In a quiet move acknowledging Apple’s challenges in AI, Apple and Google have announced a multi-year collaboration that will see Google’s Gemini models power upcoming Apple Intelligence features and a more personalized Siri. Adam Engst explores why Google makes strategic sense as a partner and ponders what it might mean for lower-power devices. He also examines the new Apple Creator Studio subscription, which bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage with iPad versions and premium iWork features, though one-time purchases remain available for Mac apps. Additionally, Matt Neuburg has updated the free TidBITS News app for iOS 26, adding Dark mode and the unavoidable Liquid Glass, plus he has released the code as open source on GitHub. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 15.2.4, Default Folder X 6.2.5, GraphicConverter 12.5, Mellel 6.6, Mimestream 1.9.7, and TextExpander 8.4.1.
Apple and Google have announced a multi-year partnership to base the next generation of Apple’s foundation models on Google’s Gemini technology. This collaboration will drive future Apple Intelligence features, including an improved Siri expected later this year.
Matt Neuburg’s free TidBITS News app gets a notable update with a complete rewrite for iOS 26 and Swift 6.2, plus Dark mode support. Even better, he has open-sourced the code on GitHub for curious developers.
The new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundles Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, and more for $129 per year, but one-time purchases remain available for the Mac versions, so it’s worth doing the math before subscribing.
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Introduces dynamic integration of notes and PDF annotations in Mellel's just-released Citation Inspector. ($74.99 new, free update, 126.4 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Brings improvements and (bug) resolutions for the new year to the Open/Save dialog utility. ($39.95 new, free update, 28.6 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Packed with a plethora of enhancements and bug fixes for the Swiss Army knife of graphics programs. ($39.95 new, free update, 273.2 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Word processor introduces a new Citation Inspector window and an Auto Expander feature. ($69.99 new, free update, 109.5 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Sets the title of links set to Reminders as the subject of the email. ($49.99 annual subscription, free update, 12.4 MB, macOS 12+)
Adds support for creating custom date formats with the Date Picker feature. ($40 annual subscription, free update, 32 MB, macOS 11.1+)
