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Apple to Soon Take Up to 30% Cut From All Patreon Creators in iOS App

2026-01-29 03:15:17

Apple has set a new deadline of November 1, 2026 for all Patreon creators to switch from Patreon's legacy billing system to the App Store's in-app purchase system in the Patreon app on the iPhone and iPad, as reported by TechCrunch.

Patreon is a platform where creators such as YouTubers can receive payments from fans, which can be a valuable revenue stream alongside ads and sponsorships.

Apple initially told Patreon that its creators must move to the App Store's in-app purchase system by November 2025, or else Patreon would risk removal from the App Store, but the deadline was pushed back. Apple considers payments from supporters to creators on Patreon to be digital goods that it is entitled to receive a commission on.

Apple receives a 30% commission on in-app purchases and subscriptions, but this drops to 15% for a subscription that has been ongoing for more than a year.

Patreon gives creators the option to either increase their prices in the iOS app only, or absorb the fee themselves, keeping prices the same across platforms.

On the iPhone and iPad, Patreon users who wish to support a creator can sidestep the App Store's commission by completing their payment via Patreon's website.

Patreon said it is disappointed with how Apple has navigated this policy.

According to TechCrunch, only 4% of Patreon creators are still using the platform's legacy billing system, with the rest having already switched over.

Patreon has shared a FAQ with more details for creators.
This article, "Apple to Soon Take Up to 30% Cut From All Patreon Creators in iOS App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Pay Promo Offers Discount on Valentine's Day Flowers

2026-01-29 03:06:36

Apple's latest Apple Pay promotion is offering Apple users in the U.S. a discount on flowers ahead of Valentine's Day. Customers can get $20 off of a 1-800-Flowers purchase of $49.99 or more when using ‌Apple Pay‌.


The discount is available from now until February 12, and it is available when ordering flowers from the 1-800-Flowers website or app. To get the deal, use ‌Apple Pay‌ when checking out, and enter the promo code APPLEPAY.

1-800-Flowers is able to provide flower deliveries across the United States, with bouquet options varying by location.

This article, "Apple Pay Promo Offers Discount on Valentine's Day Flowers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Creator Studio Hands-On: What You Get for $12.99 Per Month

2026-01-29 02:07:22

Apple today launched its latest subscription service, a software bundle called Creator Studio. Creator Studio provides access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage for one $12.99 per month fee, with a $129 per year purchase option also available.

We checked out the Creator Studio bundle to see if it's worth what Apple is charging.

Creator Studio includes Apple's pro image, audio, and video editing apps that were previously only available for one-time purchase. If you don't currently own Apple's apps and you have need for a range of creative tools, the bundle has the potential to be a good deal.

Many of Apple's apps are hundreds of dollars if you purchase them on a standalone basis. Here are the individual costs:

• Final Cut Pro - $299.99


• Logic Pro - $199.99


• Pixelmator Pro - $49.99


• Compressor - $49.99


• Motion - $49.99


• MainStage - $29.99

Together, the apps cost just about $680, so there is potentially money to be saved by paying $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Creator Studio provides full access to the apps, along with exclusive AI features that are not available in the standalone versions. Apple is even including Creator Studio-exclusive features in its free apps like Freeform, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers.

You can use Freeform, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers for free and purchase Apple's apps without opting for Creator Studio, but a Creator Studio subscription is the only way to get the new AI features that Apple has developed.

Unfortunately, there is no option to purchase access to just one or two apps at a lower subscription price. Creator Studio is all or nothing, so if you just want access to image editing capabilities with Pixelmator Pro and also the AI tools for Apple's iWork app, you have no option to pay less just for those. You have to pay the full $12.99 per month price even if you don't need some of the apps.

Apple envisions Creative Studio as a tool for creatives who need to do all their content creation and management on their own, from filming videos to creating audio for those videos to making graphics. It is a highly useful option for people who can take advantage of most of the apps, but it isn't going to make as much sense for those who just need one or two.

Creator Studio is best for people who have shied away from Apple's professional video and audio editing apps because of their high cost, or those who need tools for video creation, music making, and image editing. It would be nice if Apple could offer more specialized, affordable bundles in the future, much like Adobe does for its Creative Cloud apps.

Apple is offering a one-month free trial for those who want to try out Creator Studio, or a three-month trial with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. Up to six family members can share a single Creative Studio subscription.

Do you plan to subscribe to Creative Studio? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "Apple Creator Studio Hands-On: What You Get for $12.99 Per Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Pixelmator Pro Launches on iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More

2026-01-29 01:47:49

Apple today released Pixelmator Pro for the iPad, complete with a new touch-optimized workspace, full Apple Pencil support, the ability to work between iPad and Mac, and all of the powerful editing tools from the Mac version.


Pixelmator Pro is a popular image editing app that was acquired by Apple last year. There is already a more basic Pixelmator app available for the iPad and iPhone, but Apple says that app is "no longer being updated." To receive new features going forward, iPad users will need to move to the full-fledged Pixelmator Pro app.

Apple says Pixelmator Pro for iPad is compatible with iPad models equipped with the A16, A17 Pro, or M1 chip or later on iPadOS 26 or later.

Here are some of the Pixelmator Pro for iPad features highlighted by Apple:

• A full-featured Layers sidebar allows creators to use images, shapes, text, and video


• Smart selection tools for isolating and editing specific parts of images


• Advanced bitmap and vector masks


• Super Resolution for intelligently upscaling photos


• Deband for removing compression artifacts


• Auto Crop with automatic composition suggestions


• Apple Pencil support for pressure-sensitive brushing, plus hover, squeeze, and double tap

Pixelmator Pro for both iPad and Mac is available through the new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundle, which in the U.S. costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A one-time $49.99 purchase option remains available for the Mac app.

Some new "intelligent features" and "premium content" in Pixelmator Pro will only be available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription. For example, in both the iPad and Mac apps, Apple Creator Studio subscribers have access to a new Warp tool for twisting and shaping image layers. The one-time-purchase Mac app did not receive this feature.
This article, "Pixelmator Pro Launches on iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Updates Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro With These New Features

2026-01-29 01:24:21

Apple today updated its Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps, and there are many new features in both the one-time purchase and Apple Creator Studio versions.


Here is what is new in all versions of Final Cut Pro on the Mac, regardless of whether you have an active Apple Creator Studio subscription:

Powerful Intelligence

• Use Transcript Search to quickly find spoken words or phrases in your footage by searching for exact matches or using natural language descriptions*
• Discover Visual Search, a fast and easy way to locate moments in your footage, including objects and actions, using natural language*
• Let Beat Detection analyze any song to reveal its bars and beats, enabling you to easily align your video edits to the music’s rhythm

Get Started Fast

• Dive into editing with a special demo project featuring the talented singer-songwriter Allie Sherlock, and explore the exciting new features of Final Cut Pro firsthand
• Accelerate your next edit with in-app guides on how to create a new library, import media, and add clips to a new timeline

* Requires a Mac with Apple silicon

Here is what is new in Final Cut Pro on the iPad, which is now only available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription for new customers:

Powerful Intelligence

• Use Transcript Search to quickly find spoken words or phrases in your footage by searching for exact matches or using natural language descriptions (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Discover Visual Search, a fast and easy way to locate moments in your footage, including objects and actions, using natural language (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Let Beat Detection analyze any song to reveal its bars and beats, enabling you to easily align your video edits to the music’s rhythm

Get Started Fast

• Effortlessly create visual highlights videos set to your music with Montage Maker, ready to share or use as a creative starting point for your edits (Requires iPadOS 26)
• Dive into editing with a special demo project featuring the talented singer-songwriter Allie Sherlock, and explore the exciting new features of Final Cut Pro firsthand
• Elevate your videos with dynamic titles, add a personal flair with customizable graphic elements, and set the perfect pace with countdowns and timers

Workflow Enhancements

• Streamline your workflow with multiple selection support in the inspector, allowing you to make batch adjustments and changes to several clips at once
• Keep your projects moving with background exports and track their progress in Live Activities, perfect for multitasking across apps (Requires iPad models with M3 or later and iPadOS 26)
• Extend your workspace by connecting an external monitor to view and play back your edits with ease

Here is what is new in all versions of Logic Pro on the Mac, regardless of whether you have an active Apple Creator Studio subscription:

AI Session Players

• Transform your tracks with the all-new Synth Player, and create keyboard and bass performances with intuitive controls
• Generate dynamic synth performances that play notes and manipulate instruments
• Use Simple Pad to add lush harmonic layers to your song, or add movement and dynamics with Modulated Pad and Rhythmic Chords
• Explore popular synth bass styles including 808 Bass, Pump Bass, and Sequenced Bass to dial in the low end
• Use Chord ID to identify chords from any part of your song and Session Players will automatically follow along

Sound Library

• Explore a free, expanding collection of premium sound packs with the brand new Sound Library
• Listen to audio previews of any sound packs and install your favorites
• Free up storage space by easily deleting packs you are no longer using

Here is what is new in Logic Pro on the iPad, which is now only available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription for new customers:

AI Session Players

• Transform your tracks with the all-new Synth Player, and create keyboard and bass performances with intuitive controls
• Generate dynamic synth performances that play notes and manipulate instruments
• Use Simple Pad to add lush harmonic layers to your song, or add movement and dynamics with Modulated Pad and Rhythmic Chords
• Explore popular synth bass styles including 808 Bass, Pump Bass, and Sequenced Bass to dial in the low end
• Use Chord ID to identify chords from any part of your song and Session Players will automatically follow along

Quick Swipe Comping

• Assemble the perfect performance by selecting the best moments from several takes
• Organize takes using Take Folders and quickly compare different comps
• Use Apple Pencil for even more precision when editing and selecting your best takes

Music Understanding

• Quickly and intuitively search for loops in the Browser using natural language phrases, like “dreamy electric piano”
• Pick a loop, and the Browser uses machine learning to help you quickly discover similar loops from the Sound Library

If you were already subscribed to Final Cut Pro and/or Logic Pro on the iPad for $4.99 per month, you can continue to pay that price for access to the Apple Creator Studio versions of the apps on the iPad. If you want all of the other Mac and iPad apps that are included in Apple Creator Studio, you must pay the full $12.99 per month.

On the Mac, Final Cut Pro companion apps Motion and Compressor and Logic Pro companion app MainStage were all updated today with the same set of new features across both the one-time purchase and Apple Creator Studio versions of the apps.

Two other Apple apps updated today are iMovie on the Mac, and Final Cut Camera on the iPhone. Those apps are not part of Apple Creator Studio.

Editor's Note: Confusing, we know.
This article, "Apple Updates Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro With These New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 Is Full of Hidden Changes

2026-01-29 00:18:25

Apple has made a series of notable internal changes with the second-generation AirTag, according to a teardown video by Joseph Taylor.


Externally, the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ itself is effectively indistinguishable from the original and continues to use a standard CR2032 coin cell. The only visual differences are slight changes to the text on the back, which is now all in capital letters and lists IP67 water and dust resistance, as well as NFC and Find My support.

The main PCB inside the second-generation ‌AirTag‌ is visibly thinner than that of the original model. The battery connectors are positioned at a different angle and the new board includes additional test pads that are likely related to manufacturing or diagnostics. Taylor also noted new markings inside the battery compartment, including a QR-code-like graphic.

The speaker assembly also sees changes. The speaker coil embedded in the plastic shell appears slightly larger than in the first-generation ‌AirTag‌, while the speaker magnet is more firmly secured. In the original ‌AirTag‌, the magnet could be removed relatively easily, which enabled relatively easy modifications. In the second-generation model, the magnet is more firmly secure and requires noticeably more effort to remove.

Taylor speculated that the increased use of adhesive could be related to anti-tampering efforts. Despite the removal of the speaker coil and magnet, the device was still able to connect to his iPhone, indicating that Apple has not introduced a firmware-level lockout or alert triggered by physical modifications.

After pairing the device to an ‌iPhone‌, the sound the ‌AirTag‌ emits is a "slightly higher pitch" compared to the original. A user on X has noted that the chime has changed from the note "F" to the note "G."

Apple has also updated the ‌AirTag‌'s packaging, using a redesigned box with a narrower overall shape and updated front artwork. The printed text on the new box appears slightly raised via UV printing, and it now features paper adhesive pull tabs. Inside the box, the cardboard insert containing the AirTags is now simpler, with a single paper latch holding a lid over the tray of AirTags, which now sit as a row of four. In the original packaging, the AirTags sat in a doubled over folio in rows of two.
This article, "Teardown Reveals AirTag 2 Is Full of Hidden Changes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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