Millions of Americans are being spied on with shady VPNs available on Apple's App Store

appleinsider.com Sep 23, 2026

Millions of Americans are being spied on with shady VPNs available on Apple’s App Store

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 23, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A Proton research study examined over 7,000 VPN apps on the Apple App Store, finding that 85 % of U.S.‑downloaded VPNs contain trackers and 25 % track user locations. The analysis also revealed that 64 apps are owned by Chinese companies, many hiding their ties. Proton VPN, a zero‑log, Swiss‑based service, is promoted as a trustworthy alternative, offering up to 70 % off a 24‑month plan at $2.99/month. The report highlights widespread privacy violations in the App Store’s VPN offerings.

💡 Why It Matters

· The findings expose a systemic erosion of user privacy in a marketplace that claims to protect consumers, underscoring the urgency for stricter app‑store oversight and informed consumer choices.

Read full article on appleinsider.com

AT&T seemingly has no plans to support Apple’s new iPhone Handoff feature

Apple introduced iPhone Handoff, allowing a single phone number to switch automatically between two iPhones. The feature requires carrier support, but AT&T has declined to adopt it, citing a focus on existing eSIM activation and transfer options. CNET reports AT&T’s spokesperson said the carrier sees potential in Handoff but prioritizes simpler innovations. Only T‑Mobile currently supports the feature in the U.S., with Verizon and EE expected to add it later this year.

💡 The lack of AT&T support limits user choice and may pressure the carrier to reconsider its stance on seamless multi-device connectivity.

appleinsider.com · Sep 23

Base Mac mini still has slower storage than any other configuration

Apple’s 2026 Mac mini with M6 or M5 Pro chips offers a 256 GB model that uses a single SSD module, resulting in read speeds of 3,216.8 MB/s and write speeds of 3,000.2 MB/s—about 48.9 % faster writes than the previous M4 but only 15.9 % faster reads. The 512 GB version doubles the storage with two SSDs, boosting performance. The 256 GB model starts at $899, while the 512 GB version is $1,099, reflecting higher prices than the prior generation.

💡 The single‑module design limits upgradeability, forcing buyers to choose a higher‑priced dual‑SSD model for better performance. This shift underscores Apple’s move toward fixed‑configuration hardware, affecting long‑term storage flexibility for users.

9to5mac.com · Sep 23

tvOS 27.2 adds new HomePod surround sound feature to Apple TV 4K…

Apple TV users can now pair four HomePods wirelessly to the Apple TV 4K via tvOS 27.2 beta 2, enabling a 4‑speaker surround sound setup. The feature supports Atmos and video surround, but menu and game audio still route only to front speakers, and users cannot assign front‑rear roles. The update follows earlier beta 27.0 hints and aligns with rumors of an upcoming Home product overhaul, including new HomePod models slated for October.

💡 The ability to wirelessly expand HomePod audio to a full surround system marks a significant step toward integrating Apple’s home‑audio ecosystem with its streaming hardware, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for smart‑home audio solutions.

semiconductor-digest.com · Sep 23

Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook to Receive Semiconductor Industry’s Top Honor

The Semiconductor Industry Association announced that Apple Executive Chair Tim Cook will receive the 2026 Robert N. Noyce Award, the industry’s highest honor. The award recognizes Cook’s advocacy for U.S. semiconductor leadership and his role in driving growth and advanced manufacturing. Cook will accept the award at the SIA Awards Dinner on Nov. 19, 2026, in San Jose, California. The announcement highlights Cook’s influence on Apple’s semiconductor-enabled products and his broader impact on the global technology landscape.

💡 Cook’s recognition underscores the critical link between corporate leadership and national semiconductor competitiveness, spotlighting the strategic importance of domestic innovation.

9to5mac.com · Sep 23

Next year’s iPhone Pro models have ‘near-borderless’ design: report

Apple is set to unveil next year’s iPhone Pro models with a “near‑borderless” four‑sided curved display, according to an ETNews report. The design will wrap the screen around all edges, creating a full‑screen look for the 20th‑anniversary lineup. However, Apple will drop two advanced display technologies—Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) and Low‑Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide Plus (LTPO+)—due to higher memory costs and the search for better alternatives. The new design remains unchanged, while the omitted technologies could have offered a thinner panel and improved power efficiency.

💡 The decision to forgo COE and LTPO+ signals Apple’s prioritization of cost control over incremental display gains, potentially affecting future device thickness and battery life. The confirmed near‑borderless design underscores the company’s commitment to a premium aesthetic for its milestone iPhone Pro models.

9to5mac.com · Sep 23

iOS 27.2 makes FaceTime’s best new feature even better

Apple’s iOS 27.2 beta expands Dual Capture, a feature that lets users display front‑ and rear‑camera feeds simultaneously during FaceTime. Introduced in iOS 27, Dual Capture was limited to one‑on‑one calls; the new update enables it for Group FaceTime sessions. The feature requires an iPhone 17 or newer, and all participants must run iOS 27, iPadOS 27, or macOS 27 to view the dual streams. Apple is rolling out the update in stages, with the public release expected in the coming weeks.

💡 By allowing multiple camera angles in group calls, Apple enhances collaborative communication, giving users richer visual context for remote teamwork and social interactions.