Apple today released a fifth version of the beta firmware it is testing for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is available for developers and public beta testers. It has a build number of 9A5347a.


In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ, so the firmware adds support for those features. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.

When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.

Firmware updates can be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices.
This article, "Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In May 2025, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of CarPlay that it first previewed in 2022. More than a year later, however, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to select Aston Martin vehicles with six-figure price tags.


In a press release last year, Apple said "many" other vehicle brands around the world planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Yet, more than 15 months have passed since that announcement, and the software has still not expanded beyond Aston Martin. Apple has not provided any further updates on CarPlay Ultra availability.

CarPlay Ultra features deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in apps for radio and climate controls, rear-view camera feed support, and more. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides information like the current speed, fuel level, tire pressure, engine temperature, and more.

The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options.


Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he was told that CarPlay Ultra would come to at least one major new Hyundai or Kia vehicle model "in the second half of this year," so hopefully the software finally expands beyond Aston Martin over the final four months of 2026. We have reached out to Apple for comment.
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Today marks the seventh anniversary of the Apple Card becoming widely available in the U.S., following a more limited preview period.


Apple's credit card can be managed in the iPhone's Wallet app, with key benefits including color-coded spending summaries, no fees, and Daily Cash cash back paid out daily. Apple Card holders can also open a high-yield savings account.

The anniversary comes ahead of a big change planned for the Apple Card.

In January, Apple announced that Chase will become the new Apple Card issuer by early 2028.

Currently, the Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs, but the investment banking firm is winding down its consumer lending business following significant financial losses and other issues over the years. Apple reportedly let Goldman Sachs out of the Apple Card contract that was supposed to run until 2030, and it has now turned to Chase, a large U.S. banking chain owned by the massive financial institution J.P. Morgan.

In a FAQ, Apple said cardholders can continue to use the Apple Card as they normally do.

Once the transition is complete, Apple Card balances for open accounts will be with Chase, and this will be reflected on each cardholder's credit report.

Goldman Sachs will continue to provide customer service to Apple Card users in the interim.

Mastercard will remain the Apple Card's payment network.

Apple said additional details regarding the transition will be shared with all Apple Card users as the transition date approaches, so there is no other specific information yet. It sounds like the Apple Card experience will remain the same until early 2028, but there could be some changes beyond that to be announced later.

Unfortunately, the Apple Card remains available in the U.S. only, and there is no indication that will change in the near future.
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In a new ad shared on its YouTube channel today, Apple highlighted how the Apple Watch alerted an athlete named Connor to signs of atrial fibrillation. Apple said doctors later uncovered that Connor had a congenital heart condition, which resulted in him having open-heart surgery, so the Apple Watch potentially saved his life.


After noticing he had a very fast heart rate while training for a triathlon, Connor used the ECG app on his Apple Watch, which detected signs of atrial fibrillation.

The ECG app comes preinstalled on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer and all Apple Watch Ultra models, but it is not available on any Apple Watch SE models.
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Apple's upcoming Beats 360 headphones appeared in Brazil's ANATEL regulatory database today, according to a new filing spotted by MacRumors.


The filing merely mentions an unnamed product with a model number of A3577, but we know that it is for the Beats 360. The headphones already appeared in the U.S.'s FCC database with the same model number back in May, before soccer stars like Lamine Yamal and Antonee Robinson were spotted wearing them around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

MacRumors was first to report on the Beats 360 name this week after the headphones appeared in various retail listings on Amazon and other reseller websites, some of which have since been removed. The listings revealed that the headphones will be available in Black, Cloud, Sky, and Pink, at a minimum. There will also be interchangeable Performance Knit and UltraPlush ear cushions and headbands that come in those same four colors, plus extra options like Volt and Navy, allowing you to create your own personalized look.

Beats 360 have a unique design with some similarities to the AirPods Max, including telescoping headband arms that smoothly extend and stay in place to maintain the desired fit. One of the product listings said the over-ear headphones offer up to 1.75× more noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro that came out in 2023.


The listing also said that the Beats 360 are Apple's first-ever sweat-resistant and water-resistant over-ear headphones, with an IPX4 rating.

Other features and specs mentioned in the listing included all-day battery life, a fold-flat design, and a high-fidelity acoustic platform.

Beats 360 will come with a set of interchangeable Performance Knit cushions and a woven ripstop fabric carrying case, but customers will need to supply their own USB-C charging cable and power adapter. One listing said the headphones will be priced at $299.99 in the U.S., but we cannot confirm if that information is accurate.

Beats Studio Pro are regularly priced at $349.99.

It is unclear when Apple plans to officially announce the Beats 360, but with all of these leaks across regulatory databases, athlete teasers, and early retail listings, it seems like the headphones will be released in the near future.
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Apple has yet to reveal when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will be announced and released, but the dates usually follow a familiar pattern.


As usual, the iPhone event is expected to take place in the first half of September.

Labor Day falls on September 7 this year. The last time the holiday was on that day was in 2020, but the iPhone event that year was delayed until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time Labor Day was on September 7 in a normal year was in 2015, and the iPhone event was held on Wednesday, September 9 that year.

Accordingly, the most likely date for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event this year is Wednesday, September 9 until proven otherwise.

Back when the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus event fell on Wednesday, September 9 in 2015, pre-orders began on Saturday, September 12, rather than Friday, September 11. Friday is a much more common day for iPhone pre-orders to begin, but Apple may have been respectfully avoiding September 11 in 2015 due to the 9/11 anniversary.

So, it is possible that iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra pre-orders will begin on Saturday, September 12 this year, unless Apple changes things up. In that case, the release date for the devices would likely be Friday, September 18.

Another possibility is that Apple waits until Tuesday, September 15 to hold the event, in which case pre-orders would likely begin on Friday, September 18. Then, the devices would likely be released on Friday, September 25.

Apple has yet to announce any official dates, so all we can do is make these educated guesses for now. Soon enough, we will find out the actual dates.
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Best Buy this week has low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of 42mm and 46mm GPS aluminum models, as well as similar discounts on cellular devices.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find matching prices in both the 42mm GPS and 46mm GPS sizes, but stock is dwindling at both retailers so act fast if you're interested.




Compared to past sales, these are both solid second-best prices on the Apple Watch Series 11 and come within $20-$30 of those previous all-time low prices. Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

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Apple plans to upgrade several iPads and Macs with OLED displays over the next three years, according to a new DigiTimes report.


The following five devices will receive OLED displays between 2026 and 2029, according to the Taiwanese publication's industry sources:

• iPad mini: 2026


• MacBook Pro: Late 2026 or early 2027


• iPad Air: 2027


• iMac: 2028 or 2029


• MacBook Air: 2028 or 2029

OLED displays have better overall image quality compared to LCD displays, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.

All current iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad Pro models already have OLED displays.

While the iPad Pro features so-called "Tandem OLED" technology that uses two OLED panels for increased brightness, and ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, the report said the iPad Air will have a single-stack OLED display and an LTPS backplane, meaning it will have lower brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. These limitations would make sense given that the iPad Air is priced hundreds of dollars less than the iPad Pro.

It is unclear if Apple ever plans to release a Studio Display XDR with an OLED display. The monitor currently has mini-LED backlighting.

The entry-level iPad and MacBook Neo are expected to stick with LCD displays.
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Apple plans to resurrect its ceramic Apple Watch casing with this year's Series 12 model, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."


In a new post on X, Kosutami said that the casing will return with the Series 12. Apple first introduced a ceramic Apple Watch Edition with the Series 2 in September 2016, replacing the original gold Edition model and bringing the line's price down from thousands of dollars to a comparatively modest $1,249.

The white ceramic finish, made from a compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry, was marketed as being four times as hard as stainless steel. Apple expanded the material a year later with a gray ceramic option alongside the Series 3, but the Edition line disappeared entirely for the Series 4 in 2018, with Apple dropping ceramic and offering no high-end case option at all that year.

The white ceramic finish returned for the Series 5 in 2019 alongside an all-new titanium option, before Apple discontinued it for good when the Series 6 launched in 2020. The material has been absent from the Apple Watch lineup for six years since. It has since become one of the more sought after finishes among collectors on the resale market.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the ceramic case option is expected to return either this year or in 2027. Kosutami's latest post suggests that the feature will indeed arrive this year.

The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to feature a new chip for improved performance, alongside a selection of other small upgrades. The device is expected to be introduced alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and first foldable iPhone next month.
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In iOS 27, new Shared Albums you create in the Photos app retain full-resolution quality for the first time, but they now eat into your iCloud storage – and that includes any items added by other people invited to contribute.


Currently, photos in a Shared Album are automatically reduced to 2,048 pixels on the long edge (except for panoramic photos, which can be up to 5,400 pixels wide). In iOS 27 though, both retain their full resolution. But there comes the major trade-off.

For years now, Apple has allowed you to store up to 5,000 photos and videos in Shared Albums without impacting your iCloud storage limit. That's no longer the case in iOS 27. Perhaps more significantly, if you invite someone to a Shared Album and they add their own photos and videos to it, as the owner, this too will count against your iCloud storage limit.


Apple has also made it easier to invite people to Shared Albums. The company says friends and family can now join and collaborate on the web, even without an Apple Account or Apple device. That means Android and Windows users can contribute via iCloud.com, so the inclination for participants to add photos and videos is only likely to increase. Be careful who you invite...

On the plus side, iOS 27 introduces a free alternative – you can create temporary Shared Albums that allow users to collaborate on short-term projects without eating into your iCloud storage. But after 30 days, any photos and videos not saved to your library are deleted.


Fortunately, existing Shared Albums by default are unaffected by the changes, but the Photos app does include an "Upgrade Shared Album" option for those who want to improve the quality of its contents – albeit at the cost of iCloud storage.

Apple has yet to update its support documentation to reflect the upcoming changes.

iOS 27 is currently in public beta and is expected to be released in September when Apple launches new iPhone models with 5GB of free iCloud storage included.

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The leaker known as "DuanRui" today shared video and images of cases designed for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, potentially offering an early look at some of the new color options for Apple's official accessories.


The cases themselves are fake, featuring the same model number used for existing iPhone 17 Pro accessories, but they could still be based on the genuine cases Apple is expected to release alongside the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max next month.

Ahead of every major new iPhone announcement, dupe accessories like these tend to circulate in China well before Apple's official unveiling. Case makers frequently work from leaked dimensions and CAD files to get their molds ready in time for launch day, and while some manufacturers take creative liberties and expand their lineups beyond what Apple ends up shipping, such as continuing to offer leather cases, the fakes can still offer an early indication of some of the genuine accessories to come.

One clip shows an Apple-style clear case tinted light blue. It retains the opaque square in the center of the case that conceals the MagSafe magnets, a design first introduced last year on the iPhone 17 Pro's clear case due to the relocated Apple logo on the device. It was criticized by some for its appearance, particularly with Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue. The light blue tint is notable given that the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ is rumored to come in a Light Blue finish, which this case would complement.



The TechWoven cases shown in the images appear in a wider range of colors than what Apple currently offers, featuring black, cherry red, brown, green, blue, and taupe. Apple's existing iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven cases come in just five colors: blue, purple, black, sienna, and green.



The cherry red option stands out in particular, as it would match the eye-catching "flagship" "Dark Cherry" finish widely rumored for the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to launch alongside the first foldable iPhone, dubbed the "iPhone Ultra," in September.
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Strong iPhone sales have helped boost flexible OLED display shipments from Samsung Display so far this year, according to a report from The Elec. Samsung shipped approximately 120 million flexible OLED smartphone panels in the first half of the year, up 35 percent year-over-year. That accounted for about 65 percent of the overall increase in global flexible OLED panel shipments.

Market research firm Sigmaintell expects demand to remain strong into the second half of the year, partly thanks to the expected launch of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone models in September.
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Apple has urged a federal judge to reject OpenAI's recent motion to dismiss its trade secrets lawsuit, arguing in a new filing that the company's defense depends on "distortion, speculation, and improper extrinsic evidence."


Apple sued OpenAI in July, accusing the company of running a scheme to pull confidential product information out of former Apple employees who became job candidates and new hires. Apple's suit claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.

Earlier this month, OpenAI's motion argued that Apple in its filing never properly identified what information actually counts as a protectable trade secret. The company said it has no interest in Apple's confidential material because it is "building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple."

But in a 32-page opposition brief filed Wednesday, seen by MacRumors, Apple restates several of its main allegations against former engineer Chang Liu and OpenAI hardware chief Tan Yew Tan, and argues that OpenAI's defenses are fact disputes that should be resolved after discovery, rather than used for dismissal.

Apple says Liu exploited a "rare authentication bug" to access Apple's network storage weeks after joining OpenAI, and downloaded dozens of confidential engineering files, including a presentation on how to manufacture and test main logic boards.

As for Tan, Apple repeats its allegation that he used internal project codenames to question interview candidates about unreleased Apple products. The company also claims that Tan asked one Apple employee to bring components she had worked on to OpenAI for a "show and tell" session. The components are said to have included batteries, system-on-chips (SoCs), logic boards, and shields.

Apple also counters OpenAI's argument for dismissal that Apple has not identified a protectable trade secret that the company allegedly stole. Citing the Ninth Circuit's 2025 Quintara decision, Apple contends that this information does not need to be disclosed yet because it is a "fact dispute" that should be resolved later when evidence has been presented, either at summary judgement or trial.

Apple also points out that forcing it to describe its trade secrets in specific detail in a public filing would amount to publishing the very secrets it's trying to protect.

The rest of the brief argues OpenAI is relying on material the judge isn't allowed to consider at this stage. OpenAI included text messages, a website listing Apple's codenames, and a copy of its interview guide to support its motion. Apple argues that none of it belongs there because a dismiss is based on the complaint alone.

Apple also uses one of OpenAI's own lines against it. OpenAI's motion called its innocent explanation for Tan's conduct "at least equally plausible" as Apple's. Indeed, Apple argues that under Ninth Circuit precedent, the case moves forward rather than being thrown out where two plausible explanations compete.

Judge Edward J. Davila is set to hear the company's arguments on October 1.
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Apple yesterday updated its App Store fees in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act and to put an end to its ongoing conflict with the European Commission. Apple cut the Core Technology Fee and simplified its pricing structure, so apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or through the web will pay less than before.


When announcing the changes, Apple said it worked in "close collaboration" with the EC, and that the updates would "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution."

The European Commission has since confirmed that it approves of Apple's changes to its App Store policies, giving a statement to the Irish Independent:

The Commission welcomes Apple's changes to their business terms, which follow a close dialogue between the Commission and Apple after the Commission issued a non-compliance decision related to Apple's steering terms as well as preliminary findings related to alternative app distribution, both in April 2025.

Following today's announcement, the Commission will monitor Apple's effective implementation of the new terms. Under the DMA, users in the EU have a right to full and effective choice of alternative app distribution channels.

The EC says it will continue to monitor how Apple implements the new terms, which will go into effect on October 1.

While the EC approved Apple's planned changes, Apple legal opponent Epic Games was not happy with the new fee structure, denouncing the "new junk fees." ‌Epic Games‌ said Apple's new terms do not comply with the Digital Markets Act and claimed if the EC accepts the terms, the DMA "will become meaningless."

Apple announced new junk fees in the EU that do nothing to open up the mobile app ecosystem to competition, as required by Digital Market Act.

Apple will now charge:
• 20% fee on alternative in-app payment options
• 15% fee on links to make purchases outside apps
• 5% Core Technology Commission on payments made in apps downloaded from alternative stores or the web

The law makes it clear that Apple must allow developers to offer link outs to the web for purchases "free of charge" and has to allow "effective use" of competing stores. Apple's terms deliberately violate the Digital Markets Act. If the Commission accepts the terms and drops their ongoing enforcement actions, the law will become meaningless and consumers and developers will not experience the benefits it was designed to provide.

Under the new terms, ‌Epic Games‌ will need to pay a five percent Core Technology Commission on digital purchases made through its ‌Epic Games‌ Store on the iPhone and iPad in the EU. For an app distributed through the ‌App Store‌ with a link to purchase options, Epic would need to pay 15 percent.

Apple is implementing lower rates for Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program participants, plus it waives the Core Technology Commission for small marketplaces. ‌Epic Games‌ does not qualify for reduced fees.
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Apple's camera-equipped AirPods will not launch until 2027 despite the demo video MacRumors found earlier this week, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


On Monday, MacRumors shared a demo video featuring the camera-equipped AirPods in action. The video was hidden in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, suggesting Apple was preparing for a launch. That's apparently not the case, and people familiar with the product told Gurman the AirPods with cameras aren't going to launch anytime soon.

The AirPods are not on Apple's 2026 release schedule because the company is still working to resolve supply chain and software challenges.

Gurman's own reporting on the camera AirPods timing has been confusing. In May, he said the AirPods were in an "advanced" testing stage with mass production to begin soon, and then in June, he said the AirPods had been delayed until late 2027.

In early August, he reversed course and said the camera-equipped AirPods could launch as soon as September. In that report, he clarified that there were two variants of the camera-equipped AirPods in the works, one with a B790 codename and one with a B798 codename. "Apple famously creates competing versions of the same product internally," he wrote.

In today's report, Gurman says the B790 product is a version of the AirPods Pro 3 with cameras, while the B798 model is a new generation of AirPods Pro with cameras. The B790 AirPods were shown off in the video, which featured a man holding a book up to the AirPods so Siri could read the title and save it for later.

The B790 model was apparently "on the 2026 road map until recently," but Apple no longer plans to release it.

The AirPods planned for 2027 will include low-resolution cameras that feed information to ‌Siri‌ AI for Visual Intelligence features as demonstrated in the video. The AirPods cameras will not be able to capture photos and videos.

Apple could launch the new AirPods in fall 2027 alongside the 20th-anniversary iPhone.
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Meta today launched a new ‌Meta‌ AI app for the Mac, which is available in a beta capacity.


The app is primarily meant for businesses and content creators, and it integrates with Facebook and Instagram. It incorporates analytics tools so it can answer questions about performance, and connects with Google Workspace for document access. Google Workspace access requires a professional Facebook or Instagram account.

‌Meta‌ says there's an option to share a window during a session using screen capture to get advice based on what's being worked on. It also includes built-in dictation that works across all apps on the Mac.

‌Meta‌ is adding new ‌Meta‌ AI features for business users across its platforms, so the assistant can complete recurring tasks and reminders and generate decks, docs, and spreadsheets.

Creators and businesses may want to use caution when opting in to ‌Meta‌ AI, because ‌Meta‌'s privacy policy makes it clear that "interactions with features that are part of AI at ‌Meta‌" are used to train its models.

‌Meta‌ AI is free to use, but there are ‌Meta‌ One plans that increase rate limits.
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Apple plans to open a new 10,000-square-foot store at The Village at Meridian, an outdoor shopping complex near Boise, Idaho, according to building permits reviewed by BoiseDev.

Apple is aiming to open the store in time for the iPhone 18 Pro launch this September, a tipster claimed. The company's only other store in Idaho is located at the Boise Towne Square shopping mall.
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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.
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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.
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Anker and Jackery have introduced big discounts across their most popular portable power stations this week, including up to $1,500 off select models from each company. We're tracking Anker's best deals over at Amazon, while Jackery's discounts can be found on the retailer's own website.

Anker SOLIX

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Jackery and Anker. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The majority of Anker's portable power station deals are from the SOLIX brand on Amazon, and all of these deals have been automatically applied on each page. There are plenty of notable discounts, including the popular Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station with Lantern for $199.99, down from $249.99.

• SOLIX C200 - $129.98, down from $169.99


• SOLIX C300 with Lantern - $199.99, down from $249.99


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 - $529.99, down from $599.00


• SOLIX S2000 - $649.99, down from $1,199.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 - $949.99, down from $1,499.00


• SOLIX F3000 - $1,499.99, down from $1,699.00


• SOLIX E10 Whole-Home Backup System - $4,299.00, down from $4,599.00

Jackery

Over on Jackery's website, you'll find up to $1,500 off a wide array of portable power stations, solar generators, add-on batteries, and more. This sale is aimed at anyone preparing for storm season power outages and is set to last for another few days, ending the night of August 26.

• Explorer 300D - $199.00, down from $249.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 - $899.00, down from $999.00


• Battery Pack 2000 Plus - $799.00, down from $1,399.00


• Battery Pack 3600 - $1,349.00, down from $1,499.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator - $1,399.00, down from $1,499.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,399.00, down from $1,639.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,799.00, down from $2,139.00


• HomePower 3600 Plus Solar Generator - $2,459.00, down from $2,729.00


• Explorer 5000 Plus - $4,639.00, down from $5,159.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Anker and Jackery Kick Off Power Station Sales With Up to $1,500 Off" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple on Monday seeded the macOS 26.7 Release Candidate, and the upcoming software update has seemingly leaked more than 10 new Apple products.


macOS 26.7's code contains references to AirPods with infrared cameras for Visual Intelligence, the long-rumored foldable iPhone, an all-new Apple smart home hub, the first-ever MacBook and iPad mini models with OLED displays, an updated Siri Remote for a next-generation Apple TV, and more, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

All of the findings so far:

• macOS Tahoe 26.7 is Full of References to Unreleased Apple Products


• Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Confirmed: See Them in Action


• Apple's Camera AirPods May Launch as 'AirPods Pro,' Not 'AirPods Ultra'


• Unreleased AirPods 5 Models Referenced in macOS 26.7


• New Apple TV to Come With Upgraded Siri Remote


• Apple's Home Hub Will Have a Widget Gallery With iPhone Widget Support

Watch our video recap:



Apple's annual iPhone event takes place in September, so at least some of the new products will likely be unveiled next month.
This article, "Apple Accidentally Leaked More Than 10 New Products in macOS Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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According to rumors, the next-generation Apple TV 4K will have at least five new features, including an A17 Pro chip or newer, increased RAM, Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote.


Below, we recap everything rumored for the next Apple TV, along with potential launch timing.

Rumored Features

A17 Pro Chip or Newer

The next Apple TV will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, who digs through Apple's code to uncover references to future devices. However, given the lengthy four-year wait for a new Apple TV, it is possible the device will instead receive an even newer A18 Pro or A19 Pro chip.

The current Apple TV uses the A15 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 13 series in 2021.

With an A17 Pro chip or newer, the next Apple TV would have faster performance, hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved graphics rendering in games, increased RAM, and likely support for some Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features.

Increased RAM

As mentioned above, the next Apple TV should have increased RAM. With an A17 Pro chip or newer, the device should be equipped with at least 8GB of RAM, up from 4GB in the current model. The extra memory would allow the Apple TV to support some Apple Intelligence features, and this will reportedly include Siri AI.

Siri AI

According to 9to5Mac, tvOS 27 will likely add Siri AI to the Apple TV 4K:

When running Device Hub via Xcode in macOS 27, the Apps list for tvOS 27 has a new addition: Siri.

The Siri entry features a 'com.apple.campo' string. Prior reporting indicates 'campos' is Apple's internal codename for Siri AI.

Comparing app lists for tvOS 26 and tvOS 27 simulator modes confirms that 'Siri' is not present in tvOS 26's list. It's new with tvOS 27.

This addition, combined with the 'campo' reference, strongly suggests that Siri AI will debut in tvOS 27 this fall. It might even come with a dedicated Siri app on Apple TV—though that's not guaranteed, as the 'Apps' list includes system functions beyond just user-facing apps.

Siri AI will likely be limited to the new Apple TV with sufficient RAM and processing power.

N1 Chip With Wi-Fi 7

In 2024, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the next Apple TV would be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, which is presumably the since-announced N1 chip that debuted in the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air. That chip supports Wi-Fi 7, which would be an upgrade over the current Apple TV's Wi-Fi 6 support.

Wi-Fi 7 has increased bandwidth, in part because it allows for data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously with a supported device and router. Wi-Fi 7 is theoretically up to 4× faster than Wi-Fi 6, but real-world speeds are typically bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.

In the latest iPhones, the N1 chip also supports Bluetooth 6, which would offer lower latency and other benefits compared to the current Apple TV's Bluetooth 5.

Updated Siri Remote

The new Apple TV will likely ship with an upgraded Siri Remote, according to both Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and macOS 26.7 code findings. However, the code did not reveal any specific changes that may be planned for the remote.

Design

The next Apple TV will reportedly have a similar design as the current model.

In 2024, it was reported that Apple had "discussed" offering an Apple TV with a built-in camera for FaceTime and gesture-based controls, but there is no indication that Apple is moving forward with that plan for the next model in particular.

tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for video calls with the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.


tvOS 26 enhanced FaceTime in ways that would be fitting for an Apple TV with a camera:

With tvOS 26, users can enjoy a more personalized FaceTime experience that's consistent with iOS. Contact Posters on Apple TV make it easier and more personal by displaying a contact's customized photo and name when starting a FaceTime call on Apple TV. Live Captions expand to include French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish, enabling Apple TV to use on-device intelligence to display Live Captions for FaceTime conversations, so users can follow what's being said in even more languages. Additionally, FaceTime audio and phone call notifications will appear onscreen for the active profile, allowing users to answer on connected HomePod speakers or their iPhone, and ensuring that communication with loved ones remains at the forefront.

In the meantime, a Continuity Camera feature allows you to use an iPhone or iPad camera with the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation).

Launch Timing and Pricing

The new Apple TV will likely be unveiled in September or October this year, at either the annual iPhone event or a follow-up event. Apple reportedly plans to unveil a trio of new smart home products this year, including the new Apple TV, an all-new smart home hub with tabletop and wall-mounted versions, and an updated HomePod mini.

Here is when the previous four Apple TV models were announced:

• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation): October 2022


• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation): April 2021


• Apple TV 4K (1st generation): September 2017


• Apple TV HD: September 2015

In June, Apple raised prices on 14 products, including the Apple TV 4K. In the U.S., the Wi-Fi model with 64GB of storage now starts at $199 (up from $129), while the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model with 128GB of storage now starts at $249 (up from $149). It is unclear if the next Apple TV will maintain those prices or be even more expensive.
This article, "Next Apple TV Rumored to Have Five New Features, Including Siri AI" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Cultured Code today released Things 3.23, featuring a significant update to the app's handling of repeating to-dos, addressing two of the most requested changes from users.


Until now, repeating to-dos in Things lacked some of the flexibility of standard to-dos and today's update closes that gap along with a handful of valuable smaller refinements throughout the app. The latest update's changes include:

• Complete repeating tasks early: Repeating to-dos now display a regular checkbox, just like any other to-do, allowing them to be completed early, with the next copy scheduled based on the existing rule.


• Make Exception or Update Rule: Rescheduling a fixed-schedule repeating to-do by moving it to a new date now prompts a choice between "Make Exception," which moves only that instance and leaves the rest of the schedule untouched, and "Update Rule," which changes the recurrence pattern itself going forward, so moving a Monday to-do to a Tuesday makes it repeat every Tuesday from then on.


• After-completion repeat changes: To-dos that repeat a period of time after completion, rather than on a fixed schedule, simply move to the new date when rescheduled, with no prompt.


• Create Next Copy: Selecting "Repeat" then "Create Next Copy" allows users get a head start on a to-do or project before its scheduled date, adding notes or completing checklist items in advance.


• Repeat icon: Generated copies of repeating to-dos now feature a small grey repeat icon to indicate their origin.


• Redesigned setup dialog: The setup dialog for configuring repeating to-dos now has a visual refresh with easier date selection.


• Bulk actions: Multiple repeating to-dos can now be paused, resumed, or stopped at once.


• Unified codebase: The display and editing of to-dos, both within lists and when expanded, is now driven by the same code across the Mac, iPadOS, and iOS.

Things already featured a list that gathers all repeating to-dos and projects along with their upcoming generated copies in one place, accessible by typing "Repeating" into the app's search field.

Things 3.23 is available now as a free update on the App Store for the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Vision Pro. The update requires macOS 13.3, iOS and iPadOS 16.4, watchOS 9.1, and visionOS 26, or newer.
This article, "Things 3.23 Brings Long-Requested Overhaul of Repeating To-Dos" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon and Best Buy today have big discounts on the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro, with up to $500 off select models. A handful of models have better discounts when compared to the last time we tracked these deals, coming in as much as $100 off previous price points.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

We're focusing on Amazon in the links below, but you can find every deal matched at Best Buy this week during its big 60th Anniversary Sale. This event includes savings on everything from Apple products to TVs, audio accessories, video games, appliances, and more.

14-Inch MacBook Pro

Prices start at $2,299.00 for the 24GB/1TB 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro, down from $2,499.00. Amazon is also providing $400 off the 15-Core/24GB/2TB model, as well as $400 off the 18-Core/24GB/2TB model, both of which are the best prices we've seen in the wake of the recent price hikes.

16-Inch MacBook Pro

In terms of the larger display models, we're tracking discounts on all four models on Amazon. These start at $2,759.99 for the 24GB/1TB M5 Pro configuration ($239 off), and reach up to $4,499.00 for the 48GB/2TB M5 Max device ($500 off).






If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Amazon and Best Buy Offer Up to $500 Discounts on 2026 MacBook Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over 21 months ago. Read on to find out.

Processor and Performance

Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared in August.

Apple's A19 Pro chip since debuted in the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro models include the higher-end version of Apple's A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU, while the iPhone Air uses a mid-tier A19 Pro chip with one fewer GPU core than the A19 Pro chip used in the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.

If the code leak is accurate for the iPad mini 8, Apple is likely to use the mid-tier A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone Air. This is based on the fact that the A17 Pro chip used in the iPad mini 7 has a 6-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a 5-core GPU, compared to the 6-core GPU found on the A17 Pro used in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Apple built the A19 Pro chip on an upgraded third-generation 3-nanometer N3P process for modest speed and efficiency improvements. The chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine, next-generation dynamic caching, and unified image compression.

The GPU in the A19 Pro has an upgraded architecture with a larger cache, more memory, and Neural Accelerators that are built into each core. Apple says that this change provides 3× the peak GPU compute over the prior-generation chip. There's also an upgraded 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks.

There is an outside chance that Apple opts for the A20 Pro chip for the new iPad mini. The claim has been made by a MacRumors tipster who analyzed a macOS kernel debug kit containing internal Apple codenames. However, the iPad mini has not always received Apple's newest A-series chip at the time it was updated, so the A19 Pro cannot be ruled out at this time. iPhone 18 Pro models are also expected to use the A20 Pro chip, which will reportedly be fabricated with TSMC's advanced 2nm process.

Display

Apple's plan to transition the ‌‌iPad mini‌‌ from an LCD to an OLED display is widely rumored. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the small form-factor tablet is likely to be the next Apple device to adopt OLED. According to a Chinese leaker with sources in Apple's supply chain, Apple has evaluated a Samsung-made OLED display for its next iPad mini model.

It remains unclear whether the iPad mini 8 will feature a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7, but since the new base iPhone 17 now uses a 120Hz ProMotion panel, it would be reasonable to expect the same on the first OLED iPad mini. A separate report has suggested the ‌‌‌iPad mini 8‌‌‌'s screen could increase in size from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches with the adoption of OLED.

OLED panels can individually control each pixel, resulting in more precise color reproduction and deeper blacks compared to other common display technologies. They also provide superior contrast, faster response times, better viewing angles, and greater design flexibility. All of Apple's flagship iPhones use OLED panels, and in May 2024 the company brought the display technology to the iPad Pro for the first time.

Unlike Apple's ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which feature two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels‌, the ‌iPad mini‌ may have a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel, which would make it dimmer.

Chassis Design

Apple is reportedly working to give the iPad mini 8 a more water-resistant design, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The updated casing would bring protection levels closer to those of the iPhone, making the tablet safer for use in damp environments.

To achieve this, Apple is said to have designed a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates the need for traditional speaker holes. By using sound-emitting surfaces instead of open grilles, the company can reduce potential entry points for water and dust, resulting in a more sealed, durable enclosure.

On the iPhone, Apple relies on adhesives and gaskets to shield speakers and other openings from moisture. The iPad mini's approach appears to go further, doing away with the holes altogether. Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, but the upcoming version could mark the first in the lineup to feature a certified level of water protection.

Apple patents could offer further clues to the new design direction. For example, a 2014 patent outlines a "mechanically actuated panel acoustic system" that vibrates flat surfaces to generate sound, effectively turning parts of a device's chassis into a speaker diaphragm. This could potentially allow Apple to produce audio without visible speaker holes. The patent suggest Apple has been building towards a sealed, vibration-based acoustic system for several years.

Release Date

Korea's ET News and ZDNET Korea have both suggested that the iPad mini will be updated with an OLED display in 2026. Bloomberg has also said the update could come as soon as this year.

In May 2024, it was reported that Samsung Display had started developing sample OLED panels for a future ‌iPad mini‌, with plans to initiate mass production at its facility in Cheonan in the second half of 2025. The same report claimed that Apple will bring an OLED panel to the iPad Air alongside the ‌iPad mini‌ in 2026, though Apple only refreshed the iPad Air in March, and more recent reporting suggests an OLED iPad Air will arrive in early 2027.

A report in late June from Korean outlet ETNews claimed that mass production of the iPad mini 8 is already underway at a Samsung factory.

The latest reporting on the subject came last month from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display by October this year.

Pricing

The price of the current iPad mini 7 starts at $599 for the 128GB Wi-Fi-only model. Apple raised the price in late June, up from $499 (+$100).

The main reason for the price rise is rising memory and storage costs, brought about by the continuing AI data center buildout. Growing demand for memory and storage chips from AI companies has led to chip shortages and higher costs for everyone else, including Apple.

In late June, outgoing CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal that the price increases across its product lineup were "unavoidable." Cook said the company was doing its best to "mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us," and that it was trying to shield customers from them, but the situation had become "unsustainable."

Even before Apple's price rises, there was an expectation that the ‌next iPad mini‌ would be more expensive, with Bloomberg's Gurman suggesting Apple could charge up to $100 more for the device.

Gurman has previously argued that Apple should consider a lower-end version of the mini, or at least a change to its starting price ($499 at the time – but now $599), given that it's up against rival products that cost a lot less.

However, Apple users who are looking for a more affordable option should probably consider the 10th-generation iPad instead. Now starting at $449, the iPad offers many iPad mini features, such as Touch ID and Center Stage, but at a lower price that balances functionality and affordability.
This article, "iPad Mini 8: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman noted on X (Twitter) today that Otterbox is already selling iPhone 18 Pro cases at Best Buy. While the timing is early for a new iPhone that isn't expected to launch until mid-September, what's more interesting is that Otterbox's packaging indicates the iPhone 18 Pro will fit iPhone 17 Pro cases and vice versa.

Gurman passed on the packaging detail without saying whether he agrees with the implied sizing, but rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup will largely retain the same design as the iPhone 17 Pro models. However, at least two leakers have claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be thicker and heavier than its predecessor, owing to its larger battery.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Cases Fit iPhone 18 Pro - Or At Least Otterbox Thinks So" 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.
This article, "Apple's iPhone 18 Release Schedule: What's Coming and When" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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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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Several iCloud services are experiencing issues, according to Apple's system status page.


Find My, Game Center, Photos, ‌iCloud‌ Calendar, ‌iCloud‌ Mail, ‌iCloud‌ Contacts, ‌iCloud‌ Web Apps, and iWork for ‌iCloud‌ are all experiencing service interruptions.

Apple says only some users may run into problems. The issue started at 3:33 p.m. Eastern Time and is ongoing.
This article, "iCloud, Photos, Find My and More Experiencing Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is working on a home hub that incorporates Siri AI, and it's set to launch as soon as this year. The home hub will use a Widget Gallery that lets users select the content they want to appear on the device's home screen.


Mentions of the Widget Gallery were found in macOS Tahoe 26.7, an update that leaked a long list of unreleased Apple products. The strings were found in a file named PosterKit-J490, and J490 is the codename for the home hub. PosterKit is Apple's framework for Lock Screen customization, and the hub's home screen could have many of the same options for icons, widgets, and clock faces.

Apple already uses the Widget Gallery on iPhone, iPad, and Mac for adding widgets to the Home Screen and Lock Screen of those devices, and the home hub will have a similar mechanism.

Based on the code, widgets installed on a linked iPhone will be suggested on the home hub, much like how iPhone widgets are available on a Mac without an app being installed. It looks like third-party app widgets may be supported in addition to Apple's own apps. iPhone app widgets displayed on the home hub will have information mirrored from the iPhone.

All users in the home will be able to see the widgets installed on the home hub, but content in widgets will only be visible when the primary linked device is in the home for privacy protection.

A Smart Stack will automatically rotate through widgets to show relevant information throughout the day, and users will also be able to flip through the different Smart Stack options. Apple already has Smart Stack on its other devices, including the Apple Watch.

The home hub isn't expected to have its own App Store, but it will support Apple apps like Safari, Apple News, Apple Music, Notes, Calendar, Photos, and Home. Tapping on an installed widget from the home screen could launch a full app with more information. Code references a Face Gallery too, suggesting users will be able to select different clock options for the device's home screen, and it indicates that the hub will be able to be added to HomeKit scenes and automations alongside other smart home accessories.

Apple's hub is expected to have a 7-inch square display with options to put it on a base or mount it on the wall. More information about the device can be found in our guide.
This article, "Apple's Home Hub Will Have a Widget Gallery With iPhone Widget Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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