The HomeView can dim its display to just 0.3 nits for use on a nightstand or in dark environments, making it Apple's lowest-ever display brightness.


The 7-inch Liquid Retina display automatically adjusts its brightness as lighting conditions change, reaching up to 500 nits in bright rooms. Its 0.3-nit minimum allows it to dim substantially at night. True Tone also helps the screen adapt to changing ambient light.

Previously, Apple's dimmest display technology went down to just 1 nit. This feature debuted on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, and subsequently came to the iPhone.

The tabletop HomeView model features a stainless steel hinge that lets users tilt the display as required. Its interface responds to distance, showing simpler information from across the room and more detail as users move closer.

The HomeView also offers customizable faces, including weather information, photos, and animated designs. Apple says selected faces change throughout the day, adapting their appearance for mornings and evenings.

Apple's HomeView models launch on November 13 and cost $299 in the United States.
This article, "HomeView Can Dim to Apple's Lowest-Ever Display Brightness" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's new fourth-generation Apple TV 4K includes three built-in far-field microphones, allowing users to find something to watch and control playback without picking up the Siri Remote.


Users can activate the voice assistant by saying "Hey ‌Siri‌" or "‌Siri‌," including while a movie or TV show is playing. Apple says advanced echo cancellation separates the user's voice from background sound, helping the device recognize requests over the TV's audio.

The microphones also enable hands-free control of compatible smart home accessories and scenes. With ‌Siri‌ AI, users can search for entertainment conversationally and ask follow-up questions about what they are watching, with answers appearing in a compact overlay over the video.

Apple says the new Apple TV 4K and its A19 chip include Secure Exclaves, which are protected processing environments that handle microphone data separately from the rest of the system. According to Apple, data processed and analyzed inside these environments cannot be accessed by tvOS, apps, users, or Apple itself.

Far-field ‌Siri‌ support varies by region and language. The feature is supported when the primary tvOS language is set to English, Mandarin Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Norwegian, or Swedish.

The new ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is available to preorder today for $299 in the United States, with availability beginning November 13.
This article, "New Apple TV 4K Adds Far-Field Microphones for Hands-Free Siri" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's new HomeView supports Spatial Audio, with different speaker systems for its tabletop and wall-mounted models.


The tabletop model features two custom full-range drivers in its display, with a down-firing woofer and two force-canceling passive radiators housed in the domed base. Apple says this arrangement delivers clear sound with extended bass, distributing the audio hardware between the screen and its stand.

The HomeView's A18 chip and built-in sensors power computational audio that continuously adjust loudness and bass response. According to Apple, this processing helps maintain consistent, balanced sound at different volume levels.

The wall-mounted HomeView uses two custom drivers and computational audio tuned specifically for placement on a wall, but lacks the added speaker hardware in the tabletop models' base. It still supports Spatial Audio.


For music playback, HomeView supports multiroom audio alongside other HomeView devices, HomePod, HomePod mini, and AirPlay-compatible speakers. Handoff lets users transfer music from an iPhone by placing it in front of the HomeView's display. Apple Music displays animated album artwork and lyrics, while Apple Podcasts and compatible third-party audio apps can provide additional content.

The HomeView also features four beamforming microphones for Siri requests and FaceTime calls. Apple says the microphone array can pick up voices from across the room while reducing background noise.

Both HomeView models launch on November 13 and cost $299 in the U.S.
This article, "Apple Details HomeView's Audio Hardware" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today shared four new videos on its YouTube channel highlighting the newly announced HomeView smart home hub, fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini 2.


The longest video, "Welcome Apple HomeView: Designed for life at home," follows a family through a busy morning. It shows Siri helping retrieve a French toast recipe sent in Messages, locate misplaced keys, and check evening plans, alongside a FaceTime call with grandparents.



A second, shorter HomeView video provides an overview of the device's features, including personalized experiences for up to six users, ‌FaceTime‌ calls, Spatial Audio, and smart home controls. It also highlights the 7-inch Liquid Retina display and its customizable collection of display faces.



The HomePod mini 2 video focuses on the speaker's sound and compact design, showing its green, pink, blue, midnight, and white finishes. It also promotes multiroom audio and ‌Siri‌ AI, which Apple says will arrive on ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 in a future software update.



The Apple TV 4K video highlights Dolby Vision and HDR10+ playback, hands-free ‌Siri‌ control using built-in microphones, and the ability to play a sound to locate the updated ‌Siri‌ Remote. Apple also promotes the new four-speaker surround sound setup, which supports ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 and second-generation HomePod speakers in matching front and rear pairs.

Today's announcements also included the Apple Home Collection, a lineup of cameras, a door lock, thermostats, and sensors developed with LG and Schneider.

The HomeView, new ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, and ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 are available to pre-order today. The ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 launches on October 30, while the HomeView and new ‌Apple TV‌ 4K launch on November 13.

This article, "Apple Shares Videos for HomeView, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod Mini 2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's new HomeView smart home hub comes in four colors, but the wall-mounted model offers only two finishes.


The tabletop HomeView is available in silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray. Each finish comes with a matching USB-C cable.

The device features an anodized aluminum design, with a 7-inch Liquid Retina display attached to a domed speaker base. A stainless steel hinge allows the screen to tilt for viewing on a countertop, nightstand, or side table.

The wall-mounted HomeView is limited to silver and space gray, leaving starlight and rose pink exclusive to the tabletop version. It features the same 7-inch display and attaches to a wall using mounts from Schneider Home.

Both HomeView models launch on November 13 and cost $299 in the U.S.
This article, "HomeView Comes in Four Colors, but Wall-Mounted Model Gets Just Two" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today said that second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K models will gain Siri AI in beta with tvOS 27.2.

‌Siri‌ AI on the ‌Apple TV‌ adds conversational entertainment searches, follow-up questions, and personal context through a paired compatible device. Setup requires the Home app's home owner to have an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad running the latest software, with ‌Siri‌ AI enabled and set to a supported language. At launch, ‌Siri‌ AI will support English in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
This article, "Older Apple TV 4K Models to Gain Apple Intelligence and Siri AI Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's HomeView can turn web recipes into step-by-step cooking instructions with hands-free timers.


When viewing a recipe in Safari, users can tap the "Start Cooking" button to switch to a streamlined recipe layout. Apple also says HomeView offers help with ingredient tracking alongside the guided instructions.

Timers can be controlled hands-free, allowing users to manage cooking times without touching the display. HomeView supports multiple timers, with Live Activities keeping them visible while other apps are in use.

Handoff also supports recipes, so users can start browsing a recipe on their iPhone and continue on the HomeView when they reach the kitchen. The same feature supports transferring songs, podcasts, calls, and videos between the devices.


The tabletop model features a 7-inch Liquid Retina display attached to a domed speaker base, with a hinge that lets users adjust the screen's angle on a countertop.

Users can also listen to music or podcasts while cooking, or use Intercom to call family members for dinner through other HomeView and HomePod speakers.

The HomeView launches on November 13, with both the tabletop and wall-mounted models priced at $299 in the U.S.


This article, "HomeView Brings Guided Recipes and Hands-Free Timers to the Kitchen" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple uses a number of methods to keep HomeView users' personal information private, even when a whole household shares the device.


The device recognizes up to six people, giving each their own Home Screen with personalized apps and widgets. Apple says personal content stays private to each user, while shared photo albums and music can remain available to everyone in the household, including guests.

For content from apps such as Messages and Calendar to appear, HomeView must recognize the enrolled user's face, and their paired iPhone or iPad normally needs to be present and recently unlocked.

There is an exception when the paired iPhone or iPad disconnects from Wi-Fi. Personal information may remain accessible if the HomeView still recognizes the user and the paired device was recently connected to the same Wi-Fi network, has an active cellular connection, remains in the same location, and has been recently unlocked.

The HomeView's A18 chip includes Secure Exclaves, which is a protected processing environment that handles camera and microphone data separately from the rest of the system. Apple says isolation features across the chip prevent other components from accessing these environments. According to the company, data processed and analyzed within the Secure Exclaves cannot be accessed by HomeView's software, apps, users, or Apple itself.

Siri requests have their own privacy protections. The HomeView can handle requests on the device or use Private Cloud Compute, Apple's system for processing requests in the cloud. Apple says data processed through Private Cloud Compute is neither stored nor made accessible to Apple or anyone else.

The HomeView also works with compatible smart home cameras to provide end-to-end encrypted recognition of people, familiar faces, pets, packages, and vehicles with a supported iCloud+ subscription.
This article, "Apple's HomeView Touts These 5 Privacy Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today announced Apple Intelligence features for the Apple TV, bringing a more conversational Siri, personalized entertainment search, and summaries of smart home camera activity to the living room.


‌Siri‌ AI introduces a full-screen interface for finding movies and TV shows, with results featuring poster artwork from the ‌Apple TV‌ app and suggestions for related content. Users can ask which ‌Apple TV‌ shows won Emmy Awards this year, for example, and then explore recommendations for other award-winning shows.

While watching, viewers can ask follow-up questions about filming locations or whether a show is appropriate for a particular age. Answers appear in a small overlay over the video. Apple says the assistant also offers broader general knowledge and can perform more actions across apps.

Personal context support lets ‌Siri‌ AI find something to watch based on information from a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled device. Apple gives the example of asking ‌Siri‌ to "Play the show Alinda recommended," allowing the assistant to identify a recommendation without the user having to remember the title.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ also expands the ‌Apple TV‌'s capabilities as a home hub, adding descriptions of activity in HomeKit Secure Video recordings and summarized notifications in the Home app. ‌Siri‌ AI can also control compatible smart home accessories and turn scenes on or off.

‌Siri‌ AI will be available in beta with tvOS 27.2 on the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K and later, meaning owners of existing compatible models can also access the assistant. The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is available to preorder today for $299 in the United States, with availability beginning November 13.
This article, "Apple TV Finally Gaining Apple Intelligence and Siri AI" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Despite featuring an A18 chip and built-in Apple Intelligence support, Apple's new HomeView still depends on a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad for several features.


According to Apple's announcement, Siri requests involving personal context require a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or ‌iPad‌ running the latest software, with ‌Siri‌ AI enabled and set to a supported language. These capabilities include retrieving relevant information from Messages and Calendar, as well as taking action across apps using the user's personal context.

HomeView will still offer several ‌Siri‌ AI capabilities to users whose iPhone or ‌iPad‌ does not support ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Apple says these users can ask general-knowledge questions, hold natural conversations with ‌Siri‌, and benefit from improved music discovery. ‌Siri‌ requests on the HomeView can be processed on the device or through Private Cloud Compute.

Customizable ‌Siri‌ voices have more restrictive hardware requirements. Users can only adjust ‌Siri‌'s expressiveness and speaking pace on their paired device, with those preferences then carrying over to HomeView. This requires an iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, or an ‌iPad‌ with an M4 chip or later and at least 12GB of unified memory. The feature is available in English only.

Some of the HomeView's intelligent camera features also depend on another Apple device. Video summaries and natural language searches of HomeKit Secure Video recordings require setup using an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or ‌iPad‌, along with an eligible iCloud+ subscription.

The HomeView launches on November 13, with both the tabletop and wall-mounted models priced at $299 in the U.S.
This article, "HomeView Needs an iPhone or iPad for Some AI Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's new HomeView smart home hub will not be available in the European Union because Siri AI is currently unavailable on iOS in the region, the company said today. Apple said it is "working constructively with the EU in an attempt to find a path forward," but provided no timeline for EU availability. It costs $299 in the U.S. and launches on November 13 in eight countries around the world.
This article, "Apple HomeView Won't Be Available in the European Union" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today announced the "HomeView," an all-new kind of smart home hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and Siri AI.



Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said:

Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user. It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience, fills the room with incredible sound, keeps you connected to the people who matter most with FaceTime, and makes it easy to control your smart home. And it's powered by Apple Intelligence with Siri AI at its core, drawing on personal context from your iPhone to help you find what you need and get more done, all while keeping everyone's information private and secure.

The HomeView features an aluminum design, with the display connected to a domed speaker base by a stainless steel tilting hinge. Apple says it is ideal for a kitchen counter, nightstand, or side table. The 7-inch Liquid Retina display features True Tone and automatic brightness between 0.3 nits and 500 nits, making it ideal for low-light environments.



A custom-engineered acoustic system with two full-range drivers delivers "room-filling" Spatial Audio. A down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators are built directly into the base. With Handoff, users can continue listening to audio from their iPhone by placing it in front of the HomeView. It also supports multiroom audio.



The HomeView features faces that display information at a glance, including a Photos face, a "Flow" face that dynamically responds to movement, a Snoopy face that reflects context like the time of day and weather, a Home Modular face that offers instant access to smart home accessories, a Home Camera face that can livestream up to nine video feeds simultaneously, and more.



The HomeView's interface adjusts based on a user's distance, showing larger, simpler information from across a room and richer detail as a user steps closer. The device recognizes up to six people and delivers a personalized experience. Each user has their own Home Screen with apps and widgets. Apple says that personal content remains private, while shared photo albums and music can be enjoyed by all users, including guests.



The device features ‌Siri‌ AI, and used with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad, ‌Siri‌ AI can take action across apps and surface relevant information from Messages and Calendar, Apple Music playlists, and more. Users can also customize the expressiveness and pace of ‌Siri‌'s voice on their paired and compatible device. ‌Siri‌ AI conversations sync across devices.



Apple also said that "HomeView is the perfect sous chef," with the ability to convert recipes from the web into step-by-step instructions with hands-free timer controls and ingredient tracking. Moreover, the HomeView offers FaceTime and Center Stage, as well as Intercom for sending a quick message in the household.



The tabletop version is available in silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray, including matching cables. A wall-mounted version is available in silver and space gray only. It can be attached using three mount options from Schneider Home. The wall-mounted version delivers "rich sound" with two custom drivers and computational audio tuned specifically for on-wall placement.



The HomeView costs $299. Pre-orders start today, with launch on November 13. It is not available in the EU.
This article, "Apple Announces 'HomeView' Smart Home Hub" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Repeated glass breakages at BOE's new OLED factory have persisted for roughly six months, potentially hindering its attempt to win iPad display orders from Apple, The Elec reports.


The Chinese display maker apparently only recently begun Apple's panel qualification process. According to the report, the manufacturing difficulties could either postpone orders or prevent BOE from securing them.

A broken sheet of glass can leave production equipment unavailable for between half a day and a full day as workers remove fragments and check the machinery. That makes the issue disruptive even when most substrates pass through the line without breaking.

Sources cited by the publication warned that two or three breakages among 1,000 substrates could still interfere with mass production. The impact extends beyond the loss of the damaged sheet, because other production cannot proceed through the affected equipment during recovery. Sources said these incidents need to be almost entirely eliminated for continuous operation.

The affected facility is B16 in Chengdu, which houses BOE's 8.6-generation ‌OLED‌ production line. BOE continues to operate two lines there, but has yet to identify what causes the glass to fail.

Earlier reports linked BOE's iPad Air plans to its separate B12 facility in Chongqing, while B16 was associated with its effort to supply ‌OLED‌ MacBook Pro panels. The report from August anticipated the launch of new iPad Air models featuring ‌OLED‌ displays in the first half of 2027, with Samsung Display as the primary panel supplier.

BOE's previous work for Apple has also been interrupted by manufacturing and approval problems. In 2022, Apple reportedly halted production of BOE's iPhone 13 displays after discovering unauthorized changes to their design. Reports in 2023 described light leakage around the Dynamic Island cutouts that constrained supply of iPhone 15 panels. In January, a report said Apple had shifted millions of ‌OLED‌ panel orders for the iPhone to Samsung Display after BOE again encountered production difficulties.
This article, "BOE's Cracking Glass Problem Threatens OLED iPad Supply Plans" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's share of worldwide smartphone shipments rose to a third-quarter record of 22% in the third quarter of 2026, despite a decline in its own iPhone shipments, according to preliminary figures from Counterpoint Research.


Apple finished the quarter just behind Samsung, which accounted for 23% of shipments. Across the industry, manufacturers shipped 20% fewer smartphones than a year earlier, taking the July-to-September total to its lowest level since 2012.

Apple's launch plan was a significant factor in its lower shipment volume this year. With no standard iPhone 18 arriving alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, Counterpoint said Apple supplied fewer new devices to retail channels than during last year's iPhone 17 lineup launch.

The research firm nevertheless reported a better debut for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models than for the previous Pro generation, with sales in China and India standing out. Demand for the ‌iPhone 17‌ also continued to support shipments.

Apple also outperformed the wider market in China. Separate IDC figures reported by Reuters put Apple's shipment decline at 4.3%, compared with a 15.4% contraction for the country as a whole. China's total of 57.9 million units marked its sixth consecutive quarter of annual declines.

Apple took second place in China with a 17.8% share, behind Huawei at 21%. IDC said Apple's newly released iPhones exceeded sales expectations, although the smaller selection of new models reduced its overall shipments.

Counterpoint linked the global downturn to shortages and rising prices for memory chips, which have made phones more expensive to produce. It estimates that smartphone retail prices have risen 20% globally so far this year, with demand for premium smartphones proving to be more resilient than budget devices.
This article, "iPhone Takes Bigger Slice of a Shrinking Smartphone Market" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 arrives four years after the original model. Across three subsequent generations, Apple added a brighter and larger display, satellite connectivity, new health sensors, more capable chips, and longer battery life. For owners of the original Ultra, are those cumulative improvements enough to justify upgrading now, or can their existing watch last another year?



Both watches retain a 49mm titanium case, an Action button, a siren, dual-frequency GPS, and support for recreational diving to 40 meters. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the U.S. Apple discontinued the original Ultra in 2023, and it no longer supports the latest major watchOS release. Here are the key differences between the two models:

Apple Watch Ultra (first-generation)	‌Apple Watch Ultra 4‌
Natural titanium finish	Natural and black titanium finishes
LTPO2 OLED display with always-on updates once per minute	Wide-angle LTPO3 ‌OLED‌ display with 1Hz always-on updates, allowing supported faces to show ticking seconds
Up to 2,000 nits of brightness	Up to 3,000 nits of brightness; 1-nit minimum brightness
410 by 502 pixels; 1,185 sq mm display area	422 by 514 pixels; 1,245 sq mm display area (5% larger), with thinner display borders
Flashlight	Flashlight boost via Digital Crown
S8 chip	S11 chip
1GB RAM	4GB RAM
Neural Engine	4-core Neural Engine
	Secure Exclave for isolated audio processing
32GB storage	64GB storage
	Single tap, Double Tap, and wrist flick gestures
Siri processed in the cloud via an internet connection	On-device ‌Siri‌ for supported requests, including access to and logging of health and fitness data
Dictation	Improved on-device dictation
	‌Siri‌ AI support
First-generation Ultra Wideband chip	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Play a sound to locate an iPhone; locate accessories using Find Devices and Find Items	Precision Finding for compatible iPhone models, AirTag 2, and the AirPods Pro 3 charging case, with distance and direction guidance
	Automatic Now Playing controls and Smart Stack media suggestions when near a HomePod
Electrical heart sensor and third-generation optical heart sensor	Health Sensing System with new electrical and always-on optical heart sensors
Background heart-rate measurements	Background heart-rate measurements every five seconds
Heart-rate variability (HRV) measurements	More frequent measurements of overall HRV and Recovery HRV
Overnight Vitals view	Overnight and daytime Vitals views
	Readiness app
	Sleep apnea notifications
	Hypertension notifications
Blood Oxygen readings viewable on the watch	On affected U.S. models, Blood Oxygen readings are analyzed on the paired iPhone and viewed in its Health app
Step tracking and estimated indoor workout distance	More accurate all-day step tracking and indoor workout distance measurements, plus a Steps watch-face complication
Workout Buddy requires a nearby Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone	Enhanced Workout Buddy with additional insights and Spanish support
	Live Translation in Messages when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone
LTE and UMTS cellular connectivity	LTE and 5G cellular connectivity, with improved weak-signal reception through simultaneous use of both antennas
	Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My via satellite
	Audio Intelligence: Sound Recognition, automatic music identification, Live Rewind, and ‌Siri‌ Recap
Built-in speakers for calls, alerts, and ‌Siri‌	Built-in speakers for calls, alerts, ‌Siri‌, and media playback
Up to 36 hours of normal use	Up to 50 hours of normal use
Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, according to Apple's current comparison page	Up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 12 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking	Up to 18 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking
Low Power Mode during workouts, with an optional setting for fewer GPS and heart-rate readings	Extended Workout mode: up to 25 hours with full GPS and heart-rate readings; Max Extended Workout mode: up to 45 hours with GPS readings every second
Charges from 0 to 80% in about one hour	Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes of charging for up to 18 hours of normal use; five minutes for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
61.3 grams	Natural titanium: 63.0 grams; black titanium: 63.1 grams
Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou	Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Supports watchOS 26	Supports watchOS 27, including the ‌Siri‌ app, dynamic app grid, new Smart Stack suggestions, Call Context, and consolidated ‌Find My‌ app
Now discontinued	Starts at $799

Existing first-generation Apple Watch Ultra owners can reasonably keep their watch for another year if its battery still covers their usual days and workouts. Losing support for ‌watchOS 27‌ is significant, but it does not prevent the original Ultra from continuing to handle notifications, activity tracking, navigation, and its other existing features. Owners satisfied with those capabilities may prefer to eke out another year of use and wait to see whether next year's model offers a more substantial upgrade.

However, the Ultra 4 is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone already running into the original model's limitations. The new Health Sensing System provides more detailed heart-rate and recovery insights, while sleep apnea and hypertension notifications expand its health capabilities. These changes are most compelling if you will use the additional information to follow changes in your daily condition or adjust your training.

Longer battery life and satellite connectivity strengthen the case for owners who record extended workouts or regularly travel beyond cellular coverage. If your original Apple Watch Ultra now struggles to finish an outing without charging, the improved battery life is a practical reason to replace it. The larger, brighter display, newer gestures, Audio Intelligence, and expanded Precision Finding support also make the cumulative upgrade more noticeable in everyday use.

Software support is a major reason to move on. The original Apple Watch Ultra cannot run watchOS 27, so it misses ‌Siri‌ AI and the latest operating system's other additions. If those features would materially improve how you use your watch, waiting another year means accepting those limitations in the meantime.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Tim Cook is visiting China for the third time this year, with talks in Guangdong focused on expanding Apple's manufacturing and sales operations, the South China Morning Post reports.



This is Cook's first China trip in his capacity as Apple's executive chairman. He moved into the position on September 1 when John Ternus took over as CEO. Apple has said part of Cook's work involves relationships with government policymakers.

On October 11, Cook reportedly held talks with Guangdong governor Meng Fanli. Suppliers and partners located in Guangdong play a major role in Apple's business in China, and Cook is said to have expressed interest in doing more locally through smart manufacturing and additional sales channels. Meng said the province would support further expansion, including research and development.

In Guangzhou, a creator used an iPhone 18 Pro to capture martial arts footage while Cook watched. Cook posted "Great to be back in China!" on Weibo on Saturday. Customers also reported a visit to one of Guangzhou's Apple Stores on Sunday.

Cook traveled to Chengdu and Beijing in March as Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary, and addressed the China Development Forum. In May, he was among the business leaders who accompanied President Donald Trump for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The trip comes several weeks after sales of the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max started. Counterpoint Research put Apple first in China's smartphone sales ranking for September 14 to 20. During their first three days on sale in China, the new Pro phones sold 12% more units than their predecessors had managed over the full first week of availability last year.
This article, "Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is marking India's festive diwali season with a limited edition of the AirPods 5, featuring a rangoli-inspired engraving.


The case's design draws on the traditional Indian art form, arranging a decorative pattern around a heart-eyes emoji. The earbuds cost ₹17,900 (approximately $187), matching the Indian price of the regular AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case.

The celebrations also include free rangoli workshops created with artist Arushi Kathuria. Participants will use Procreate on the iPad with an Apple Pencil, including a custom brush that recreates the appearance of powder. Sessions run from October 14 through November 9 in India and at selected locations in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Sales of the limited edition AirPods began on October 11 and will continue through to November 11, 2026, subject to stock. Customers can order through Apple's online store and Apple Store app, or purchase at its six retail locations in India.

Apple limits purchases to two pairs per customer and excludes the edition from other AirPods promotions and Business, Education, and Corporate Employee Purchase Plan pricing. Its purchase terms also caution that repairs or replacements may involve standard-edition ‌AirPods 5‌ with Wireless Charging Case, depending on supply.

(Thanks, svish!)
This article, "Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's next entry-level iPad models, codenamed J581 and J582, will not arrive until early 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

He added that Apple plans a major iPad Air refresh to add an OLED display and a new iPad Pro in 2027. The latter could gain a vapor chamber to improve thermals and performance. A new iPad mini is still expected to arrive at the end of October this year.
This article, "New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is preparing new displays and large numbers of demo units for the iPhone Duo's October 23 launch, but supply will be limited, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Ahead of the October 23 launch, Apple plans to set aside a section of its Fifth Avenue flagship store for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Most locations will add an extra spotlight table for the device, using Apple's white display tables with central posts. Gurman said a new fixture will show how the phone folds and unfolds.

The number of demonstration devices will vary considerably between locations. Fifth Avenue in New York is expected to receive more than 150 units for customers to try and for other displays, compared with nearly 100 at the Apple Park Visitor Center. Non-flagship stores will receive approximately 20 units each on average.

Three other prominent stores will fall between those allocations: Chicago's Michigan Avenue, The Grove in Los Angeles, and Manhattan's Upper West Side. Each is expected to have approximately 30 to 40 devices.

Visitors will be able to explore StandBy on untethered phones in the Avenue display areas along the sides of stores. For comparisons on store tables, Apple has designed a MagSafe stand that accommodates an open ‌iPhone Duo‌ and two conventional iPhones.

The retail preparations come as Apple faces tighter supply than it had anticipated. According to Gurman, around two months ago the company believed production constraints could prevent sales from starting until later in November. It has since assembled sufficient inventory to proceed with this month's release, although stock is expected to remain limited.

Apple is also equipping stores with "Presto" machines adapted for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Apple's wireless system can install software updates without opening an iPhone's packaging, and will also add the buyer's name to the greeting displayed during the device's first startup. Gurman previously said the personalized greeting will be offered in U.S. Apple Stores in English and Spanish.

‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders open October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with sales starting on October 23. The 256GB model starts at $1,999 in the United States.
This article, "Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple offers two versions of the AirPods 5: a $129 model with a USB-C Charging Case and a $149 model with a Wireless Charging Case. The extra $20 also buys longer battery life, swipe volume controls, and additional Find My features, so there are differences between the earbuds themselves as well as their cases.


Both models include Active Noise Cancellation as standard, the H2 chip, the same open-ear design, and the same redesigned acoustic architecture with updated Adaptive EQ. They also share Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, studio-quality audio recording, and IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance. Both support Live Translation when paired with a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled, in supported languages and regions.

The earbuds have identical dimensions and weight. The cases are also the same size, although the Wireless Charging Case is slightly heavier. There are still some notable differences to justify the price difference. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.

AirPods 5	AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case
Force sensor	Force sensor with swipe volume controls
Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control off)	Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control off)
Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled	Up to 22 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
Charging Case (USB-C)	Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers
	Case speaker for Find My and charging and battery status sounds
Find My with last-connected location and sound playback on the earbuds	Find My network tracking, sound playback on the earbuds, separate locations for each earbud and the case, and individual Lost Mode support
Charging case weighs 32.3 grams (1.14 ounces)	Charging case weighs 34.7 grams (1.22 ounces)
$129	$149

For most people, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are clearly the better buy. The extra $20 is a very small premium for conveniences you are likely to appreciate if you use your AirPods regularly. Longer listening time is useful for travel and extended sessions, while swipe volume controls let you make adjustments without reaching for your iPhone or asking Siri.

The higher-end model is worth considering even if you plan to charge exclusively over USB-C. Wireless charging becomes more useful if you already have a Qi charger or Apple Watch charger. Its additional Find My features are valuable if you tend to misplace your AirPods, allowing you to locate the earbuds and case separately and use the Find My network when they are beyond your device's range. The case speaker also helps when it slips between cushions or gets buried in a bag.

The standard AirPods 5 make more sense if you are on a very strict budget, want a secondary pair, or mostly listen for short periods. You still get the same audio technology and noise cancellation, so saving $20 does not mean compromising on those core features. You simply need to be comfortable with USB-C charging, shorter battery life, fewer controls, and more limited Find My functionality.

The charging cases are not interchangeable between the two models. If you buy the standard AirPods 5, you cannot add wireless charging later by purchasing the other model's case, making it worth deciding which features you want before buying.

Before buying, compare prices using our Deals roundup, since discounts can change the price gap between the two models.

If you're considering an upgrade from AirPods 4 or want to see what changed between generations, our AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5 Buyer's Guide compares the improvements and explains whether upgrading is worthwhile.
This article, "AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple shares fell more than 2.5% in early trading today in response to Nikkei Asia's report that the company is cutting iPhone 18 Pro component orders due to weaker-than-expected demand. October orders were reportedly reduced by at least 15%, with higher memory costs and $100 price increases weighing on demand.
This article, "Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we look ahead to Apple's recently announced October 13 event and its expected push into the smart home market, including a dedicated home hub, the HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV.


Apple is expected to introduce its first smart home hub, a new ‌HomePod mini‌, and an updated ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Siri AI is expected to be central to all three devices, following years of delays.

The impending launch also comes amid Apple's reported efforts under CEO John Ternus to introduce products more frequently and accelerate development. Moving beyond predictable spring and fall release cycles could give Apple more opportunities to experiment, particularly in categories where existing products have gone years without substantial hardware changes.

The home hub is expected to feature a square 6-inch display, with a tabletop version resembling the iMac G4 and a separate wall-mounted model. Its new operating system reportedly combines customizable clock and photo displays, Apple Watch-style app icons, and iPad-like layouts. A range of apps including FaceTime, Music, Calendar, Notes, and more should make it useful for quick interactions throughout the day. Facial and voice recognition will bring up individual profiles, while a guest mode will hide personal information from visitors. The device is rumored to start at around $350.

The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is rumored to tout an A19 or A19 Pro chip, additional memory, Apple's N1 networking chip, and an updated ‌Siri‌ Remote, while retaining its existing design. The hardware should improve gaming performance and enable Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 is also expected to retain its current design, with leaked images revealing green, pink, and lighter blue finishes alongside white and black. A faster S-series chip would support Siri AI. A new full-sized HomePod is reportedly planned for a later date. Separately, software findings point to four-HomePod surround sound mode.

Apple's reported collaboration with LG could help expand the ecosystem around the home hub. The planned lineup includes a video doorbell, deadbolt lock, thermostat, and temperature sensor, along with indoor, outdoor, and floodlight cameras. These would carry LG branding, with Apple reportedly contributing to their development.

Apple's longer-term plans also include its own privacy-focused camera and sensor, reportedly designed to analyze the home without recording video. A higher-end home hub with a 9-inch display mounted on a robotic arm also reportedly remains in development.

Apple has now announced a product event for Tuesday, October 13, sharing a "Welcome home" teaser. Selected members of the media have been invited to an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or other podcast apps. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion with photographer and videographer Tyler Stalman about whether the iPhone 18 Pro's camera is a compelling reason to upgrade, how its new features affect everyday shooting, and what photographers gain or give up with the iPhone Duo.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Michael Fisher, Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
This article, "The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Smart home accessories that Apple reportedly helped LG develop could offer iPhone proximity controls and a way to begin setup before the devices have power, according to findings shared by the leaker known as "pdfu."


The findings concern the upcoming LG-branded accessory range that Bloomberg revealed earlier this week. The lineup reportedly includes a thermostat, temperature sensor, deadbolt lock, wired video doorbell, and several security cameras. Apple apparently co-developed the accessories.

One of the features, called "Proximity Control," will surface a shortcut when an iPhone is tapped against or brought close to an accessory. Pdfu says the Dynamic Island will present an "Open Controls" option for products such as thermostats. Cameras and doorbells will instead display a camera viewer.

The interaction will also apparently work on iPads and iPhones without a ‌Dynamic Island‌, using a notification that remains visible for 30 seconds. A setting in the Home app will let users switch proximity controls off after configuring the accessory.

MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris identified the Dynamic Island references earlier this week. Pdfu says the underlying feature has appeared in code since iOS 27.0, with its settings changing during development. Earlier versions included an option to open controls automatically, but the enabled setting in iOS 27.2 currently asks users to open them through a prompt.

According to the leaker, the accessories will use an identifier stored on an NFC tag alongside a Bluetooth Low Energy broadcast to support recognition and proximity interactions. Tapping a device for the first time will also produce ‌Dynamic Island‌ feedback as setup begins.



The second feature, described in a separate post, will allow pairing to start while an accessory is unpowered. An iPhone will transfer its pairing identity and network credentials into the accessory's secure element using near-field communication (NFC). When the device receives power, it will connect to Wi-Fi or Thread, allowing a home hub to finish Matter setup.

Pdfu says that this setup method will be exclusive to HomeKit. LG replaces the secure element's Matter NFC applet with a ‌HomeKit‌ applet, even though iOS 27 also supports standard Matter NFC. Conventional Matter pairing will remain available once the accessories are powered on.



Proximity Control is still being revised across beta releases, according to pdfu, so its behavior could change before shipping.

Apple yesterday announced its "Welcome home" event for Tuesday, October 13, with a home hub, updated Apple TV 4K, and refreshed HomePod mini expected to be announced. Apple could provide a preview of LG's accessories, although Bloomberg says their release remains at least a few months away.
This article, "Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple's Mac shipments declined 11.3% in the third quarter of 2026, but the company increased its market share as worldwide PC shipments fell more sharply, according to IDC's latest preliminary estimates.


Apple shipped an estimated 5.9 million Macs between July and September, compared with 6.7 million a year earlier. That put Apple's market share at 9.5%, up from 8.5% in the third quarter of 2025. Apple retained fourth place in IDC's vendor rankings.

Across all brands, shipments dropped to 62.7 million units from 78.5 million a year earlier, a decline of 20.1%. The downturn followed a 3.8% annual decrease in the second quarter. Third-quarter shipments were also 9.1% below the second-quarter total, despite this usually being a busier period for the industry.

Lenovo led the market with 14.9 million shipments, followed by HP with 10.3 million and Dell with 7.6 million. Their respective declines were 22.6%, 30.9%, and 25%. ASUS, in fifth place with 5.5 million shipments, recorded an 8.6% decrease, making it the only top-five vendor with a smaller percentage decline than Apple.

IDC says the timing of earlier orders contributed to the weak quarter. Manufacturers and distribution partners secured stock sooner than usual to limit their exposure to rising memory costs, reducing the volume left for later in the year. With sellers still holding that inventory, there was apparently less need to order additional devices during the third quarter.

The research firm also cited component shortages and higher prices, linking the pressure on supply and costs to the expansion of AI data centers. Apple raised prices in June, with former CEO Tim Cook citing sharply rising memory expenses during the company's July earnings call.

IDC added that sellers could offer discounts to reduce unsold stock, but it does not expect prices to return to where they were a year ago. The firm also warned that a weakening economy could further depress demand through the end of 2026 and into 2027.
This article, "Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Amazon today announced a new lineup of Alexa Tablets, introducing three aluminum tablets with Google Play access, integrated Alexa+, and prices starting at $229.99 to compete with Apple's iPad lineup.


The new tablets run Android, moving away from Amazon's Fire OS and its separate app store. Google Play support brings access to apps such as YouTube, Gmail, and Google Docs, addressing a longstanding limitation of Amazon's tablets.

The flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499.99 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, aiming to rival the iPad Pro at a significantly lower price point. It features a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chip, a 12-inch display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 6.5mm-thick aluminum body, Wi-Fi 6E, and quad Dolby Atmos speakers. Amazon claims that the device has up to 16 hours of video playback.

A $549.99 version adds a "Nanomatte" display, using precision-etched glass developed with Corning to reduce glare. Higher configurations offer up to 16GB of RAM. Unlike Apple's nano-texture display option, which requires a 1TB or 2TB ‌iPad Pro‌, Amazon's matte finish is available with 128GB of storage.


Amazon is also introducing a $149.99 Pro Keyboard and $89.99 Pro Pen for the 12-inch model. Both attach magnetically, while the keyboard includes a trackpad and connects without Bluetooth pairing. The pen supports pressure sensitivity and wireless charging, and the tablet supports multiple app windows for multitasking.

The Alexa Tablet 11 starts at $329.99 with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, offering an 11-inch 2.5K display with a 90Hz refresh rate. A 128GB version costs $379.99. The smaller Alexa Tablet 8 starts at $229.99 with an 8.7-inch display, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.


Alexa+ can answer questions and control smart home devices through voice or touch. An optional On-Screen Intelligence feature lets the assistant respond to displayed content, with screen access disabled by default and a visual indicator when active. Tablet-specific Alexa+ access is included, while full access across compatible Alexa devices requires Prime membership or a separate Alexa+ subscription.

The lineup also introduces a Kindle reading mode that silences notifications and reduces blue-light output. Amazon quotes up to 20 hours of reading on the 11-inch and Pro models, and up to 19 hours on the compact model.

The tablets undercut several models in Apple's lineup. The Alexa Tablet 11 starts below the $449 entry-level iPad, although Apple's model includes 128GB of storage. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro costs less than the $749 11-inch iPad Air, while offering a larger display and higher refresh rate. Apple's $1,199 ‌iPad Pro‌ offers a tandem OLED display and an M5 chip.


Amazon also announced Kids tablets in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, starting at $229.99 and $329.99, respectively. Versions for ages three and up include a soft bumper case, while those for ages six and up come with a slim hard case. Each includes a year of Amazon Kids+ and parent-managed access to Google Play.

Parents can set screen-time limits, filter content, and monitor activity through the Parent Dashboard, also available on iOS and Android. A new AI-powered Storybuilder feature lets children use their voices to create illustrated stories.

Orders open today, with shipping starting October 14 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain on October 19. The Kids models also launch in Japan on October 14.
This article, "Amazon Unveils New iPad Rivals With Alexa+ and Google Play" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Jon Prosser is arguing that Apple's alleged trade secrets are now public, while the company seeks his YouTube revenue records, channel analytics, and third-party messages to investigate his alleged financial gain from leaks about iOS 26.


In a new joint status report filed yesterday, Apple said it is still waiting for YouTube revenue reports, channel analytics, and third-party communications requested from Prosser more than three months ago. The materials concern his alleged financial gain and how Apple's confidential information was obtained and shared, continuing the discovery dispute detailed in August.

Prosser's lawyer says he has already fulfilled the discovery obligations agreed to when the parties sought to set aside the default against him. He says Apple keeps requesting more documents each time records are produced.

His attorney also argues that Apple's identified trade secrets are now public following the release of ‌iOS 26‌ and macOS 26, and questions whether some were ever secret given earlier third-party disclosures. He says Apple's written descriptions lack corresponding images, making its claims difficult to assess.

Apple disputes that its disclosure is deficient and says it is willing to discuss it with the defendants' lawyers. It also says Prosser's deposition testimony and his Signal exchanges with Michael Ramacciotti suggest the pair coordinated to obtain and disclose confidential information for financial gain, contradicting Ramacciotti's denial of a conspiracy.

Ramacciotti wants to distance his case from Prosser's defense, with his lawyer saying he is "unwilling to be drawn into it." He has asked Judge James Donato for an October conference at which Apple would explain what further evidence it needs, followed by a deadline within 30 days to dismiss its claims against him or commit to trial. He now conditions a second deposition and updated written answers on Apple first providing a roadmap to resolution.

Apple filed the lawsuit in July 2025, alleging that Prosser and Ramacciotti coordinated to access an Apple employee's development iPhone and profit from unreleased software information. Prosser published videos showing recreations of ‌iOS 26‌'s Liquid Glass redesign before Apple's announcement. Apple is seeking damages and an injunction against further disclosure of its trade secrets.

In his July 2 response to the lawsuit, Prosser admitted participating in a FaceTime call during which Ramacciotti showed him features running on the development device. He denied participating in a coordinated scheme or that the information he viewed constituted trade secrets.

If the court does not grant Ramacciotti's request for an October status conference, the parties plan to submit their next update on December 2.
This article, "Leaker Jon Prosser Pushes Back as Apple Seeks His YouTube Data" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

FCC filings reveal the designs of three upcoming LG smart home accessories that Apple reportedly helped develop, including a thermostat, a temperature sensor, and a deadbolt lock.


Yesterday, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working with LG Electronics on accessories for its upcoming home hub and other home products, citing regulatory documents without sharing the filings. FCC records MacRumors found contain label-placement drawings, three-dimensional renderings, and technical reports, providing a first look at the products' housings and additional details about their capabilities.

The smart thermostat, model TMCTAW5W, has a round, puck-like body with a raised edge. The drawing shows its back, with a small socket near the center and two round bumps near the bottom. Its specifications list a 24-volt AC power supply.


The Matter logo and QR setup code sit in the middle of the back, with regulatory text printed in a circle around them. A separate drawing shows the wiring connections arranged in two curved rows, with one on each side. LG's logo appears in the printing instructions.

The thermostat supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread. A dedicated radio test report also confirms a built-in 60 GHz radar. This could enable presence or approach detection.

According to the leaker known as "pdfu," the thermostat offers a "Far Sight Display" setting, an option to display humidity, and controls for screen brightness and language. The leaker also lists temperature calibration and temperature offset settings, allowing users to adjust its temperature readings.

The temperature sensor, model TMST2A6W, is also round and runs on a 3-volt CR2477 coin battery. On its back, the product name, model number, and manufacturing information curve around the outer edge.

The middle contains the Matter setup code on the left, a battery warning symbol in the center, and a UL certification mark on the right. Its test report confirms Bluetooth Low Energy and Thread connectivity.


The temperature sensor measures both temperature and humidity, according to pdfu. Its magnetic back allows it to attach directly to metal surfaces, while an included metal plate with adhesive enables mounting on other surfaces. The sensor's battery is replaceable, and it provides alerts when a replacement is needed.

The smart deadbolt lock has a tall interior unit with straight sides and curved top and bottom ends. The filings reveal Graphite and Silver versions of the device, with model numbers TMCDD15G and TMCDD15S, respectively.

It runs on four AA batteries, which sit vertically side by side in a compartment in the upper half. Below them, a large, rotating circular section takes up almost the full width of the lower half. The Matter setup code and regulatory text sit above the battery compartment, near the top of the unit.


The lock supports Bluetooth, Thread, near-field communication, and ultra wideband (UWB). An accompanying FCC order explains that it first verifies a compatible device's access credentials over Bluetooth, then uses UWB to determine its position before granting access. This provides more detail about the proximity-based automatic unlocking described in yesterday's report.

According to pdfu, the lock's keypad rotates open, with an included swivel pin allowing movement to be restricted on one side to prevent it from hitting a nearby wall. Its settings include controls for the touchpad's light ring, a "Door Left Audio Alarm," and lock sound volume. The lock also reportedly supports automatic unlocking, tap to unlock, emergency power, and master codes, comes with two mechanical keys, and fits 2.375-inch (60.3 mm) and 2.75-inch (69.9 mm) brackets.



Apple is not identified in the documents; its involvement is known about because of Bloomberg's report. Labels also refer to Hyundai HT Global's factory in Vietnam.

The three devices are part of a broader seven-product lineup that reportedly also includes a wired video doorbell, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and floodlight camera. LG will sell the accessories under its own brand, with Apple reportedly helping to shape their designs, features, and engineering. The arrangement would allow Apple to easily expand its home ecosystem while LG handles production and support.

Apple and LG have collaborated before, including on UltraFine 4K and 5K displays designed for Macs. LG also expanded its smart home business in 2024 by acquiring an 80% stake in Athom, the company behind the Homey smart home platform.

Apple is reportedly preparing an aggressive expansion into the smart home market, with a new home hub, Apple TV 4K, and HomePod mini expected on October 13. Its longer-term plans also include a higher-end home hub with a display mounted on a robotic arm. Apple is separately developing its own AI-powered home security camera and sensor, which remains distinct from LG's accessories and is still expected in 2027.
This article, "First Look at LG's Smart Home Products Made With Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The Apple Watch Series 12 is now available, three years after the Series 9. In that time, Apple has introduced a thinner design, larger displays, faster charging, new water sensors, and a substantially more capable health sensing system. Is that enough to justify replacing a Series 9?


Apple discontinued the Series 9 in 2024. The older watch still supports watchOS 27, so the decision comes down to the hardware and features you would gain. Here are the key differences between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 12:

Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 12
41mm and 45mm cases, 10.7mm thick	42mm and 46mm cases, 9.7mm thick in aluminum and titanium; ceramic cases are 9.85mm thick
Aluminum or stainless steel case	Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic case
Aluminum: Silver, Starlight, Midnight, Pink, and (PRODUCT)RED	Aluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray
Stainless steel: Silver, Gold, and Graphite	Titanium: Radiant Gold and Natural Ceramic: Pearl White and Night Blue
Ion-X front glass on aluminum models; sapphire crystal on stainless steel models	Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminum models; sapphire crystal on titanium and ceramic models
Ceramic and sapphire crystal back	Case-matched metal or ceramic and zirconia back
41mm: 904 sq mm display area 45mm: 1,143 sq mm display area	42mm: 970 sq mm display area 46mm: 1,196 sq mm display area
LTPO OLED Always-On Retina display	LTPO3 wide-angle ‌OLED‌ Always-On Retina display with a 1Hz refresh rate, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch faces
S9 chip	S11 chip
2GB RAM	4GB RAM
Electrical heart sensor	Second-generation electrical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor	Fourth-generation, always-on optical heart sensor
Periodic background heart rate readings	Background heart rate readings every five seconds
Heart rate variability (HRV) measurements	Recovery HRV and overall HRV, measured up to 24 times more frequently
Vitals app with overnight health metrics	Vitals app with Recovery HRV and a daytime vitals view
	Readiness app with a daily score and recommendation
Step tracking	Redesigned step tracking and a Steps watch face complication
Wrist temperature sensor	Wrist and water temperature sensors
	Depth gauge to 6 meters and Depth app
Microphone	Microphone with Voice Isolation
Speaker	Redesigned speaker with media playback
	Audio Intelligence, including Sound Recognition, faster Shazam, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap
LTE and UMTS on cellular models	LTE and 5G RedCap on cellular models
Up to 18 hours of normal use; up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode	Up to 24 hours of normal use; up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes	Up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes; 15 minutes of charging provides up to 12 hours of normal use
Now discontinued	From $399

Design

The Series 12 uses a similar version of the thinner design introduced with the Series 10. Its display area is about 7% larger in the smaller size and 5% larger in the larger size than the corresponding Series 9 models. The Series 12 figures below are for aluminum models; its ceramic cases are slightly larger and heavier:

	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 12
Smaller case	41mm × 35mm × 10.7mm	42mm × 37mm × 9.7mm
Larger case	45mm × 38mm × 10.7mm	46mm × 40mm × 9.7mm
Smaller aluminum model, GPS	31.9 grams	32.2 grams
Larger aluminum model, GPS	38.7 grams	39.5 grams
Smaller aluminum model, cellular	32.1 grams	31.5 grams
Larger aluminum model, cellular	39.0 grams	38.6 grams

The Series 12 is noticeably thinner, but the comparable aluminum GPS models are slightly heavier than their Series 9 counterparts. Buyers moving from a stainless steel Series 9 to a titanium Series 12 will see a more substantial weight reduction because the case material has changed.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

For Series 9 owners, the Series 12 is a meaningful cumulative upgrade, particularly if you use your watch for training and recovery. Its more frequent heart rate and HRV readings support Readiness, Recovery HRV, and daytime vitals, while the redesigned case provides a larger, squarer display with a more modern feel. The depth gauge and water temperature sensor also add useful information for swimmers and snorkelers.

Those improvements are less compelling if you mainly use your watch for notifications, everyday activity tracking, and occasional workouts. The Series 9 still has an always-on display, ECG, wrist temperature sensing, Double Tap, sleep apnea and hypertension notifications, and support for ‌watchOS 27‌. ‌Siri‌ AI is also available on the Series 9 when paired with a compatible iPhone.

The Series 12 also has a slightly larger battery and charges faster, but likely not by enough to justify an upgrade alone. The Series 12's Audio Intelligence features may strengthen the case for some users, especially Sound Recognition for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Live Rewind and ‌Siri‌ Recap will arrive in beta in late 2026.

Which to Buy Today?

For a new purchase, the Series 12 is clearly the better choice. It offers three generations of accumulated improvements at the same $399 starting price the Series 9 had when new. The older model makes sense only at a substantial discount if you are satisfied with its existing health features.

A used or refurbished Series 9 can still be good value, but check its battery health, physical condition, and warranty before comparing prices. A worn battery could quickly erase the saving.
This article, "Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple initially planned to equip the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and iPhone Duo with 16GB of RAM, according to the leaker known as "Instant Digital."


The brief Weibo post does not say when Apple considered that capacity. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max feature 12GB of RAM, as confirmed through Xcode 27, matching the iPhone 17 Pro models. The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is also expected to have 12GB, but the Xcode data used to verify the Pro models did not yet include the foldable.

Rumors had pointed to 12GB for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ well before launch. In April 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the iPhone 18 lineup would have 12GB of RAM. Analyst Jeff Pu projected the same capacity for the Pro models and Apple's first foldable iPhone in January. A March report from The Bell said Samsung would supply 12GB memory modules for the ‌iPhone Duo‌.

The global memory shortage is the likely explanation for the apparent change. The March report described sharply rising prices for the 12GB modules, while Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that memory costs led Apple to discuss a higher starting price for the foldable. Kuo also said DRAM shortages were forcing Apple to scale back its 2026 hardware shipment plans.

‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders begin October 16, ahead of availability on October 23.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

HomePod mini shipping estimates now stretch to as long as eight weeks in several countries, while some colors are unavailable for delivery, adding to signs that a rumored refresh may be close.


On Apple's U.S. online store, yellow and orange are currently unavailable for delivery to various ZIP codes. Blue and white have estimated delivery dates of October 14–21, while midnight is estimated for October 12–14. Dates may differ by address.

In the UK, blue is unavailable for delivery, yellow is estimated to ship in three to four weeks, and orange in six to eight weeks. The orange model also has a six-to-eight-week shipping estimate in Germany, France, Australia, and Japan. Both yellow and orange are unavailable for delivery in Canada, although other colors generally ship within a few business days.

The delays come ahead of a rumored October 13 introduction of a new ‌HomePod mini‌, alongside an updated Apple TV 4K and a new smart home hub. The ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 is expected to retain its current design while gaining a faster chip, Apple Intelligence support, and new color options.

Similar ‌HomePod mini‌ shortages have occurred intermittently for more than a year, but there is often a correlation between delays and the launch of new products.
This article, "HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums