The free Apple Invites app for the iPhone was updated today with three new features: shared albums now support full-resolution photo sharing, Image Playground now lets you create photorealistic backgrounds for invites, and guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code.


Released in February 2025, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. The ability to create an event in the app requires subscribing to an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage for $0.99 per month, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free on any device.

Apple's full release notes for version 1.12.0 of the app:

• Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing, so you can relive every moment in stunning detail right in the app. Anyone, including users without an Apple device, can join and contribute.

• Image Playground now lets you create high quality backgrounds in pretty much any style, including photorealistic, so your invite captures exactly the vibe you have in mind.

• Guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code, making it even easier to get into an event.

• This update contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

The update is available now in the App Store.
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Earlier this week, Daring Fireball's John Gruber floated Tuesday, October 13 as a potential date for Apple to hand out iPhone Duo review units to selected reviewers in person, and it appears that he might have been on to something.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple plans to unveil its all-new smart home hub, a second-generation HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K model on October 13, the same date that Gruber mentioned in his speculative piece a few days ago.

In a separate post, Gruber opined that there is "no way" that Apple would unveil the home hub through an Apple Newsroom announcement only, given it is an all-new device with an all-new interface. "If this is coming, it has to be unveiled with a keynote video and some sort of media event with hands-on demos," he said.

If Gruber is right that the home hub "has to be unveiled with a keynote video," that would set the stage for an online-only Apple Event that would be streamed on Apple's website and YouTube on October 13. Afterwards, Apple would likely hold a hands-on experience for the media, allowing them to demo the products that were announced.

The same thing happened in October 2023. On October 24 that year, Apple announced that it would be holding an online-only Apple Event on October 30, which was streamed on Apple's website and YouTube. Later that day, Apple allowed selected journalists and content creators to go hands-on with the Macs unveiled during the event in person.

During the hands-on experience, selected individuals could also receive an iPhone Duo review unit in hand, allowing Apple to avoid a first-of-its-kind iPhone getting lost in the mail before it launches on Friday, October 23. Apple typically gives out review units around a week before a device launches, so the timing would line up.

In any case, mark your calendars, as it sounds like October 13 will be a big day for Apple.

If there is an October 13 event, expect Apple to announce it by next week.
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Last week, our exclusive leak revealed that the next-generation iPad mini will feature Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, a landscape front camera, and a redesigned speaker system, but that is not all, as plenty of other upgrades have been rumored.


Here are 10 new features and changes expected for the iPad mini 8:

• Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process. Expect up to around 1.5× faster CPU performance and up to around 2.5× faster GPU performance compared to the A17 Pro chip in the current iPad mini. A20 Pro also introduces a "dual 16-core Neural Engine" for a total of 32 cores.


• With the A20 Pro chip, the next iPad mini will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB of RAM in the current model. This means the device will support the ability to customize the pace and expressiveness of Siri AI's voice.


• OLED display with better overall image quality compared to the current LCD model, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.


• Slimmer bezels around the display compared to the current model.


• Landscape front camera, meaning the camera will be in the right bezel instead of the top bezel when holding the device in an upright position.


• Apple's custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.


• Apple's custom-designed C1X or C2 modem for cellular configurations.


• A redesigned speaker system with no speaker holes and potentially an iPhone earpiece-like speaker in the top bezel.


• IP-rated water resistance for the first time.

Apple is expected to announce the iPad mini 8 this year, with an October launch most likely. In the U.S., the current iPad mini starts at $599 after receiving a $100 price increase in June, which Apple attributed to skyrocketing RAM and storage chip prices. With a costlier OLED display, the next model might be even more expensive.
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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today briefly mentioned that "Apple aims to eventually update its larger HomePod," assuring that the company remains committed to the full-sized speaker, which was discontinued in 2021 and reintroduced in 2023.


The report said a new HomePod mini, new Apple TV 4K, and an all-new Apple smart home hub will all be announced on Tuesday, October 13, but it sounds like a new version of the full-sized HomePod will not be unveiled until a later date. If and when it does finally arrive, expect support for the more intelligent Siri AI to be a key new feature.

Siri AI support would require a faster chip—the current HomePod uses the Apple Watch Series 7's S7 chip. Other likely upgrades include improved audio quality, new color options, and Apple's custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.

The full-sized HomePod is a relatively niche product, but it is a convenient choice for Apple fans with home theater setups. A pair of HomePods can be set as an Apple TV 4K's default audio output, allowing for stereo sound.

In June, Apple raised prices on more than a dozen products, including the full-sized HomePod. In the U.S., the current model is now priced at $349, up from $299 when it was released in 2023. The first-generation HomePod was initially $349 too when it launched in 2018, so the speaker's pricing has come full circle.
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Apple Pay is set to launch in India later today (Wednesday local time), starting with Axis Bank credit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks, according to TechCrunch.

India already has a popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system for digital payments, so the initial rollout of Apple Pay in the country is expected to be limited. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Bank/SBI Card are not expected to support Apple Pay at launch, the report said.
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In a July 2026 letter addressed to U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Apple said its decision to remove ICEBlock and similar apps that crowdsourced the real-time locations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from the App Store was "prompted by concerns" about "agent safety," according to CNN's Clare Duffy.


The report said the app removals were "prompted by concerns — including those raised by the Trump administration — about agent safety following a fatal shooting that left two detainees dead at a Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement office."

Apple removed ICEBlock from the App Store in October 2025, leading Raskin to launch an investigation into the U.S. Justice Department's apparent role in the removal of the apps from the App Store and Google's Play Store, the report said. Apple's letter responding to Raskin had not previously been reported, according to CNN.

When it removed ICEBlock from the ‌App Store‌, Apple said that the app violated guideline 1.1.1 of its App Review Guidelines:

Information provided to Apple by law enforcement shows that your app violates Guideline 1.1.1 because its purpose is to provide location information about law enforcement officers that can be used to harm such officers individually or as a group. For this reason, your app will be removed from the App Store.

ICEBlock has not returned to the App Store.
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Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Norway, according to an Apple support document updated today.

Available on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and newer, Emergency SOS via satellite lets you text emergency services when you are in a supported area without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. In Norway, the feature requires iOS 26.4 and watchOS 26.4 or later. Apple warns that satellite connectivity might not work in places above 62° latitude.
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Apple recently considered laying off about 5,000 support employees, but it has put those plans on hold indefinitely, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The report said that Apple believed that AI-powered phone and web agents could take over some of the responsibilities performed by the employees who would have been let go, but Apple is no longer "currently looking to take such a step."

Last month, we reported that customers who call the AppleCare phone number (1-800-APL-CARE) from the U.S. or Canada are now routed to an AI-powered support assistant. While many of Apple's phone systems already had a basic automated operator, the Apple Support phone line is now using a bot powered by generative AI.

The virtual assistant can answer questions and provide step-by-step instructions for troubleshooting issues with your Apple products. It 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.

It remains to be seen if Apple eventually revisits layoffs and/or reduces hiring for AppleCare roles.

The report said Apple has laid off some other employees in middle management roles in recent weeks, including roughly half a dozen directors.
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Last week, MacRumors uncovered evidence of an Apple TV 4K (4th generation), and now an Apple support document has further hinted at a new model.


Apple on Monday updated a support document related to lossless audio in Apple Music with the following fine print below the Apple TV 4K section:

Hi-Res Lossless is available only on Apple TV 4K (3rd generation or later).

Given the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) is the current model, the "or later" wording is noteworthy, as it could mean that a new model is imminent. However, Apple could simply be future-proofing the document or have made a mistake.

In any case, the support document adds to growing anticipation for a new Apple TV 4K, which is expected to be announced this October.

The next Apple TV is rumored to have an A19 or A19 Pro chip, an increased 8GB to 12GB of RAM, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and a revised Siri Remote. The image of the Apple TV 4K (4th generation) that we obtained last week did not reveal any design changes compared to the current model.

The current Apple TV is nearly four years old, having been announced in October 2022. It is equipped with an A15 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM.

In June, the Apple TV received a price increase amid surging memory chip costs. In the U.S., for example, the device now starts at $199, up from $129.
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iPhone apps with Google Analytics for Firebase integration were briefly crashing on Monday due to an issue with the analytics platform that has since been resolved. Affected apps should no longer be crashing, with no action required from developers.

While the issue began shortly after Apple released iOS 27.0.1, the timing was coincidental, as apps were crashing on other iOS versions too.
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October will be an especially busy month for Apple this year, with the company set to release the iPhone Duo, both iOS 27.1 and iOS 27.2, and a new Mac Studio configuration with 512GB of RAM. In addition, up to six more Apple products may be unveiled next month, such as new iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models.


Below, we have outlined 12 new things to expect from Apple this October.

Confirmed

• iPhone Duo: The foldable iPhone Duo launches on Friday, October 23. Pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.


• iOS 27.1: Apple said the iPhone Duo will ship with iOS 27.1, so the software update is expected to be released before October 23.


• iOS 27.2: Apple jumped ahead to an iOS 27.2 beta because iOS 27.1 is dedicated to the iPhone Duo. iOS 27.2 adds support for the five additional Siri AI languages that Apple promised would be coming in October, so accordingly we can expect iOS 27.2 to be released at some point during the month.


• Mac Studio (512GB RAM): While the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips was released last week, Apple said a high-end configuration with the M5 Ultra and 512GB of RAM will be available in late October.

Rumored

• iPad mini 8: OLED display, A20 Pro chip, landscape front camera, redesigned speaker system, and water-resistant design.


• 24" iMac: M6 chip and new color options.


• 14" MacBook Pro: M6 chip.


• 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models with OLED displays: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design.


• Apple TV 4K (4th Generation): A19 or A19 Pro chip, an increased 8GB to 12GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote. A leak revealed the new Apple TV will look the same as the existing model.


• HomePod mini 2: Newer chip, Siri AI support, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and new color options, including pink and green. No major design changes.


• Home hub: An all-new Apple smart home hub featuring Siri AI, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip or newer for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. A new operating system will feature clock faces, widgets, and more. There will be a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.


• homeOS: Apple's smart home hub is expected to run an all-new operating system that may be named homeOS, according to trademark filings.

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Apple today finally shared release notes for tvOS 27, nearly two weeks after releasing the software update. Many of the new features and changes listed were already known, but we are sharing the notes for the sake of completeness.


tvOS 27 was released on Monday, September 14, but the Apple TV does not show release notes for software updates in the Settings app. Instead, Apple periodically updates a support document outlining what is new in tvOS updates.

Here is what is new for the Apple TV on tvOS 27, including video podcasts in the Podcasts app, AutoMix in the Apple Music app, the ability to set your preferred text size across supported apps, improved AirPlay performance, and more:

This update brings enhancements to the Apple Music, Podcasts, and AirPlay experiences on tvOS. It also brings captions to more content, adds the ability to block individual apps, and provides bug fixes and security updates for your Apple TV 4K.

Apple Music

- Hi-Res Lossless audio support provides a studio-quality listening experience.

- AutoMix transitions one song into the next like a DJ does, time stretching and beatmatching to deliver a continuous playback experience.

This release also includes other features and improvements:

- Video podcasts bring your favorite shows to the TV in the redesigned Podcasts app.

- AirPlay performance improvements deliver faster, more responsive connections when sharing photos, videos, and music from iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Apple TV.

- Transcribed audio helps you follow along with content when standard captions or subtitles aren't provided.

- Dynamic Text support in Accessibility settings allows you to set your preferred text size across supported apps.

- Individual app controls in Settings let you block users from launching specific apps.

tvOS 27 is compatible with the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and newer.
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A subset of iPhone 18 Pro Max users in the U.S. are experiencing issues with AT&T cellular connectivity and/or eSIM provisioning, according to complaints across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and the Apple Support Community.


Affected users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data.

Notably, the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new iPhone released this month that is equipped with a Qualcomm cellular modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries. However, it is unclear if this is a contributing factor.

Apple is currently testing iOS 27.0.1, which is expected to be released next week, and hopefully it includes a carrier update that resolves these AT&T issues.
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The next iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K models have all leaked, just a few weeks before the devices are expected to be announced. Specifically, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered a few of Apple's official images of the devices, confirming their existence and some new features that are planned.


The most notable iPad mini details revealed in today's leak include an A20 Pro chip, a new speaker design, and a landscape front camera, while images have revealed that the next HomePod mini will be available in new colors like green and pink.

There is also evidence of an upcoming "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model, so it appears that a new Apple TV is finally coming soon after a four-year wait.

We have recapped all of our coverage below:

• iPad Mini 8 Leaked: A20 Pro Chip, Landscape Camera, and More


• Exclusive: First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors


• New Apple TV Leaked

October is a common month for Apple to announce products, so the new iPad mini, HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K might be no more than a few weeks away.
This article, "iPad Mini With A20 Pro, New HomePod Mini Colors, and New Apple TV 4K All Just Leaked" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris has uncovered an image file from Apple for an unreleased Apple TV 4K, suggesting that a new model will finally be released soon. The image is specifically for an "Apple TV 4K (4th generation)" model.


The image reveals that the Apple TV will have the same external design as the current model, with all of its upgrades expected to be internal. Rumored features include an A17 Pro chip or newer, an increased 8GB of RAM, Apple Intelligence and Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and a revised Siri Remote.

The current Apple TV is nearly four years old, having been announced in October 2022. It is equipped with an A15 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM.

With an A17 Pro chip or newer, the next Apple TV will have faster performance and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for improved graphics rendering in games.

With the N1 chip, the Apple TV will support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

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 the current Apple TV's Wi-Fi 6, but real-world speeds are bottlenecked by internet service providers and other factors.

Siri AI will likely be the headline new feature on the next Apple TV, with tvOS 27 expected to gain a Siri app on the device. Siri AI is a much more intelligent and personalized version of Siri that can answer pretty much any question. The bump to 8GB of RAM will enable support for not only Siri AI, but some other Apple Intelligence features.

A revised Siri Remote of some kind is expected alongside the new Apple TV, but it is unclear exactly what outward changes it will have, if any.

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.

October is a common month for Apple to announce new products, so stay tuned, as the next Apple TV might just be days or weeks away.
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Apple kicked off its recent wave of product announcements on August 25, when it introduced a new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips, a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, and an updated version of the Apple Polishing Cloth.


As usual, September then arrived with many new Apple products. Already this month, the company has unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, AirPods 5, and Beats 360. Apple also debuted a new Wrist Strap accessory, along with an updated Apple Watch magnetic charging cable.

In case you missed anything, here is our previous coverage of 12 new products and accessories announced by Apple over the past month:

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


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


• Apple Releases New Polishing Cloth


• Apple Announces iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max


• Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'


• Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 12 With S11 Chip, Upgraded Health Sensors and Ceramic Models


• Apple Announces Apple Watch Ultra 4 With Two-Day Battery Life and Upgraded Health Tracking


• AirPods 5 Announced With Improved Noise Cancellation, Audio Quality, and More


• Beats 360 Deliver Customizability and a Revamped Over-Ear Headphone Design


• Apple Debuts Wrist Strap and Other New Accessories for iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods Pro 3


• Here's Why a New Apple Watch Charging Puck Was Just Released

Apple has also released new iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands, and revised U.S. English versions of its Magic Keyboards for Macs with glyphs on select keys.
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Three iconic "Peanuts" specials will once again be available on the Apple TV streaming service without a subscription for a limited time this holiday season.


Here is when each special will be available to stream for free in the Apple TV app:

• "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown": Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18


• "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving": Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15


• "A Charlie Brown Christmas": Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13

Apple TV subscribers can already watch the specials at any time of the year.

In 2020, a petition calling for the "Peanuts" specials to return to broadcast TV networks received hundreds of thousands of signatures. Apple ultimately allowed the "Peanuts" specials to air on PBS in 2020 and 2021, but since then it has opted to make the specials available for free for a short time through its streaming service.

Also premiering on the Apple TV streaming service this holiday season is "Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy", "Fraggle Rock: A Holiday Gift," and more.
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Square today announced a new Apple Business integration that makes it easier for businesses to ensure they have up-to-date information across Apple Maps, Apple Wallet, and Siri AI.

Apple Business is connected to Square's Dashboard: "Rather than managing multiple channels separately, sellers can now maintain their Apple presence alongside the rest of their business in Square."
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Qualcomm today announced the renewal of its global patent licensing agreement with Apple, effective April 1, 2027. No further details were provided.


This patent agreement is separate from Qualcomm's agreement to supply Apple with cellular modems for smartphone launches through 2026, so we expect Apple's transition to its own custom-designed modems to continue. Among the latest iPhone models, only the U.S. version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max still has a Qualcomm modem.

The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple's C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all countries beyond the U.S., while cellular models of the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air use Apple's previous-generation C1X modem.

Following a legal battle, Apple and Qualcomm reached a settlement that included a six-year patent licensing agreement beginning April 1, 2019. A two-year extension option was exercised, pushing the agreement's expiry date to March 31, 2027. Reuters reported that another two-year extension option was available, so it is possible the agreement now runs through March 31, 2029, but the length of the latest extension was not disclosed.
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Apple has confirmed to 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo that it plans to release a software update early next week with a fix for a Face ID issue affecting some iPhone 18 Pro users.

Yesterday, we reported that Apple is testing iOS 27.0.1, which is likely to be the update with the fix.
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After releasing iOS 27 last week, Apple is already testing a follow-up iOS 27.0.1 update for iPhones, according to MacRumors logs.


iOS 27.0.1 will likely be a minor update with bug fixes and/or security patches.

Shortly after Apple launches new iPhone models, some software bugs are usually discovered as the devices get into the hands of millions of customers around the world. This year, some iPhone 18 Pro users are experiencing Face ID issues, so it is likely that iOS 27.0.1 will include some Face ID-related bug fixes or enhancements at a minimum.

watchOS 27.0.1 is already available for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. That update fixes an issue where those models may restart unexpectedly.

We do not know exactly when iOS 27.0.1 will be released to the public, but keep an eye out for the update over the next few days or weeks.
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Apple Sports was updated today with support for more soccer leagues, including the Australian A-League Men, Egyptian Premier League, Israeli Premier League, and South African Premiership.

In addition, Apple said tennis fans can now follow tournament draws in real-time in the app, with brackets for Grand Slams and 1000-level tournaments. This includes matchups and results at a glance for each round.
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Apple added a new iPhone Handoff feature to iOS 27 that allows you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff, and Apple said Verizon and EE will add support later this year, but AT&T is noncommittal about the feature.


A spokesperson for AT&T told CNET that the carrier sees "potential" in iPhone Handoff, but the company remains focused on "existing eSIM activation and transfer options." In other words, it sounds like AT&T has no imminent plans to support iPhone Handoff, but it also did not explicitly say that it will never offer the feature.

From the report:

"While we see that there could be potential in capabilities like iPhone Handoff," the spokesperson replied, "our focus remains on delivering innovations that make life simpler and keep customers connected with confidence." They then pointed to "existing eSIM activation and transfer options across compatible devices."

In the U.S., T-Mobile is charging $5 per month for iPhone Handoff.

"iPhone Handoff is available on any iPhone with iOS 27 via iPhone settings and ready to use from day one on the new iPhone 18 Pro lineup and iPhone Duo," said T-Mobile.

Deutsche Telekom is charging €6.95 per month for iPhone Handoff, but only on plans that do not already include multi-SIM functionality.

To learn more about iPhone Handoff, read our guide and Apple's support document.

iOS 27 was released on September 14.
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As confirmed by the website "Expand Mac mini," NAND storage in the new Mac mini models with the M6 and M5 Pro chips is soldered to the logic board, whereas the previous models with the M4 and M4 Pro chips have removable storage that can be upgraded.


In other words, the new Mac mini does not support aftermarket storage upgrades.

"Expand Mac mini" offers plug-and-play SSD modules that are functionally equivalent to Apple's proprietary modules, yet hundreds of dollars cheaper. As a result, customers were able to save a significant amount of money by configuring their Mac mini with the minimum 256GB capacity that was available on Apple's online store and later installing a higher-capacity aftermarket module. With the new models, that is no longer possible.

"We will keep looking for an opening, but support for the M6 and M5 Pro now looks unlikely," the "Expand Mac mini" website said, in a blog post.

Mac mini models with the M1 chip and M2/M2 Pro chips also had NAND soldered to the logic board, so the M4/M4 Pro configurations having removable storage has proven to be a one-off exception for now. Apple has not commented on the reversal.

In addition, all new Mac mini configurations with 256GB of storage reportedly have a single NAND chip, rather than a pair of 128GB chips. As a result, 256GB configurations have slower SSD speeds compared to configurations with 512GB of storage or more that do have dual NAND chips, according to AAPL Ch.'s testing with Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test benchmark tool.

Mac mini Configuration	Read Speed	Write Speed
M6, 512GB	6,371.5 MB/s	6,577.4 MB/s
M6, 256GB	3,216.8 MB/s	3,000.2 MB/s
M4, 256GB	2,792.5 MB/s	2,014.5 MB/s

The new 256GB model's Disk Speed Test scores were roughly half that of models with 512GB of storage or more. The average customer is unlikely to notice the difference, but power users will appreciate knowing that they need to opt for at least 512GB of storage in order to achieve the fastest SSD speeds possible.

Fortunately, even with 256GB of storage, it appears that the new Mac mini has meaningfully faster SSD speeds compared to the previous 256GB model.

Mac mini models with M2/M2 Pro and 256GB of storage also had a single NAND chip, so the M4/M4 Pro configurations proved to be a one-off exception for this too.
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The annual percentage yield (APY) for the Apple Card's savings account increased from 3.4% to 3.5% today.

If you deposited $1,000 and made no withdrawals for one year, you would earn $35 in interest at the current APY.


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Following renovations, the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California no longer features a 3D augmented reality model of the Apple Park campus.


The area that housed the 3D model, which was called the Exhibition Space, now has wall-mounted shelves known as "Avenues" and new, rounder tables for product displays.

The remodeling process began in July and was completed recently.


The redesigned product tables have been set up at select other stores, such as Apple Williamsburg and Apple The Mall at Bay Plaza in New York City.

The 3D model of Apple Park had been a fixture of the Visitor Center since it opened in 2017.


Apple Park Visitor Center functions as both a store and a tourist attraction. While the Exhibition Space is now permanently closed, visitors can still grab a coffee at the on-site Caffè Macs, purchase Apple merchandise, head up to the rooftop for a scenic view, or stroll through the adjacent "Mirage" public art installation.

Thanks, Filip Chudzinski!
This article, "Apple Park Visitor Center Just Lost an Attraction Offered Since 2017" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today updated the Shazam app for iOS with an ever so slightly frostier app icon and a new set of iMessage stickers.

To send stickers in the Messages app on the iPhone, tap the plus sign in a conversation, select Stickers, tap on the Shazam app icon, and tap on a sticker. You can also send stickers during FaceTime video calls and in other apps where the emoji keyboard is available.
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Apple today unveiled new Beats 360 over-ear headphones, and it is offering introductory pricing on extra ear cushions.

Now through October 31, extra Performance Knit and UltraPlush ear cushions with matching headbands in a variety of colors are available on Apple's online store in the U.S. for just $9.99 each, with customers limited to three kits per order while supplies last. Lower pricing extends to select other countries. Starting November 1, regular pricing of $49.99 will apply.
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Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reiterated that the operating system will feature a grid of app icons, widgets, and customizable clock faces.

The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition, Gurman reported that the hub can identify who is looking at the display and show personalized information. As a user approaches the hub, or moves away from it, the size of the interface elements will automatically change.

The operating system could be named homeOS, according to trademark activity from a shell company that is potentially linked to Apple.

homeOS would join iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

The hub will essentially combine a HomePod-like speaker with a 6-inch or 7-inch square display. Siri AI is expected to be at the core of the new operating system, and other rumored features include FaceTime video calls, HomeKit accessory management, home security monitoring, photo galleries, a calendar, music playback, and more.

Some of the preinstalled Apple apps that will apparently be available on the new platform include Calendar, Camera, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Reminders, Notes, and the all-new Siri app for Siri AI conversations.

Finally, the platform will supposedly have multi-user support.

Apple is expected to unveil the home hub as soon as October this year.
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As usual, September has been a very busy month for Apple, with the company unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, Beats 360, and more. Nevertheless, Apple reportedly still has many more products to release later this year, including a new iPad mini, Apple TV, HomePod mini, iMac, and more.


It seems quite likely that Apple will hold an October event this year to announce at least some of the rumored new products, while others might be introduced in press releases. Below, we have recapped what to expect from Apple next month.

Apple does unveil new products in November or December sometimes, but this is less common.

When

The table below outlines Apple's product announcements in October over the past five years.

Year	Tagline	Event or Press Release	Dates	New Products
2021	"Unleashed"	Event	Monday, October 18	- MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips - AirPods 3 - New HomePod mini colors - Apple Polishing Cloth
2022	"Take Note"	Press Releases	Tuesday, October 18	- iPad Pro with M2 chip - iPad 10 - Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)
2023	"Scary Fast"	Event	Monday, October 30	- MacBook Pro models with M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips - 24" iMac with M3 chip
2024	—	Press Release	Tuesday, October 15	- iPad mini with A17 Pro chip
2024	"Mac Your Calendars"	Press Releases	Monday, October 28 to Wednesday, October 30	- 24" iMac with M4 chip - Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips - MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips
2025	"Something Powerful is Coming"	Press Releases	Wednesday, October 15	- 14" MacBook Pro with M5 chip - iPad Pro with M5 chip - Vision Pro with M5 chip

What

The following products are rumored to launch before the end of 2026:

• iPad mini: A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a new speaker system without holes, and a water-resistant design.


• 24" iMac: M6 chip and new color options.


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


• 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models with OLED displays: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design.


• 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. The new Apple TV will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.


• 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. The new HomePod mini will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.


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

This article, "Apple Event This October? These 7 New Products Expected Next Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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