We explore the tension between tools and content in Apple’s worldview, as Adam Engst explains his fundamental concern with the new Liquid Glass interface design—it’s not just about occasional illegibility, but rather a philosophical shift away from computers as creative tools. He follows up with a comparison of macro photography between last year’s iPhone 16 Pro and the new iPhone 17, offering practical insights for anyone choosing between the two. Briefly, we highlight Nick Heer’s thoughtful analysis of Liquid Glass and its varying success across platforms. Notable Mac app releases this week include Affinity Designer, Photo, and Publisher 2.6.4; Final Cut Pro 11.2, Compressor 4.11, and Motion 5.11; and PopChar 10.5.