The MacVoices Live! panel examine Apple’s quarterly earnings, the continuing importance of Services revenue, and what John Ternus’ presence on Apple’s earnings call may indicate about Apple’s future leadership transition. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Brian Flanigan-Arthurs, Marty Jencius, and Jeff Gamet discuss the Apple Vision Pro and the newest wave of “Vision Pro is doomed” commentary. They argue that Vision Pro should be viewed as an early-stage platform product that still needs more time, more content, more developer support, and a larger installed base before its long-term value can be fairly judged.
Aufdringliche Werbung und eine zu starke Fragmentierung der Funktionen, selbst im Premium-Tarif
„KI-Assistent“ beherrscht nur einfache Fragen
Erkennungslücken bei bestimmter Malware
Einige Einschränkungen bei der Bedienung
Fazit
Avast One ist nach unseren Tests eine der besten Allround-Sicherheitssuiten für den Mac. Die Lösung bietet eine exzellente Malware-Erkennung, einen herausragenden Phishing-Schutz sowie auf Wunsch ein leistungsfähiges VPN. Auswirkungen auf die Systemleistung sind dabei minimal. Die Funktionen „Email Guard“, „Web Guard“ und „Real Site“ sorgen für einen wirksamen Schutz vor Spam und Phishing in der Praxis. Der gute Eindruck wird leider durch ständige Werbung für Zusatzprodukte, ein fragmentiertes Abonnementmodell und einen enttäuschenden KI-Assistenten getrübt.
Preis zum Zeitpunkt der Bewertung
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Aktuell bester Preis
Für wen es am besten geeignet ist: Avast One eignet sich am besten für Mac-Nutzer, die eine umfassende Sicherheitssuite mit hervorragendem Malware- und Phishing-Schutz, integrierten VPN-Funktionen und unkompliziertem Alltagsschutz für mehrere Apple- und Mobilgeräte suchen.
Für wen es nicht geeignet ist: Es ist nicht ideal für preisbewusste Nutzer, die ein einziges All-inclusive-Abonnement wünschen, oder für Mac-Besitzer, die fortschrittliche KI-Tools und umfassende Bereinigungsprogramme suchen, ohne für zusätzliche Zusatzdienste zu bezahlen.
Auf einen Blick Schutz: ★★★★★ Leistung: ★★★★★ Funktionen: ★★★★☆ Benutzerfreundlichkeit: ★★★★☆ Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis: ★★★★☆
Avast One ist die All-in-One-Sicherheitsplattform von Avast für macOS, die Virenschutz mit Phishing-Schutz, einer Firewall, VPN, Identitätsüberwachung und Tools für die Netzwerksicherheit kombiniert. Die Premium-Sicherheitsversion (eigentlich die Standard-Version) umfasst die wichtigsten Schutzfunktionen, die die meisten Mac-Nutzer benötigen, während die Ultimate-Version zusätzliche Funktionen wie VPN, Aufräum-Tools und Anti-Trackingdienste bietet.
In unseren Tests bot Avast One einen hervorragenden Schutz vor Malware und Phishing bei minimalen Leistungseinbußen. Aufgrund des fragmentierten Abonnementmodells sind für einige Funktionen aber zusätzliche Käufe erforderlich.
Obwohl Avast sein Markenkonzept vereinfacht hat, kann die Produktpalette nach wie vor verwirrend sein. Avast One ist die übergeordnete Plattform, während „Free“, „Premium Security“ und „Ultimate“ die Abonnementstufen sind, zwischen denen sich die meisten Mac-Nutzer entscheiden müssen. Lesen Sie weiter, um zu erfahren, wie das Produkt im Vergleich zu anderen von uns getesteten Mac-Antivirenlösungen abschneidet.
Funktionen von Avast One
Avast One umfasst nahezu alles, was die meisten Mac-Nutzer von einer Premium-Sicherheitssuite erwarten. Zu den Kernfunktionen gehören Echtzeit-Malware-Schutz, geplante und bedarfsgesteuerte Scans, Ransomware-Schutz, eine Firewall, Network Inspector, Email Guard, Web Guard sowie Real Site zum Schutz vor Phishing. Der „Smart Scan“ überprüft zudem auf Datenmüll und häufige Systemprobleme, während „SecureLine VPN“ verschlüsseltes Surfen in öffentlichen WLAN-Netzen ermöglicht. Zusammen bieten diese Tools umfassenden Schutz bei nur sehr geringen Auswirkungen auf die Mac-Leistung.
Malware-Schutz
Das Scannen und Entfernen von Viren und Malware war schon immer das Kerngeschäft von Avast One, und diese Version meistert diese Aufgabe hervorragend, auch wenn noch etwas Raum für Verbesserungen besteht. Die Scan-Geschwindigkeiten sind zügig: Die interne SSD eines Macbook Pro mit mehr als 848 Gigabyte gespeicherten Daten wird in weniger als 10 Minuten durchforstet, wobei das Programm reibungslos im Hintergrund läuft.
Leider gibt es bei Antiviren-Scans keine Angabe der voraussichtlichen Zeit bis zum Abschluss. Das Programm hatte einige Schwierigkeiten, die InQtana-Malware zu entfernen, nachdem diese in Quarantäne verschoben worden war, und es waren mehrere Versuche erforderlich. Es war jedoch in der Lage, mehr als 98 Prozent der getesteten Malware zu lokalisieren und unter Quarantäne zu stellen, obwohl es die Entwicklerdateien für CrateDepression, Hovdy, Rubilyn und Siggen unberührt ließ und den Zugriff darauf sowie deren potenzielle Ausführung zuließ.
Die Funktion lässt sich gut mit den in macOS integrierten Funktionen „Gatekeeper“ und „XProtect“ kombinieren, und es ist einfach, geplante Scans einzurichten sowie bei Bedarf externe Laufwerke zu scannen.
Bereinigungstools
Ergebnisse des Smart-Scan in Avast One.
Foundry
Die „Smart Scan“-Funktion deckt allgemeinere Anforderungen ab und bietet neben einem Schnellscan auf Viren, Malware auch eine Prüfung auf komplexe Probleme sowie Leistungsprobleme. In unserem Fall konnten 5,33 GB an Anwendungs-Caches, 147,5 MB an Protokolldateien und 128,7 MB an Papierkorb-Einträgen entfernt werden. Der Smart Scan löst zwar nicht jedes Leistungsproblem, ist jedoch nützlich, um schnell Speicherplatz freizugeben und grundlegende Wartungsaufgaben zu identifizieren.
Damit kommen wir zum ärgerlichen Bereich der À-la-carte-Struktur von Avast One: So werden Sie nämlich mit dem „Avast One Premium“-Konto bald aufgefordert, das Paket „Cleanup Premium“ zu buchen, das zusätzlich die Tools „Disk Cleaner“, „Duplicate Finder“, „Photo Cleaner“, „App Uninstaller“, „Startup-Manager“ und „System Monitor“ enthält. Dieses kostet je nach Wahl eines Ein-, Zwei- oder Dreijahresabonnements ab 2,89 Euro im Monat.
Kostenlose Tools wie der Browser-Cleaner und die Statistik funktionieren aber gut und bereinigen Cache-Dateien sowie den Verlauf des Webbrowsers. Allerdings scheinen die Browser-Cleaner-Tools keine Unterstützung für Google Chrome anzubieten, sondern nur für die Webbrowser Safari, Microsoft Edge und Mozilla Firefox.
VPN
Die VPN-Einstellungen von Avast One.
Foundry
Die SecureLine-VPN-Funktion ist vielleicht nicht das beste VPN, doch die in Avast One Ultimate integrierte Lösung funktioniert einwandfrei, verfügt über eine gute Auswahl an Einstellungen und ermöglicht reibungsloses Streaming. Dabei bietet sie Zugriff auf Server in verschiedenen Regionen. Ein übergreifender Kill-Switch und die VPN-Protokolle bieten Unterstützung für „Automatic“, IPSec und „Mimic“. Beim Zugriff auf nicht vertrauenswürdige Netzwerke sowie für Bankgeschäfte, Online-Einkäufe, den Zugriff auf sensible Inhalte, Streaming und Torrenting können dabei verschiedene Konfigurationen aktiviert werden.
Die vorhandene Funktion ist übersichtlich, bietet eine gute Leistung und lässt sich unterwegs nach Bedarf nutzen – auch wenn sie nicht alle Extras einer Anwendung bietet, die sich ausschließlich auf die Rolle als VPN-Client konzentriert.
Identität & Datenschutz
Der BreachGuard-Dienst von Avast bewegt sich im mittlerweile altbekannten Bereich der Erkennung und Prävention von Identitätsdiebstahl, der heutzutage zum Standard gehört – doch das Unternehmen setzt dies gut um. Der Dienst scannt etwa E-Mail-Adressen, um festzustellen, ob diese in Datenschutzverletzungen verwickelt waren und wo Ihre Privatsphäre gefährdet wurde. Ist dies geschehen, wird eine Nachverfolgung der Vorfälle angeboten.
Die Software bietet zudem die kostenlose Webbrowser-Erweiterung „Online-Sicherheit und -Privatsphäre“ für den Avast Secure Browser, Google Chrome und Microsoft Edge an. Derzeit gibt es allerdings keine Browser-Erweiterung für Safari oder Firefox, was etwas enttäuschend ist.
Avast AntiTrack ist im Ultimate-Paket enthalten und ein Datenschutz-Tool, das darauf ausgelegt ist, es Werbetreibenden, Websites und Datenhändlern zu erschweren, Ihre Online-Aktivitäten zu verfolgen. Es blockiert Tracking-Versuche, verschleiert den digitalen Fingerabdruck Ihres Browsers und reduziert die Menge an identifizierbaren Informationen, die Websites sammeln können. Im Gegensatz zu einem VPN, das Ihre IP-Adresse verbirgt, konzentriert sich AntiTrack darauf, die Erstellung von Nutzerprofilen und gezielte Werbung zu verhindern, während Sie im Internet surfen.
Secure Browser
Was den Secure Web Browser von Avast betrifft, so handelt es sich um einen weiteren Chromium-basierten Webbrowser, der für ein sichereres Surferlebnis sorgen soll. Der Browser ist in das Ökosystem und die Produkte von Avast eingebunden (beispielsweise wird die Nutzung des firmeneigenen VPNs gefördert) und läuft recht zügig, scheint jedoch nicht so konsequent auf ein Sicherheitsziel ausgerichtet zu sein wie das Brave-Projekt.
Auch wenn er Safari oder Chrome wohl kaum ersetzen wird, bietet der Secure Browser eine sichere, auf Chromium basierende Alternative mit einer Handvoll nützlicher integrierter Tools.
Web- und Phishing-Schutz
Die drei Funktionen, die Avast One wirklich auszeichnen, sind „Email Guard“, „Web Guard“ und „Real Site“. Diese arbeiten zusammen, um Weblinks zu überprüfen, und konnten nahezu alle Phishing-E-Mails in meinem Gmail-Spam-Ordner aufdecken. Zum ersten Mal seit langer Zeit wurden bei fast allen fragwürdigen E-Mails, auf die geklickt wurde, Warnungen vor Malware und Spyware ausgegeben. Hier zeigte sich die kombinierte Funktionspalette von Avast One während des Tests von ihrer stärksten Seite.
KI-Assistent
Der Avast-Assistent ist leider ein Beispiel dafür, wie eine gute Idee im Sande verläuft. Die Funktion arbeitet als chatbasierter KI-Assistent, überprüft Nachrichten, Links oder Bilder auf virenbefallene Inhalte, ist jedoch nahezu nutzlos, wenn man sie nach bestimmten Malware-Varianten (wie InQtana, Genieo und AdWind) fragt.
Dies ist nicht der praktische Assistent, den ich mir wünsche. Er scheint im Wesentlichen auf einem Skript mit einigen wenigen Antworten zu basieren, das etwa erklärt, was ein Betrugsversuch ist, sowie einige allgemeine Tipps zur Online-Sicherheit liefert. Die KI-Revolution bleibt hier sehr hinter dem zurück, was hier versprochen und tatsächlich geliefert wird.
Firewall & Netzwerkschutz
Avast One enthält eine integrierte Firewall, die eingehende und ausgehende Netzwerkverbindungen überwacht und gemeinsam mit dem Netzwerk-Inspektor verbundene Geräte identifiziert. Sie lässt sich leicht aktivieren und konfigurieren, auch wenn der Testbericht darauf hinweist, dass sie im Vergleich zu spezialisierten Firewall-Tools nur begrenzte Einblicke in einzelne Geräte bietet.
Dennoch gibt es einige interessante Tools, die vielversprechend sind und Avast One zu einer erwägenswerten Option machen. Der Netzwerk-Inspektor ist genauso gut wie in früheren Versionen und listet die in einem bestimmten Netzwerk vorhandenen Geräte auf. Zwar können Sie damit nicht in die Einzelheiten jedes Geräts eintauchen, doch erfahren Sie, welche Geräte vorhanden sind. In Kombination mit der Firewall-Funktion können Sie Ihre jüngsten Internetaktivitäten auf einer Weltkarte einsehen. Diese lässt sich zudem leicht bearbeiten und konfigurieren.
Benutzerfreundlichkeit
Die Installation ist unkompliziert, allerdings erfordert macOS mehrere Sicherheitsberechtigungen, bevor der Schutz vollständig aktiviert ist. Nach der Konfiguration präsentiert sich die Benutzeroberfläche übersichtlich und reaktionsschnell, doch häufige Upselling-Versuche, feste Fenstergrößen und die verwirrende Trennung zwischen den Produkten beeinträchtigen das allgemeine Benutzererlebnis leicht.
Schutz in der Praxis
Avast One isoliert während des normalen Betriebs eine Inqtana-Malware-Probe.
Foundry
Avast One erwies sich im Test als äußerst zuverlässig und erkannte mehr als 98 Prozent der Malware-Beispiele, ohne dabei Stabilitätsprobleme oder spürbare Verlangsamungen zu verursachen. Zwar hatte das Programm gelegentlich Schwierigkeiten, bestimmte Bedrohungen zu entfernen, und übersah einige Installationsdateien, doch handelte es sich dabei um relativ geringfügige Probleme, die den durchweg starken Malware- und Phishing-Schutz nicht beeinträchtigten.
Leistung
Trotz aller Aufgaben, die Avast One zu bewältigen hat, läuft es dennoch zügig und bietet erstklassige Scan-Geschwindigkeiten. Es arbeitet reibungslos im Hintergrund, und es gibt wirklich nichts, was zu Abstürzen oder Verzögerungen führen könnte. Zudem harmonierte es gut mit macOS Tahoe 26.5.1, und obwohl es die Systemauslastung etwas erhöhte, gab es während des Testverfahrens nichts, was meinen Mac beeinträchtigte.
Was könnte besser sein?
Trotz seines beeindruckenden Schutzes ist Avast One nicht ganz frei von Frustmomenten. Mehrere Probleme bei der Benutzerfreundlichkeit und das fragmentierte Abonnementmodell verhindern, dass es eine uneingeschränkte Fünf-Sterne-Empfehlung erhält.
Die Fenstergröße kann nicht angepasst werden
Schwacher KI-Assistent
Geringfügige Lücken bei der Malware-Erkennung
Zersplitterte Abonnements
Eingeschränkte Browserunterstützung
Für manche ist die Größenanpassung von Fenstern eine Frage der Ästhetik. Für andere ist sie eine wichtige Funktion, um den verfügbaren Bildschirmplatz effektiv zu nutzen. Die Tatsache, dass Sie die Fenster von Avast One lediglich auf das Dock minimieren, aber nicht in der Größe anpassen können, ist doch ärgerlich.
Der KI-Assistent von Avast scheint auf einige sehr grundlegende Fragen beschränkt zu sein, und bei den 130 getesteten Proben gab es gelegentlich Lücken bei der Erkennung einiger Malware-Installationsprogramme.
Ergebnisse unabhängiger Labortests
AV-Test (März 2026)
Gesamtpunktzahl: 18/18
Schutz: 6/6
Leistung: 6/6
Benutzerfreundlichkeit: 6/6
AV-Comparatives (Mac-Test 2026)
Avast One Free für Mac erhielt:
Zertifizierung „Bestanden“
Bestanden: Malware-Schutz
Bestanden: Test auf Fehlalarme
Bestanden: Leistungstests
So haben wir getestet
Wir haben Avast One unter macOS Tahoe 26.5.1 mit mehr als 130 realen Mac-Malware-Beispielen aus dem Objective-See-Archiv getestet. Der Schwerpunkt der Tests lag auf der Malware-Erkennung, dem Phishing-Schutz, der Systemleistung, der Benutzerfreundlichkeit und den allgemeinen Auswirkungen auf den täglichen Mac-Gebrauch. Soweit verfügbar, wurden unsere Ergebnisse mit unabhängigen Tests von AV-Test und AV-Comparatives verglichen.
Preise für Avast One
Die Preisgestaltung von Avast ist komplexer als bei den meisten Mitbewerbern, da die Avast-One-Plattform in mehreren Abonnementstufen erhältlich ist und noch weitere Zusatzpakete angeboten werden. „Premium Security“ umfasst nur die hier getesteten Kernschutzfunktionen, während „Ultimate“ zusätzlich SecureLine VPN, Cleanup Premium und AntiTrack beinhaltet. Mehrere optionale Dienste, wie BreachGuard, sind als separate Abonnements erhältlich.
Tarif
Geräte
Was ist enthalten
Was fehlt
Erstes Jahr
Verlängerung
Premium Security (1 Mac ,1 Mobilgerät)
1 Mac, 1 iPhone / Android
Virenschutz, Ransomware-Schutz, Firewall, Web Guard, E-Mail-Schutz, Betrugsschutz, KI-Assistent
Premium-Sicherheit plus SecureLine VPN, Cleanup Premium und AntiTrack
Breach Guard, Secure Identity
79,04 Euro
139,99 Euro
Welchen Tarif sollten Sie wählen?
Tarif
Am besten geeignet für
Beinhaltet
Kostenlos
Grundlegender Schutz
Virenschutz, Smart Scan
Premium-Sicherheit
Die meisten Nutzer
Kern-Sicherheitssuite
Ultimate
Datenschutzbewusste Nutzer
VPN, Aufräum-Tools, AntiTrack
Premium Security: Für die meisten Mac-Nutzer bietet Premium Security alles, was sie benötigen: hervorragende Malware-Erkennung und im Unterschied zur kostenlosen Version zusätzlich herausragenden Phishing-Schutz, eine leistungsfähige Firewall, E-Mail-Schutz, Web-Schutz. Da der Test ergab, dass die Kernfunktionen im Sicherheitsbereich die größten Stärken von Avast sind, werden die meisten Nutzer die optionalen Extras für Datenschutz und Leistung wahrscheinlich nicht vermissen.
Ultimate: Nur, wenn Sie die Zusatzfunktionen tatsächlich nutzen werden. Ultimate umfasst zusätzlich SecureLine VPN, Cleanup Premium und AntiTrack. Ihr Testbericht deutet jedoch darauf hin, dass die Bereinigungstools auf zusätzliche Abonnements verteilt sind und das VPN, obwohl gut, nicht marktführend ist. Wenn Sie ausdrücklich eine integrierte VPN- und Datenschutz-Suite wünschen, bietet „Ultimate“ ein angemessenes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Andernfalls ist „Premium Security“ die sinnvollere Wahl.
Bestes Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis: „Premium Security“ bietet insgesamt das beste Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis. Es bietet denselben erstklassigen Schutz vor Malware, Phishing und Netzwerkbedrohungen, der in unseren Tests durchweg überzeugt hat, ohne dass Sie für Extras bezahlen müssen, die viele Mac-Nutzer nicht benötigen. „Ultimate“ lohnt sich für Haushalte, die VPN, AntiTrack und Cleanup Premium wünschen, doch „Premium Security“ bietet das beste Gleichgewicht zwischen Preis und Schutz.
Sollten Sie Avast One kaufen?
Avast One ist eine der leistungsstärksten derzeit erhältlichen Mac-Sicherheitssuiten und vereint hervorragende Malware-Erkennung, herausragenden Phishing-Schutz und minimale Auswirkungen auf die Systemleistung. Auch wenn die Abonnementstruktur nach wie vor verwirrend ist und einige Extras überteuert wirken, ist der Kernschutz erstklassig. Für die meisten Nutzer bietet „Premium Security“ das beste Verhältnis zwischen Funktionen und Preis-Leistungs-Verhältnis, sodass Avast One eine klare Empfehlung für alle ist, die einen umfassenden Mac-Schutz suchen.
NordVPN's antivirus blocked 99.1% malware in latest West Coast Labs test
Artifact Security ranked NordVPN first out of five providers for performance
The tests confirm connection times of just 1.8 seconds and zero data leaks
Users looking for the best VPN want the perfect balance of security and speed. According to two newly released independent evaluations, NordVPN is currently delivering exactly that on a global scale.
For everyday users, these results are incredibly reassuring. It means you don't have to sacrifice your browsing speeds to stay safe online. The evaluations simulated real-world conditions, proving the app can swiftly block malicious sites and high-severity threats and handle high-speed downloads without breaking a sweat or leaking your personal data.
NordVPN– the best VPN overall NordVPN came out on top in our 2026 round of VPN tests. We think it's the best VPN for most people. We’re confident that virtually anyone can sign up for NordVPN and get what they need from it. It’s easy to use, very secure, fast enough for gaming, and offers flawless streaming service unblocking.
Subscriptions start from $3.49 per month, and you can try it out risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
Top-tier malware protection
Under its WCL Validated methodology, West Coast Labs threw 934 malware samples at NordVPN's next-gen antivirus. The software successfully detected 926 of them, achieving an impressive 99.1% detection rate, well above the 95% threshold required for certification.
Crucially, the testing evaluated the product using its default configuration, meaning no custom tuning or vendor-supplied exclusions were used to artificially boost the score. NordVPN passed all 22 Core and 12 Augment lifecycle requirements across six stages, including deployment, functionality, and removal.
Because a single Core failure results in instant disqualification, this sweep earned NordVPN the highest available AAA certification rating.
"These results tell us the product is doing its job where it matters," said Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN. "What we’re most proud of is that this was tested under default configuration with no exclusions applied. That’s how most users actually run it, and that’s the standard we hold ourselves to."
NordVPN dominated the field, finishing first with an overall score of 91 and taking home the test's only Platinum award. On its Windows VPN, the provider led the pack with an average download speed of 271.9 Mbps and a peak download median of 568.4 Mbps. It also proved highly responsive, averaging just 1.8 seconds to establish a working tunnel with a 98% success rate.
Most importantly for privacy advocates, all tested providers, including NordVPN, passed every standard and advanced leak scenario. Across IP, DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, server-switch, and split-tunneling tests, no traffic escaped the encrypted tunnel.
"Performance testing at this scale is a much harder standard to meet than a single-location benchmark," said Briedis. "Coming out first overall and winning three regions outright gives us confidence that the infrastructure improvements we’ve been making are translating into something users can actually feel, regardless of where they connect from."
Portugal vai assistir ao primeiro eclipse solar total desde 1912. Explicamos se é seguro fotografá-lo com o smartphone ou com a câmara, usando dicas de especialistas, para evitar danificar o sensor, e ferir os seus olhos.
TL;DR:AdGuard blocks all ads on nine devices, and a lifetime subscription is on sale for $11 through August 23.
Ads, trackers, and pop-ups follow you across almost every site you visit, and most browser extensions only stop part of them. AdGuard stops ads at the root, and a lifetime subscription covering nine devices is on sale for $11 (reg. $169.99).
AdGuard blocks ads at a deeper level than a typical extension, clearing banners, video pre-rolls, and interstitials before a page finishes loading. Past the ads, AdGuard hides your activity from the trackers and analytics scripts that quietly log what you do. AdGuard also flags malware and phishing sites, so a bad link is far less likely to reach your Mac.
Parents get a full set of controls for filtering adult and inappropriate content, and that keeps younger users on safer ground. Apps run on macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android, so one plan protects the whole household at once.
Because this is a lifetime subscription, updates and new features keep arriving without another charge. This deal is available to new users only.
Skip the monthly ad-blocker subscriptions and clean up your browsing for good.
The Company posted quarterly revenue of $109.4 billion, up 16 percent year over year.
[…]
“Today, Apple is proud to report our strongest June quarter ever, with double-digit revenue growth across iPhone, Mac and Services, and in every geographic segment,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.
You can’t argue with the strong iPhone and Mac sales figures, and Apple specifically called out the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Neo, which Cook said “has been especially popular” and suggested that the company is still struggling to make them fast enough.
It’s admirable (and sensible) that Cook isn’t pointing fingers at anyone but customers who want Apple products, but the key phrase in his statement is “the supply chain just has less flexibility in it than normal.” This is an acknowledgement that while in the past, Apple might have been able to boost chip production from its partners, today the chip industry is maxed out thanks to the wild building of chips for AI applications.
[…]
As an aside, Cook also alluded to reports that Apple has tried to get the U.S. government to authorize purchase of RAM from some forbidden Chinese chipmakers, which has aroused political ire.
Apple today announced Apple Upgrade, a new product leasing program provided by Klarna for iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, and iPad available on the Apple Store online, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations in the United States.
[…]
Apple Upgrade offers 12- and 24-month leasing options for iPhone and Apple Watch, and 24- and 36-month leasing options for Mac and iPad. Leasing prices start as low as $17.99 per month for iPhone, $11.99 for Apple Watch, $24.99 for Mac, and $11.99 for iPad.
The $17.99/month gets you a base model iPhone 17e for 24 months. This is a total of $431.76 vs. $599 for buying a new one today, but then you have to make a decision:
At the end of the lease term, customers can upgrade their device to the latest generation, purchase it with a one-time payment, or simply return it and exit the program.
I used to get a new phone every other year, but I kept my iPhone 12 mini for three years and will likely keep my 15 Pro for four years. In addition to making it easier to buy phones without the up-front payment, Apple is probably hoping this will encourage more customers to get back on the two-year cycle. Given the choice between continuing a small monthly payment and getting a new phone or making a larger payment to keep their old phone, many may opt to upgrade.
The payoff amount is the difference between what was paid during the leasing period and the retail price of the device, minus any remaining trade-in credits. Klarna is not charging a fee for the leasing program, so an iPhone that’s $1,099 can be leased and then purchased for $1,099 with no extra cost beyond taxes.
I guess this means that, for a bit of hassle, you can essentially buy the device for the list price at 0% interest.
Lease participants can opt to end a lease early and return a device, but Apple says there may be “substantial fees” for terminating a lease before the end of the term.
[…]
Customers must upgrade, end the lease, or purchase the device at the end of the lease term. If that doesn’t happen, the lease converts to a month-to-month lease for up to six months.
[…]
Damage to an iPhone, losing an iPhone, or having an iPhone stolen could incur fees.
The rollout of the program comes as Apple has been struggling with supply chain issues related to “RAMageddon,” which refers to the industry-wide shortage of memory chips that is driving up the price of hardware. As a result, Apple recently announced price hikes for its Mac and iPad lineups, sparing the iPhone for now. The new Upgrade program seems to be Apple’s answer to making those higher prices more manageable for consumers.
Customers can manage their lease directly in the Klarna app, where they can view their billing schedule and track remaining payments.
With the launch of the new Upgrade program, Apple is discontinuing its existing in-house financing and installment programs in the U.S., which include the iPhone Upgrade Program and iPhone Payments.
For iPhones, you have to have a carrier and can’t use a prepaid plan.
[…]
For iPads, the starting prices range from $12.99/month to $24.99/month, Macs range from starting prices of $24.99/month to $48.99/month, and the Apple Watch ranges from starting prices of $11.99/month to $47.03/month. But again, these are just starting prices. You can configure a fully loaded 16-inch MacBook Pro that is just under $230/month, and it won’t include AppleCare.
As a point of comparison, under the current program that is being discontinued, I pay $69.50/month for an iPhone 17 Pro Max, but I have a 512GB model, so my lease price for the same phone would be $40.83/month, significantly lower, but keep in mind that doesn’t include AppleCare+, which would add $13.99/month or $139/year for that iPhone. On a monthly basis, that puts a new iPhone 17 Pro Max with 512GB of storage and AppleCare+ at just under $55/month. Still a superior deal, but not nearly as good as the landing page might initially lead you to believe.
[…]
If you lease accessories for your device, those don’t have to be returned. Why? Presumably because they have no value to Apple or Klarna.
9to5Mac can now confirm that code found in the iOS 27 beta appears to reveal a broader system for managing a financed iPhone, including the ability to restrict apps and services when payments are missed.
The code describes a system called App Managed Features, which allows an authorized financing or provider app to enroll an iPhone and perform ongoing status checks.
If the contract is no longer in good standing, Apple’s system services can place the iPhone in “Restricted Mode,” which blocks access to most apps until the payment or contract issue is resolved, while keeping a small set of apps available.
I bet there are some governments that would love to commandeer that for their own purposes.
Finally, the new framework also introduces a new type of activation lock called “Partner Finance Lock,” which is meant to prevent users from erasing, reselling, or stripping a restricted device for parts.
Apple says it won’t limit the capabilities of devices leased through its new Upgrade program if you miss a payment. In an emailed statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Brian Bumbery says, “There will be no restricted mode and/or there will be no limitations put on device functionality due to missed payments or default with the Apple Upgrade program.”
One possibility is that it was developed for financing programs offered by carriers, retailers, or other partners outside Apple Upgrade, potentially including markets where device restrictions are already used to enforce installment agreements.
Here’s a breakdown of how much you’d pay for the devices included in the Apple Upgrade program, as well as how much more you’d pay to purchase the devices outright at the end of your lease[…]
[…]
Klarna doesn’t say what will happen if you don’t pay the outstanding balance.
[…]
During the lease, Klarna owns your device. You’re responsible for any damage, and will get charged a fee if you don’t return the device in “good condition.” That’s why Apple is encouraging customers to sign up for an AppleCare subscription that could drive up the cost of your lease even more.
[…]
Apple also notes that you’ll have to pay an early termination fee if you want to return the device before your lease ends or if you want to upgrade early.
The Apple Card Monthly Installments aren’t going away, so I’ll keep using that.
[…]
When you finance using the Apple Card Monthly Installments, you pay a fixed amount to own your device. There are no savings here — aside from the 3% cashback — the monthly payment is the purchase price divided by either 12 or 24 months.
When you lease an iPhone through Apple Upgrade, you need a cellular account on one of the big three U.S. carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. That kind of stinks, and I’m not quite sure I understand why.
The iPhone upgrade program always required it. For a time you could do Apple Card installments without a carrier if you bought it online but never in store. I assume there is carrier pressure to tie the phones to the carriers. Activating iPhones on carriers was a key metric at the Apple Store.
Credit-risk assessment is seemingly part of it. There’s a lot of fraud in iPhone purchases specifically and cell phone service generally. The big three carriers do a significant amount of risk assessment before letting you open a new postpaid account; that you have an active account with one of them is a signal that you’re not trying to lease an iPhone using phony credentials in order to sell it.
But the bigger reason is the complex nature of the contracts between Apple and each of the big three carriers.
There are some very good and obvious reasons why a VPN should be part of your summer holiday plans.
Anyone who's ever had to rely on crawling hotel Wi-Fi speeds or faced blocks on their regular home streaming services while abroad will understand the frustration, and a VPN is a great solution for both of those.
A VPN will mask your online activities to make sure you can access whatever you like on public Wi-Fi without the network restricting your bandwidth or recording the sites and services you go to.
You can also use a VPN to supply you with an IP address of any country in the world, of course. That means that your device can appear to be connecting from back home and you won't get blocked from accessing iPlayer, Sling or any of your other regular streamers.
All good VPNs offer these things, and for a few dollars a month, it's well worth downloading one for this year's summer vacation.
If you are going to give that a try, then you should have a think about IPVanish. It's a very good VPN – not the best VPN, but a very good one – but the reason it's a good choice for your travels this time is that an IPVanish subscription currently comes with a free eSIM to use for 30 days too.
Get a 3GB eSIM with IPVanish: $2.19 per month IPVanish is only one of two recommended VPNs that come with a free eSIM. ExpressVPN is the other one. But the deal is far better with IPV's. For $2.19 per month, the Essential plan includes use of a 3GB eSIM for 30 days. With ExpressVPN, it's around twice the price, and you only get 3 days of usage. Try IPV's Advanced plan if you want to up the data to 5GB. Try out IPVanish with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
Compare that to ExpressVPN – the only other recommended VPN company that offers a free eSIM right now. First, ExpressVPN's plans are twice as expensive ($2.19 per month vs $4.49 per month) but, secondly, you only get access to your eSIM for 3 days with ExpressVPN!
Sign up to the IPVanish Essential plan ($2.19 per month) and you'll get 3GB for 30 days. If you go for the Advanced plan ($3.29 per month), then it's 5GB for 30 days.
The other good reason to try Advanced is that it comes with access to a cloud based browser called Secure Browser. This means that you'll do all your browsing and service accessing from IPVanish's cloud servers, instead of your own device, while on shared Wi-Fi networks. There's no way that any restricting network will have any idea of what you're doing and that should mean you're scot-free to access whatever you need with minimal disruptions.
You can read more about IPVanish and Secure Browser here. Have a great vacation and happy travels!
Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Andorra and Iceland, allowing supported iPhone and Apple Watch users to contact emergency services when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are unavailable.
Apple added both countries to an updated support document, expanding the feature to 20 supported markets. Users in Andorra and Iceland can call or text 112 before choosing the satellite option when an ordinary emergency connection cannot be completed.
The expansion covers every iPhone 14 or later model running iOS 26.4 or newer. Apple Watch access requires Apple Watch Ultra 3 with watchOS 26.4 or later.
Emergency SOS does not turn the devices into conventional satellite phones. The system is designed for short emergency exchanges in locations where normal communication networks cannot be reached. Users must remain outdoors with a sufficiently clear view of the sky and follow onscreen directions while the device establishes and maintains a connection.
Emergency SOS via Satellite Reaches 20 Markets
Emergency SOS via satellite first launched in the United States and Canada in November 2022 with the iPhone 14 lineup. Apple gradually added European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Mexico as regulatory approval and emergency-service support became available.
Andorra and Iceland now join Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The addition is particularly relevant for travelers and residents exploring mountainous or remote terrain.
Andorra contains extensive hiking, cycling and skiing areas across the Pyrenees, where cellular coverage can become unreliable beyond populated valleys and resorts. Iceland presents a different but equally demanding environment, with large rural areas, volcanic landscapes, glaciers and routes far from conventional infrastructure.
Satellite availability does not guarantee a connection everywhere. Mountains, deep valleys, dense tree cover and tall structures can obstruct the line between the device and a passing satellite. Apple also warns that satellite connectivity may not function in locations above 62 degrees latitude, which can affect some northern regions.
Most of Iceland lies below that threshold, although environmental conditions and the position of surrounding terrain can still influence performance.
International travelers can generally use Emergency SOS while visiting a supported country, even when the feature is not offered in their home market. Exceptions apply to devices purchased in certain countries or regions where Apple satellite connectivity is restricted.
iPhone 14 and Newer Models Gain the Expansion
Every version of iPhone 14 and later contains the hardware required for Apple satellite features. Users in Andorra and Iceland must install iOS 26.4 or a newer release before relying on Emergency SOS.
The system appears only when the iPhone cannot reach cellular service or Wi-Fi. Apple recommends trying the local emergency number first because another carrier network may still be able to complete the call even when the user own provider shows no coverage.
When the call fails, the iPhone offers Emergency Text via Satellite. The user answers a short series of questions describing the emergency, including the type of assistance needed and whether anyone is injured.
The compressed questionnaire reduces the amount of information that must be transmitted through the limited-bandwidth satellite connection. Once connected, the iPhone sends the responses and location to an emergency dispatcher or an Apple-supported relay center capable of contacting local responders.
In Andorra and Iceland, the applicable emergency number is 112.
Users can also choose to notify emergency contacts. When Medical ID and emergency contacts have been configured in the Health app, selected details can be shared during the incident.
The conversation does not operate at the speed of an ordinary text exchange. Under ideal conditions, a message may require approximately 30 seconds to send. Light or moderate foliage can extend that delay beyond one minute, while heavier obstructions may prevent a connection entirely.
The iPhone displays guidance showing which direction to turn or move as satellites pass overhead. The phone can remain connected while the screen is locked, but it should not be placed inside a pocket or backpack during the exchange.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Works Without an iPhone Nearby
Apple Watch Ultra 3 brings similar protection directly to the wrist, allowing users to contact emergency services even when an iPhone is not available.
Emergency SOS via satellite on Apple Watch Ultra 3 does not require an active carrier plan. Apple includes the service at no additional charge for two years following activation of the watch.
When cellular and Wi-Fi connections are unavailable, users can attempt an emergency call or open Messages and text 112. If the message cannot be delivered through an ordinary network, the watch presents the satellite emergency option.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 also guides the wearer toward the satellite connection. The device can remain in its normal position on the wrist rather than being held above the head, although the user may be instructed to turn or move away from an obstruction.
A wet watch may have more difficulty maintaining satellite communication, an important limitation for swimmers, boaters and users caught in severe weather.
The watch can send the emergency questionnaire, location, elevation, Medical ID information and battery level. Emergency contacts can also receive information about the incident when the user has enabled that option beforehand.
Crash Detection and Fall Detection add another layer. If iPhone 14 or later or Apple Watch Ultra 3 detects a severe crash or hard fall and the user remains unresponsive, the emergency notification may be transmitted over satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi networks are unavailable.
Image Credit: Apple Inc.
Preparation Matters Before Going Off-Grid
Apple provides a connection demonstration that allows users to practice finding a satellite without contacting emergency services.
On iPhone, the demonstration can be opened through the Satellite controls or the Emergency SOS section in Settings. Apple Watch Ultra 3 users can add the Satellite control to Control Center or place a satellite complication on the watch face.
Testing the process before a remote trip helps users understand how quickly conditions can affect the connection. A clear field may establish contact rapidly, while a canyon or heavily wooded trail may require movement toward more open terrain.
Medical ID and emergency contacts should also be completed before leaving network coverage:
Health > Profile > Medical ID
A Medical ID can provide responders with information such as allergies, medical conditions, medications and emergency contacts. Users remain responsible for deciding which personal details they want stored and shared.
Emergency SOS via satellite is included free for two years after activating an iPhone 14 or newer model. Apple provides the same two-year period with Apple Watch Ultra 3, although the company has not established the long-term price that may apply after promotional access ends.
The arrival in Andorra and Iceland gives hikers, drivers, skiers and other travelers another route to help, but the safest preparation still includes checking weather conditions, sharing an itinerary and carrying adequate power before moving beyond ordinary network coverage.
This to me is proof that Apple leadership is suffering from cognitive dissonance over their slide into advertising. They’re conflating cause and effect. The Apple brand stands for high-quality superior user experiences because the devices and software Apple makes traditionally deliver high-quality superior user experiences. The work Apple ships is what makes the brand what it is. But now they’re stricken with the mindset that it’s the Apple brand that makes something a high-quality superior experience.
[…]
If you refuse to admit that the ads make these services worse, you also can’t admit that there’s a reason to offer an ad-free experience. So the thinking is something like “Apple always focuses on the user experience, and never deliberately makes the user experience worse. Therefore, if an Apple service shows ads, those ads are high quality and don’t detract from the quality of the product or the experience of using it. Therefore, there’s no reason to offer users a paid ad-free tier, because there’s no reason to want to avoid Apple’s ads.”
What a brand stands for can change over time. It’s eventually determined by the products, not the mantras.
“It just works.”
“A thousand no’s for every yes.”
“What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone.”
I feel bad admitting it, because some of my friends are betting on iAd revenue to feed their family, but I’m just not on board with Apple running an advertising network. I don’t want to see ads in my apps, and I don’t want Apple to ever lose even a little of what it means to be a product-driven company.
The whole thing is funny because at a fundamental level we all just know in our bones that Apple never even considered putting “Intel Inside” stickers on Macs.
[…]
Apple still treats its hardware with that level of respect. With reverence. iPhones don’t even say “iPhone” on the hardware. No model or serial numbers. No small print. Just an Apple logo on the back.
[…]
Putting themselves in customers’ shoes today, how many ads do Apple’s executives want stuck in the results when they search for an app in the App Store? We know the honest answer. But the answer evidenced by the actual App Store is “Two really big ones, including one in the first spot.”
While Apple can spin adding ads to Apple Maps as a revolutionary new way for businesses to be discovered, it’s telling that its initial announcement was hidden inside a press release about an entirely different product, and introduced as “Enhanced Discoverability in Apple Maps.” Those choices show that this isn’t something Apple is actually proud of—and that the people in charge of communicating and explaining Apple’s decisions to the world are at odds with those who are making the decisions about expanding revenue.
[…]
To this day, you’re confronted with an ad for Creator Studio every time you create a new document in those apps, and their default toolbars contain buttons that won’t work unless you subscribe to the bundle. As a result, Apple has essentially turned its free productivity suite—software that was designed to enhance the inherent value of Apple’s products—into a freemium package with upsell to a creative professional subscription bundle that’s irrelevant (and a terrible value!) for most of its existing users.
[…]
There are many more examples. Using notifications to promote subscriptions and badging the Settings app to push AppleCare plans are among the ways Apple has chosen to intervene in the user experience to drive revenue. I’m actually not opposed to the idea that Apple should communicate opportunities for its customers to get more out of their devices—but it should be careful not to cross the line into actively annoying those customers. If someone doesn’t want to see what you offer, you need to accept that and go away—not keep needling them. Apple often falls on the wrong side of that line.
[…]
It makes me wonder if the people making these decisions at Apple have lost track of the Apple brand and what it stands for.
What Snell’s column makes clear is that the incremental revenue Apple is gaining from putting shitty ads in its software comes at a price. They’re withdrawals from Apple’s brand equity. And I would argue that the value they’re detracting from the brand far out-values the dollar amount they’d padding to Apple’s bottom line.
[…]
If your competitors’ stores all smell like dogshit, don’t aim to have the store that smells the least like shit. Aim to have a store that smells pristine. “Our stores only carry a vague whiff of dogshit” is not insanely great.
The people haven’t changed, but Apple has. Strong leaders inevitably shape the personality — the spirit — of organizations over time. Apple in 2011 was peak Steve Jobs Apple. Apple in 2026 is peak Tim Cook Apple. But it was Cook who popularized the “you’re not the customer, you’re the product” argument against “free with ads” online services. But that was in 2014.
“Slippery slope” is a perfect term. But I wanted to add something here. In my experience, in the realm of UI, there is no middle notch. I’ve seen it time and time again… the moment you open the door to One, Infinity starts exerting its pull[…]
I HATE, HATE, HATE having ads pop up when I’m trying to do something else. It’s bad enough on Web sites where at least they have the excuse of having to make money some how but it rises to intolerable when they put them up on a device I’ve already paid for.
The annoyance is reason enough to dislike Apple’s ads but for me the worst thing is that they’re corrupting and inevitably lead to the user being replaced by the advertiser as the customer.
A report by security developers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk explains a new bug found in macOS that sounds scary. In a post titled “Silent Replacement of Trusted macOS App Executables,” the researchers describe a security vulnerability that allows an attacker to “secretly replace trusted apps you already have installed from the web with malicious versions.” However, it requires the attacker to jump through so many hoops it’s almost impossible to see any Mac ever being infected.
In simple terms, the bug allows an attacker to bypass macOS’s ability to protect apps from being tampered with. The attack itself involves deleting the app, then copying an altered version of the app to the Mac that has been archived as a tar file. When the app is unarchived, macOS does not detect that the app is a tampered version. Eventually, the user sees the app, thinking it’s a proper version, launches it, and activates the malware.
However, for an attacker to copy the tar file to the Mac, they need access to the machine to delete the authentic app that’s already installed. The attacker needs to physically access the Mac and be able to log in, or they’d have to perform some involved social engineering to persuade the user to perform the necessary tasks.
Bakry and Mysk said they “accidentally” discovered the bug and reported it to Apple. “Apple concluded that the reported behaviour does not constitute a security issue,” said Bakry and Mysk, who also created a video explaining their findings.
How to protect yourself from malware
The easiest way to protect yourself from malware is to avoid downloading software from unfamiliar download sites. Never open links in emails or texts you receive from unknown and unexpected sources. If you get a message that looks like it is from an entity that you do business with, check the sender’s email address and inspect the URL carefully. If you see a link or button, you can Control-click it, select Copy Link Address, and then paste it into a text editor to see the actual URL to check it there.
Apple has vetted software in the Mac App Store, and it is the safest way to get apps. If you prefer not to patronize the Mac App Store, then buy software directly from the developer and their website. If you insist on using cracked software, you will always risk malware exposure.
Here are the best delivery services and meal kits in 2026, including the Martha Stewart meal service, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
A client called me last week with a problem I have been hearing about more often lately. They had made significant reserved instance commitments with a major cloud provider, overbuying for what they thought would be heavy AI training workloads. Now they were sitting on thousands of dollars in idle capacity every month. Their plan was simple: resell it to someone else. Except they couldn’t.
I have been doing cloud consulting for a long time, and this situation once had a straightforward solution. You went to the marketplace, listed your unused reservations, and found a buyer. The process was a bit clunky, but it worked. These days, the answer is far more complicated, and my client learned this the hard way.
AI has made this problem increasingly common. Companies initially committed to compute capacity based on ambitious training plans. Prototype projects were expected to scale, and inference workloads were projected to grow substantially. Then reality hit. Some projects did not materialize. Some models trained faster than expected. Some inference patterns were lighter than anticipated.
Many organizations now hold reserved capacity they can’t use, discard, or share without a complex, increasingly restricted process. This reality is something every company with significant cloud spend needs to clearly understand.
The history of cloud resale
There was once a functioning resale market for cloud reserved instances. AWS, for example, maintained a Reserved Instances Marketplace where companies that had purchased reserved capacity could sell those reservations to other AWS customers. This was a legitimate, AWS-sanctioned process. Companies would register as sellers, list their unused reservations with pricing and terms, and if a buyer appeared, the marketplace would facilitate the transaction.
The resale market was useful for companies that had overestimated their needs or whose business changes reduced their cloud consumption. Instead of simply absorbing the cost of unused commitments, they could recoup some of that investment by selling to other organizations with unmet demand. It created a secondary market that added liquidity to what was otherwise a rigid financial arrangement.
My client had some experience with this resale market a few years ago and assumed they could use it again. They were unpleasantly surprised to learn that the rules had changed.
AWS changes the rules
In January 2024, AWS implemented a significant policy change that effectively shut down the resale of EC2 Reserved Instances on its platform. AWS stopped allowing companies to resell their unused reserved capacity through the Reserved Instance Marketplace or any other official channel. If you have a reserved instance commitment with AWS, you are essentially stuck with it unless you can use it yourself or modify your reservation.
This change had a real impact on companies that had relied on resale as part of their cloud financial management strategy. It reduced flexibility and increased the risk of long-term reserved commitments. When I explained this AWS policy change to my client’s representatives, I could hear the frustration in their voices. They had made their commitment in good faith, carefully modeled their expected AI workloads, and now faced the reality that there was no easy exit.
The reasoning behind this change is not entirely clear, but AWS likely viewed capacity resales as something that complicated their billing and commitment models without providing enough benefit to the overall ecosystem. Regardless of the company’s reasons, the primary resale path for the largest cloud provider has been effectively closed.
What options still exist?
What can companies do now when they find themselves with reserved capacity they no longer need? The first possibility is to work directly with the cloud provider to modify or exchange the reservation if it is convertible. Some reservation types allow modifications, such as changing the instance type, region, or tenancy. This will not eliminate the commitment, but it may help companies better align their reservations with actual workload needs.
The second option is to use third-party brokers and marketplaces that operate independently of the cloud providers. Although AWS has shut down its official resale channel, brokers and marketplaces still facilitate resale arrangements for other cloud providers and for some AWS scenarios. These arrangements can be more complex and carry more risk, but they remain a possibility for companies determined to move unused capacity.
The third alternative is to optimize usage. Companies can invest in better utilization monitoring, workload placement, and automation to ensure that reserved capacity is used as efficiently as possible. This does not recover the money already spent, but it reduces future waste.
My client explored all three alternatives and found that each had significant limitations. Modifications were possible, but only within a narrow range. Third-party brokers were interested, but the process was opaque and uncertain. Optimization helped, but it could not eliminate the fundamental overcommitment they had already made.
The broader implications
Cloud commitments are more rigid than many enterprises initially realize because they lack a liquid market and because providers control modifications, transfers, or cancellations. Right now, I see this pattern most often in the AI space. Companies commit to massive amounts of compute for training and inference based on projections that rarely reflect the actual workloads. Then they are surprised to find themselves locked into payments. The AI boom has led to significant overcommitment because enterprises remain unaware that the resale mechanisms that once existed have been largely shut down.
This is why cloud financial management has become such an important discipline. Companies need to be far more thoughtful about how they commit to cloud resources, how they model their future consumption, and how they build flexibility into their cloud strategies. The days of assuming you can always resell your way out of an overcommitment are effectively over, at least with AWS.
For Azure and Google Cloud, the resale landscape is slightly different, but the same general principles apply. These providers have their own capacity transfer policies and, like AWS, those policies can change at any time. Companies should understand their options before making large, committed purchases and build contingency plans in case their actual usage diverges from their projections—or if resale policies change.
The bottom line is that reselling unused reserved cloud instances is far more complicated than it sounds. The market is not as open as it once was, the options are limited, and the providers themselves hold most of the cards. My client got burned, and I doubt they will be the only one. Companies that want to optimize their cloud spending should focus on accurate forecasting, thoughtful commitment sizing, and ongoing optimization rather than relying on resale as a safety valve. That approach worked at one point, but those days are largely gone.
The price increases for Apple Music come after Spotify announced its own round of price hikes earlier this year, which Apple poked fun at on social media. Even with today’s price hikes, though, Apple Music remains cheaper than Spotify.
Apple Music no longer makes sense when I’m already paying for YouTube Premium. Apple Music goes up to £11.99, YouTube Premium is £12.99 and on top of a good music service you get no ads on YouTube.
Distilling my longtime argument down to its simplest bit, I’d ask “do you want to pay $10 a month for music for the rest of your life?”
But truly, it was never going to just be $10 per month. The price was going to go up over time. It was going to get more expensive to have access to the same music.
If you purchase your music, though, I think most people would reach a point in their life where they stop buying new music entirely or they’re only buying a few albums per year. The cost of music would go down for you over time.
That was my thinking, too, but then I found that music I’ve purchased from Apple won’t work on my HomePod. I refuse to condone that behavior, so now I have two solid reasons not to subscribe to Apple Music.
While the monthly and annual prices of AppleCare+ plans for Macs and iPads received a slight increase this week, AppleCare One continues to start at $19.99 per month in the U.S., making the multi-device plan even more valuable.
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