AllYouCanTech

The Lowfree Flow84: A Contemporary Mechanical Keyboard Influenced by Apple’s Design Philosophy

# The Lowfree Flow84: A Contemporary Mechanical Keyboard Experience

The Lowfree Flow84 signifies a notable advancement in the realm of mechanical keyboards, blending the tactile pleasure of classic mechanical switches with a sleek, low-profile design that echoes Apple’s style. This article explores the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the Flow84, a keyboard designed to appeal to both mechanical keyboard aficionados and casual users.

## What Exactly is a Mechanical Keyboard?

Mechanical keyboards fundamentally differ from the chiclet-style keyboards that currently dominate the market, especially within Apple products. Traditional mechanical keyboards feature individual mechanical switches under each key, offering satisfying tactile and auditory responses that enhance the typing experience. These keyboards are renowned for their durability, customization possibilities, and the capacity to provide a more responsive typing experience compared to their scissor-switch counterparts, commonly found in modern laptops.

## The Rise of Low-Profile Mechanical Keyboards

Historically, users faced a choice between the compact nature of scissor-switch keyboards and the substantial feel of mechanical keyboards, which typically require a larger space. However, recent innovations have spawned low-profile mechanical keyboards, which preserve the beneficial traits of mechanical switches while minimizing height. This development has made mechanical keyboards more attainable for users who favor a minimalist setup without compromising the typing experience.

## The Lowfree Flow84

The Lowfree Flow84 is a 75% keyboard, featuring 84 keys with a compact layout that excludes the numeric keypad. Its design is notably minimalist, available in black or white, closely mirroring Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The low-profile design is enhanced by shallow keycaps, which, although limiting customization possibilities, provide a sleek look.

### Appearance and Design

The Flow84’s aesthetic is one of its most striking features. The aluminum casing imparts a premium touch, while the copper-look branding plate contributes an element of sophistication. The keyboard also boasts backlighting, manageable via key combinations, augmenting its visual allure in dim environments.

### Customization

While the Flow84 presents a variety of keycap options, it restricts switch customization. The keyboard comes equipped with Kailh switches, specifically Ghost switches for the white variant and Phantom switches for the black version. Users are unable to choose their desired switch type upon purchase, which may discourage some mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to fully tailor their typing experience.

### Sensation and Typing Experience

Despite the limitations regarding switch selection, the typing experience on the Flow84 is commendable. The Ghost switches deliver a smooth, linear sensation that many users find appealing. The build quality of the keyboard is robust, and the overall typing experience is elevated by the keyboard’s weight and stability.

### Portability and Battery Duration

At 12.5 inches by 5 inches and weighing 1.3 pounds, the Flow84 is fairly portable, making it suitable for travel. However, its battery life is rated at 40 hours, necessitating more frequent charging compared to other alternatives on the market.

## Pricing and Final Thoughts

The Lofree Flow84 is available at $159, with periodic discounts reducing it to $139. Although more affordable options exist, the Flow84 distinguishes itself through its design and typing experience, particularly for users in search of a keyboard that aligns with an Apple-centric environment.

In summary, the Lowfree Flow84 is an enticing option for those seeking a low-profile mechanical keyboard that merges aesthetics with practicality. While it presents some limitations in terms of customization, its overall design and typing experience make it an appealing choice for both newcomers and experienced mechanical keyboard users.

EU Asserts iOS 26.3 Capabilities Foster Innovation

The European Union has claimed responsibility for the new interoperability features in iOS 26.3. The bloc maintains that these improvements will stimulate a marketplace for innovative products and services.

The most recent beta release focuses on making iOS more accessible, particularly by enhancing support for third-party smartwatches.

### New iOS 26.3 Features

The latest developer beta introduces three new functionalities, two of which are designed to improve compatibility with third-party hardware.

The most notable change is a Transfer to Android feature, enabling users to shift all their data to a new Android device in a fashion akin to setting up a new iPhone. Apple states in the Settings app, “Position your Android device next to this iPhone to connect and initiate the transfer process.” Once linked, iPhone users can wirelessly transfer their photos, messages, notes, apps, and more, including their phone number, to the new Android device. The latest Android beta reflects this with a feature for transitioning from Android to iPhone.

Another key feature is Notification Forwarding, which allows iPhone notifications to be displayed on third-party smartwatches, much like they appear on the Apple Watch. This feature is limited to users in EU countries to adhere to antitrust regulations.

### EU Takes Credit

The Wall Street Journal reports that the European Commission has pointed out that both features were required to comply with the Digital Markets Act. The Commission is pleased with the beta version of Apple’s iOS 26.3, asserting that developers can now test interoperability with the new functionalities arising from an EU inquiry into the company’s terms for connected devices in March under the Digital Markets Act.

A representative for the Commission remarked, “The DMA opens up new possibilities for developers to launch innovative products and services in Europe. This marks another move toward a more interconnected digital ecosystem for the advantage of all EU citizens.”

Pirate Collective Asserts It Has Acquired Almost the Complete Spotify Library

**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.

Examination of the 2026 Mac Admin Survey and Its Consequences for Apple IT on the Apple @ Work Podcast

### 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.

Apple Secures Third Position in Cloudflare’s 2025 Global Internet Services Rankings

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 Launches ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’ Functionality in Certain Nations

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 Confirms Ongoing Dedication to China in Meeting with Ministry of Commerce

### 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.

New Functionality in iOS 26 Reminders Application Takes Cues from Calendar

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.

WhatsApp Creates Interaction Features Based on Quizzes for Channels

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.

Apple Alerts Staff Regarding Potential Risks of Departing the U.S. Amidst Return Delays

### 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.