Critics voice concern as government says its Sanchar Saathi app combats cybersecurity threats for 1.2bn telecom users
India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted, a government order showed, a move likely to antagonise Apple and privacy advocates.
In tackling a recent surge of cybercrime and hacking, India is joining authorities worldwide, most recently in Russia, to frame rules blocking the use of stolen phones for fraud or promoting state-backed government service apps.
Apple among big tech companies reportedly refusing to install Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on their devices
A political outcry has erupted in India after the government mandated large technology companies to install a state-owned app on smartphones that has led to surveillance fears among opposition MPs and activists.
Manufacturers including Apple, Samsung and Xiomi have 90 days to comply with the order to preload the government’s Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, on every phone in India.
Apple Music is getting ahead of Spotify Wrapped with the launch of its yearly recaps. This year’s Apple Music Replay is available natively within the app and comes packed with even more listening stats, allowing you to review all the new artists you listened to, which ones you kept returning to, and who made a comeback in your playlist.
It also highlights your most-listened-to songs, how many artists you listened to, your favorite genres, and how much time you spent listening to music on the app. There’s a shareable highlight reel as well, which you can post to apps like Instagram and TikTok. Apple already offers monthly music recaps and the ability to review all your listening stats, but it’s always fun to see how your taste has evolved throughout the year.
There’s an Apple Music Replay for artists, too, showing listener growth, year-over-year performance, total listeners, top-streamed songs, and more. You can access your Replay by heading to the homepage of your Apple Music app or by going to replay.music.apple.com.
This year, Apple Music Replay includes even more listening habits, including the “Discovery” section, which highlights new artists users listened to, and “Loyalty,” which spotlights artists that users have kept coming back to each year. Source Link Apple Music’s Replay 2025 is here
Industry sources tell Reuters that Apple plans to tell India’s government that they don’t comply with requests like this due to privacy and security concerns. However, Apple won’t go to court or “take a public stand” over the order. At the time of writing, iPhones make up just nine percent of India’s smartphone market, behind Vivo, Oppo, and Samsung, which were also directed to preload the state-backed app on their devices.
The app in question, Sanchar Saathi or “Communication Partner,” can be used to track and block lost or stolen phones using their IMEI. It’s currently available in the App Store and Google Play Store, but the Indian government’s order would make the app mandatory on all new phones sold in the region, require phone manufacturers to push it to existing phones through a software update, and prevent users from disabling the app.
The order was privately issued to phone manufacturers on November 28th, and is facing pushback over concerns Sanchar Saathi could be used for surveillance or tracking outside of its stated anti-theft purposes. India’s Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia commented on Tuesday that “the app is completely optional. If you want to delete it, you can.” However, that directly contradicts the government order’s reported directions to prevent users from disabling Sanchar Saathi.
Apple makes a lot of gadgets. Most of them are very good! You’d frankly be hard-pressed to find a company with a better track record, especially across so many categories. But only one Apple gadget can be the best Apple gadget, and it’s time for us to decide which one it is.
On this episode of The Vergecast, The Verge’s Victoria Song and Allison Johnson join David to come up with a definitive ranking of Apple’s best gadgets. (We did this with Google’s gadgets a few months ago, in case you missed it.) In this case, “best” is defined quite broadly: it includes a product’s inherent quality, the quality of its competition, its cultural and econ …
India’s Department of Telecommunications is giving phone manufacturers 90 days to comply with an order to pre-install a state-owned app on new phones and push it to existing phones through software updates, reports Reuters. The government order was privately sent out to phone manufacturers on November 28th, according to Reuters, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
In August, Russia issued a similar order requiring phone manufacturers to preload a state-backed messenger app, Max.
In this case, the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app is already available on the App Store and Google Play Store, but this order would make it mandatory and prevent it from being disabled or deleted. The app includes features for blocking and tracking lost or stolen phones based on their IMEI, and reporting suspected fraud messages.
While iOS users still make up a small slice of the pie in India, Apple’s sales in the region hit a record high of $9 billion in September. Similarly, Google began offering direct online sales of Pixel phones in India earlier this year, and both companies have increased local manufacturing of their mobile devices in recent years. Apple and Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
If you’re an iPad user who prioritizes portability, you’re in luck. Amazon and Best Buy have both discounted the latest-generation iPad Mini to $349 ($150 off) in its base Wi-Fi configuration, which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the miniature tablet since it launched last year. You can also pick up the 256GB model with Wi-Fi at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $449 ($150 off), its lowest price to date.
iPad Mini (2024)
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
The 2024 iPad Mini has an 8.3-inch 60Hz LCD display, portrait-oriented webcam, and the same overall design of its predecessor. With this difference: the tablet is the first model to be compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which magnetically attaches to its side to pair and charge. The premium Pencil allows you to assign an action that’s executed when you squeeze the stylus.
The latest iPad Mini is equipped with the A17 Pro processor, which makes it powerful enough to handle the multi-window multitasking system introduced with iPadOS 26 earlier in the fall. It’s also compatible with Apple Intelligence, which may become more helpful as features continue to roll out. The Mini’s small size makes it a great choice for reading in bed, or as a travel companion when space is tight.
If you do need more power, Best Buy and Amazon have knocked the 256GB 11-inch M5 iPad Pro’s price to an all-time low of $899 ($100 off).
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro are down to their best price to date.
If you’re planning to gift an Apple device this holiday season — or treat yourself — now’s the time to start shopping. Black Friday has officially arrived, bringing with it the best Apple deals we’ve seen all year.
There’s a whole lot more on sale, and to sift through discounts more easily, we’ve rounded them up by category. We’ve even sprinkled in some historical price info, so you can spot the best deals at a glance.
The recently released AirPods Pro 3 have a new design that improves their fit, superior noise cancellation, better bass, and fairly accurate heart rate sensors. Read our review.
Apple’s AirPods 4 are the latest update to the company’s base-model wireless earbuds. The hard, plastic buds feature improved audio over the third-gen model, along with deep iOS integration and spatial audio with head tracking. Read our review.
If you’re looking for the step-up AirPods 4 with ANC, you can buy them for around $99.99 ($30 off) at Amazon and Target. Their noise cancellation performance doesn’t quite match the current- or even last-gen AirPods Pro, but it’s still impressive for the price. In addition to ANC, you also get other features not found on the base-model AirPods 4, including wireless charging, a handy transparency mode, and Find My support for the included charging case. Read our review.
The updated AirPods Max with USB-C are down to $399.99 ($140 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is their best price to date. The over-ear headphones offer a luxurious stainless steel and aluminum design that’s exceptionally comfortable, while delivering rich sound quality with lossless audio support and a surprisingly natural-sounding transparency mode. Read our original review.
Apple AirPods Pro (second-gen) with USB-C
The second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple’s original pair with better noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and onboard volume controls. They also now ship with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning. Read our original review.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are on sale for around $199.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, which is $20 shy of their best price to date. The wireless earbuds are our favorite pair for sports and working out, with an ear hook design that helps keep them securely in place even during intense workouts. You also get solid noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and heart rate monitoring. Plus, they work with both Apple and Android devices, letting you take advantage of Find My integration, automatic device switching, and more. Read our review.
Beats Studio Pro
The latest Beats Studio Pro feature improved noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. They also support lossless audio over USB-C, making them the first Apple headphones to do so. Read our review.
Although the Apple Watch Series 11 is the same size as its predecessor, it features a 5G cellular modem, a display that’s twice as durable, and slightly improved battery life. Read our review.
The Apple Watch SE 3 offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, including an always-on display, allowing you to glance at the time or unread notifications. It also has Apple’s powerful S10 chip, which enables on-device Siri requests. Read our review.
The 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 with GPS is on sale at Walmart starting at $249 ($150 off), which is its best price to date. While the Series 11 offers slightly longer battery life, a more efficient 5G modem, and a more scratch-resistant display, the Series 10 remains an excellent smartwatch. It features a large, wide-angle OLED display and the same S10 SiP chip found in the Series 11. It also supports FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and offers the same hypertension notifications, courtesy of the recent watchOS 26 update. Read our review.
You can currently pick up the 40mm Apple Watch SE (second-gen) with GPS at Walmart starting at $129 ($120 off), which is a new low price (the 44mm variant is also on sale starting at $159). If you’re on a tight budget, the last-gen Apple Watch SE is still worth considering. It lacks some of Apple’s newer sensors and doesn’t offer an always-on display, but it remains relatively fast, given that it uses the same chipset as the Apple Watch Series 8. It also provides all the essentials, including daily activity and sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, fall and crash detection, and access to the newer Vitals app in watchOS 26.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in one size: 49mm. It offers a large, bright display along with long battery life and excellent performance. It sports Apple’s last-gen S9 SiP, too, allowing you to take advantage of Apple’s double tap feature. Read our review.
You can also buy the newfangled Apple Watch Ultra 3 at Amazon with either an Ocean Band, a Trail Loop, or an Alpine Loop for $779.99 ($20 off), which is a far cry from its all-time low of $699.99 but still one of the first discounts we’ve seen. Apple’s latest wearable is its most rugged and capable to date, with a larger wide-angle OLED display, satellite and 5G connectivity, and a battery that can last up to 42 hours on a single charge (up from 36 hours on the Ultra 2). Read our review.
iPad deals
iPad (2025)
Apple’s entry-level iPad is an excellent tablet for casual use. Its high resolution screen is great for watching video, and its A16 processor is fast enough to handle light games and productivity apps. Read our review.
The 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is down to its best price to date at Amazon, where you can buy it starting at $899 with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage. Other configurations, specifically the 512GB and 1TB models, are on sale for $1,099 ($100 off) and $1,486 ($113 off), respectively. In addition to offering faster performance than their predecessor, the new Pros support Wi-Fi 7, faster charging, and start with 12GB of RAM. They also come with an N1 chip for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread, and if you get the cellular version, Apple’s new C1X cellular modem. Read our review.
The latest 13-inch iPad Pro is also on sale at Amazon in its 256GB base configuration for $1,199 ($100 off), which remains the tablet’s lowest price to date. If you need more storage, the 1TB model is down to $1,768 ($131 off) at Amazon, while the 2TB version is going for $2,150 ($149 off). The heavier 13-inch model is nearly identical to the 11-incher, but it offers more screen real estate and higher resolution.
11-inch iPad Air M3
The latest 11-inch iPad Air features Apple’s fast M3 chip with GPU upgrades like dynamic caching for smoother performance in demanding apps. It also supports the Apple Pencil Pro and the newest Magic Keyboard, which features a larger build and a 14-key function row. Read our review.
If you want a larger display, the 13-inch M3-powered iPad Air with Wi-Fi / 128GB of storage is also on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, where you can buy it starting at an all-time low of $649.99 ($150 off). Other configurations are also on sale, with the 256GB model going for $749.99 ($150 off), the 512GB version $949 ($150 off), and the 1TB variant $1,149.
You can buy the 13-inch M4-powered iPad Pro with Wi-Fi and 256GB of storage at Amazon starting at $1,099 ($200 off). The last-gen Pro offers a stunning OLED display and a thinner build than prior models, along with a front-facing camera that’s (finally) located in the middle of the long side of the iPad. Read our review.
13-inch iPad Pro M4
The last-gen iPad Pro comes in either an 11- or 13-inch configuration with Apple’s M4 processor. Both feature an OLED display and a thinner build than previous models, as well as horizontal placement for the front camera and support for the Apple Pencil Pro. Read our review.
The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.
Powered by the M4 chip, Apple’slatest 13-inch MacBook Air is faster than its predecessor and offers double the base RAM. It can also connect to two external displays with the lid open, unlike prior models, and features an improved 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam. Read our review.
Apple’s 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro takes everything we loved about the M4 model — including all-day battery life and a 12-megapixel webcam — and improves upon it with an M5 chip. It also offers faster storage and a 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU that’s up to 3.5x faster at AI tasks. Read our review.
The last-gen 16-inch MacBook Pro is still a powerhouse even if it runs on the older M4 Pro chip, and right now you can buy it with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $2,189 (about $310 off) at Amazon, which is just a few dollars shy of its all-time low. It sports speedy Thunderbolt 5 ports and a sharp 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam, and because the new M5-powered MacBook Pros don’t yet come in a 16-inch size, it’s your best bet if you want a larger display. Read our review of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
If you’re in the market for a desktop and don’t mind supplying your own keyboard and mouse, you can buy the M4 Mac Mini with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $479 ($120 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of its best prices to date. The desktop can handle everyday tasks with ease, along with some light gaming and 4K video editing. It can also run up to three displays simultaneously and offers a great port selection that includes three Thunderbolt 4 (USB4) ports, a gigabit ethernet jack, HDMI, two 10Gbps USB-C (USB 3) ports, and a front-facing 3.5mm audio jack. Read our review.
AirTags and other miscellaneous deals
Apple TV (six-month subscription)
Apple is hosting a Black Friday sale that lets you lock in six months for just $5.99 per month, which is over 50 percent off the usual cost. This promo isn’t applicable to those eligible to redeem three free months earned through buying a new Apple device, nor will it work for those who get the subscription through a third party, like Amazon.
Apple’s AirTags can help you find your lost items with their UWB technology. You’ll get the best compatibility with an iPhone, though Apple released an Android app to detect an AirTag’s location if one seems to be following you. Read our original review.
You can buy the Apple Pencil Pro for $94.99 ($35 off) at Amazon and Walmart, which is $10 more than its best price to date. If you own the latest iPad Pro, iPad Mini, or an M2- or M3-based iPad Air, this is a fantastic stylus that offers several features not found on the entry-level Apple Pencil with USB-C (which is also discounted to $49 at Walmart). In addition to wireless charging, you get Find My support, pressure sensitivity, and a “Barrel Roll” gyroscope that allows you to easily adjust the angle of your pen with a twist.
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand)
Anker’s MagGo Wireless Charging Station features a MagSafe charging stand, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an Apple Watch charger, allowing you to charge three devices simultaneously. It also comes with a 40W USB-C power adapter and cable.
There’s no question the Apple Studio Display is beautiful, but it’s quite expensive; however, you can pick up the standard option with a tilt-adjustable stand for $1,409 ($190 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is a new low price. The Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K screen, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with Center Stage, and a three-mic array for video calls. Apple’s monitor is over three years old by now and there are reports a sequel is on the way, but if this has been on your radar for a while, it’s never been more affordable. Read our review.
Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
Twelve South’s 3-in-1 charging stand offers full 15W MagSafe iPhone charging and can simultaneously top off a set of AirPods while fast-charging a compatible Apple Watch. It also includes a power supply (with travel adapters) to deliver enough juice over its 5-foot / 1.5m USB cable.
With a 10,000mAh battery, a max output of up to 30W, and a built-in USB-C cable that conveniently doubles as a carrying loop, Anker’s Nano Power Bank is perfect for charging on the go.
Ugreen’s portable power bank has a 20,000mAh battery and a maximum power output of 100W, making it possible to charge more robust devices like laptops.
Anker’s 25,000mAh power bank sports two built-in USB-C cables (one of which is retractable), plus one USB-C and USB-A port. It tops out at 165W when charging two devices simultaneously, or 130W when charging three or four.
