Google today said eligible college students in the United States can get a free year of Google AI Pro. Google AI Pro is normally priced at $19.99 per month, and it includes 4x higher usage limits in Gemini, access to Gemini Spark, Gemini in Google apps like Gmail and Google Docs, and 5TB of storage space.


Eligible college students outside the United States can get a free year of Google AI Plus, which includes Gemini Omni, 4x higher usage limits in Gemini, and 400GB storage.

College students can also opt for a Google AI Pro and YouTube Premium bundle for $8.99 per month in the United States, which is a 70 percent discount off the regular price. Students can subscribe to the YouTube Premium bundle for up to four years, and verification through SheerID is required.

Google added a student hub to Gemini with study notebooks, diagnostic quizzes, and study plans. Gemini Notebook is available in AI Mode in Search, and a dedicated notebook can be set up for each project or class. Notebooks from Gemini Notebook or the Gemini app will appear automatically in Search. Notebooks for AI Mode are rolling out to over 180 countries in the coming days.

Google Search can generate custom tools and simulations for complicated concepts, along with practice quizzes for the ACT, AP, ENEM, GRE, JEE, LSAT, MCAT, NEET, and SAT. Generative UIs are available globally in AI Mode and are rolling out to AI Overviews over the coming weeks, while the practice quiz option is available now.

Lens in Search will soon include an interactive learning experience for breaking down tough problems. Students can use the Google app to take a photo of what they're working on to get an AI Overview that can find mistakes and offer explanations.

Students can sign up for a free AI plan on Google's website through December 31, 2026. After the free subscription period, Google will charge $19.99 per month for AI Pro unless the plan is canceled, and $4.99 per month (or the local currency equivalent) for AI Plus.

Students must be 18 years or older with a personal Google Account and must verify student status with a valid school email address when requested.
This article, "College Students Can Get a Free Year of Google AI Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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One of the Beats codenames MacRumors found in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 update (B518) appears to be for the Beats 360, a new set of over-ear headphones that we could see launch soon.


Multiple Reddit users found signs of the Beats 360 on UK websites like Amazon, though those listings have now been removed.

The headphones have a look that is distinct from the existing Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones, featuring a rounder design with AirPods Max-like mesh fabric ear cups and headband. The ear cups and headband will be replaceable with interchangeable cushion options. The headphones will ship with Performance Knit cushions, but an UltraPlush option will also be available. Beats will sell the headphones in Pink, Black, Sky, and Cloud. Volt and Navy may also be color options, but there are only listings for cushions in the shades.

One listing says these are the first-ever sweat-resistant and water-resistant over-ear headphones Beats has come out with, so it sounds like they should be better for wearing during workouts than current Beats over-ear options. From the listing:

• Beats 360 have interchangeable cushion options for both ear cups and headband, so you can have a fresh set ready after your workout or a new colour just to switch up your look. These over-ear noise-cancelling headphones are built for active lifestyles and all-day comfort.


• Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) blocks out unwanted noise to help you focus, after adapting to your environment and unique fit - with up to 1.75x more noise cancellation than Beats Studio Pro.


• The bespoke, high-fidelity acoustic platform delivers powerful bass and pinpoint precision across the tonal range with ultra-low distortion for the ultimate listening experience. Personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking delivers immersive surround sound.


• Ear cushions are built from acoustically engineered memory foam and shaped to fit comfortably over your ears, forming an optimal seal for incredible sound.


• Exceptional call quality powered by an advanced Al-trained algorithm and beam-forming mic system that filters out background noise.


• Our first-ever sweat- and water-resistant over-ear headphones, with an IPX4 rating to ensure they're built to go everywhere you do.


• All-day battery life for extended playback even with ANC on.


• Compatible with both Apple and Android for one-touch pairing and more. Easy-to-use controls are positioned on the back of each ear cup, including a volume rocker, a multifunction button to control music and calls, a power button and a listening mode button.


• Fold-flat design for extra comfort and convenience. Woven ripstop fabric case included.


• What's in the box: Beats 360 true wireless over-ear headphones with interchangeable performance knit cushions, woven ripstop fabric carrying case, warranty card and Quick Start Guide. Additional Beats 360 cushion kits, USB-C charging cable and power adapter sold separately.

Pricing is expected to start at $299 in the United States. There's no word on when the new Beats headphones will launch, but with listings popping up, they could come anytime.

We previously saw signs of the new headphones in May, when the U.S. Federal Communications Commission published documents featuring the rounded design that's showing up on product pages, and in July when Beats gave them to World Cup players as a teaser.
This article, "Beats 360 Over-Ear Headphones Leak in Retail Listings" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Since 2019, Apple has released a more affordable standard iPhone and a higher-end "Pro" variant, giving customers multiple flagship iPhones to choose from. Apple is deviating from its standard release timeline this year and splitting the iPhone 18 launch.


We aren't going to get all of the ‌iPhone 18‌ models in fall 2026, because Apple is holding the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ until spring 2027. If you want an iPhone in the traditional September timeframe, it's going to cost you this year.

Fall 2026 iPhones

Apple's three most expensive iPhones will be introduced at its iPhone event in September.

• iPhone 18 Pro - The iPhone 18 Pro will look like the iPhone 17 Pro, but it is expected to have a smaller Dynamic Island and a variable aperture Wide camera for more precise lighting adjustments. It will use Apple's next-generation A20 chip built on a 2nm process.


• iPhone 18 Pro Max - The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max will be nearly identical to the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, but it might be a little bit thicker because of a larger battery. There is a possibility the new camera will be limited to the Pro Max, but that's not confirmed. Both models will come in a new dark cherry color.


• Foldable iPhone - Apple's first foldable iPhone could be called the iPhone Ultra. When closed, it'll be around 5.5 inches, and when open, it'll be around 7.8 inches. It will be similar in size and aspect ratio to an iPad mini in landscape mode, with new app multitasking features. It will have Touch ID instead of Face ID and will be limited to a two-camera system.

Multiple analysts agree the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models are going to be more expensive than their ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ counterparts. Memory supply shortages have driven up the cost of consumer DRAM, and Apple has to pay much more for memory.

Some of the increased cost will be offset by discounts Apple has negotiated on other components like the display, but an increase seems unavoidable after the June price hike on Macs and iPads.

Analysts have estimated a $100 to $300 price increase for both models. Current pricing starts at $1,099 for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and $1,199 for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max.

Since there's no current foldable iPhone, there's no set price. Rumors suggest it'll cost between $2,000 and $2,500, and it could absorb some of the higher ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ component costs.

Spring 2027 iPhones

• iPhone 18 - The ‌iPhone 18‌ will have a 2nm A20 chip, more RAM, a smaller ‌Dynamic Island‌, and a new C2 modem chip. Apple could downgrade the display to save money, and the device might share more components with the iPhone 18e.


• iPhone 18e - The iPhone 18e will follow the iPhone 17e. It's expected to get an upgraded chip and 9GB of RAM.


• iPhone Air 2 - Apple is planning a second-generation iPhone Air that could launch alongside the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e. Rumors suggest it could get a second camera to make it a better value (likely an Ultra Wide) and a bigger battery.

What's Next?

After launching the ‌iPhone 18‌, iPhone 18e, and ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 in spring 2027, it's not clear if Apple will stick with the spring/fall split launch strategy or revert to its standard timing.

There are rumors of a 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in fall 2027, and it sounds like a higher-end device. Apple could opt to stick with the timing change it's making across 2026 and 2027 because it will better spread iPhone sales throughout the year.
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With iOS 27, Apple is introducing several CarPlay features that will improve your in-car experience, both when you're driving and when you're idle in the car. From new video experiences to Siri AI, there are multiple new options to look forward to.

Video Apps

‌CarPlay‌ apps can include video browsing capabilities, so you can browse for and watch videos on your in-car display while parked. The video playback feature does not work when a car is in motion for safety reasons, but if you're watching something and shift into drive, playback will switch to audio only.

iPhone apps that support AirPlay can also stream content to the car's display.

Video apps require car manufacturers to enable support on the vehicle, and no automakers have announced plans to add support as of now. The Apple TV app is the first confirmed app that will work with the feature.

Siri AI

Apple's smarter, more capable version of ‌Siri‌ can be used in the car for hands-free conversations. ‌Siri‌ AI for ‌CarPlay‌ works like ‌Siri‌ AI on other devices, so you can ask it to complete tasks or find information for you while you drive.

Conversations in ‌CarPlay‌ sync to the ‌Siri‌ app on iPhone so you can pick them up later.

Audio

There is a persistent mini-player for the Now Playing ‌CarPlay‌ template. The player shows artwork and playback controls in the top right corner of audio and media apps.

The Now Playing interface in ‌CarPlay‌ also has a progress bar, so you can jump to a specific spot in a song, podcast, or audiobook.

Wallpapers

‌CarPlay‌ includes the new ‌iOS 27‌ wallpapers, formatted for the ‌CarPlay‌ interface. The wallpapers have wave-style designs in a range of colors, with 14 total options available.

‌CarPlay‌ in ‌iOS 27‌ also supports larger, more interactive content thumbnails, and it uses the updated Liquid Glass icons for apps like Maps and Weather.

Route Data

Navigation apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps can share route data with a vehicle for adding information like EV charging stops in directions. The car can check a map route against the range of the vehicle, and suggest a charging stop.

Reliability and Location Accuracy

Apple says wireless ‌CarPlay‌ is more reliable in ‌iOS 27‌, with improved GPS location accuracy and navigation heading detection.

Voice Control

All app categories are can now offer a voice control option, and Apple has designed a voice control template that can be integrated into apps for voice conversations.

Natural Language Improvements

In Apple Maps, Apple extended natural language search to navigation, and that also works with ‌CarPlay‌. You can ask ‌Siri‌ for directions that avoid toll roads, highways, and more.

Compatibility

Using the new ‌CarPlay‌ features in ‌iOS 27‌ requires a connected iPhone with ‌iOS 27‌ installed. For ‌Siri‌ AI, you'll need an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro and later.

Availability

‌iOS 27‌ is available to developers and public beta testers right now, with a public launch expected in September.
This article, "iOS 27: 8+ New CarPlay Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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