Apple News
Apple acquired Patchflyer, maker of grading tool Color.io in January
According to new EU acquisition disclosures, Apple acquired Patchflyer GmbH, a small one-person company, back in January. Patchflyer was owned by Jonathan Ochmann, the creator of VisionColor and Color.io, a popular web-based color grading tool used by photographers and filmmakers.
VisionColor is a premium developer of industry standard 3D LUTs for cinematic film emulation and color grading, tools that have helped over 100.000 filmmakers, photographers, and artists worldwide to get professional, cinematic color. VisionColor products are used in many blockbuster movies, TV series, music videos, short films, and commercials.
Color.io is a one-of-a-kind film emulation tool, look designer, and raw photo editor for photographers and filmmakers used to craft stunning film color that works for any camera, in any software, and on any screen with an advanced AI powered analog grading engine.
Apple purchased Color.io and is employing Ochmann. Last year, Ochmann announced Color.io’s impending closure in November, and said that he was joining a company that will let him work at a scale he could not reach on his own. “After 10+ years of running everything alone, I’ve reached a point where I need to grow in ways that aren’t possible as a solo builder,” he wrote.
Color.io went offline on December 31, 2025, with about five weeks of warning for the app’s 200,000+ users. Now that Ochmann is employed at Apple, Color.io capabilities could come to Apple software in the future. Ochmann’s expertise and Color.io’s features would be useful for Final Cut Pro or Pixelmator Pro.
MacDailyNews Note: Here’s a review and tutorial for Color.io from Daniel Grindrod:
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Apple releases iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5
Apple today pushed out the latest point updates across its mobile platforms: iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5. While not a massive feature-packed release like the initial iOS 26 launch last September, today’s updates deliver meaningful refinements, security improvements, new customization options, and several under-the-hood enhancements that users will notice in daily use.
What’s New in iOS 26.5 & iPadOS 26.5
The updates focus on polish rather than revolution, but several additions stand out:
• End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging support: Apple has expanded advanced messaging capabilities with full end-to-end encryption for RCS conversations when communicating with Android users. This brings cross-platform chats closer to the security level of iMessage.
• Smarter Maps suggestions and Ads in Maps: Apple Maps now offers more intelligent, context-aware route and place suggestions. The company has also begun rolling out (opt-in) advertising within Maps, a new revenue stream that promises highly relevant local business promotions.
• Pride Harmony wallpaper with extensive customization: A vibrant new Pride-themed wallpaper arrives with deep personalization options for colors, patterns, and animations—perfect for celebrating diversity throughout the year.
• Performance and battery tweaks: Users report snappier animations, faster app launching, and slightly improved battery life on both iPhone and iPad models, especially older supported devices like the iPhone 11 series and iPad Pro (3rd gen) and later.
Bug fixes and security updates: As usual, Apple addressed dozens of vulnerabilities and minor issues carried over from iOS 26.4.2. The company strongly encourages everyone to update promptly.
Additional smaller changes include refined Apple Intelligence behaviors, better handling of notifications in Focus modes, and continued expansion of the Liquid Glass design language introduced in iOS 26.
watchOS 26.5 Highlights
The Apple Watch update mirrors many of the system-level improvements while adding watch-specific touches:
• Wrist flick to dismiss notifications — A convenient new gesture lets you quickly clear alerts with a simple flick of the wrist.
• Enhanced Workout Buddy features — Smarter real-time coaching and motivational prompts during runs, lifts, and other activities.
• Performance optimizations — Better power efficiency and smoother interface responsiveness across Series 6 and newer models (including the latest Ultra 3 and Series 11).
How to Update
The new software is available now over-the-air. Simply go to:
• Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone or iPad
• Watch app > General > Software Update on your paired iPhone for the Watch
Apple recommends backing up your devices before installing, and the updates are compatible with all devices that already run iOS 26 / iPadOS 26 / watchOS 26.
MacDailyNews Take: iOS 26.5 is a classic “spring cleaning” release—nothing flashy, but the kind of update that makes your devices feel fresher and more reliable. With iOS 27 likely on the horizon later this year, today’s release keeps the current generation in excellent shape while quietly laying groundwork for future features.
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Apple releases tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and HomePod 26.5
Apple just dropped a fresh round of updates for its less headline-grabbing platforms: tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and HomePod software 26.5. If you’re hoping for flashy new features, you might want to temper your expectations — this one is all about refinement.
What’s Actually New?
According to Apple’s release notes, these updates contain “performance and stability improvements.” That’s code for: no major user-facing changes. The 26.5 betas have been out for over a month, and even the most dedicated testers haven’t uncovered significant additions. Apple is clearly saving its creative energy for the next major cycle.
Why This Update Still Matters
Even without new bells and whistles, these releases are worth installing. Minor updates like this often include important security patches, bug fixes, and under-the-hood optimizations that keep your devices running smoothly — especially critical for always-on hardware like Apple TV and HomePod.
• Apple TV 4K owners get a more stable experience for streaming, gaming, and AirPlay.
• Apple Vision Pro users benefit from better reliability in what remains Apple’s most ambitious (and demanding) platform.
• HomePod and HomePod mini users should see improved audio performance, Siri responsiveness, and smart home stability.
Apple continues to stress the importance of keeping all your devices updated for the best security and compatibility across the ecosystem.
Eyes on WWDC and the 27 Releases
The real excitement is already building for tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and the next HomePod update. Apple will unveil those features at WWDC 2026 next month (starting June 8th). If history is any guide, we’ll see bigger leaps in Apple Intelligence integration, spatial computing, and smarter home entertainment experiences.
MacDailyNews Take: Today’s 26.5 updates are the software equivalent of a mid-season tune-up—nothing revolutionary, but essential maintenance that keeps the machine running at peak performance. Go ahead and update when you’re prompted.
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Apple unveils new Mac ad targeting college students: ‘Great Ideas Start Here’
Apple continues its strong push to highlight the Mac as the ultimate creative and productive tool, this time with a fresh video aimed squarely at students heading into or already navigating college life.
Titled “Mac Students: The journey to great ideas in college,” the video showcases how MacBooks empower students to brainstorm, problem-solve, and bring ambitious projects to life. It emphasizes the Mac’s role in turning raw ideas into reality — perfect timing amid surging demand for Apple’s latest hardware, including the MacBook Neo and high-end Mac mini/Mac Studio models driven by AI capabilities.
The ad captures real-world student scenarios: late-night study sessions, collaborative group projects, and creative workflows where the Mac’s performance, battery life, and seamless ecosystem make all the difference. It’s part of Apple’s broader “Great Ideas Start Here” campaign, which positions the Mac as the starting point for innovation, whether in education, professional work, or personal creativity.
MacDailyNews Take: This student-focused spot arrives as Apple reports record interest in its Mac lineup. With Apple Silicon powering impressive AI features and unmatched efficiency, the Mac is attracting both longtime fans and first-time switchers.
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Behind the Lens: The cutting-edge camera gear powering Apple TV’s ‘Widow’s Bay’ and its cinematic peers
Apple TV’s “Widow’s Bay,” the eerie horror-comedy series created by Katie Dippold and starring Matthew Rhys, has captivated audiences with its atmospheric New England island visuals — rich, inky blacks, painterly coastal mist, and a hauntingly detailed look that blends charm with dread. Much of that visual magic comes down to the sophisticated equipment chosen by cinematographer Christian Sprenger, ASC (known for his work on “Atlanta”).
The Gear That Defines “Widow’s Bay”
The production relied on high-end digital cinema tools provided by Keslow Camera. Industry discussions and early technical breakdowns confirm that Sprenger paired the Sony VENICE (likely a VENICE 2) camera system with vintage Canon K35 prime lenses. These classic 1970s lenses are renowned for their fast apertures (typically T/1.3 or T/1.5), beautiful organic rendering, and creamy fall-off that delivers a soft, painterly quality with exceptional character in highlights and skin tones.
The combination of the Sony VENICE’s outstanding dynamic range and color science with the K35s’ vintage optics helped create the series’ signature moody, textured, and filmic aesthetic—perfect for the show’s blend of coastal beauty and creeping horror—without heavy reliance on post-production effects. The fast primes also excelled in the challenging handheld, splash-bag, and rugged location work in Massachusetts.
Similar High-End Gear in Apple TV’s “Silo”
Apple TV’s acclaimed dystopian series “Silo” also embraced premium large-format tools to achieve its claustrophobic yet epic underground world. Cinematographers including David Luther, Kiesha, and Laurie Rose (among others) captured the show primarily on the ARRI Alexa Mini LF paired with Caldwell Chameleon anamorphic lenses.
These Chameleons — custom-developed by Caldwell based on Panavision anamorphic glass — provided a distinctive cinematic compression, characterful fall-off, beautiful flares, and organic edge distortion. The anamorphic look enhanced the series’ sense of confinement and scale on the massive silo sets while maintaining the sharp, high-dynamic-range imaging the Alexa LF family is known for.
Other Productions Using Similar or the Same Equipment
Apple TV and other premium streamers frequently invest in top-tier gear for a cinematic edge. Here are notable examples sharing similar large-format or high-end setups:
• Sony VENICE (often with vintage or specialized lenses like the Canon K35s) appears in many prestige TV productions for its color science and modularity. It’s a go-to for narrative work needing flexibility on location, much like the coastal shoots in “Widow’s Bay.”
• ARRI Alexa Mini LF and its large-format siblings deliver expansive resolution and shallow depth of field for epic scope, as seen in Silo and other ambitious Apple projects.
• Vintage Canon K35s and Caldwell Chameleons (both from specialist rental houses like Keslow and ARRI Rental) reflect a growing trend toward character-driven optics that give premium television a timeless, organic aesthetic.
“Widow’s Bay” and “Silo” prove that thoughtful gear choices (especially pairing modern digital cinema bodies with vintage or custom lenses) can elevate storytelling, whether it’s misty coastal horror or buried dystopian tension. If you’re a cinephile or filmmaker, these Apple TV productions highlight how far premium television cinematography has come.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
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