times, with Christmas Day and Kwanzaa affecting the choice this time.

Fans can anticipate watching the new episode on the evening of December 23, as Apple generally releases new episodes at 9 p.m. ET the night before the official debut date. This advanced access allows devoted viewers to savor the finale before the holiday celebrations begin.

Episode nine, which has a runtime of 57 minutes, is noteworthy for being the third longest episode in the series. The premiere episode has the second longest duration at 59 minutes, while episode two is the longest, running for 1 hour and 5 minutes. As the season finale, this episode is anticipated to provide a gripping conclusion to the narratives established throughout the season.

*Pluribus* has attracted considerable attention, marking itself as the most-viewed show on Apple TV+ thus far. Apple had earlier disclosed that two seasons of the series were commissioned in 2022, guaranteeing fans that the story will continue beyond this initial season.

For those looking to view *Pluribus*, Apple TV+ can be subscribed to at a rate of $12.99 per month. Additionally, viewers have the option of a bundled subscription that features Apple TV+, iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade for $19.95 per month via Apple One.

As the finale nears, anticipation mounts among fans eager to find out how the first season wraps up and what awaits in the next installment of *Pluribus*.

Apple Faces Reinstituted Antitrust Class Action Concerning App Store at U.S. Appeals Court

Following the reversal of her own class action certification by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in a case alleging that Apple holds a monopoly over the iPhone app market, the situation has been revived today. Here are the specifics.

### A Brief Overview

In 2022, after a complex series of motions, appeals, and the merging of overlapping antitrust claims, the case In re Apple iPhone Antitrust Litigation was assigned to U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

At first, she chose not to certify it as a class action. Two years later, she changed her mind, approving it under a more limited scope, covering “only Apple account holders who spent $10 or more on app or in-app content,” as noted by Reuters.

Last October, after Apple contested the plaintiffs’ damages model, Judge Rogers once again reversed her ruling and decertified the class action, determining that the plaintiffs did not provide a model “capable of reliably showing classwide injury and damages in one stroke.”

At that point, the plaintiffs’ legal team indicated they would evaluate their next actions. Shortly thereafter, they submitted a petition requesting permission to appeal, which leads us to the current situation.

### Antitrust Case Revived

As reported by Reuters, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals approved the plaintiffs’ petition for permission to appeal.

In practical terms, this indicates that the appeals court will now assess Judge Rogers’ decision to decertify the class action, which could either restore the lawsuit as a class action, return it to her for additional scrutiny, or affirm her ruling.

According to today’s ruling, the appeal will advance under Rule 23(f), meaning the Ninth Circuit will only consider the class certification ruling (not the underlying antitrust claims against Apple). The plaintiffs now have 14 days to formally advance the appeal.

In a statement to Reuters, Mark Rifkin, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, expressed that they “look forward to briefing and arguing the merits of the appeal in the Ninth Circuit.” Conversely, Apple did not respond to Reuters’ request for a statement.

AltStore PAL Debuts in Japan Following Major App Store Modifications

# Japanese Users Can Now Download AltStore PAL and Sideload Applications on Their iPhones and iPads: Here’s How

## A Bit of Context

Recently, Apple revealed major changes to the App Store and iPhone in Japan to adhere to the Mobile Software Competition Act (MASCA). These modifications permit developers to launch their applications through alternative app marketplaces, in addition to Apple’s App Store. Moreover, developers can now take advantage of alternative payment methods beyond Apple’s In-App Purchase system and direct users to external payment systems. Apple will maintain its Notarization review process for all applications while unveiling new business terms, including App Store commissions and transaction fees.

## AltStore PAL Now Available in Japan

Shortly after Apple enacted its new regulations, AltStore announced on Mastodon that its AltStore PAL application is now accessible in Japan, allowing users to sideload applications on their iPhones and iPads. To commemorate this growth, AltStore is providing a complimentary month of Patreon access to all AltStore PAL users, which includes special features.

AltStore’s Patreon subscriptions vary from $3 to $10 per month, granting access to unique app icons, achievements, and a Discord community.

## How to Install AltStore PAL

For users situated in supported regions, here are the official instructions to install AltStore PAL:

1. Tap “Download” on the [AltStore download page](https://altstore.io/download), and a “Marketplace Installation” notification will pop up, requesting you to permit downloads from AltStore LLC.

2. Launch the Settings app, and you will notice a new option, “Allow Marketplace From AltStore LLC” at the top under your Apple ID. Choose “Allow.”

3. Go back to the [AltStore download page](https://altstore.io/download), tap “Download” once more, and a second prompt to install will show up. Select “Install App Marketplace.”

For additional details about AltStore, check out

TikTok’s Sale in the U.S. Set to Conclude Next Month After Lengthy Discussions

**TikTok Sale Journey: Final Moves Towards a New Chapter**

The eagerly awaited sale of TikTok’s operations in the U.S. is approaching its conclusion, with a transaction expected to finalize on January 22, 2025. This milestone follows a complicated path that began in 2020 during the Trump administration and has encountered numerous legal and political hurdles, culminating in a divest-or-ban regulation enacted by President Biden in 2024.

### Agreement Framework and Principal Stakeholders

As reported by Axios, TikTok has agreed to sell its U.S. division to a newly established joint venture comprised of three managing partners: Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Per an internal note from TikTok CEO Shou Chew, the new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will see these investors collectively owning 45% of the entity. Moreover, 5% will be designated for additional new investors, while 30.1% will be owned by affiliates of current ByteDance investors, and 19.9% will stay with ByteDance itself.

### Emphasis on Data Security

A crucial component of this agreement is the pledge to retrain TikTok’s U.S. content recommendation algorithm utilizing data from American users. This initiative is designed to safeguard the content feed from external interference, addressing persistent worries regarding data privacy and security. Oracle will lead efforts to ensure data protection, highlighting the need for user trust in the platform.

### Final Thoughts

The approaching conclusion of this agreement signifies a critical moment for TikTok as it manages the intricacies of functioning in the U.S. market under regulatory oversight. As the company gears up for this transition, the consequences for users, investors, and the wider social media environment remains to be determined. What do you think about the TikTok sale agreement?

App Notifies Users When Mac Webcam or Microphone is Engaged While Away

### Boosting Mac Security with OverSight: An Essential Tool for Privacy Safeguarding

The integrated green LED privacy indicator on Macs acts as a vital warning system, alerting users when the webcam or microphone is in use. Nonetheless, this safeguard only functions effectively when users are available to observe the indicator. The danger emerges when malware activates these features during the user’s absence, possibly recording or listening in without any apparent alert.

To counter this risk, the complimentary open-source utility **OverSight**, created by Objective-See, provides an extra layer of defense. OverSight not only tracks when the webcam or microphone is turned on but also sends notifications, enabling users to check for any unauthorized access upon their return.

#### Grasping OverSight’s Functionality

OverSight is proficient in overseeing the activation of the camera and microphone. It logs each instance, detailing the process responsible for the activation, ensuring users are aware of any dubious activity that took place while they were away. This logging function is especially crucial in light of the history of malware like Fruitfly and Mokes, known for activating cameras in the absence of users.

In addition, OverSight is skilled in identifying piggybacking attacks. These attacks happen when malware covertly attaches itself to a legitimate video call, such as on Zoom or FaceTime, without activating the LED indicator. OverSight distinguishes between various processes accessing the camera, notifying users if an unauthorized application tries to piggyback on an active stream.

#### User Experience and Suggestions

After using OverSight for several weeks, numerous users, including security professionals, have deemed it an indispensable tool for peace of mind. The ease of receiving notifications about hardware access without the need for complicated scripting or system analysis is a notable benefit.

For anyone worried about privacy and security on their Mac, OverSight comes highly recommended. It offers a straightforward method to monitor and log webcam and microphone activity, ensuring users stay informed about their device’s condition.

#### Conclusion

In a time when digital privacy is crucial, tools like OverSight play an essential role in protecting personal data. By delivering real-time alerts and detailed logs of hardware use, OverSight enables users to take charge of their privacy and security on Mac devices. For additional information, users can visit the

DuckDuckGo Unveils AI Platform Proficient in Image Creation

### Duck.ai: An AI Image Generation Tool Prioritizing Privacy

The recently introduced Duck.ai feature, now in beta, highlights DuckDuckGo’s dedication to a privacy-centric approach in both AI and search capabilities. This cutting-edge tool enables users to generate images from their descriptions while guaranteeing the protection of their privacy.

#### No Information Disclosed to OpenAI

Currently, users can navigate to [duck.ai](http://duck.ai) and choose the “New Image” option from the side panel to start generating images. DuckDuckGo underscores that the same privacy measures applicable to its chat tool are also in place for Duck.ai. This ensures that each prompt remains anonymous, and no user data is employed to train OpenAI’s core image model. This strategy maintains the confidentiality and security of user information.

#### Local Storage and C2PA Compliance

Aligned with its privacy-first ethos, Duck.ai saves generated images locally on the user’s device instead of on DuckDuckGo’s servers. This capability not only boosts user privacy but also provides users with full authority over their creations. Furthermore, the images produced by Duck.ai are tagged with C2PA-compliant metadata, facilitating verification that the images are AI-generated, thereby enhancing transparency in AI content production.

#### Complimentary Access with Usage Restrictions

Duck.ai is accessible at no cost; however, there are daily usage limitations for those who are not DuckDuckGo subscribers. This structure enables users to investigate the features of the image generator while promoting subscription for additional benefits.

#### Upcoming Features

After the initial launch, the Duck.ai team is diligently developing new features to enhance user experience. Future updates comprise support for uploading reference images and the addition of a dedicated download button for mobile devices, simplifying the process for users to save their creations.

For further details regarding Duck.ai’s terms of service, users can check