Apple's press release for the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips last week initially stated that the computer had "next-generation SSD architecture built on PCIe Gen 6." However, as spotted by the French blog MacGeneration, Apple removed the PCIe 6.0 mention from the announcement shortly after it was published.


The press release still mentions that the new Mac Studio has a "next-generation SSD architecture" that delivers up to twice as fast storage speeds compared to the previous generation, but it no longer mentions PCIe 6.0. Apple has yet to respond to our request for comment, but it seems like the company simply made a mistake in the press release, as it is much more likely that the new Mac Studio supports the PCIe 5.0 standard.

First, we already know that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the same M5 Max chip available in the new Mac Studio have SSDs with PCIe 5.0, and Apple likewise advertised up to twice as fast SSD speeds for those laptops. Second, there are no consumer PCs on the market yet that have SSDs with PCIe 6.0 support.

The M5 Ultra chip is all new, but it probably supports PCIe 5.0 as well, or else Apple would not have needed to edit its Mac Studio press release.

All in all, the new Mac Studio appears to support PCIe 5.0, not PCIe 6.0.
This article, "Apple Seemingly Made a Mistake When Announcing the New Mac Studio" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO on September 1, with the company's hardware engineering John Ternus set to take over. With the transition set to take place tomorrow, there have been quite a few headlines about Cook lately.


The latest story comes from 9to5Mac, which said it has obtained Cook's full memo to Apple employees on his final day as CEO of the company.

We have pasted the memo as they shared it below:

Team,

Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. This is a moment I always knew would come one day, and yet it is still hard to believe it has arrived and I am writing these words. I love this company and the team behind it, and I couldn't let this day pass without sending a note to you, to tell you how grateful I am for the outpouring of affection you've sent my way, for the way you've shown up each and every day, and most of all, for the privilege of a lifetime serving as your leader.

The truth is, whatever there is to say about my success, I know it is all because of you. You have brought out the best in me. In all my life, I have never seen or been with such an extraordinary team of people before, and every day I get to see more examples of that.

There is something truly special about Apple. I am most proud of what an annual report could never capture. This place is proof that culture triumphs over everything. We share a belief that what we build matters, and that we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. That purpose is part of what makes this place extraordinary. Apple helps nurture it, but I believe it lived within each of you long before you arrived here. It is what brought you to this company and what continues to drive the work you do every day. Together, we have created something far greater than any one of us could have imagined or accomplished alone. And that's the secret to our success. We bring out the best in each other. We lift each other up. We have made it possible to leave our "dent in the universe," as Steve once described it, because of who we are and what we believe, because of what we value and how we see the world. How fortunate we are. How fortunate I am.

As you know, I am not leaving Apple. But I am stepping away from a role that I have loved deeply. I will miss this work in ways I can only begin to imagine, even as I remain completely at peace with my decision. I will miss leading you and being with you for every step, even as I take enormous comfort in handing the helm to someone as brilliant and wonderful and capable as John. Few people understand what it takes to build products that change the world the way John does and I could not be more excited for his leadership.

I hope you know how much I appreciate you and what an honor it has been to be your CEO. Most of all, I hope you will continue to be proud to be part of this remarkable place we call Apple and always give it your very best. When we bring our whole selves to this work, with care for one another and for the people we serve, there is no limit to the profound difference we can make.

I look forward to seeing you in my new role at Apple Park and around the world.

With all I have and all I am, I am always

Yours,

Tim

Cook also shared a message to customers today.

"Sending lots of love to the Apple community on my last day as CEO," said Cook, in a social media post. "My title changes tomorrow, but the love I have for the Apple community never will. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration. My gratitude is endless, and I'm excited for the next chapter!"


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman published an in-depth story about Cook and Ternus on Sunday evening. While unrelated to the CEO transition, the story revealed a previously-unreported detail: Vision Pro layoffs apparently extended to employees working on the device's security, audio engineering, Siri integration, testing, and visionOS.

Gurman also revealed that Apple is seeking an executive bodyguard who must be capable of "hiking/backpacking for several miles at a time in austere environments." Cook is a big fan of hiking and U.S. national parks, leading Gurman to suspect that the job listing relates to Cook, who will probably have more time to spend outdoors.

Cook will remain at Apple as the company's executive chairman.
This article, "Tim Cook Comments on His Final Day as Apple CEO" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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MapQuest is in the spotlight this week after refusing to change "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America" on its map following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump last week. As of Monday morning, the MapQuest app is the top free iPhone app on Apple's App Store charts in Canada and fourth on the equivalent U.S. chart.


For our younger readers, MapQuest was once a popular service back in the days when printing out directions on a sheet of paper was common for road trips, before the arrival of smartphones with apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps.

MapQuest does offer its own iOS and Android apps, but the brand is nowhere near as popular as it once was. Until now, at least. MapQuest today announced that hundreds of thousands of people have downloaded its apps since Thursday, and it said it was seeing roughly a 50× increase in usage of its map as of August 30.


"We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they're familiar with," said MapQuest general manager Doug Berger, in a press release. "Hundreds of thousands of people signaled to us this weekend that we got it right, by downloading our app."

Google Maps is now showing the "Lake America" name to U.S. users, but Apple has yet to follow.


This article, "MapQuest Tops App Store Charts After Refusing 'Lake America' Change" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The One Club for Creativity, a U.S. non-profit organization that promotes excellence in advertising and design, today announced that Apple has been selected as the first brand to be inducted into its newly established "Brand Hall of Fame."

Apple's most famous ads include its iconic "1984" Super Bowl commercial for the original Macintosh, the "Think Different" campaign from the late 1990s, the "iPod silhouette" commercials from the early 2000s, the "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" commercials from the late 2000s, and the "Shot on iPhone" campaign.
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Google Maps users in the U.S. will now see the name "Lake America" instead of "Lake Ontario" for the Great Lake that straddles the New York—Ontario border.


Google said it made this change in response to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updating the name for "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America," following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump last week.


Google Maps users in Canada will still see the "Lake Ontario" name only, while users outside of the U.S. and Canada will see both names.

• In the U.S.: Lake America


• In Canada: Lake Ontario


• Outside of the U.S. and Canada: Lake Ontario (Lake America)

Apple Maps has yet to be updated, so it still shows the "Lake Ontario" name worldwide. When the GNIS updated the name for "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America" last year, Apple Maps began rolling out the change one day after Google Maps, so it might not be long before Apple follows suit with this "Lake America" change.
This article, "Google Maps Showing 'Lake America' in U.S., Apple Maps Yet to Follow" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The end of an era is upon us, as Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO on September 1, after 15 years of leading the company.


Tomorrow, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO. Cook will remain at Apple as the executive chairman of the company's board of directors. In this new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company, including "engaging with policymakers around the world."

Cook became Apple's CEO in August 2011, after Steve Jobs stepped down due to health problems. Under his leadership, Apple became the world's most valuable company on multiple occasions, and it launched products and services such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, HomePod, Vision Pro, Apple Music, Apple TV, and much more.


Apple has set all-time quarterly revenue records over its past few quarters, so the company is in a strong financial position as Cook hands the reins to Ternus.

"It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company," said Cook. "I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world."


"John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," said Cook. "He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future."

"I am filled with optimism about what we can achieve in the years to come, and I am so happy to know that the most talented people on earth are here at Apple, determined to be part of something bigger than any one of us," said Ternus.
This article, "Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO Tomorrow" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9.


While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models.

Gurman does expect a ceramic case option to return for the Apple Watch Series 12. Today, he revealed that Apple has tested both white and dark gray ceramic case options, like those offered for the highest-end Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017.

Another sketchy rumor claimed that the Series 12 would have a band with an embedded health sensor, but Gurman did not mention that.

Instead, he expects more ordinary changes, including faster performance and improvements to health and fitness tracking. The Series 11 and Ultra 3 both have the same S10 chip that was used in the Series 10 and Ultra 2, so the S11 chip or newer should provide the first Apple Watch performance improvements in multiple years.

One new feature in testing allows the heart-rate sensor on the Apple Watch to continuously collect data throughout the day, he said. In his newsletter, he added that Apple is also working on revamping its Health and Fitness apps to show more wellness-related metrics "in a similar fashion to increasingly popular app offerings from Whoop and Oura."

An Apple Watch SE 4 is not expected this year.

A "big redesign" is in the works for the Apple Watch, but he said they are unlikely to arrive for another year or two. Even further ahead, he previously said that Apple continues to develop a blood sugar detection feature with a goal of releasing it by 2030.
This article, "New Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features Revealed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has internally prototyped, tested, and considered launching an Apple Pencil for the upcoming foldable iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, he said it is unlikely that the accessory will be released.


In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the Apple Pencil tested for the foldable iPhone is stubbier than the versions for iPads. He said the Apple Pencil for the foldable iPhone was designed to magnetically attach and charge on the side of the device.

Steve Jobs famously mocked smartphone styluses when he unveiled the original iPhone in 2007.

Apple is expected to unveil the foldable iPhone during its September 9 event, and it has been rumored that the device will be named iPhone Ultra.
This article, "Apple Pencil for iPhone Ultra Was Tested" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that AirPods 5 will be released as early as this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Apple is holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

He also reiterated that he expects an iPad mini with an OLED display and other new features to launch by the end of October.
This article, "Beyond iPhone 18 Pro: AirPods 5 in September, iPad Mini With OLED Display in October" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout. Today, a new court document revealed when customers will likely be able to begin submitting claims.


If the dates proposed by Apple's lawyers are approved by the judge, eligible customers would begin to be notified about the settlement on Monday, September 21 this year, and claim submissions would likely begin around that date. The claims period would end on Monday, December 21, giving customers around 90 days to take action.

Earlier this month, the judge set the final approval hearing for February 24, 2027, so payments to customers are not expected to begin until next year. For now, no action is required from customers, as the settlement website with a claims form has yet to go live. We will continue to provide updates on the case as they become available.

Below, we have answered some key questions regarding the lawsuit.

Why Was Apple Sued?

In June 2024, Apple previewed new Siri capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence, including understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.

Apple advertised those Siri features in product presentations, on its website, in a TV commercial starring actor Bella Ramsey, and elsewhere.


In March 2025, Apple delayed the launch of the personalized version of Siri, leading to the company being hit with a class action lawsuit alleging false advertising.

In a statement, Apple touted a range of other Apple Intelligence features it had already released. Nevertheless, Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit "to stay focused" on "delivering the most innovative products and services to our users."

Apple finally announced "Siri AI" at WWDC 2026 in June, and the revamped assistant is available to test on the iOS 27 beta ahead of a September release.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible to submit a claim, you must reside in the U.S. and have purchased any iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025.

The full list of eligible iPhone models:

• iPhone 15 Pro


• iPhone 15 Pro Max


• iPhone 16


• iPhone 16e


• iPhone 16 Plus


• iPhone 16 Pro


• iPhone 16 Pro Max

It is unlikely that individuals who submit a claim will still need to have physical possession of an eligible iPhone model. However, there is a possibility that proof of purchase or other information will be required, such as the device's serial number. Exact requirements will be outlined on the settlement website, which is still not live.

How Much Will Apple Pay Me?

According to the terms of the settlement, each person who files an eligible claim will receive a per-device payment of $25, but this amount could increase up to $95 if the total number of claims submitted is lower than anticipated.

Where and When Can I Submit a Claim?

Later this year, a settlement website is expected to go live with an online claims form.
This article, "Apple's Siri Settlement: Here's When iPhone Owners Can Submit Claims" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As noted by Daring Fireball's John Gruber, developer Jeff Halter has released a new Afterglow app that allows you to run classic After Dark screen savers on modern macOS versions.

"Afterglow is an emulator built specifically for running After Dark modules -- the original 68k module code, not a remake or port -- with no dependencies on ROMs or classic Mac OS," said Halter, who has several fun nostalgic projects, such as After Dark space shooter Lunacy and HyperCard player Stacks.
This article, "This New App Brings 1990s 'After Dark' Screen Savers to Modern macOS" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As a result of Apple TV receiving a price increase today, the Apple One Individual plan has also gone up in price.

In the U.S., for example, the Apple One Individual plan now costs $21.95 per month, up from $19.95 per month. Apple One Family and Apple One Premier are not affected, but those plans already went up in price last month alongside an Apple Music price increase.

Today's Apple TV and Apple One price increases affect the U.S., Brazil, Chile, and Mexico only.
This article, "Apple One Just Went Up in Price" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today informed MacRumors and others that the Apple TV streaming service is receiving a price increase in the U.S. starting today.


As a result of the Apple TV price increase, the Apple One Individual bundle has also gone up in price, with all of today's changes outlined below.

• Apple TV (Monthly): $14.99 per month (up from $12.99 per month)


• Apple TV (Annually): $119 per year (up from $99 per year)


• Apple One (Individual): $21.95 per month (up from $19.95 per month)

Apple TV also received a price increase in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico today, according to Apple, but no other countries are affected.

The higher prices are effective immediately for new subscribers, while existing subscribers will be notified approximately one month prior to being charged the new price, according to Apple. Existing subscribers should look out for an email from Apple over the coming days and weeks ahead of their next subscription renewal.

Apple TV initially cost just $4.99 per month in the U.S. when it launched in 2019, but the price has increased four times. The monthly price rose to $6.99 in 2022, to $9.99 in 2023, to $12.99 in 2025, and now to $14.99.

Apple One Family and Apple One Premier did not receive price increases today, but those plans already went up in price in July alongside an Apple Music price increase. Apple One Individual had avoided a price increase at that time.

This article, "Apple TV Streaming Service Receives Price Increase" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO in just five more days, with the company's hardware engineering chief John Ternus set to take over.


Below, we have surfaced some of Cook's notable quotes over his 15 years leading Apple.

August 2011, in an email to Apple employees upon becoming CEO:

I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple's unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that - it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

May 2012, on Apple's secrecy:

We're going to double down on secrecy on products. I'm serious.

September 2012, in a public apology about the botched launch of Apple Maps:

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

December 2012, when asked if it is true that he wakes up at 3:45 a.m. every morning:

Yes, every morning.

The thing about it is, when you love what you do, you don't really think of it as work. It's what you do. And that's the good fortune of where I find myself.

October 2014, in a public essay:

I'm proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.

March 2015, the month before the Apple Watch launched:

Apple Watch begins a new chapter in the way we relate to technology and we think our customers are going to love it. We can't wait for people to start wearing Apple Watch to easily access information that matters, to interact with the world, and to live a better day by being more aware of their daily activity than ever before.

October 2015, on privacy:

We see that privacy is a fundamental human right that people have.

June 2017, expressing his excitement about augmented reality:

I think it is profound. I am so excited about it, I just want to yell out and scream.

March 2018, on what he would do if he were Mark Zuckerberg, amid a Facebook privacy scandal:

I wouldn't be in this situation.

March 2020, in response to COVID-19:

There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment. The entire Apple family is indebted to the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts and public servants globally who have given every ounce of their spirit to help the world meet this moment.

August 2022, on Apple's legacy:

I think that when we look back one day and ask, what's been Apple's greatest contribution, it will be in health.

September 2022, in response to a customer asking why the iPhone did not support RCS, when Android smartphones already did at the time:

Buy your mom an iPhone.

June 2023, in Apple's Vision Pro announcement:

Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing. Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing. Built upon decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro is years ahead and unlike anything created before — with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations.

April 2026, upon announcing he is stepping down as CEO:

It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world.

And a list of Cook quotes would not be complete without:

Good moooorning!

Cook will remain at Apple as executive chairman on the company's board of directors. In this role, Apple said he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world."
This article, "Tim Cook Stepping Down as Apple CEO Next Week: 15 Years in Quotes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has announced that it will be holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the company widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, its first-ever foldable iPhone, and more.


Other products expected to be announced at the event include an Apple Watch Series 12 with a ceramic case option, an Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5 with and without active noise cancellation, and potentially more.

Here are the six products most likely to be unveiled at the event.

Most Likely

• iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, a Dark Cherry color option, and more.


• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The same features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Pro Max model may be slightly thicker due to a larger battery and a variable aperture camera, which might be exclusive to the Pro Max model this year.


• iPhone Ultra: A foldable iPhone Ultra with a 7.7-inch inner display and 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and more. iOS 27 is expected to be tailored for the foldable iPhone, allowing for side-by-side apps and other iPad-like multitasking functionality.


• Apple Watch Series 12: A faster S11 chip or newer, longer battery life, fitness tracking improvements, and a ceramic case option.


• Apple Watch Ultra 4: A faster S11 chip or newer, fitness tracking improvements, and additional satellite features for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and newer, such as Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos with Messages via satellite. Touch ID was initially rumored, but seemingly ruled out.
• AirPods 5: Two new AirPods 5 models with and without active noise cancellation.

Other Possibilities

Many of the products below are more likely to be announced in October this year, but perhaps some of them will appear at the September event.

• iPad mini: A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system, and a water-resistant design.


• iMac: M6 chip and new color options.


• 14-inch MacBook Pro: A new 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with an M6 chip.


• MacBook Ultra: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 or early 2027, with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. On this laptop, which will reportedly be named MacBook Ultra, macOS 27 is expected to offer a touch-friendly interface.


• Apple TV: At least five new features, including an A17 Pro chip or newer, an increased 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote.


• HomePod mini: Newer chip with Siri AI support, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red.


• Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring Siri AI, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. There will a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.

This article, "Apple Event: Six New Products to Expect on September 9" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The new Mac mini and Mac Studio models announced by Apple this week are "slated to ship" with macOS Golden Gate, according to Daring Fireball's John Gruber.


Apple's product pages for the new Mac mini and Mac Studio models mention macOS Golden Gate features such as Siri AI, providing further evidence that the computers will ship with the latest operating system, instead of macOS Tahoe.

In addition, FCC documents and other evidence uncovered by MacRumors all point towards the new Macs coming with macOS Golden Gate preinstalled.

"The new Mac mini comes to life with the upcoming macOS 27, which includes Siri AI, a profoundly more capable and personal assistant; helpful Apple Intelligence features across everyday apps; and an expansive set of improvements that make the Mac even more responsive and reliable," said Apple, in a press release.

Apple said the new Mac mini and Mac Studio will be released on Tuesday, September 22, so macOS Golden Gate would need to be released before that date if the computers will ship with that operating system. Based on historical patterns, macOS Golden Gate will most likely be released during the week of Monday, September 14.
This article, "Apple's New Macs to Ship With macOS Golden Gate" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you dial Apple Support's phone number 1-800-APL-CARE from the U.S. or Canada, there is a good chance that an AI-powered support assistant will now answer.


While many of Apple's phone systems already had a basic automated operator, the Apple Support phone line is now using a voice powered by generative AI. The assistant can answer questions and troubleshoot issues with your Apple products, with it able to provide detailed step-by-step instructions. The assistant can still transfer you to a human advisor if it cannot answer a specific question, or if you ask to speak to a real person.

An anonymous tipster claimed that Apple has partnered with Sierra AI on the virtual assistant, but we have not independently confirmed this information.

A concern is that Apple's increasing use of AI for customer service may result in a reduction in human advisors, through fewer job listings and/or layoffs.

It appears that the AI assistant for Apple Support phone calls went live earlier this year. Apple has also been testing a new AI-powered chatbot in its Apple Support app, through a new "Ask" tab that has rolled out to a limited number of users.
This article, "1-800-APL-CARE Now Connects You With AI Assistant Instead of Human" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Starting today, Virginia residents can add a digital version of their driver's license to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The digital ID can be used to display proof of identity or age at TSA checkpoints in select airports, at select businesses, and in select apps, but the number of places where it is accepted is still quite limited.


Virginia is the 15th state to implement support for Apple Wallet IDs in the U.S., joining Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, and West Virginia. The feature is also available in Puerto Rico, and it works with Japan's My Number Card.

Apple has been preparing for the feature to go live in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah in the coming months, and years ago it announced that Connecticut, Kentucky, and Mississippi were committed to launching the feature at some point.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards, select Virginia from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process. Then, you can present your digital ID where it is accepted without handing over your device.


You can present an Apple Wallet ID where accepted by simply tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader. Then, you will be able to view the specific information being requested by the TSA or business. Only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested identity information released from your device.

As mentioned, you do not need to unlock, show, or hand over your device to present an Apple Wallet ID in person, ensuring user privacy.

Apple Wallet IDs are generally not accepted by law enforcement, so carrying a physical ID is still legally required for traffic stops. In addition, the number of businesses that accept Apple Wallet IDs is still quite small. At least for now, Apple Wallet IDs are designed to be a convenient alternative where they are accepted.

Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports across the U.S. for domestic travel, according to Apple.
This article, "Apple Wallet Driver's License Feature Just Launched in Virginia" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 tweaks some of the information and menus shown alongside the Digital ID passport feature in the Apple Wallet app.

As a result of these changes and/or a related bug, some iPhone users have seen their Digital ID deactivated on recent iOS 27 beta versions. Apple says affected users must remove the card and re-add it to the Apple Wallet app in order to use it again.
This article, "iOS 27 Tweaks Apple Wallet's U.S. Passport Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has informed some customers who recently ordered a Mac mini with an M4 chip that has yet to ship that it will be upgrading their order to an equivalent version of the new Mac mini with an M6 chip at no additional cost.


Apple's email to customers:

Thank you for your recent Mac order. We know you're looking forward to receiving your purchase.

As you may know, Apple recently announced the new Mac mini. Since your order has yet to ship, we automatically upgraded you to the new Mac mini at no additional cost.

Given the Mac mini now starts at $899 instead of $799 in the U.S., some customers are effectively receiving a $100 discount on the new model.

One customer on social media was delighted to learn that they would not only be receiving the new Mac mini at no additional cost, but also saw their delivery estimate bumped up from October to September. On the other hand, a student emailed us to complain that their delivery estimate was pushed back by several weeks as a result of the free upgrade, as they said they need the computer imminently for their studies. The student said Apple did not offer them a choice to accept or decline the free upgrade.

Apple announced the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options this week, alongside a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options. Both new Macs are available to pre-order now ahead and launch on Tuesday, September 22.

The previous-generation Mac mini was released in November 2024.
This article, "Apple Giving Some Mac Mini Customers a Free Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Looking past the new Mac mini and Mac Studio models unveiled today, Apple still has plenty of other new products on its roadmap for this year.


It is nearly September, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first-ever foldable iPhone are just around the corner. Other products expected later this year include the Apple Watch Series 12 with a ceramic case option, AirPods 5, an all-new Apple home hub, new Apple TV and HomePod mini models, and more.

Apple is expected to release at least 13 more products by the end of 2026, according to rumors. We have provided a summary below.

iPhones

• iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Pro chip, a smaller Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control button, a Dark Cherry color option, and more.


• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The same features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Pro Max model may be slightly thicker due to a larger battery and a variable aperture camera, which might be exclusive to the Pro Max model this year.


• iPhone Ultra: A foldable iPhone Ultra with a 7.7-inch inner display and 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and more. iOS 27 is expected to be tailored for the foldable iPhone, allowing for side-by-side apps and other iPad-like multitasking functionality.

Apple Watches

• Apple Watch Series 12: A faster S11 chip or newer, longer battery life, fitness tracking improvements, and a ceramic case option.


• Apple Watch Ultra 4: A faster S11 chip or newer, fitness tracking improvements, and additional satellite features for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and newer, such as Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos with Messages via satellite. Touch ID was initially rumored, but seemingly ruled out.

iPads

• iPad mini: A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system, and a water-resistant design.

Macs

• iMac: M6 chip and new color options.


• MacBook Pro: A new 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with an M6 chip.

Home

• Apple TV: At least five new features, including an A17 Pro chip or newer, an increased 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote.


• HomePod mini: Newer chip with Siri AI support, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red.


• Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring Siri AI, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. There will a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.

Headphones

• AirPods 5: Two new AirPods 5 models with and without active noise cancellation.


• Beats 360: New over-ear Beats 360 headphones with an AirPods Max-like design, interchangeable ear cushions and headbands, up to 1.75× more noise cancellation than the Beats Studio Pro, IPX4-rated water resistance, and more.

Wild Card

• MacBook Ultra: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 or early 2027, with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. On this laptop, which will reportedly be named MacBook Ultra, macOS 27 is expected to offer a touch-friendly interface.

This article, "Apple to Release 13 More New Products Later This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today unveiled new Mac Studio models with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. Pre-orders began today ahead of a September 22 launch, but one configuration will not be available until later.

Apple says the Mac Studio with the M5 Ultra chip and 512GB of RAM will be coming in "late October," with U.S. pricing expected to start well above the $10,000 mark. Apple stopped offering the previous-generation Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM in March due to the ongoing memory chip shortage, but it appears that the upgrade option will return for the new model in two months from now.
This article, "Mac Studio With M5 Ultra Chip and 512GB of RAM Launching in October" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today unveiled a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options, a new version of the Polishing Cloth with a lower price, and updated Magic Keyboards for Macs.


Here are all of the new products that Apple announced today:

• Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More


• Apple Unveils New Mac Studio With M5 Max and M5 Ultra Chips


• Apple Releases New Polishing Cloth


• Apple Quietly Refreshes Magic Keyboards

Both the M6 and M5 Ultra chips are new as of today:

• Apple Reveals M6 as First-Ever 2nm Chip


• Apple Debuts M5 Ultra as Most Powerful Chip Ever

The new Mac mini and Mac Studio models can be pre-ordered starting today, with deliveries to customers and in-store availability set to begin on Tuesday, September 22. The new Polishing Cloth and Magic Keyboards are available immediately.
This article, "New Macs and More: Here's Everything Apple Announced Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released a new version of its Polishing Cloth on its online store. In the U.S., pricing is now set at $9, down from $19 for the previous version of the cloth.

We have yet to determine if the new Polishing Cloth is smaller than the original or has any other notable changes beyond lower pricing. Apple says the cloth continues to be made with soft, nonabrasive material that can be used to clean any Apple display, including those with a nano-texture coating.
This article, "Apple Releases New Polishing Cloth" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today announced the next-generation Mac mini, which can be configured with an all-new M6 chip or the M5 Pro chip released earlier this year.


The M6 chip is equipped with a 12-core CPU and a 12-core GPU, up from a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU in the M5 chip. In addition, the M6 chip features the first-ever dual Neural Engine with two 16-core engines, up from one in previous chips. The M6 chip has up to 170GB/s memory bandwidth, up from 153GB/s for the M5 chip.

Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4× faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2× faster graphics performance, and up to 2× faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage.

There are two M5 Pro configurations available, including one with a 15-core CPU and a 16-core GPU, and another with an 18-core CPU and a 20-core GPU. Both of these models are equipped with a single 16-core Neural Engine for AI tasks.

For both the M6 and M5 Pro configurations, Apple said the Mac mini now includes Neural Accelerators in each GPU core for the first time.

Apple silicon continues to deliver industry-leading performance-per-watt, and Apple said the M6 chip has the world's fastest CPU core. Apple touted the Mac mini as the "leading" desktop for "always-on, deskside agentic computing."

Apple's press release provides many specific performance comparisons involving apps such as Affinity, Blender, LM Studio, and Photoshop.


Mac mini models with the M6 chip can be configured with up to a 2TB SSD and 32GB of RAM, while models with the M5 Pro go up to an 8TB SSD and 64GB of RAM.

All of the new Mac mini models support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, up from Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 on the previous 2024 models. The new models have the same overall design as the previous models and continue to come in silver only.

All models still have two front USB-C ports, a front headphone jack, three rear Thunderbolt ports, a rear HDMI port, and a rear Ethernet port that is now a 2.5 Gigabit port by default, up from 1 Gigabit. A 10-Gigabit Ethernet upgrade option remains available. M6 models have Thunderbolt 4 ports and M5 Pro models have Thunderbolt 5 ports.

All models continue to natively support up to three external displays.

The new Mac mini is available to pre-order starting today, and it will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Tuesday, September 22. In the U.S., the M6 model starts at $899, while the M5 Pro model starts at $1,699.

In the U.S., the previous Mac mini initially started at $599 with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, but that configuration eventually rose to $799 alongside price increases to all other Macs and iPads in June. The equivalent configuration with the M6 chip starts at $899, so the Mac mini is now even more expensive.
This article, "Apple Announces New Mac Mini With M6 and M5 Pro Chips and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display "by the end of October" this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Apple already updated the iPad Pro with an OLED display in May 2024, but the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are all still equipped with LCD screens. The move to OLED technology would result in the next iPad mini offering improved image quality, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.

Given that OLED displays are generally more expensive than LCDs, the next iPad mini could have a higher starting price compared to the current model.

Gurman did not provide any other details about the next iPad mini today, but he previously reported that the device would receive a new type of speaker system and increased water resistance. The next iPad mini is also rumored to be powered by either an A19 Pro or A20 chip, up from the A17 Pro chip in the current model.

The current ‌model launched in October 2024, with the A17 Pro chip enabling Apple Intelligence.
This article, "New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Expected to Launch by Late October" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is planning to announce two new AirPods 5 models as early as Wednesday, September 9, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Like the AirPods 4, the AirPods 5 will be available with and without active noise cancellation, he said.

AirPods 5 references were already discovered in macOS 26.7 Release Candidate code last week, and the report said they could be unveiled at this year's iPhone event. There is no word on how the AirPods 5 will differ from the AirPods 4, which launched in September 2024. In the U.S., AirPods 4 are priced at $129 to $179.
This article, "AirPods 5 to Launch as Early as Next Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple plans to send out invites for its annual iPhone event this week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The event will likely take place on Wednesday, September 9, he said.

During the event, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with a foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named iPhone Ultra. Other new products rumored include an Apple Watch Series 12 with a ceramic case option, two AirPods 5 models, and more.
This article, "Apple Reportedly Will Announce iPhone 18 Pro Event Date This Week" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple plans to unveil a new Mac mini in the "coming days," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The new Mac mini will potentially be unveiled before the iPhone 18 Pro event, which is likely to take place on Wednesday, September 9, the report said. Gurman said the new Mac mini will likely be Apple's final new product unveiled before Tim Cook steps down as CEO on September 1, and if so, then it would need to be announced before August ends.

Apple has tested versions of the Mac mini with both M5 and M6 chips, according to Gurman, but it remains unclear which generation of chips Apple ultimately plans to use in the next model. Currently, the Mac mini can be configured with a standard M4 chip or a higher-end M4 Pro chip, 16GB to 48GB of RAM, and up to 8TB of storage.

At the start of May, Apple stopped offering the Mac mini with 256GB of storage for $599, resulting in a 512GB model for $799 becoming the lowest-priced configuration available. Then, in late June, Apple reintroduced the 256GB configuration for $799 after raising prices on all Macs and iPads, the Apple TV, HomePods, and the Vision Pro.

Due to the rising popularity of the Mac mini for on-device AI models, combined with the ongoing memory chip shortage, the Mac mini has been facing extended delivery estimates over the past few months. Currently, the Mac mini has a 4-10 week delivery estimate on Apple's online store in the U.S. depending on the configuration.

In February, Apple announced that Foxconn would begin assembling some Mac mini units at a factory in Houston, Texas later this year. The facility opened this month, with Cook joining U.S. government officials to celebrate the grand opening. So, perhaps Apple's announcement for the new Mac mini will emphasize U.S. assembly.
This article, "New Mac Mini Reportedly Set to Launch Before iPhone 18 Pro Event" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year.


This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not expected to be announced until around March 2027, as part of a new launch strategy.

Australian media outlet ChannelNews recently published an "exclusive" report claiming that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event will take place on Tuesday, September 8. However, this date is questionable, as Apple has never held its iPhone event one day after Labor Day. Historically, there has always been at least a two-day gap between the holiday and the event, so it is more likely to fall on Wednesday, September 9 or later this year.

In his Power On newsletter yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the event will indeed take place "on or around" Wednesday, September 9 this year.

If the event were to fall on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9 this year, pre-orders would ordinarily begin on Friday, September 11. However, that Friday will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, so Apple may want to avoid starting pre-orders that day out of respect. Perhaps for the same reason, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus pre-orders began on Saturday, September 12 instead of Friday, September 11 in 2015.

It would be a lot smoother for Apple to skip the week of Labor Day and the 9/11 anniversary entirely and hold its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event the following week instead. This would also allow for an extra week of production for the first-of-its-kind iPhone Ultra. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the event will take place in the first half of September, which would make Tuesday, September 15 the latest possible date.

If the event falls on Monday, September 14 or Tuesday, September 15, then pre-orders would likely begin on Friday, September 18, and the devices would likely launch Friday, September 25. It remains to be seen if the iPhone Ultra is available at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro models, but it might be limited to the U.S. at first either way.

Since 2020, iPhone event videos have been pre-recorded, but in recent years Apple has invited select reporters to the Steve Jobs Theater to watch the video in person. Afterwards, attendees receive hands-on time with the new devices.

The table below provides an overview of dates for the last six iPhone events, with 2020 being an outlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

iPhone Series	Announcement Date	Event Date	Delta (Days)
iPhone 17	Tuesday, August 26, 2025	Tuesday, September 9, 2025	14
iPhone 16	Monday, August 26, 2024	Monday, September 9, 2024	14
iPhone 15	Tuesday, August 29, 2023	Tuesday, September 12, 2023	14
iPhone 14	Wednesday, August 24, 2022	Wednesday, September 7, 2022	14
iPhone 13	Tuesday, September 7, 2021	Tuesday, September 14, 2021	7
iPhone 12	Tuesday, October 6, 2020	Tuesday, October 13, 2020	7

This article, "iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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