Adam Engst examines Apple’s Digital ID—which lets you present passport-based identification at TSA checkpoints using Wallet—but questions its usefulness when physical IDs are still required in most cases. He also provides a detailed guide to setting contact avatars and posters, explaining why what should be a straightforward process has become a maze of photo pickers and inconsistent interfaces. We briefly link to Apple’s fashion-forward iPhone Pocket collaboration with Issey Miyake and share Ben Thompson’s insights on how AI infrastructure investments will survive the bubble. Notable Mac app releases this week include Bookends 15.2.2, ChronoSync 12 and ChronoAgent 12, Firefox 145, Hazel 6.1, and SoundSource 5.8.10.
Apple’s new Digital ID lets US passport holders add an ID to the iPhone’s Wallet app for TSA identity checks, but it’s no replacement for your physical license or passport.
Want to make your iPhone’s Phone app and contact cards more visually appealing? Adam Engst walks you through the often frustrating process of customizing contact avatars and posters.
Watchlist
Introduces a new Apple-related AI feature to the reference management tool. ($74.99 new, free update, 126 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Upgraded synchronization and backup tools bring full compatibility with macOS 26 Tahoe and added features. ($49.99 new for ChronoSync, $19.99 new for ChronoAgent, free updates for previous licenses, various sizes, macOS 10.14+)
Updates the venerable Web browser with several handy improvements. (Free, 143.2 MB, macOS 10.15+)
Brings a new Liquid Glass look to the automation and cleanup utility for macOS 26 Tahoe. ($42 new, free update, 27.9 MB, macOS 13+)
Brings full macOS 26 Tahoe support to the audio control utility. ($45 new, free update, 38.7 MB, macOS 14.5+)
