In the mid-1980s, Apple Computer was riding high on the success of its revolutionary products, but turbulent times were ahead. This period, spanning from 1985 to 1997, marked a crucial chapter in Apple's history characterized by the departure of its co-founder, Steve Jobs, and a subsequent struggle for survival. (more…)

The big CdkeySales Halloween Sale on Microsoft mainstays like Windows 10, Windows 11 and Office is underway. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Apple's latest operating system updates iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia bring a notable enhancement for gamers: official support for wired Xbox controllers. Previously, Apple devices supported wireless Xbox and PlayStation controllers via Bluetooth, but when it came to wired connections, only PlayStation controllers were compatible. This update marks a step forward in broadening gaming accessory support across Apple’s ecosystem. As noted by Apple engineer (and one of the key contributors to the original Xbox) Nat Brown back in June, Xbox uses a custom USB protocol for its wired controllers, and with its latest operating system updates, Apple now directly supports the protocol to allow for native wired Xbox controller connections. Connecting to Apple Devices with Lightning Ports…

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has secured $6.6 billion in new funding from investors, potentially valuing the company at $157 billion and solidifying its position as one of the world’s most valuable private companies. Returning venture capital investors Thrive Capital and Khosla Ventures, along with OpenAI’s major corporate backer Microsoft and new investor Nvidia, have participated in this funding round. Krystal Hu for Reuters: ‎ Thrive Capital, which committed about $1.2 billion from a combination of its own fund and a special purpose vehicle for smaller investors, negotiated the option to invest another $1 billion next year at the same valuation if the AI firm hits a revenue goal, sources added. Apple, which was in talks to invest in OpenAI,…

macOS Sequoia Apple’s recent macOS 15 update, also known as Sequoia, has caused compatibility issues with several security tools from prominent vendors like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft, and others. Users on social media and Mac-focused forums have reported disruptions in the functionality of these security applications following the update. Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai for TechCruch: ‎ At this point, it’s unclear exactly what is the issue, but it appears to affect several products made by companies that provide software for macOS users and enterprises, which has caused frustration among people who work on and with macOS-focused security tools. “As a developer of macOS security tools, it’s incredibly frustrating to time and time again have to deal with (understandably) upset users (understandably) blaming your…

OpenAI’s upcoming funding round is likely to be structured as convertible notes, Reuters reports citing sources familiar with the matter. The company’s $150 billion valuation is contingent on its ability to restructure its corporate structure and remove a profit cap for investors. This move aims to attract significant investment and position OpenAI for future growth. Krystal Hu and Kenrick Cai for Reuters: ‎ The details of the conditions of the $6.5 billion funding, which have not been previously reported, show how far OpenAI, the most valuable AI startup in the world, has come from a research-based non-profit, and the structural changes it’s willing to make to attract ever more investment to fund its expensive pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI),…