Apple's rumored 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays are currently being tested with macOS 27.1, which is scheduled for release in late October, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


While he previously said these high-end MacBook Pro models would be released in either late 2026 or early 2027, Gurman's latest report today has the laptops firmly within a list of products coming "later this year," so it would appear that he is now more confident that Apple is planning to release them before the end of 2026.

Other rumored features for these MacBook Pro models include M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a thinner design, and a Dynamic Island instead of a notch.

Macworld previously reported that these laptops would have MacBook Ultra branding, but that same report incorrectly said the iPhone Duo would be named the iPhone Ultra. In any case, the first-generation MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are expected to be distinct, higher-priced models that sit above the regular 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are expected to jump to the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips next year.

The first developer beta of macOS 27.1 will likely be released in the coming days.
This article, "MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Running macOS 27.1 Inside Apple" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, California reopened on Saturday with three key design changes, which will continue to roll out to other new and renovated stores.

MacRumors reader Katelyn H. attended the grand reopening and shared some photos of the renovations on LinkedIn. The store now has a Genius Bar again instead of a Video Wall, plus dedicated Apple Pickup and Today at Apple bays that are now part of the side shelving area known as the Avenue.
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iPhone, iPad, and Mac users in the United States can now sign up for AppleCare One Family, a new ‌AppleCare‌ plan that covers the Apple products of up to six people.


‌AppleCare‌ One Family offers the same benefits as ‌AppleCare‌+, including protection from accidental damage as well as theft and loss protection for iPhone, ‌iPad‌, and Apple Watch. The same service fees and deductibles apply, and up to six loss and theft claims are available across the family per year.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is priced at $49.99 per month and covers all of the eligible Apple devices in a Family Sharing group. All devices already protected by ‌AppleCare‌ at the time of signup and devices purchased less than 60 days ago are automatically enrolled in ‌AppleCare‌ One Family during setup.

Other devices up to four years old (or one year for AirPods and Beats) can also be added, but users may need to complete a device check to confirm the device is in good condition. Devices not in good working condition cannot be added to the plan.

There are few limits on the number of devices that can be added. A family's entire product list will be covered, though Apple says the plan covers a maximum of six Vision Pro headsets.

All devices added to ‌AppleCare‌ Family remain covered for as long as the plan is active. Devices have to check in with Apple's servers at least once every 12 months, and Apple can remove a device if service parts are unavailable.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is limited to the United States, and all devices need to be signed in to the Apple Account of a family member to be covered. If someone signs out and another account not in the family group signs in, coverage ends. More limits are outlined on Apple's support page for the feature.

Any adult member of a Family Sharing group can start an ‌AppleCare‌ One Family plan. If Purchase Sharing is turned on, the family organizer will automatically pay the subscription price, but Apple says the plan subscriber can choose to use their own payment method for the plan.

‌AppleCare‌ One Family is an alternative to ‌AppleCare‌ One, the $19.99/month subscription Apple introduced in July 2025. ‌AppleCare‌ One is limited to three devices, but coverage can be added for additional devices at $5.99 per month each.
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Today is the official launch date of iOS 27, which means it's available for everyone that has an iPhone 11 or newer. ‌iOS 27‌ introduces Siri AI, tons of new Apple Intelligence features, Liquid Glass updates, and performance improvements to make your iPhone feel faster.

Performance Improvements

Apple sped up a long list of features in ‌iOS 27‌, and it's immediately noticeable when you download the software.

Everything feels faster than it did in iOS 26. Animations are quicker, apps launch faster, and AirDrop transfers complete faster. You'll see improvements when taking photos, opening the keyboard, using the App Library, and swapping Home Screen pages. Your iMessages between devices sync more accurately, messages won't fail to send and will be automatically retried, and your iPhone can transition more smoothly between Wi-Fi and cellular.

The majority of new features in ‌iOS 27‌ require ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and an iPhone 15 Pro or later, but the under-the-hood improvements are available on all iPhones, so even older iPhones will feel faster. For more on what's new, we have a list of the best performance improvements in iOS 27.

Siri AI

‌Siri‌ AI is the new version of ‌Siri‌. It's more like ChatGPT or Claude ‌Siri‌ in ‌iOS 26‌, with support for back-and-forth conversations. ‌Siri‌ AI can do a lot of what other AI chatbots can do, but unlike other AI options, ‌Siri‌ has private access to your messages, emails, photos, apps, and other personal data so it can complete a wider range of tasks. ‌Siri‌ can also search the web, so it can answer all kinds of queries.

You can activate ‌Siri‌ with a wake word, swipe down from the middle of your screen to type a question to ‌Siri‌, chat with ‌Siri‌ in the ‌Siri‌ app, or press the side button to activate ‌Siri‌.

Some examples of what ‌Siri‌ is now able to do:

• Create home automations with a command like lock all the doors at midnight.


• Find specific emails, messages, photos, images, links, files, and other documents people have sent to you. You can ask based on person, time, location, and more.


• Delete files, emails, photos, or messages.


• Add all items from a recipe on a website to a shopping list.


• Recommend activities, places, and restaurants you might like based on what it knows about you.


• Look at something on your screen like a website and answer questions about it.


• Answer general knowledge questions.


• Add information about people to the Contacts app when asked, like birthdays or additional phone numbers.


• Find passwords for websites and apps that are stored in the Passwords app.

For more on some of the commands you can use with ‌Siri‌, we have a dedicated Siri AI guide.

Visual Intelligence

Visual Intelligence is now in the Camera app, and you can get to it by swiping to a new ‌Siri‌ mode that's available as an alternative to the photo and video modes.

There are new ‌Visual Intelligence‌ features, and ‌Siri‌ can do things like tell you the nutritional value of something you're about to eat, or calculate what everyone owes from an image of a receipt. We have more examples in our iOS 27 Visual Intelligence guide.

Write with Siri

‌Siri‌ can generate text from scratch in ‌iOS 27‌, and there's a system-wide Write with ‌Siri‌ feature you can get to from the keyboard. ‌Siri‌ can help you write, give you feedback on what you've written, change the tone or wording of your writing, and even write in your style by analyzing your emails and messages.

Your iPhone also automatically suggests grammar fixes in addition to spelling fixes.

Photos Clean Up

The Clean Up tool that removes unwanted objects from images in the Photos app is much improved in ‌iOS 27‌, and it does a better job cleanly removing what you don't want and filling in what's missing more convincingly.

There are also new Extend and Reframe image tools for extending the borders of a photo using AI and changing the perspective or composition of an image.

Our full iOS 27 Photos guide goes through all of the new features.

Adjust Liquid Glass

There's a new Liquid Glass slider that lets you choose how clear or opaque you want your buttons, toolbars, and menus to be. Get to the new slider in the Settings app by choosing Appearance and then tapping on Liquid Glass.

Safari

You can create custom extensions with natural language commands in Safari, which is useful for when you want to do something specific but there isn't a good extension available. Some sample suggestions, from Apple:

• Create a citation for the current webpage and copy it to my clipboard


• Create a 3-minute focus timer for the page


• Set the minimum font size to 14pt


• Turn the page into pirate speak


• Style websites like 90s websites with bold colors and type


• Every time I open a new tab, draw me a different flower


• Highlight and show the dimensions of webpage elements when I tap on them


• Enter the design mode for a website so that I can edit the contents

Safari can also automatically organize your tabs into categories and watch a webpage and let you know if there are changes. For more, read our iOS 27 Safari guide.

Home App

Use HomeKit Secure Video cameras? They now support 2K and 4K recording. There's also a new AI feature that gives you text descriptions for what's happening in your home, and there's an option to search through videos using natural language to find something you're looking for.

The AI features require a 2TB iCloud+ plan for one camera and a higher plan for more cameras, but the 4K streaming doesn't.

For more on what's new in the Home app, check out our iOS 27 Home guide.

AirPods EQ

If you've ever wanted to adjust the sound of your AirPods, you can do so with new AirPods customization options that let you tweak mids, highs, and lows. Custom EQ is available for AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2.

Shortcuts

If you find the Shortcuts app intimidating, it's easier to use in ‌iOS 27‌. You can tell the Shortcuts app what you want to be able to accomplish with a shortcut, and it'll make it using AI. You can then refine it with further natural language requests, or manually edit.

More on Shortcuts is available in our Shortcuts guide.

How to Install iOS 27

You can install ‌iOS 27‌ the same way any iOS update is installed. Open the Settings app, go to General, tap on Software Update, and wait for the ‌iOS 27‌ update to pop up.

Apple will also send out prompts suggesting that users upgrade to the new operating system.

More iOS 27 Info

If you want to see a complete list of the features available in ‌iOS 27‌, you can find that information in our full iOS 27 roundup.
This article, "iOS 27 Now Available: 10 Features to Try First" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple recently achieved a milestone: it has now released more than 1,000 official Apple Watch bands since the device was released in April 2015, according to Filip Chudzinski, who develops the Bandbreite app for tracking Apple Watch bands.


The latest set of bands arrived alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 announcements last week, and Chudzinski said luxury fashion brand Hermès revealed its latest Apple Watch collection in full today on its website.
This article, "More Than 1,000 Apple Watch Bands Have Been Released Since 2015" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is available for all of the above devices, and it will enable support for new iOS 27 features. The firmware has a build number of 9A348.


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. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI.

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 Firmware With iOS 27 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today's iOS 27 update addresses over 100 security vulnerabilities, which is a good reason to install the new software.


If you don't want to update to ‌iOS 27‌ yet, Apple also released iOS 26.7 with over 80 security fixes. 75 of the fixes are shared across both updates, so iOS 26.7 addresses many of the same issues.

There are multiple kernel fixes, including one that could allow a malicious app to gain root access and another that could allow for Bluetooth remote code execution. A full list of vulnerabilities can be found on Apple's site for both iOS 27 and iOS 26.7.

None of the flaws are known to have been actively exploited, but now that details have been published, devices that are not updated could be vulnerable.

Apple has been fielding an increasing number of vulnerability discoveries as AI models get better at finding bugs. Three of today's fixes are attributed to Anthropic's Claude, and OpenAI Codex Security is mentioned in Apple's additional recognition section.
This article, "iOS 27 and iOS 26.7 Fix More Than 100 Security Bugs" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Alongside macOS Golden Gate, Apple today released new versions of macOS Tahoe and macOS Sequoia. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8 are available for users with older Macs or those who don't yet want to update to Golden Gate.


The updates can be downloaded through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. On Macs eligible to install ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, users will see both the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 update and the new ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ update.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8 include security fixes, likely the same fixes that are in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌.
This article, "Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.8" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, the newest operating system updates for the iPhone and iPad. The software is available for free on all compatible devices, and can be downloaded over the air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.


It can take several minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand on launch day.

‌iOS 27‌ can be installed on all iPhones that run iOS 26, which includes the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone 11 series and later. ‌iPadOS 27‌ is available on the 2nd-generation and later iPad Pro, 4th-generation and later iPad Air, 6th-generation and later iPad mini, and the A16 ‌iPad‌.

The updates introduce Siri AI, the smarter and more capable version of ‌Siri‌. You may need to sign up to use ‌Siri‌ AI after updating, which you can do in the Settings app under the ‌Siri‌ section. Along with ‌Siri‌ AI and a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app, there are updates to the Liquid Glass design, and a long list of new Apple Intelligence features.

To use the new AI features, you need an iPhone that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, all iPhone 17 models, and all iPhone 18 models. For ‌iPad‌, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on M-series devices and the A17 Pro ‌iPad mini‌. There are no fees for ‌Siri‌ AI and other ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features yet, but Apple may start charging for higher usage in the future.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Siri AI (All iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

- A more capable and conversational version of Siri is rolling out to users. It helps you find what you need and get more done, drawing on capabilities like personal context understanding, app actions, onscreen awareness, and access to broad world knowledge
- New voice experience offers more expressive and natural-sounding voices, and lets you customize expressivity and pace to make Siri more personal to you using powerful on-device models on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models and later
- Dedicated Siri app provides an easy way to revisit an existing conversation or kick off a new one, and privately syncs conversations across your Apple products with iCloud
- Siri mode in Camera integrates Visual Intelligence into the Camera app, letting you ask questions and take action with what's in front of you, like splitting a bill or looking up nutritional info for a plate of food
- Write with Siri enables you to generate a draft from scratch, edit what you've written, or get feedback from Siri virtually anywhere you type. In Messages & Mail, Siri personalizes your writing style based on your relationships, and uses unique phrases and punctuation that you've previously used in your conversations with those people

Apple Intelligence across apps (All iPhone 16 models and later, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

Photos
- Spatial Reframing lets you adjust the composition of a photo after it was taken by virtually changing the camera position
- Extend tool intelligently expands images beyond their edges with realistic infill, so you can straighten horizons, change aspect ratios, or add more space around a subject
- Clean Up supports removing even larger objects, with more realistic, high-quality results, and you can choose between Fast mode for small blemishes or High Quality for more intricate edits

Safari
- Organize by Topic uses Apple Intelligence to sort your tabs, analyzing webpages and automatically grouping similar tabs together
- Notify Me can periodically check a webpage for updates, like price changes and item availability
- Describe an Extension lets you create a custom extension using natural language to adjust your view of a website's content or formatting

- All-new Image Playground uses a new generative model to make high-quality images in virtually any style, including photorealistic, lets you modify your images using touch and natural language, and lets you generate Lock Screen wallpapers and Contact Posters with personalized suggestions
- Describe a Shortcut lets you use natural language to create a shortcut or refine an existing one

Home
- Summarized activity notifications combine related alerts across accessories into a single notification
- Video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video recordings summarize what's happening in a clip for eligible iCloud+ subscribers
- Camera clip search lets you find specific moments from your HomeKit Secure Video cameras by searching in the Home app or Spotlight when on an eligible iCloud+ plan

- Describe an event in Calendar lets you use natural language to create an event, and details like the time, location, invitees, and event title are filled in using Apple Intelligence
- Suggestions in Mail help you take action based on the context of your emails, like getting directions to a restaurant you booked
- Call Context in the Phone app understands when you're speaking to certain businesses and proactively surfaces relevant information from across your apps, like a confirmation code or a reservation number

Accessibility
- VoiceOver enhancements include more detailed and contextual image understanding for photos, charts, and screenshots, a conversational experience that lets you ask questions about your screen or surroundings, and a new way to get answers fast with an Action button integration
- An enhanced Magnifier experience offers conversational visual assistance for users with low vision, with a high-contrast interface and natural language app controls for zooming and other Magnifier functions
- A smarter Accessibility Reader uses intelligence to provide better text cleanup and formatting, images and tables, on-demand summaries, and translation
- Voice Control flexible inputs help you navigate your device with just your voice by describing elements on screen in your own words, like "tap the gear" or "tap the button in the top right"

- And more, including additional ways to create and modify Genmoji, automatic proofreading, and more accurate dictation using an on-device model on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models and later

Child Safety

- Improved setup experience for new child accounts lets parents choose the exact apps their kids can access when they set up an iPhone for their child
- Ask to Browse gives parents the option to approve each new website before their child can view it
- Expanded Communication Safety protections help intervene before children see gore or violent content in shared images and videos
- Time Allowances help parents set boundaries around how long kids can use apps across Entertainment, Games, and Social Media apps, offering guidance based on expert research and tailored to each child's age
- Schedules let parents choose which apps their kids can access at different points in their day and across weekdays and weekends
- Redesigned Screen Time settings give parents at-a-glance information about how their kids use their devices, and controls to adjust access in just a few taps

System Improvements

- Liquid Glass refinements improve overall readability, and a new slider in Settings lets you personalize its appearance from ultra-clear to fully tinted
- Faster performance in experiences across the system, including app launches, new photos loading in your Photos library, and AirDrop transfers
- Improved search provides more relevant and comprehensive results in Spotlight, Photos, and Mail
- Connectivity Assist enables more seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular networks

And more improvements across apps and experiences, including enhancements to iCloud Shared Albums in Photos, Custom EQ for AirPods, support for perimenopause and menopause in Cycle Tracking in the Health app, and independent volume settings for Alarms and Timers

For more on the new features, make sure to check out our iOS 27 roundup and our iPadOS 27 roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 With Siri AI and Liquid Glass Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with ‌iOS 27‌ listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface.


According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features.

Apple will eventually show ‌iOS 27‌ as the main update for the iPhone, but that likely won't happen for a few weeks. Users who want to stay on ‌iOS 26‌ for the time being can do so by opting for iOS 26.7 instead of ‌iOS 27‌.

‌iOS 27‌ runs on all of the same iPhones that support ‌iOS 26‌.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released macOS Golden Gate 27, the latest version of the macOS operating system that runs on the Mac. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ is a free app that can be downloaded on all compatible Macs. The update requires a Mac with an Apple silicon chip, and it is not available on Intel Macs.


Mac users can download the ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ update by using the Software Update section of System Settings. The update introduces Siri AI, a smarter chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ with a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app. It brings Visual Intelligence to the Mac for the first time, and tweaks the look of the Liquid Glass design update Apple introduced last year.

Apple's release notes for ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ are below.

Experience the new Siri AI
Introducing Siri AI, an entirely new version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence that's more personal, more capable, and more conversational. It is integrated into Spotlight, so you can search for answers about almost any topic right from where you already search for things across your system. It can draw on personal context to find things across your messages, mail, photos, and more. And it can get things done across your apps, just by asking. Revisit and resume past conversations in the new dedicated Siri app, synced with iCloud across your Apple devices. Siri AI is rolling out to users, and you can get started by turning it on in Settings.

Take action on what's onscreen
With Visual Intelligence, you can select a window of your screen and Siri can answer questions or take action with what's onscreen, like adding events to your calendar. You can access Visual Intelligence with a dedicated keyboard shortcut — Command-Shift-Space.

Powerful new ways to edit photos
Use intelligent photo editing tools to reframe a photo after it's been taken with Spatial Reframing or expand your shot with the Extend tool. And enhancements to Clean Up let you remove distractions with better quality and more realistic infill, even when the scene is complex.

New tools to browse in Safari
Automatically group your tabs into topics, so related pages are easier to find. With Notify Me, Safari can monitor pages for changes like price drops or restocks and alert you when it's time to act. Describe an Extension lets you use natural language to create custom extensions, like adding a button to save your favorite recipes.

Easily create Shortcuts using natural language
With Describe a Shortcut, you can automate daily tasks with a simple description and all of the required steps are assembled on your behalf. For example, you can describe a shortcut to automatically text your partner when you're headed home from work with an estimated arrival time based on traffic.

Even more refined design
Updates to Liquid Glass improve readability, and a new slider lets you customize how it looks, from ultra-clear to fully tinted. Uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, and more detailed app icons further elevate the design.

New child safety features
Powerful new parental controls help parents more easily manage what content their children can see, who they can communicate with, and when they have access to apps. Ask to Browse requires kids to request permission before visiting any new website in Safari. Communication Safety expands its protections to help keep conversations safe. Time Allowances gives parents more flexible ways to manage the time kids spend in apps across categories, and offers guidance based on expert research that's tailored to a child's age. Schedules help manage which apps kids have access to at different times of the day and across the week.

A more responsive and delightful experience
An expansive set of improvements make your Mac even faster, more reliable, and easier to use. Better search in Spotlight and Mail helps you find what you're looking for with greater ease. AirDrop Transfers and network file browsing happen faster. And many more improvements make your day-to-day use more enjoyable.

For more on all of the new features in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, check out our dedicated roundup.
This article, "macOS Golden Gate Now Available With Siri AI, Visual Intelligence and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released watchOS 27, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. ‌watchOS 27‌ is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and the Apple Watch SE 3.


‌watchOS 27‌ can be downloaded for free on a compatible device through the Settings app on the watch.

The update introduces support for Siri AI, a more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that uses personal context and onscreen awareness to help you get things done. There's a new ‌Siri‌ Modular watch face, updates to Smart Stack, improvements to Liquid Glass, and a consolidated Find My app. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Siri AI
- A more capable and conversational version of Siri is rolling out to users. It helps you find what you need and get more done, drawing on capabilities like personal context understanding, app actions, onscreen awareness, and access to broad world knowledge
- New voice experience offers more expressive and natural-sounding voices, and lets you customize expressivity and pace to make Siri more personal to you using powerful on-device models on paired iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models and later
- Dedicated Siri app provides an easy way to revisit an existing conversation or kick off a new one, and privately syncs conversations across your Apple products with iCloud

Apple Intelligence across apps
- Workout Buddy delivers motivation with new insights and is now available without your iPhone nearby when you have a Wi-Fi or cellular connection
- Call Context in the Phone app understands when you're speaking to certain businesses and proactively surfaces relevant information from across your apps, like a confirmation code or a reservation number

Cycle Tracking
- Cycle deviation notifications that are suggestive of perimenopause can be received by those age 40 and over

Watch Faces
- Siri Modular face features a rectangular complication that mirrors the top widget of the Smart Stack, which dynamically updates to show the most relevant widget, as well as a Siri complication to quickly invoke Siri

Smart Stack
- Single-handed tap gesture enables you to tap your index finger and thumb together once to select a widget in the Smart Stack, even if your other hand is occupied
- New suggestion widgets will be surfaced when most relevant to you, including a Parked Car location, birthday reminders for a close contact, balance changes on a transit card, Noise app after a loud noise notification, and more

System Improvements
- Dynamic app grid highlights your most popular and recently used apps
- Find My app is now consolidated into one app to show People, Devices, and Items with a map-centric interface
- Media playback now starts faster
- Workout app makes distance calculations during treadmill workouts even more accurate from the first step of every walk or run
- Fitness app features more accurate route maps after workouts
- Battery extension notifications may be proactively offered to disable certain features to increase battery life, including gestures, Start Workout reminders, and Raise to Speak method of invoking Siri
- Shazam in the Smart Stack and Music Recognition app identifies songs offline without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you're back online
- Liquid Glass refinements improve readability with more uniform refraction and improved contrast

Siri AI in ‌watchOS 27‌ requires an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro models, the iPhone Air, and all iPhone 16, iPhone 17, and iPhone 18 models.
This article, "Apple Releases watchOS 27 With Siri AI, New Watch Face, Smart Stack Improvements and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released visionOS 27, the newest version of the visionOS operating system that runs on the Apple Vision Pro. It is a free update available on both versions of the Vision Pro headset.


visionOS 27 can be downloaded by opening the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing Software Update. Installing the update requires the headset to be removed, and a progress bar appears EyeSight display.

visionOS 27 adds support for Siri AI, a smarter version of ‌Siri‌ that can access your personal information and do more in and between apps. ‌Siri‌ supports Visual Intelligence for asking questions about objects on your screen or in your physical environment. The update adds a new spatial scene feature for panoramic photos, a Thórsmörk Environment, and immersive Safari environments on supported websites.

Apple's release notes for visionOS 27 are below.

Siri AI (Apple Vision Pro with M2 and later)
- A more capable and conversational version of Siri is rolling out to users. It helps you find what you need and get more done, drawing on capabilities like personal context understanding, app actions, onscreen awareness, and access to broad world knowledge
- Place Siri anywhere in your space and it stays pinned there, ready to help
- Look and speak to Siri without saying "Hey Siri". Just look at Siri and start speaking
- Dedicated Siri app provides an easy way to revisit an existing conversation or kick off a new one, and privately syncs conversations across your Apple products with iCloud
- Visual Intelligence lets you ask Siri about physical objects in your room or content on your screen, just by looking at them
- Write with Siri enables you to generate a draft from scratch, edit what you've written, or get feedback from Siri virtually anywhere you type
- New voice experience offers more expressive voices, and lets you customize expressivity and pace to make Siri more personal to you using powerful on-device models on Apple Vision Pro (M5)

Apple Intelligence across apps (Apple Vision Pro with M2 and later)

Safari
- Organize by Topic uses Apple Intelligence to automatically group your Bookmarks and Reading List by topic, so related pages are easier to find

Image Playground
- All-new Image Playground uses a new generative model to create high-quality images in virtually any style, including photorealistic, and lets you modify images using natural language

Home
- Summarized activity notifications combine related alerts across accessories into a single notification
- Video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video recordings summarize what's happening in a clip for eligible iCloud+ subscribers
- Camera clip search lets you find specific moments from your HomeKit Secure Video cameras by searching in the Home app

Spatial Experiences
- Spatial scene panoramas transforms your panoramas into spatial scenes with depth and dimension
- Personal Environments allows you to choose a panorama special to you and set it as your own Environment
- Windows with curvature help you view content more comfortably in apps including Safari, Freeform, and Apple TV using Multiview
- Spatial Preview with supported macOS apps lets you pull 3D models directly from Mac Virtual Display into your space to preview and edit at true scale, with changes reflected in real time
- Quick Look enhancements let you visualize changes to 3D models in your space. Change materials, choose wireframes or UV maps, or add annotations
- New Environment: Thórsmörk transforms your space into Iceland with two variations: a serene daytime river view and a dramatic night scene with aurora
- Freeform spatial groups let you pull multiple items off your board and arrange them in your space, view objects together as a group, and organize boards into collaborative folders
- Web environments in Safari render fully immersive 360° backgrounds that surround your physical space

System Improvements
- Faster Wi-Fi connection enables Apple Vision Pro to connect to Wi-Fi up to 3x faster after powering on
- Look to see notifications lets you glance at a notification to expand it, and tap and hold to take action like replying to a message without opening the app
- Improved Control Center shows notifications, playback controls, and Environments controls organized into three distinct areas for easier access
- High quality recording gives you the ability to capture your unfoveated view in 4K, with full edge-to-edge sharpness for up to 3 minutes
- Mirror in high resolution lets you check what you're actively recording on a different device or monitor in 4K
- Messages syncing more quickly and reliably updates unread counts and notifications across your devices
- New extra small widgets let you customize your space with your favorite apps
- Mac Virtual Display widget connects to your Mac with a tap and can be placed anywhere in your space

Accessibility
- Look to Drive enables you to control a compatible powered wheelchair with your eyes by sending a movement command from Apple Vision Pro to a connected wheelchair accessory
- Updated Dwell Control offers a new way to make selections using just your eyes by glancing at a selection marker above the dwell pointer to confirm instantly, instead of waiting for timer

The customizable ‌Siri‌ voice requires the M5 Vision Pro, but all other features are available on both models. More information on visionOS 27 is available in our Vision Pro roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases visionOS 27 With Siri AI and New Spatial Experiences" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released tvOS 27 after several months of beta testing. tvOS 27 is available for free on the Apple TV 4K.


tvOS 27 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 27 automatically.

tvOS 27 features a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text and customizable subtitles, and a more responsive Control Center. AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is faster, apps open quicker, and animations are smoother.

tvOS 27 works on the 2nd and 3rd generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models, and it drops support for the ‌Apple TV‌ HD and the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K.

This article, "Apple Releases tvOS 27" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Development teams are under increasing pressure to ship software faster, even as the environments they rely on grow more complex. However, modern development has only become harder to provision and maintain with AI-assisted development, cross-platform toolchains, tighter security demands and specialized compute requirements. As a result, developers still spend too much time configuring machines, troubleshooting environment drift, and waiting for access instead of building and shipping software. Windows 365 provides secure, flexible Cloud PCs that can complement local development and give teams an easier path from access to first commit. Developers can select an environment suited to each workload while IT applies consistent identity, security, management and governance.

Five ways Windows 365 supports modern development

1. Give developers a ready-to-code, customizable environment

A ready-to-code Windows 11 developer configuration provides developers with a prepared environment from day one. Autopilot device preparation can install required applications and scripts before first sign-in, while Azure Compute Gallery integration supports standardized custom images. Planned VM customization will provide additional flexibility to configure project-specific SDKs, tools, scripts, and dependencies within enterprise guardrails.

2. Scale compute and run local AI directly on the Cloud PC

Cloud PC configurations up to 32 vCPU and GPU-enabled options give teams the right compute for memory-intensive development, graphics, AI, data and visualization workloads. Select local language models can run directly on appropriately sized Cloud PCs, providing more predictable costs while preserving access to hosted models when greater scale or performance is required. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-WDKwkGuZc See how a ready-to-code Windows 365 Cloud PC uses Foundry Local and local language models to build and run an AI meeting-summary app without consuming cloud tokens. 3. Contain agent activity during development Developers increasingly use coding and autonomous agents to generate code, execute tasks and maintain long-running workflows. With Windows 365 support for Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC) becoming generally available in the coming months, customers will be able to run supported agent workloads, from coding agents such as GitHub Copilot CLI to autonomous agents such as OpenClaw on managed Cloud PCs. Process and session isolation help contain agent activity, while familiar enterprise security and governance controls allow organizations to manage these workloads with confidence.

4. Build and run enterprise agents securely

AI agent builders have different needs. As agents move from development into sustained enterprise workflows, they may require dedicated environments that operate independently from users’ devices. Windows 365 for Agents provides Microsoft Entra-joined, Microsoft Intune-managed, and policy-enforced Cloud PCs where agents can perform computer-use tasks across browsers, desktop applications, and legacy systems. New preview capabilities extend secure access to on-premises applications and help IT manage agent pools at scale.Companies such as Login VSI, WorkspaceDNA, and Simular are already building AI agents that can run on Windows 365 for Agents.

5. Protect sensitive development work

Organizations need to give developers flexibility without exposing source code or confidential data. Windows 365 works with Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft security capabilities to apply consistent identity, access, compliance and endpoint controls. For example, context-based redirection, now in preview can restrict clipboard, drive, printer or USB redirection based on security conditions, while output protection helps safeguard on-screen information.

Why modern development needs an environment that responds to change

As development workflows evolve in the era of AI, developers need different environments based on workloads. Local devices remain essential for developers when direct hardware access, offline work, or specialized local performance matters. Pairing the latest in hardware innovation with software optimized for development helps developers build breakthrough experiences. Project Zenith offers a ready-to-code distraction-free Windows experience on developer-class devices with 64+ GB unified memory and 250+ GB/s memory bandwidth, so developers can get started. And cloud-based environments can complement local development when continuity across devices, workload isolation, flexible compute, or secure access creates a better outcome.  Developers should be able to choose the environment best suited to their work while maintaining a consistent, trusted development experience. A developer may move between coding, compute-intensive builds and testing, AI-augmented application development, and work in a secure customer environment. Each workload benefits from an environment optimized for its specific requirements.  

Windows 365 brings the right environment to developers

A modern developer environment should allow developers to begin coding on day one, support customization for specific projects and provide secure governance without limiting developer flexibility. Windows 365 brings these capabilities together in a personalized Cloud PC that developers can access through the Windows App or a browser, while their applications, code, settings and project state remain securely managed in the Microsoft Cloud.  With Windows 365, developers can start with a Windows 11 developer configuration featuring familiar tools such as Visual Studio Code, Git, GitHub Copilot CLI, Python, Node.js and Windows Subsystem for Linux with Ubuntu. Meanwhile, platform engineering and IT teams can standardize environments with reusable images and automated preparation while centrally managing identity, security, policy, monitoring, and lifecycle controls.  The result is more than a desktop in the cloud: it is a faster path from access to first commit. Customers are already seeing this balance of developer flexibility and enterprise control in practice: London Stock Exchange Group increases developer productivity with Windows 365. “Windows 365 gives us the ability to provide different types of performance and development environments plus access to GitHub Copilot, where we’ve seen an increase in developer productivity and efficiency.” says Sandra Lee, Group Chief Information Security Officer, LSEG.Siemens uses Windows 365 for scenarios that include developers who need specialized digital tools, as well as employees requiring temporary access. “In all these cases, we need a trustworthy device and a verified identity in our IT landscape—even if the access is only intended to be temporary,” says Hendrik Harder, Global Service Owner Virtual Client at Siemens. ABN AMRO transforms the workplace for 3,500 offshore developers with Windows 365. Developers reported smoother performance, faster onboarding and more productivity, while IT teams benefited from simplified operations and scalability. “The first time I used Windows 365, I thought I was using my own laptop—the performance was that smooth,” says Peter Witmond, Product Owner Virtual Workplace at ABN AMRO.

Advancing developer experiences with Windows 365 on a unified platform 

Microsoft is bringing cloud development environments together on a single platform. With the retirement of Microsoft Dev Box, Windows 365 becomes Microsoft's strategic platform for virtualized developer environments, AI and agent workloads, and the broader workforce. While existing Dev Box customers can continue using their deployments according to the official service timeline, Windows 365 offers a broader, unified foundation for developers and organizations moving forward. Dev Box proved what developers need: environments that combine developer flexibility with enterprise control. Windows 365 carries these promises forward and extends them across developers, information workers, AI builders and agents through a shared foundation for identity, security, management, and access models. That shared foundation is what makes the next generation of developer Cloud PCs possible.​‌ 

Turning workload choice into a modern developer workflow 

With Windows 365, organizations can start with a ready-to-code environment, match compute to each workload, contain agent activity during development, provide dedicated environments for enterprise agents and apply consistent controls to protect sensitive work. Start with a scenario where setup delays, hardware constraints or security requirements slow delivery, and measure improvements in onboarding, time to first commit, support requests, or build performance. Explore Windows 365 developer resources and review the official Microsoft Dev Box guidance. 

This year at IFA, I saw the Windows ecosystem doing what it does best: bringing innovation to life through products and experiences for every person, purpose, and price point. Our partners introduced new Windows PCs, spanning dependable everyday devices, beautifully crafted premium designs, new and immersive gaming systems, commercial devices designed to help organizations work securely and productively, and powerful tools for developers, creators, and AI power users. Together, these announcements demonstrated the breadth of what’s possible with a Windows PC. This matters because people are being thoughtful about when, where, and how they spend. We know that a new PC is a meaningful purchase, and that customers want to feel confident that they choose the right PC for them. They want to know that it will deliver a better experience today while continuing to meet their needs for years to come. Windows PCs from our partners give people more ways to find the right device without compromising on what matters most to them.

Innovation available today

For more than 40 years, our goal has been to put a computer on every desk and in every home. We know the PC is personal and the place you go to play, create, build, connect and learn. Some prioritize battery life and portability, while others need greater performance for gaming or creative work. And increasingly, people are also looking for useful AI experiences that are easy to use and fit seamlessly into their existing workflows. And of course, everyone needs to find the right device at the right price for them. IFA showed how our partners are meeting those different needs. The strength of Windows is choice, and the latest Windows PCs bring together modern design, stronger performance, built-in security and useful AI experiences available at different price points. For those who have been holding on to an older PC, the choice and value available today makes it a good time to find the right device.

Building the next era of the PC

IFA also demonstrated how Windows is evolving for the next era of computing. The latest OpenClaw Windows App makes it easier to configure and run AI models locally on supported NVIDIA RTX Spark Windows PCs. It builds on the secure agent-execution foundation we introduced at Microsoft Build, helping agents work within defined boundaries while taking advantage of the computing power available on the device. We are also making it easier for developers to turn ideas into reality with new ready-to-code Windows experiences for next-generation devices. By pre-installing the essential tools and pre-configuring Windows settings for development on developer class devices with 64GB+ unified memory and 250gbps memory bandwidth, developers can jump right in. Project Zenith devices enable developers to run capable coding models locally and unmetered, helping lower token costs, experiment more freely, and stay in their flow. Project Zenith shows how Windows and our ecosystem partners are bringing these innovations together to create more capable, purpose-built experiences. 

Windows at IFA 

Check out the latest announcements and activity from our partners at IFA.

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Acer

Acer launched the new Acer Vero 16 laptop, a Copilot+ PC designed to reduce waste and environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. As the fourth-generation Vero consumer laptop, the device debuts a new chassis design incorporating post-industrial recycled aluminum, low-carbon aluminum, and PCR plastic, along with greatly expanded repairability features. For uncompromising performance and all-day productivity, it is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors with up to 180 platform TOPS.  [caption id="attachment_263915" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Acer Vero 16[/caption] Acer’s Windows compute lineup at IFA 2026 also included the Swift Blade 14, a 799-gram ultra-lightweight laptop for ultimate mobility; the Acer SFF RTX Spark reference design powered by the NVIDIA RTX Spark superchip for the age of personal AI agents; the Acer Veriton RI110 AI Mini Workstation, a Copilot+ PC designed for agentic AI workflows; the Aspire G 3D 16 laptop, powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and offering Acer’s naked-eye 3D technology; the Swift Air 16 laptop with a premium aluminum chassis and Intel Core Series 3 processors; the Predator Atlas 7 gaming handheld; and the refreshed Aspire S series all-in-one desktops.

ASUS

At IFA, ASUS showcased the new ProArt P16 and P14, powered by NVIDIA RTX Spark and running Windows 11. Designed for creators who need both performance and mobility, the ProArt P16 is the thinnest 16-inch RTX Spark laptop at just 12.9 mm, while the P14 is the lightest ProArt laptop ever at 1.48 kg, complemented by large 99Wh and 90Wh batteries and ASUS Lumina Pro OLED displays with up to 1,600-nit brightness and professional-grade color accuracy. The new lineup also introduces two distinctive ProArt expressions — Nano Black and Neo White — combining refined design with creator-focused functionality. ASUS brought these capabilities to life through its first global live showcase of agentic AI solutions for creators and developers, demonstrating how ProArt PCs can connect local AI, ASUS applications, and customizable workflows to transform creation, development, and production. [caption id="attachment_263917" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ProArt Laptop (Nano Black & Neo White)[/caption]

Dell

Dell introduced the new Dell 14S, a stylish, portable and dependable everyday Windows laptop built for students, young adults and anyone who wants a device that keeps up with their day. It comes in four expressive colors, Linen, Dusty Rose, Washed Denim and Velvet Green, so you can pick the one that reflects your personality and lifestyle. At just 1.15 kg and 13.5 mm thin, the refined aluminum build slips easily into a bag and travels well from class to coffee shop to couch. Two 16:10 panel options meet different priorities: a 2.8K 120Hz display for the sharpest, smoothest experience and a 2K 60Hz display for those prioritizing battery life and value. Both panel options are bright and provide vibrant, accurate colors. The Dell 14S offers up to 21 hours of Netflix streaming on a single charge¹. That's enough to carry you through a full day of classes, browsing, and everything in between, no scrambling for an outlet required. [caption id="attachment_263922" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dell 14S Laptop[/caption]

HP

HP showcased new OmniBook PCs powered by NVIDIA RTX Spark, combining the flexibility of Windows 11 with powerful local AI capabilities. Built for developers, creators, entrepreneurs, and advanced users, the HP OmniBook Ultra 16 and HP OmniBook X 14 are designed to support intelligent assistants, emerging agentic workflows, advanced content creation, and AI application development. By bringing together premium hardware, on-device AI performance, and the Windows ecosystem, HP is helping customers move from AI experimentation to real-world productivity and creation. [caption id="attachment_263935" align="alignnone" width="1024"] HP OmniBook X 14[/caption]

Lenovo

Lenovo expanded its Yoga portfolio with two premium devices powered by NVIDIA RTX Spark. The Yoga Pro 9n is built for creators and developers, supporting demanding local AI, software development, content creation, and 3D rendering with up to 128GB of unified memory. The versatile Yoga Pro 9n 2-in-1 pairs substantial local performance with a flexible convertible design and a dual-surface pen experience, allowing creators to write and draw on either the OLED display or haptic Force Pad. [caption id="attachment_263919" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Yoga Pro 9n (15”, 11)[/caption] For students, families, and everyday users, the new IdeaPad Vibe series combines bold colors and lightweight designs with responsive performance and Copilot+ PC experiences. Available in 14- and 15-inch configurations, the lineup offers a choice of Snapdragon X or AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series processors. Lenovo also introduced the compact, cluster-ready ThinkCentre X Ultra for advanced business AI workloads, the streamlined IdeaCentre AIO i, and the ultra-slim ThinkBook 14 Gen 9 for mobile, AI-enhanced productivity. [caption id="attachment_263918" align="alignnone" width="1024"] IdeaPad Vibe[/caption]

MSI

MSI announced the new Venture 15 AI+ B3M at IFA. Featuring a highly efficient Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, a 144Hz 100% sRGB display, comprehensive I/O connectivity, and Windows 11, the Venture 15 AI+ B3M is a versatile productivity laptop that also handles gaming needs with ease. [caption id="attachment_263921" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Venture 15[/caption]

AMD

AMD Senior Vice President and General Manager Jack Huynh delivered the event’s opening keynote on "The Era of Personal AI," exploring how agentic, on-device intelligence can make technology more personal, private, and adaptive. AMD announced that Ryzen AI Halo systems will support Microsoft’s Project Zenith out of the box, providing developers with a ready-to-code Windows experience that includes Visual Studio Code, WSL, GitHub Copilot CLI, and PowerShell. AMD also previewed the Threadripper Halo Station, a prototype desktop workstation designed to bring datacenter-class AI compute to developers. New AMD-powered OEM systems announced at IFA included Acer’s Aspire G AGB110 mini-PC and Aspire G 3D 16 notebook, alongside Lenovo’s ThinkCentre X Ultra, ThinkCentre M75s Gen 6, ThinkCentre M75q Gen 6, and IdeaPad Slim 3, all powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max 400 Series processors. [caption id="attachment_263916" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Ryzen AI Halo[/caption]

NVIDIA

This year at IFA, NVIDIA showcased how it’s accelerating local AI and new ways to make local AI agents easier and faster to run on Windows. Highlights include simplified local model setup coming in Hermes Agent, OpenClaw and Perplexity Portable Computer; inference optimizations delivering up to 1.9x faster performance; and NVIDIA PAIR, a new open-source tool that distributes AI workloads across compatible PCs. NVIDIA and its partners also announced that NVIDIA RTX Spark Windows PCs will arrive in October 2026. [caption id="attachment_263920" align="alignnone" width="1024"] NVIDIA RTX Spark Superchip[/caption]

Innovating together for what comes next

I want to thank our partners across the Windows ecosystem for the ingenuity, investment, and collaboration they bring to customers every day. IFA reflected what is possible when Windows, silicon, hardware and software innovation come together. The momentum we saw in Berlin was only the beginning. As computing becomes more personal and intelligent, our ecosystem will continue to turn new technology into practical experiences that help empower people and organizations to do more. I am excited about what we are building together and, even more importantly, about what our customers will do with it.

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1. Netflix Streaming Video Playback: Dell 14S tested with Intel®  Series 3 Intel® Core™ 5 320 Processor, Intel Graphics, FHD, 8GB and 256GB SSD. Testing conducted by Dell labs in Aug 2026 with display brightness set to 150 nits and wireless enabled. Based on streaming Netflix Streaming Video Playback. Actual battery life may be significantly less than the test results and varies depending on product configuration and use, software, usage, operating conditions, power management settings and other factors. Maximum battery life will decrease with time. The stated Watt Hour (WHr) is not an indication of battery life.

Alongside iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple today released new software for the HomePod and HomePod mini.


‌HomePod‌ Software 27 adds AirPlay improvements and support for AutoMix when listening to Apple Music.

This update introduces support for AutoMix with Apple Music, which transitions between songs like a DJ does, time stretching and beatmatching to deliver a continuous playback experience. It also delivers improved AirPlay performance, providing faster and more responsive connections when sharing music from iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and provides bug fixes and security updates for your HomePod.

‌HomePod‌ software can be installed on the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac by selecting on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then using the Software Update option. If automatic updates are turned on, the new ‌HomePod‌ software will be installed automatically.
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Apple last week announced that Verizon and EE will support iOS 27's new iPhone Handoff feature later this year. The feature allows you to switch between any two iPhones running iOS 27 while using the same phone number on each device.

iPhone Handoff is initially supported by T-Mobile (which is charging $5/month for it) and Deutsche Telekom. To learn more about the feature, read our previous coverage and Apple's support document.
This article, "iOS 27's iPhone Handoff Feature Expanding to More Carriers This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's press release for the iPhone Duo last week said the device will ship with iOS 27.1, which essentially confirms the software update's release timing.


iPhone Duo launches on Friday, October 23, so we can expect iOS 27.1 to be released by that date at the latest — likely several days earlier.

Following three months of beta testing, iOS 27 will be released to the public today, and the first beta of iOS 27.1 will likely follow soon after.

New Features to Expect

During its iPhone event last week, Apple announced that Siri AI will be available in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish starting in October, and this expanded language support beyond English will likely arrive with iOS 27.1 based on that timeframe, as the software update itself will likely be released in October.


Apple recently said that two new features will not be available in the initial iOS 27 release, including suggestions like "Add to Reminders" and "Add to Notes" in the Messages app and the ability to automatically fix compromised passwords with a single tap in the Passwords app. Apple merely said these features will arrive in a "future software update," and iOS 27.1 will likely be the earliest opportunity for that to happen.

And of course, iOS 27.1 supports the iPhone Duo's unique foldable interface.

This is all that is known for now, but we expect iOS 27.1 to include other new features, bug fixes, and security fixes, so stay tuned.
This article, "iOS 27.1: New Features to Expect and Release Date" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s latest software updates introduce Siri AI and deliver helpful new Apple Intelligence features.

Apple today released the next generation of Apple Intelligence.

Apple’s new suite of tools that help parents create safer digital experiences for their kids is now available across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more.

Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch this Friday, September 18, and if you've already got your pre-order in, it's time to start shopping for accessories for the new device. We've already recapped the best iPhone 18 Pro cases available to order, so today we're looking at all of the best charging accessories compatible with the latest iPhones.

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

A highlight of the sales is Twelve South's HiRise 2 Deluxe, which is down to $64.00 on Amazon, from $79.99. This device can charge an iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods simultaneously, and this sale is available in the Glacial Blue color option.



For Anker's best chargers, the popular 3-in-1 Prime Foldable MagSafe Charger has returned to its all-time low price of $99.73, down from $149.99. It's available in both Radiant White and Phantom Gray colors at this price.



Another notable accessory company hosting iPhone 18 accessory discounts is Hyper, with 20 percent off a collection of wall chargers, wireless chargers, and more. You can get this discount by adding any item from this landing page to your cart then entering the code APPLE20 at checkout.

Wall Chargers

• UGREEN 100W GaN 4-Port Charger - $42.99, down from $54.99


• Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $89.99


• Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $115.99, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

• Anker 3-in-1 MagGo Qi2 Charging Stand - $67.49, down from $89.99


• Anker 3-in-1 MagGo UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99


• Anker 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station - $79.99, down from $109.99


• Anker 3-in-1 Prime Foldable MagSafe Charger - $99.73, down from $149.99


• Anker Prime MagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Station - $134.98, down from $229.99

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, "Top Charging Accessories for iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max on Sale Ahead of Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple announced the AirPods 5 earlier this month, giving its entry-level earbuds Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as standard for the first time. The AirPods 5 start at $129, a $149 model adds a Wireless Charging Case, and both versions arrive in stores on Friday, September 18.


The launch also resets the way Apple tiers its cheapest earbuds. With the AirPods 4, the $50 step up from $129 to $179 bought ANC along with a wireless charging case. With the ‌AirPods 5‌, noise cancellation comes at the entry price and now there is only a $20 step up to the next tier.

Apple has stopped selling both versions of the AirPods 4 directly, but they remain widely available from third-party retailers, where the standard model has already dropped to $99 and the ANC model to $149.

Here's everything that differs between the AirPods 4 and the ‌AirPods 5‌:

AirPods 4 (2024)	AirPods 4 With ANC (2024)	‌AirPods 5‌ (2026)	‌AirPods 5‌ With Wireless Charging Case (2026)
	Active Noise Cancellation	Active Noise Cancellation that removes up to 50% more external noise	Active Noise Cancellation that removes up to 50% more external noise
	Transparency mode	Improved Transparency mode	Improved Transparency mode
	Adaptive Audio	Adaptive Audio	Adaptive Audio
	Conversation Awareness	Conversation Awareness	Conversation Awareness
Adaptive EQ	Adaptive EQ	Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ	Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ
		Studio-quality audio recording	Studio-quality audio recording
	Live Translation	Live Translation	Live Translation
Force sensor	Force sensor	Force sensor	Force sensor with swipe volume controls
Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge	Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to five hours with noise control off)	Up to four hours of battery life on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control off)	Up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control off)
Up to 30 hours of listening time with the charging case	Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to 30 hours with noise control off)	Up to 20 hours of battery life with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled	Up to 22 hours of battery life with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
Charging Case (USB-C)	Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers	Charging Case (USB-C)	Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers
	Speaker for Find My		Speaker for ‌Find My‌
Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)	Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)	Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)	Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)
Previously $129, now discontinued	Previously $179, now discontinued	$129	$149

How Big Is the Upgrade?

The ‌AirPods 5‌ retain the H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 back in 2022, rather than the new headphone chip that had been rumored, and they retain Bluetooth 5.3, the same open-ear design, the same custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, and identical dimensions and weight down to the gram. Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, and Siri Interactions all came to the AirPods 4 two years ago.

Noise cancellation is the headline upgrade, and now included regardless of which 2026 model you choose. Apple says the ‌AirPods 5‌ remove up to 50% more external noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which it attributes to a redesigned acoustic architecture, and the same architecture underpins the claims of richer sound and a more natural Transparency mode. Durability improves from IP54 to IP57, so the earbuds and case are now rated for immersion rather than just splashes. Studio-quality audio recording is also new.

Should You Upgrade?

If you already own the AirPods 4 with ANC, there is not a strong case to upgrade. You already have Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, a wireless charging case with a ‌Find My‌ speaker, and the same H2 chip, so the $149 model would give you stronger noise cancellation, a higher IP rating, an extra hour of listening time, and swipe volume controls.

The case is stronger if you own the standard AirPods 4. Noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation are all missing from that model, and the ‌AirPods 5‌ add every one of them at the same $129 you paid two years ago. The same goes for anyone still using the AirPods 3 or AirPods 2, where the jump also brings the newer fit, the H2 chip, USB-C, and Personalized Spatial Audio.

For new buyers, the ‌AirPods 5‌ are the clear default choice. The AirPods 4 are the better value option only when heavily discounted.

The open-ear fit remains the real dividing line in the lineup. If you want genuine isolation, want to use hearing health features, or want heart rate sensing during workouts, the $249 AirPods Pro 3 are still the earbuds to buy. By contrast, if in-ear tips irritate you or you want to stay more aware of your environment, the ‌AirPods 5‌ now offer a far more capable version of the design you will prefer.

Both ‌AirPods 5‌ models are available to pre-order now ahead of their release on Friday, September 18. AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.

Which AirPods 5 Model to Buy?

The difference between the two ‌AirPods 5‌ models is significant despite the $20 gap. The Wireless Charging Case works with Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charger, contains a speaker that makes it much easier to find in the ‌Find My‌ app, and comes with an extra hour of listening time on a charge and two extra hours across the case.

The $149 model is clearly the one to buy for most people, unless the AirPods are a secondary device or one that isn't going to be used often. Jumping up to the higher-end model only costs $20, which is a relatively small amount of money for the number of enhancements.
This article, "AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5 Buyer's Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 code reveals a wave of new Hermès MagSafe wallet designs featuring Find My support, alongside a dedicated attachment animation for the accessories.


The code sleuth known as "pdfu" shared the findings on X, revealing new bandana print card holders in purple, brown, and orange, new tartan stitched designs in purple and brown, plain leather versions in navy and burgundy, a crocodile embossed style, and more. This represents a major expansion of Hermès' ‌MagSafe‌ wallet selection.



Alongside the new designs, pdfu said that the ‌iOS 27‌ release candidate adds an animation specifically for Hermès ‌MagSafe‌ wallets, distinct from the standard Apple ‌MagSafe‌ accessory animation that plays for other wallets. The leaker's post shows how the animation appears when a wallet is attached.

Hermès currently sells around half a dozen ‌MagSafe‌ card holder designs through its online store, including the silk Bandana Eperon d'Or, Jean patch, Pencils, and Chaine d'Ancre styles, alongside the Swift calfskin Lad print, with pricing ranging from $510 for the silk designs up to $1,025 for Lad.

‌Find My‌ support enables owners to locate the wallet in the ‌Find My‌ app and get a notification if it has been left behind.

Apple's own FineWoven Wallet with ‌MagSafe‌ and ‌Find My‌ costs $59. The company recently introduced new color options, and other than the switch from leather to its FineWoven material, the design of the accessory has remained the same since 2020.
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Cultured Code today released Things 3.24, adding integration with iOS 27's new Siri AI and system-wide Spotlight search.


The most significant addition is full support for ‌Siri‌ AI, allowing users to create to-dos by speaking naturally to add tasks. Once a to-do is created, users can continue the conversation to append notes, start dates, and alerts without opening the app.

Things 3.24 also indexes a user's entire database in Spotlight, allowing to-dos and projects to be surfaced through system-wide search. ‌Siri‌ AI can draw on that same Spotlight index to fulfill requests. Users who would prefer to keep their task data out of system search can turn the feature off in Things' settings.

The update brings a wider range of snooze intervals for notifications, adding 15 minute, one hour, and three hour options alongside a new "snooze until tomorrow" choice.

Cultured Code also adds an XL Portrait widget, giving users a way to view longer lists directly from the Home Screen. The update includes various other compatibility improvements for the new operating system.

Things 3.24 arrives alongside iOS 27, which Apple launches later today.
This article, "Things 3 Updated for iOS 27 With Siri AI and Spotlight Integration" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon and Best Buy this week have multiple discounts on the M4 iPad Air, providing up to $149 off these 2026 models. These remain the best prices we've seen in the wake of Apple's summer price hikes.

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'll find savings on both the 11-inch and 13-inch models of the M4 iPad Air, with the biggest markdown found on the 1TB Wi-Fi 13-inch tablet. All of these discounts have been automatically applied and do not require a coupon code or a special membership.




The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, C1X modem, and N1 networking chip, which brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In terms of design, the 2026 models are identical to the 2025 iPad Air tablets, with an edge-to-edge display, slim bezels, and aluminum chassis.

11-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $649.00 ($100 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $749.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 256GB Cellular - $899.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 1TB Cellular - $1,399.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]

13-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $949.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,399.99 ($149 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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Apple is working on a sweeping retail overhaul that would bring back dedicated Genius Bars to its stores, carve out new spaces for order pickup and Today at Apple classes, and do away with oversized video walls, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In this week's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple intends to speed up store renovations over the coming years. Apple plans to rework the "Avenue," its term for the side sections of a store where accessories and services are displayed, reinstate standalone Genius Bars, and remove the large video screens installed in many locations.

Pickup and Today at Apple, which typically share a counter and a seating area today, will each get their own compact section along the Avenue, described internally as a "bay" and measuring about 10 feet across.

For pickup, Gurman described plans for an all-wood bay with a faint Apple logo worked into the upper section, with lockable drawers underneath for holding customer orders, fronted by a counter where staff can hand items over. The Today at Apple bay will feature a similar look, topped by a display similar to a large television, with drawers below for stashing iPads, laptops, and other class equipment, plus a fixed instructor table and stools nearby.

The video walls being phased out trace back to the retail vision pursued under former retail chief Angela Ahrendts, who treated Apple stores as public gathering places rather than purely transactional spaces. Gurman frames the current shift as a move away from that toward stores built primarily around service, fulfillment, and everyday shopping needs.

Where those screens come down, most stores will gain a wood finished Genius Bar built to echo the design Apple used before it introduced the open plan "Genius Grove." It includes counters set at two different heights for accessibility, backed by a wall of storage drawers and large product imagery. Gurman added that both the new bars and the Avenue bays are meant to look as though they always belonged in the store, rather than as visible retrofits, and that many renovated locations will also see their break rooms and other back-of-house areas refurbished.

Elements of the redesign are already live in a small number of stores around the world. Gurman expects the fuller version of the proposed store overhaul to reach most newly opened and renovated stores gradually, with the international rollout continuing over several years.

Separately, Gurman reports that Apple has tightened expectations for staff during pre-opening meetings, with employees to be more firmly required to stay on their feet, put away phones and drinks, and remain attentive. Once doors open to customers, timed for five minutes ahead of the posted hour, every staff member on site is expected to applaud as the first shoppers walk in.
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iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max pre-orders began on Saturday, September 12 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in the U.S. and many other countries. If you have yet to place a pre-order, though, your wait time will likely be longer at this point.


The first customers who pre-ordered right when pre-orders began will have their devices delivered on Friday, September 18 launch day. If you place your order today, though, all iPhone 18 Pro iPhone 18 Pro Max configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. currently have estimated delivery dates of September 29 to as late as October 13.

Apple Store pickup may still be an option for September 18 depending on your desired configuration, and some carriers and resellers like Best Buy may still have stock available for launch day, so you might not be entirely out of luck.

Here are the delivery dates shown as of Monday, September 14 at 6 a.m. Pacific Time.

iPhone 18 Pro

• All Colors and Storage Capacities: September 29 - October 6

iPhone 18 Pro Max

• All Colors and Storage Capacities: October 6 - October 13

Inventory may continue to tighten for both delivery and Apple Store pickup over the coming days.

iPhone Duo pre-orders begin Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time.
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It looks like the iPhone Duo's vertical Dock can currently only house four apps maximum. In his hands-on with the device, Marques Brownlee attempted to add a fifth app to the Dock, but was unable to do so. Apple does not mention the four-app limit in its tech documentation, but those hoping to add a fifth or sixth app to it may be out of luck.

For the iPhone Duo, Apple made the Dock vertical along the right of the screen, with unused space at either end of it. It will likely take some getting used to for iPhone users – especially left-handed ones. We don't know if Apple will provide a left-handed mode for the rest of us.
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