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Apple Studio Display XDR Hands-On: Better Than the Pro Display XDR in Almost Every Way

2026-03-18 03:24:40

Apple replaced the $4,999+ Pro Display XDR with the better, more affordable Studio Display XDR, so we thought we'd pick one up to test out and compare to the now-discontinued Pro Display XDR.

The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is the same size as the ‌Studio Display‌ at 27 inches, and it has the same 5K resolution. It's smaller than the 32-inch Pro Display XDR that had a 6K display, and that's probably going to be a major downside for people who prefer larger display sizes. A 32-inch display size works well for a single monitor setup, but 27 inches feels comparatively smaller and is better for multi-display setups.

Apple designed the Pro Display XDR with the same perforated, vented back panel that it used for the Mac Pro, and in comparison, the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is plainer because it adopts the ‌Studio Display‌ look.

With those downsides out of the way, almost every other ‌Studio Display‌ XDR feature is an improvement over the Pro Display XDR. It uses a mini-LED panel with 2,304 local dimming zones (the Pro Display XDR was limited to 576 local dimming zones). It's brighter than the Pro Display XDR, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved HDR. The display is bright enough to match the mini-LED MacBook Pro, and it's really the only display that pairs well with Apple's high-end notebook.

The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR also supports a variable refresh rate from 47Hz to 120Hz, which Apple calls Adaptive Sync. It's not as noticeable as it is on a smaller display, but you can tell a difference when gaming, scrolling quickly, or using the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR next to another display that doesn't support a 120Hz refresh rate.

While the Pro Display XDR didn't come with a camera or speakers, the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR does. It has a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera for video calls and a six-speaker audio system that's ideal for most things you want to do on a Mac.

There are two Thunderbolt 5 ports, one upstream and one downstream, so you can daisy-chain multiple displays together. 140W passthrough charging is available, and there are also two USB-C ports for connecting peripherals.

The Pro Display XDR did not have dual Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining displays, so the addition of an extra Thunderbolt port adds more setup versatility.

The ‌Studio Display‌ XDR is a solid upgrade over most displays, and there are very few monitors on the market that can match what Apple is offering. Given the $3,299 price point and the focus on professional use, the ‌Studio Display‌ XDR isn't for the average Mac user. The standard ‌Studio Display‌ is better suited to more casual use, and most people can even get away with a cheaper 4K display from a third-party manufacturer.
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Apple Releases Background Security Improvement Update for macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1

2026-03-18 02:52:40

Apple today released the first Background Security Improvement (BSI) update, replacing the rapid security updates that it used to seed out a few years ago. The first BSI updates address a WebKit vulnerability that could allow maliciously crafted web content to bypass Same Origin Policy. There's a macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1 BSI update, as well as a ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3.2 BSI update exclusive to the MacBook Neo.


Apple says that the vulnerability was addressed with improved input validation.

Background Security Improvements were added with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌, and Apple tested them in iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 before today's official release.

The updates are meant to provide additional security protections between software updates for Safari, WebKit, and other system libraries. Background Security Improvements can be installed in the Privacy and Security section of the Settings app. Scroll down, and then select the Install option to install the update. If Automatically Install is toggled on, BSIs will be automatically installed when they come out.

Users who opt not to install Background Security Improvements will receive the fixes in a subsequent standard software update.

Apple warns that Background Security Updates can result in "rare instances of compatibility issues." Should that occur, the updates may be temporarily removed and enhanced in another software update.

This article, "Apple Releases Background Security Improvement Update for macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Responds to Retirement Rumors

2026-03-18 02:04:06

In an interview with Good Morning America's Michael Strahan this week, Apple's CEO Tim Cook responded to rumors about his potential retirement.


Cook said the idea that he wants to step back at Apple is merely "a rumor."

Cook did not explicitly confirm or deny that he will be stepping down as CEO any time soon, but he said "I can't imagine life without Apple."

The full interview clip is available on YouTube below.

Last year, the Financial Times reported that Apple was preparing for Cook to step down as soon as early 2026, but it is already mid-March, and Cook has made no public indication that he plans to give up his position in the near future.

Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, is widely viewed as Cook's most likely successor. Cook reportedly gave oversight of Apple's design teams to Ternus at the end of last year, and Ternus has been making a lot more public appearances in interviews and in product introduction videos over the past few years.

Cook has been Apple's CEO since August 2011, and he reached the typical retirement age of 65 last year. His time in charge of the company might be inching to an end, but his comments suggest that a change in guard is not imminent.
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Google's Personal Intelligence Now Rolling Out to Free Gemini Users in the U.S.

2026-03-18 01:39:01

Google is bringing Personal Intelligence to all Google Gemini users starting today, after testing the feature with its paid plans. Personal Intelligence allows Gemini AI to provide personalized responses based on information pulled from connected Google apps like Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube, and more.


Personal Intelligence is expanding in the U.S. across AI Mode in Search, the Gemini app, and Gemini in Chrome.

Gemini is able to draw on the information that it knows about you from your Google accounts, from emails you sent, items you purchased, and what you've searched for. Google says that it is designed to help you "find exactly what you need without having to give all the context."

Google provides several examples of how Gemini's Personal Intelligence can be helpful:

• Custom shopping recommendations - Gemini can offer custom recommendations based on past purchases. If you want to find a bag to go with new shoes for example, Gemini can narrow the search to matching products.


• Tech help - Google says users can get troubleshooting help for a product like a refrigerator without knowing the model, because the information can be pulled from a purchase receipt.


• Making plans - When you're traveling and need to grab a bite to eat at an airport, Gemini can make suggestions based on the types of food that you like. You can also get recommendations on places to eat and visit when traveling based on your interests and past favorites.

Users can choose to connect apps like Gmail and Google ‌Photos‌ to Gemini for personalization, or can opt out, and the feature is off by default. Google says that Gemini and AI Mode do not train directly on a Gmail inbox or ‌Photos‌ library, but prompts in Gemini and the model's responses can be used for training purposes.

Personal Intelligence is already available in the U.S. for AI Mode in Search, and it is rolling out in the Gemini app and Gemini in Chrome for free users. Google says that connected experiences are designed for personal Google accounts and not for Workspace business, enterprise, or education users.

Gemini's personalization features could compete directly with the Siri personalization that Apple plans to bring to Siri later this year, as connecting Gmail and other apps to Gemini mirrors some of the functionality that Apple is introducing for ‌Siri‌. ‌Siri‌ will be able to read emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning information about the user to complete tasks and keep track of files.

The new ‌Siri‌ features have been delayed several times, and at this point, we may not be getting the updated version of ‌Siri‌ until closer to the end of the year.
This article, "Google's Personal Intelligence Now Rolling Out to Free Gemini Users in the U.S." first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Opens Developer Accounts on bilibili and LinkedIn Before WWDC 2026

2026-03-18 01:29:42

As Apple gears up to connect with developers at the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference in June, it has created new Apple Developer accounts on two new social networks. Apple Developer can be found on bilibili in China and LinkedIn.


Apple says that its developer accounts will provide the latest news, announcements, videos, and events for the Worldwide Developers Conference, as well as any upcoming Meet with Apple activities.

Bilibili is a popular Chinese video-sharing platform that's similar to YouTube, so Apple will be sharing video on the site. LinkedIn is a global site that is aimed at professional networking.

Apple this month also introduced a new Hello Apple Instagram account, which the company will use to share news, stories, product marketing, and more to highlight how Apple products inspire creativity to help make a difference in everyday lives.

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Aqara Launches Matter-Certified G350 Indoor Camera

2026-03-17 23:47:07

Smart home accessory company Aqara today announced its new HomeKit and Matter-compatible Camera Hub G350.


Billed as the first Matter-certified camera for multi-platform homes, the G350 is a 4K indoor camera with a dual-lens system, combining a 4K wide-angle lens and a 2.5K telephoto lens that enables up to a 9x hybrid zoom.

It features a motorized pan-tilt mechanism and can rotate 360 degrees, allowing its automatic tracking to follow people and pets, wherever they roam. It additionally includes 940mm invisible infrared LEDs for clear night vision with no conspicuous red glow.

The G350 can also detect faces, pets, and six specific sounds like a baby crying, someone coughing, or a dog barking, while two-way audio and a live view can be accessed via Apple's HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Alexa, and Google Home.

A microSD slot provides support for up to 512GB of 24/7 local recording, or users can optionally leverage Aqara's encrypted cloud storage, with Apple HomeKit Secure Video (via an iCloud+ plan) also supported, albeit with a 1080p resolution limit.

The G350 also functions as a Zigbee hub, Thread Border Router, and Matter Controller within the Aqara Home app, allowing Aqara Zigbee accessories and third-party Matter devices to be managed as a single interoperable system.

The Aqara Camera Hub G350 is available internationally from Amazon.

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