Apple’s longstanding partnership with Google to power Safari searches—reportedly worth around US$20 billion each year—is under fresh scrutiny as AI-driven alternatives gain momentum. During a high-profile antitrust hearing, Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Services, confirmed the company is “actively looking at” integrating AI search engines into Safari, signalling a potential pivot that could redefine how millions of users query the web.
Read MoreWith more than 270 million subscribers and a catalogue that now spans films, series, live events, and even games, Netflix faces a new enemy: the time we waste deciding what to watch. Its freshly announced “innovative new TV experience” aims to fix that with a cleaner design, smarter recommendations, and – for the first time – a dose of generative AI search. In an increasingly crowded streaming market, a slick interface could prove as important as the shows themselves.
Read MoreApple has slipped iOS 18.5 into the “release‑candidate” stage, which is tech‑speak for “practically finished unless someone finds a show‑stopping bug”. That means the public build should hit Software Update within days rather than weeks. While the update won’t set the world alight with new emojis or AI fireworks, it does three things that matter in day‑to‑day life: it tidies up Mail, tattles on Screen Time pass‑code shenanigans and beams satellite messages to the whole iPhone 13 family
Read MoreApple TV+ has ordered an eight‑episode crime drama, The Wanted Man, fronted by Hugh Laurie and created by Hijack show‑runner George Kay. Announced today, 7 May 2025, the series bolsters Apple’s growing portfolio of UK‑centric thrillers aimed at viewers who enjoyed Hijack and Slow Horses.
Read MoreApple TV+ is investing further in comedy, confirming new seasons for two of its best-reviewed sitcoms: the beloved British series “Trying” and Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire “The Studio.” These renewals, both announced in early May 2025, reinforce Apple’s strategy of nurturing critically acclaimed originals-even before their current seasons finish airing. As competition among streamers intensifies, this approach could prove pivotal in keeping subscribers engaged.
Read MoreApple Arcade continues to evolve as a cornerstone of Apple’s services ecosystem, offering subscribers a growing library of premium games without the interruptions of ads or in-app purchases. This June, the service is set to expand its catalogue with five new titles, including a reimagined take on the classic card game UNO, as well as a suite of updates to fan-favourite games. For families, casual gamers, and Apple aficionados alike, these additions reinforce Apple Arcade’s commitment to quality and variety in mobile gaming.
Read MoreOn this week’s episode of The Mac & Forth Show, Alan, Dean Steve, and Karl dive into the latest Apple-related news on their final episode for the foreseeable future. First, they debunk a recent iPhone 16 event invite hoax, then discuss Apple's re-release of iOS 17.6.1 along with updates for watchOS and tvOS, and the UK’s decision to close its antitrust investigation into Apple. They also explore how a victim of mail theft used an AirTag to track down the criminals and discuss the new ability to access Apple Podcasts directly through the web. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners for their support over the years. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.
Read MoreThis week on The Mac & Forth Show, Alan, Dean Steve, and Karl delve into Spotify's recent triumph as Apple is now required to show alternative pricing options within the App Store, giving consumers more transparency. The team also discusses the potential implications of a U.S. ruling that could see Google facing a breakup or forced data-sharing due to its search engine monopoly. They explore Apple's decision to extend NFC feature access to U.S. developers, following a similar mandate in Europe. Plus, find out how the English Premier League plans to use an array of iPhones to upgrade its video referee technology. Finally, the hosts have some fun with a Vision Pro emulator that brings back Nintendo's Virtual Boy in an unexpected way. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.
Read MoreIn this week's episode of The Mac & Forth Show, Alan, Steve, and Karl are joined by the GazMaz from the mighty MyMac Podcast. They dive into Apple's surprisingly strong performance in what was expected to be a quiet quarter, defying Wall Street expectations and showcasing its resilience in the market. They also discuss Apple's legal manoeuvring as it seeks to dismiss the Department of Justice's ongoing lawsuit, a case with potentially significant ramifications for the tech giant. The hosts then explore the latest developments in cybersecurity, focusing on CrowdStrike's insights into a recent security breach. The potential arrival of Apple's intelligence features to the EU—specifically for Mac users—is another hot topic, alongside a detailed look at the recent issues with Apple's AI. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.
Read MoreIn our 400th episode of The Mac & Forth Show Podcast, Alan, Dean, Steve, and Karl dive into a mix of fresh updates and intriguing developments. Apple has rolled out updates across its ecosystem, including visionOS 1.3, macOS 14.6, tvOS 17.6, and watchOS 10.6, with new features and improvements. Microsoft is taking a page from Apple’s playbook, launching a campaign to enhance Windows security post-CrowdStrike. Apple is also stepping up its game with new intelligence privacy reports, aiming to boost transparency for users. Meanwhile, OpenAI has introduced SearchGPT, a revolutionary AI-driven search engine. Lastly, Apple is reportedly in talks to bring an ad-supported Apple TV option to the US and UK, potentially changing the streaming landscape. All this, and slightly more on this week’s episode.
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