Nintendo today announced a new mobile game called Pictonico, which is set to launch on Thursday, May 28. Pictonico turns photos into minigames like those you see in WarioWare.


The app's website features players taking photos of themselves and their friends, with the app altering the photos in different ways. In one example, the person's mouth opens up widely to chomp on corn with a tap, and in another, a person is bundled up with a mummy and the goal is to unwrap the mummy.


There are 80 minigames to play through, at normal, high-speed, and danger zone speeds that make gameplay more challenging. As players progress through the levels, the game will get more difficult. Pictonico can use photos from the Photo Library, or photos taken with the iPhone's camera from the game interface. Nintendo says that photos remain on device and are not sent to its servers.

Pictonico was co-developed with Intelligent Systems, which is the studio that created the WarioWare game series.

According to Nintendo, the game is free to try, with three minigames available at no cost. Unlocking the "Volume 1" games costs $7.99, while a "Volume 2" series is available for $5.99.

Pictonico is available for pre-order from the App Store. [Direct Link]
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Google held its annual Google I/O event today, launching new AI products and giving us a look at what's coming in the near future. Google I/O is Google's equivalent of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, and Google's announcements offer insight into what Apple is going to be competing with in the coming months.


We've rounded up everything Google announced at I/O across its product lineup.

Gemini

• Gemini Omni - Gemini Omni is a new model that can create anything from any input, and that is better at simulating gravity and kinetic energy. It combines Gemini intelligence with generative models like Nano Banana and Veo. It supports conversational language video editing, and allows users to upload videos and edit any element in the video. Omni is starting with video, but Google's Demis Hassabis says it will eventually be able to create any output from any input.


• Gemini Omni Flash - Gemini Omni Flash is the first Omni model that Google is releasing, and it is available starting today in the Gemini app.


• Gemini 3.5 Flash - Gemini 3.5 Flash is a new model that Google's Sundar Pichai said combines frontier intelligence with action. Flash is better across almost all benchmarks compared to 3.1 Pro, and it is "comparable to the best models" but faster. Gemini 3.5 Flash is available for everyone today across Google's products and APIs.


• Gemini 3.5 Pro - Google is testing Gemini 3.5 Pro internally, and it's coming next month.


• Gemini App - Google redesigned the Gemini app with a new Neural Expressive design language that's rolling out today on desktop, iOS, and Android. It features fluid animations, vibrant colors, haptic feedback, and new typography. It's also getting custom regional dialects in the next few months. Gemini Omni is available for paid Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app today, making it easier to create and edit videos.


• AI Agents for Gemini - Gemini is getting AI agents, like a Daily Brief agent that presents users with a customized daily digest. Daily Brief is rolling out today for paid subscribers.


• Gemini Mac App - Mac users will be able to select a bunch of images and documents in Finder, and then press the Function key to give Gemini a voice command on what to do with the files. Google's demo involved sending an email to a dog kennel with the dog's information and image, with info pulled from Finder to generate an email using Gmail in Chrome. Voice support and Gemini Spark are coming to the Gemini Mac app this summer.


• Gemini for Science - Gemini for Science is a collection of science tools, and there's also a Co-Scientist collaborative AI research partner.

AI Content Identification

• Identifying AI-generated Images - C2PA content credentials are coming to Gemini and Chrome. Google's tools can tell if an image was captured with a camera or made with AI, and can determine whether an image captured with a camera was edited with AI. Users will be able to right-click on an image in Chrome and ask Gemini whether it was generated with AI.

Antigravity

• Antigravity 2.0 - Google is launching a new agent-first Antigravity 2.0 app for the desktop that uses Gemini 3.5 Flash. Antigravity is Google's coding tool, and the equivalent of Copilot, Codex, and Claude Code. Gemini 3.5 Flash is 12x faster in Antigravity, which optimizes token use. Antigravity 2.0 is available globally for everyone.

Gemini Spark

• Gemini Spark - Gemini Spark is a personal AI agent that helps users navigate their digital life. Gemini Spark runs on virtual machines through Google Cloud, and it is able to operate 24/7, with no need to have a laptop open for it to run. It's accessible through the Gemini app, but there will also be options to email or message it. It uses Gemini 3.5 Flash and Antigravity to work on long-running tasks in the background. It integrates with Google tools now, and Google is debuting MCP support for third-party apps in the coming weeks. Gemini Spark can do multi-step ongoing tasks, planning out subtasks and going through the steps. Gemini Spark will be available for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week, and it will work with Chrome later this summer.

Google Search

• Google Search - Google Search AI Mode and AI Overviews now use Gemini 3.5 Flash. "Google Search is AI Search," was Google's messaging. There's a new Google Search box that's been reimagined with AI, and it changes based on how you're using it and goes "beyond autocomplete" to help you better ask questions. The search box supports images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs as input in addition to text. Pichai said it's the biggest upgrade to the search box in over 25 years, and it's rolling out today. Google is also combining AI Overviews and AI Mode into one interface.


• Agents in Search - Search is gaining support for creating and managing multiple AI agents. It can keep users updated on what's going on in the world, like changes in the stock market, and send alerts. Search will be able to monitor changes on webpages, so users can get alerts on things like sneaker drops. Information Agents are coming to search in the summer, and Google plans to add more agents.


• Coding in Search - Agentic coding capabilities are coming to Search. Search will be able to build a custom response on the fly with dynamic layouts, interactive widgets, and more for queries. It uses Antigravity and 3.5 Flash. Search can create tools, trackers, widgets, and dashboards. Generative UI in Search is rolling out this summer for everyone with no charge. Antigravity in Search for building custom experiences is coming in the summer for subscribers first.


• Shopping in Search - Google has a new Universal Cart coming this summer to Search and the Gemini app. It's an intelligent shopping cart that works across merchants and services. You can add things to the cart when reading Gmail, watching YouTube, or browsing the web, then check out on Google or on third-party retailer sites. Google has a Universal Commerce Protocol and an Agents Payment Protocol for agentic shopping. The payments feature lets AI agents make payments on your behalf using parameters that you set like a brand and price. It's coming to Gemini Spark later this year.

YouTube

• Ask YouTube - YouTube is getting an Ask YouTube feature, which is similar to the Ask Maps AI feature. It uses Gemini and lets users ask questions. It supports context and follow-up questions, and it's in testing now. It will roll out broadly in the United States this summer.

Google Docs

• Docs Live - With AI integration in Docs Live, users can speak or write parameters of what they need, and Gemini can create a document. Google's Sundar Pichai said users could "brain dump" and then let Gemini "do the rest." The feature supports text-based commands for creating and editing content.

Hardware

• Android XR Audio Glasses - The first Android XR audio glasses are coming this fall, providing all-day access to Gemini with responses privately spoken into the wearer's ear. The glasses can be used for taking photos, listening to music, making calls, and tapping into apps. Google worked with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on the design of the glasses, and Samsung on hardware. The glasses will pair with Android and iOS devices.

Miscellaneous Announcements

• Google AI Ultra Plan - Google has a new $100 Ultra plan, and it's dropping the price of its top-tier Ultra plan from $250 to $200.


• Android AI Agents - Android Halo lets Android users keep an eye on AI agents, and it shows activity at the top of an Android device. It's coming to Android later this year.


• Google Pics - Google Pics is Google's new image generating and editing tool in Google Workspace. It can create posters, flyers, infographics, and more, similar to Canva. Content is watermarked with SynthID. Pics is rolling out this summer.


• Stitch - Stitch is Google's Figma-like tool that lets users build apps and websites. This year, Google is adding real-time collaborative design with Stitch Agent, exports to Antigravity, and publishing directly to Netlify.


• Google Flow - Google Flow, Google's "AI creative studio" for creatives, is getting Gemini Omni, AI agents for executing multiple actions at once, and custom tools with Flow Tools. New Google Flow features are available today.

Many of Google's new features are rolling out today, with the rest planned for later this year. Apple is going to hold its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and that's when we'll see if Apple debuts equivalent features.
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Apple today announced that its Apple Sports app is now available in more than 90 additional countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and many others across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.


The app was already released in North America, South America, and Europe. In total, it is now available in 170 countries and regions around the world.

Apple also said the app offers these 2026 FIFA World Cup features:

• Tournament bracket view: The clean, scrollable view of matchups and results for each round allows fans to easily track a team's progression from the group stage through their final match.
  
• Visual formations: Enhanced game cards feature visual formations for each team's starting lineup to provide deeper tactical insight ahead of each match.
  
• One tap to Apple News: Apple News connects fans directly to comprehensive editorial coverage, including the latest headlines.

Apple Sports supports the Live Activities feature, allowing users to follow their favorite World Cup teams and keep track of scores for each match at a glance on the iPhone's Lock Screen or Dynamic Island, and on the Apple Watch.

"The World Cup unites fans across the globe, making it the ideal moment to bring Apple Sports to even more users," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats. "Apple Sports was designed to be fast and simple, giving fans an easy way to stay on top of scores, stats, and the action that matters most in real time."

The app remains available on the iPhone only.
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In his new role as Chief Hardware Officer, Apple's longtime chipmaking chief Johny Srouji has reorganized the company's hardware development leadership "to speed up work on future devices," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The reshuffling is aimed at bringing chip and product development closer together.

"The hardware shake-up is also meant to better integrate teams working on in-house silicon with those creating products," explained Gurman.

The report said oversight of Apple's product design is moving from Kate Bergeron to two of her longtime deputies: Shelly Goldberg and Dave Pakula. Goldberg was already in charge of Mac product design, while Pakula led Apple Watch, iPad, and AirPods product design, but now they will oversee all of Apple's products.

Apple's product design group is distinct from the industrial design group, the report explained.

"Industrial design drives the overall vision and appearance of new devices, while product design focuses on translating those concepts into actual products that can be shipped to consumers," said Gurman.

Bergeron is gaining oversight of product reliability across all Apple devices, and she will continue to lead the team overseeing which materials are used for products.

With John Ternus set to become Apple CEO on September 1, the report said two of Ternus' former deputies will now report directly to Srouji: Matt Costello, who has led development of Apple's home and audio products, and Kevin Lynch, who runs a special projects group focused on the development of robotics devices.

The report outlines many other role changes, with the reorganization sounding quite significant overall heading into the Ternus era of Apple.
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Apple's retail operation turns 25 years old today, marking a quarter century since the company opened its first stores on May 19, 2001.



Steve Jobs personally guided members of the press through the Tysons Corner store four days before it opened, after Apple announced the retail initiative on May 15. Some 500 visitors lined up before dawn on opening day, with the queue growing to over 1,000 by the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. The two stores, located at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia and Glendale Galleria in California, welcomed over 7,700 visitors and recorded $599,000 in combined sales across their opening weekend.

The decision to enter brick-and-mortar retail came at a precarious moment for Apple. With a market share hovering around 2.8%, the company was struggling to showcase its products through third-party retailers, where Macs were routinely relegated to dusty corners staffed by clerks with limited product knowledge. Jobs believed Apple would never shed its "cult" image unless it controlled the entire customer experience right down to the point of purchase. As he told Walter Isaacson for his biography: "Unless we could find ways to get our message to customers at the store, we were screwed."

To lead the retail push, Jobs recruited Ron Johnson, who had transformed Target's image with his designer merchandise line. Together they refined the store concept in a secret warehouse prototype, working through every detail from the single-entrance layout to the Genius Bar, which Johnson modeled on the service experience at Ritz-Carlton hotels. Gap CEO Mickey Drexler, who had joined Apple's board in 1999, also played a key role in shaping the retail vision.



Skepticism was widespread at the time. Apple's sales had dropped 29% the previous year, Gateway had just shuttered 40 of its own stores, and Channel Marketing analyst David Goldstein publicly predicted Apple would be "turning out the lights on a very painful and expensive mistake" within two years.

By 2003, Apple was recording $3 million in profit per store, per quarter, with approximately 60,000 visitors at each location. Apple Retail hit $1.2 billion in revenue in 2004, breaking the record for the fastest retail operation to reach a billion-dollar milestone. The company today operates more than 500 stores across 27 countries, with each location generating approximately $5,500 per square foot annually, among the highest figures in the retail industry.

The original Tysons Corner store relocated and reopened in a larger, redesigned space within the same mall in May 2023. Apple retail stores in both Tysons Corner and Glendale Galleria locations remain open today.
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Best Buy kicked off its annual Memorial Day sale this week, with notable markdowns on Apple devices, TVs, headphones and speakers, monitors, appliances, and much more. This sale is set to last through Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, and you don't need to be a My Best Buy Plus or Total member to see the deals.

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

In terms of Apple devices, you can find solid deals on MacBook Air, iPad, MacBook Pro, Beats accessories, and more. In most cases Best Buy is offering same day pick-up on these products, and there are several free shipping options as well.



Some of the biggest discounts you'll find in Best Buy's Memorial Day Sale are on TVs, with major savings from popular brands like Insignia, Samsung, and LG. Best Buy has Samsung's popular line of The Frame TVs on sale, including the 65-inch 2025 model for $999.99 ($600 off) and the 65-inch The Frame Pro for $1,499.99 ($400 off), both of which match record low prices.

Apple

• 20W USB-C Power Adapter - $14.99 ($4 off)


• 11-inch iPad - $299.00 ($50 off)


• AirPods Max (Gen 1) - $449.99 ($100 off)


• 15-inch M5 MacBook Air - $1,149.00 ($150 off)


• 16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro - $2,449.00 ($250 off)

TVs

• 55-inch Toshiba C350 4K Smart Fire TV - $249.99 ($150 off)


• 65-inch Samsung U7900 4K Smart TV - $329.99 ($140 off)


• 65-inch LG UA7050 4K Smart TV - $329.99 ($160 off)


• 75-inch LG LED 4K Smart TV - $449.99 ($240 off)


• 98-inch Hisense QLED 4K Smart Google TV - $999.99 ($1,300 off)


• 65-inch Samsung The Frame TV (2025) - $999.99 ($600 off)


• 65-inch LG OLED 4K Smart TV - $1,299.99 ($1,400 off)


• 65-inch Samsung The Frame Pro - $1,499.99 ($400 off)

Monitors

• 27-inch Samsung Curved 100Hz Monitor - $149.99 ($50 off)


• 34-inch LG UltraWide 100Hz Monitor - $239.99 ($60 off)


• 34-inch LG Smart Monitor - $299.99 ($50 off)


• 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 Gaming Monitor - $379.99 ($120 off)


• 27-inch Alienware Gaming Monitor - $699.99 ($200 off)


• 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED Curved Monitor - $999.99 ($700 off)

Audio

• Beats Pill - $99.99 ($50 off)


• Beats Solo 4 Headphones - $149.99 ($50 off)


• Beats Studio Pro Headphones - $249.99 ($100 off)


• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones - $299.00 ($130 off)


• Sonos Move 2 - $399.00 ($100 off)


• Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 - $499.99 ($200 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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WhatsApp is rolling out a new media attachment sheet on iOS, providing iPhone users with a faster way to share their most recent files without losing sight of the chat.


Usually in WhatsApp, sharing media within a chat requires you to tap a plus button to reveal the app's custom share sheet, and then tap into photos to see your full library, which takes over most of the screen.

As spotted by app tinkerer WABetaInfo, the updated media sharing interface makes it easier to directly browse recent photos and videos without losing the thread of the conversation, thanks to a new recents section.

The recents section appears under the share menu icons as a compact 4x4 grid that acts as a horizontal strip that you can swipe through. If you keep scrolling to the end of the strip and still can't find what you're looking for, WhatsApp expands the view and reveals the full media gallery. It can also be quickly invoked by pressing and holding on the plus button in the input bar.

The new interface is showing up for some users of the latest WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.75, but not everyone who updates will see it immediately. It seems WhatsApp is still testing performance before a global rollout for iPhone users.


The latest change follows the recent introduction of WhatsApp's new Plus subscription for power users on iOS. It takes away nothing of the existing free functionality, but adds things like premium sticker packs, new interface colors, and new icons.
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Apple today re-released the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone in three new colors, after the original version sold out last year. The accessory is exclusively available on Apple's online store worldwide, with U.S. pricing set at $54.95.


The latest color options include Orange Swirl, Glow Blue, and Speckled Stone.

Designed by Bailey Hikawa and produced by PopSockets, Apple says the accessory was created with accessibility in mind, in close collaboration with individuals with a wide range of disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility. The ergonomic grip magnetically attaches to any iPhone with MagSafe, and it doubles as an iPhone stand.

Apple says the grip is made with "premium silicone with a soft touch feel."


Given the accessory is no longer a limited-edition product and is now being mass produced by PopSockets, hopefully supply will be more plentiful this time around. At the time of this writing, Apple's online store in the U.S. is currently showing mid-June delivery estimates for the grip, so there is still a one-month wait.
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Ray-Ban has kicked off a major discount across numerous retailers this week, taking 15 percent off the second generation Meta smart glasses, and 25 percent off the first generation. We're tracking these deals at Amazon and Best Buy below, and they are set to last through May 26.

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.

Starting with the new Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2), you can get these sunglasses starting at $322.15, down from $379.00. Both Amazon and Best Buy have this deal, along with numerous other options with different lens colors and frame colors.



For the first generation models, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer for $223.99, down from $299.00. Both models have a free delivery estimated by the end of this week, with many locations offering same-day delivery on Amazon as well.



The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses allow you to take hands-free photos and short videos, listen to music, make phone calls, and ask Meta AI questions. You can also livestream directly through Instagram or Facebook with the glasses.

The big difference between each generation is in improved photo and video quality on the gen 2, plus better battery life. 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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Fortnite is back on the App Store in every country except Australia, Epic Games announced today, as the company declared it is entering the "final battle" of its long-running legal dispute with Apple.


Epic said the decision to push Fortnite back onto iOS globally was prompted by Apple's own words to the U.S. Supreme Court, in which Apple acknowledged that "regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States." Epic CEO Tim Sweeney framed the move as a strategic provocation, writing on X that the return marks "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide."

The return follows Fortnite's reinstatement to the U.S. App Store in May 2025 after nearly five years off the platform. The return was forced after District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers threatened to require the Apple official overseeing app decisions to appear in court, which prompted Apple to approve the submission. Today's worldwide rollout extends that comeback to most remaining markets, with Epic expressing confidence that an upcoming court-ordered transparency process will expose what the company calls Apple's "junk fees."

Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees. Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand.

In late April, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a stay that had allowed Apple to pause its compliance with rulings on ‌App Store‌ fees, sending the case back to Judge Gonzalez Rogers to determine what commission Apple can charge on purchases made via external links, if any.

Epic said it will "continue to challenge Apple's anticompetitive ‌App Store‌ practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments," pointing to regulatory momentum in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. The company alleged that Apple has "evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements" in each of those jurisdictions.

Australia is the one major market where Fortnite has not returned. Epic said it won its court case there and that an Australian court found many of Apple's developer terms to be unlawful, but Apple continues to enforce those terms regardless. Epic said it cannot return "under an illegal payment arrangement" and is waiting for a court order to compel Apple to comply.
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Apple today announced a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to expand capabilities across VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader, with additional new features for generated subtitles and wheelchair control via Apple Vision Pro.


‌Apple Intelligence‌ powers several of the new features coming later this year:

• VoiceOver Image Explorer uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to produce more detailed descriptions of images throughout the system, including photographs, scanned bills, and personal records. Users can also press the Action button on the iPhone to ask questions about what the camera viewfinder sees, with follow-up questions supported in natural language.


• Magnifier brings Apple Intelligence-powered visual descriptions to its high-contrast interface for users with low vision, also accessible via the Action button, with support for spoken commands like "zoom in" or "turn on flashlight."


• Voice Control gains natural language input so users can describe onscreen elements conversationally, such as "tap the guide about best restaurants" or "tap the purple folder," rather than memorizing exact label names or numbers. Apple says the feature can also help where on-screen elements lack proper accessibility labels.


• Accessibility Reader gains support for more complex document layouts including scientific articles with multiple columns, images, and tables, plus on-demand summaries and built-in translation that retains a user's custom font, color, and formatting preferences.


• Generated Subtitles use on-device speech recognition to automatically transcribe spoken audio in uncaptioned video content, including clips recorded on iPhone, received from friends and family, or streamed online, across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and ‌Apple Vision Pro‌. Initially available in English in the U.S. and Canada.


• Power Wheelchair Control for Apple Vision Pro uses the headset's precision eye-tracking system as an alternative input method for users who cannot operate a joystick, launching with support for the Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the U.S. via Bluetooth and wired connections.

Apple shared a video about the new Voiceover feature:



Apple also announced a number of smaller additions coming later this year:

• Vehicle Motion Cues are coming to visionOS to help reduce motion sickness when using Vision Pro as a passenger in a moving vehicle.


• Apple Vision Pro will support face gestures for performing taps and system actions, plus a new way to select elements with one's eyes while using Dwell Control.


• Made for iPhone hearing aids will gain more reliable pairing and handoff between Apple devices, with an improved setup experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.


• Name Recognition, which notifies users who are deaf or hard of hearing if someone says their name, expands to more than 50 languages globally.


• Larger Text support is coming to tvOS, allowing viewers with low vision to increase onscreen text size.


• Sony Access controller is gaining support as a game controller on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with full button and thumbstick customization and support for combining two controllers.


• FaceTime gains a new API allowing sign language interpretation app developers to add a human interpreter to an ongoing video call.


• Touch Accommodations gain a new way to personalize setup in iOS and iPadOS.

Starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone, an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed by Los Angeles-based designer Bailey Hikawa, is available globally in three new colors via the Apple Store online. The accessory was developed in collaboration with individuals with disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility, and is now available internationally via a partnership with PopSockets.

All of the announced features are expected to arrive later this year. Voice Control's natural language capabilities will be available in English in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Today's announcement is part of Apple's annual tradition of previewing upcoming accessibility features ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which falls on the third Thursday of May each year. While no firm release date is given for the features, they typically arrive with Apple's new operating system updates in the fall. This year that means iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27, all of which are expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June before shipping in September.
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An Indian court has ruled that Apple must cooperate with a government investigation into its App Store practices, rejecting the company's attempt to put the case on hold (via Reuters).


The Delhi High Court ruling keeps a probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) alive, which found in 2024 that Apple had abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps market. The CCI wants Apple's financial data to calculate potential penalties, but Apple has refused to hand it over so far.

Apple's argument is largely procedural; it is separately challenging the legality of India's penalty framework in court, and says the CCI should wait until that challenge is resolved. India's updated competition law allows fines to be based on a company's global revenue rather than just local earnings, which given Apple's scale could mean enormous exposure.

The court did not give Apple the pause it wanted, but it did prevent the CCI from issuing a final ruling before July 15, buying the company some time. Apple also succeeded in getting certain documents placed on the legal record, though the court order didn't say what they were.

India is one of Apple's most important growth markets. Counterpoint Research puts the company's iPhone market share there at 9%, up from just 4% two years ago. Apple has also been ramping up iPhone manufacturing in the country through Foxconn and Tata as it reduces its dependence on China. A hostile regulatory environment complicates that ambition.

It is also the latest front in a years-long global battle over ‌App Store‌ rules. Apple faces similar scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe, where regulators and courts have pushed back on its control over app distribution and in-app payments.
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Apple allegedly wants to switch away from aluminum for future iPhones, with two materials being considered for their greater balance between weight and heat dissipation.


Apple introduced titanium to the iPhone with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max back in 2023, with the change even becoming the device's defining tagline. The iPhone 16 Pro models also showcased the material, but while the devices were said to be more durable, they also suffered from complaints about overheating. That's when Apple switched to aluminum for the current iPhone 17 Pro models.

In a new Weibo post, however, leaker Instant Digital argues that Apple's switch away from titanium to aluminum is just a compromise solution while it continues to look into the use of liquid metal or an "improved" version of titanium that solves the original material's poor thermal conductivity.

Apple is said to be using both liquid metal and improved titanium alloys in its first foldable iPhone, expected this year, so the leaker's claim may not be completely wide of the mark. The body of the device is said to use a revised titanium material that improves strength while reducing overall weight when compared with existing titanium iPhone frames, despite having virtually the same surface area.

The iPhone Air currently uses a titanium frame, courted for its light weight and strength, and the next model is also likely to have one.

Meanwhile, liquid metal has been described as an "amorphous" material that Apple has been exploring for over 15 years. Apple has reportedly chosen the material, which is manufactured using a die-casting process, as a key component in addressing common issues with foldable devices. The material choice reportedly aims to enhance screen flatness and minimize the crease marks that typically plague folding displays. The alloy's unique properties are said to include high strength, corrosion resistance, light weight, and malleability.

According to Instant Digital, achieving mass production at scale will be extremely difficult, but once the foldable's manufacturing is established, costs could come down, paving the way for future Pro models to adopt it as well.

Unless Apple reverts to a new type of titanium, that is. But don't expect either of these possibilities to emerge for the iPhone 18 Pro models, whose manufacturing materials will already be locked in.
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Apple is still developing a large foldable iPad despite technical hurdles, and it should feature the same crease-free hinge design as Apple's rumored "iPhone Ultra," its first foldable iPhone expected to launch in the fall.


That's according to Weibo-based Digital Chat Station. The popular Chinese-language leaker implies that Apple's large foldable iPad will create a new market for giant folding tablets, but it's likely to still be some ways off yet.

A report in July last year claimed Apple had decided to pause work on a larger-screened foldable iPad because of development issues, but Bloomberg reported in March that development continues.

According to Bloomberg's previous reporting, Apple wanted to launch the device in 2028, but problems with weight and display technology are likely to cause it to be pushed back until 2029.

The device is believed to have a Samsung-made 18-inch display, and will challenge Apple's long-running tradition of keeping the Mac and iPad as separate devices. Some have referred to it as a foldable iPad, while others have called it an all-display MacBook, but concerns remain about its practicality when it comes to typing.

When closed, the iPad resembles a MacBook, with an aluminum exterior and no outer display. When opened, it unfolds to roughly the size of a 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard. Due to its large display and aluminum chassis, current prototypes weigh about 3.5 pounds, making them considerably heavier than existing iPad Pro models.

An 18-inch OLED foldable display will surely be expensive, too, given that Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro. If prices don't come down for components over the next few years, the foldable ‌iPad‌ could cost as much as $3,900. It also sounds like Apple still has work to do to perfect its hinge/crease designs.

Meanwhile, Apple's foldable iPhone, which could take the name "iPhone Ultra," is expected to arrive in the fall alongside Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, barring any last-minute production mishaps. The folding iPhone is said to feature a 5.5-inch display when closed, and a 7.8-inch display when open, plus a super-thin design with minimal crease and a durable hinge.
This article, "Foldable iPad Said to Share Hinge Design With Upcoming iPhone Ultra" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 will include a custom wallpaper generator and an option to automatically create shortcuts using AI, reports Bloomberg.


When choosing a new wallpaper, users will have the option to generate something custom using the Image Playground app. ‌Image Playground‌ is used for generating custom emoji and images that can be used throughout iOS, and it is set to get an upgrade in ‌iOS 27‌.

Apple is testing models that produce more lifelike images, so the version of ‌Image Playground‌ that's used for generating custom wallpapers could be different from the current version.

Shortcuts is also getting a major update, with users able to use natural language to ask Siri to make a shortcut. There is an option for users to tell ‌Siri‌ what they want to accomplish with a shortcut to have the workflow created using AI.

Bloomberg says the Shortcuts app has a prompt that says "What do you want your shortcut to do?" with a text field to enter a description. Shortcuts that are created using AI are then automatically installed and immediately available for use.

Shortcut creation is largely done manually now, and it is a tool that has remained out of reach of many casual iPhone users. A Shortcuts app that's able to work with natural language capabilities will see the app getting more widespread use.

The new Shortcuts app and the wallpaper generation tool will be previewed at the WWDC keynote that's set to take place on June 8.
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iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will include a revamped AI chatbot version of Siri with new capabilities, but Apple is also planning to introduce new Apple Intelligence features across the operating system, reports Bloomberg.


Apple is testing an expanded version of Writing Tools that will do more rewriting and text generation than the current version. There is a "Write With ‌Siri‌" toggle at the top of the keyboard, along with a "Help Me Write" option that comes up when ‌Siri‌ is activated while a text field is open.

Apple is planning to introduce a dedicated AI grammar checker for Writing Tools that will work like Grammarly. When writing in Messages, Mail, and other apps there will be a translucent menu that slides up from the bottom of the iPhone's screen, and it will show suggested revisions next to the original written text.

Users can go through the suggestions and accept or reject them one by one, approve all of the changes at once, or ignore all of the changes. Apple has an option for pausing grammar checking and for moving between different flagged sections of text. Apple already has a spellchecking feature, but the new feature will add grammar suggestions.

The updates to Writing Tools will be unveiled at Apple's June 8 WWDC keynote. Apple is also planning AI updates for the Photos app, Camera app, and more, with details available in our iOS 27 roundup.
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In preparation for the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference that is set to begin on June 8, Apple today announced its finalists for the 2026 Apple Design Awards. Apple picks top apps and games annually, and announces winners at WWDC.


The Apple Design Awards recognize apps with innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement in app and game design.

Delight and Fun - Apps

• Blippo+


• Metaballs


• Grug

Delight and Fun - Games

• PowerWash Simulator


• Is This Seat Taken?


• Ball x Pit

Inclusivity - Apps

• Guitar Wiz


• Hearing Buddy


• Structured

Inclusivity - Games

• Sago Mini Jinja's Garden


• Pine Hearts


• Civilization VII

Innovation - Apps

• Detail: AI Video Editor


• NBA: Live Games & Scores


• D-Day: The Camera Soldier

Innovation - Games

• TR–49


• Blue Prince


• Pickle Pro

Interaction - Apps

• The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker


• Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker


• Tide Guide: Charts & Tables

Interaction - Games

• TR–49


• Sago Mini Jinja's Garden


• Grand Mountain Adventure 2

Social Impact - Apps

• Primary: News in Depth


• Katha Room


• Harvee

Social Impact - Games

• Consume Me


• Despelote


• Spilled!

Visuals and Graphics - Apps

• Tide Guide: Charts & Tables


• Caradise


• (Not Boring) Camera

Visuals and Graphics - Games

• Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition


• Arknights: Endfield


• SILT

One app and one game will be chosen in each category, with Apple to announce winners during the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference. Winners will receive a physical award and hardware to help them continue to create apps and games.

Links to all of the apps that are nominated can be found on Apple's website.
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Apple today provided a schedule for its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 8 and ends on June 12. Apple also sent out invites to members of the media who have been invited to attend an in-person keynote viewing at Apple Park.


Both the invites and schedule confirm that the keynote will begin at the standard time, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 1:00 p.m Eastern Time.

Apple says the keynote event will be available to stream on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. We'll also be providing live coverage at MacRumors.com for those who are unable to watch.

Apple also plans to host the Platforms State of the Union for developers at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and video sessions and guides will start coming out after the keynote event. Group Labs and Q&A sessions will be hosted by Apple engineers and designers throughout the week, providing more insight into the new software coming at WWDC 2026.

‌WWDC 2026‌ will see Apple unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and more. An updated version of Siri that's smarter and more like a ChatGPT-style chatbot will be unveiled, along with multiple design changes to accommodate ‌Siri‌'s new abilities. We have an in-depth look at what's coming in iOS 27 in our dedicated roundup.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 4 could feature a complete redesign and blood pressure monitoring, according to DigiTimes.


Apple will apparently add a new high blood pressure notification feature to the Apple Watch that uses the optical heart-rate sensor on the back of the device to analyze how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, sending alerts when an abnormal pattern is detected. The feature is said to be under FDA review.

It is not entirely clear how it differs from the Hypertension Notifications feature Apple introduced with watchOS 26 last fall, which itself uses the optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses over 30-day periods. DigiTimes says that earlier Apple Watch models already had some blood-pressure sensing capabilities, and the new feature appears to represent a more refined or clinically validated implementation of that underlying hardware.

After this, Apple's next health monitoring capabilities are expected to focus on noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring, a capability Apple has been pursuing for a number of years, pending government approval.

The report is largely consistent with a DigiTimes report from last year, which said at least one new Apple Watch model would feature a "significant redesign," with supply chain sources pointing to exterior design changes including eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern on the back of the device. Today's update describes the changes more forcefully, calling it a "full redesign" alongside a "significant upgrade to sensing functions."

According to market observers cited by the report, the redesign could boost Apple Watch shipments by 20% to 30% compared to 2025. The sensor upgrades are expected to be a major boost for Taiwan-Asia Semiconductor (TASC), Apple's exclusive supplier of sensor components, with large-volume orders anticipated as early as July.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to be announced alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" in fall 2026.
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Apple today launched a new promotion offering new Apple Card holders the chance to earn back the cost of AirPods Pro 3 through monthly cash rebates, but there is a recurring spend requirement attached.


Customers who open a new Apple Card account and purchase ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ directly from Apple by June 15 will qualify. Starting July 1 and running through April 30, 2027, cardholders can earn $25 in Bonus Daily Cash each month, up to $250 total, but only in months where they make at least ten purchases on the card. Each qualifying purchase must be at least $0.01, and the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase itself does not count toward the monthly ten-purchase threshold.

The offer is open to new ‌Apple Card‌ applicants only, and is not available to existing cardholders or anyone with a pending application. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase must be made directly from Apple, either online or in an Apple Store. Refurbished products, purchases through third-party retailers, international transactions, and business bulk orders are all excluded. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase cannot be made entirely with an Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance.

All ‌Apple Card‌ payment options are eligible, including paying in full or financing via ‌Apple Card‌ Monthly Installments, and any trade-in applied to the purchase does not affect eligibility. Returning the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase may result in forfeiture of the offer.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are priced at $249 and were introduced alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025.
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Anker's new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station has been marked down to $104.99 on Amazon, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price.

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.

The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.



There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including Anker's Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.99, down from $399.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more.

Wall Chargers

• Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $29.99, down from $39.99


• 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $79.99, down from $99.99


• 160W 3-Port Compact Charger - $105.99, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible UFO Charger - $69.99, down from $89.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $85.99, down from $109.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $86.99, down from $129.99


• 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $104.99, down from $149.99


• Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $159.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers

• MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $63.99, down from $79.99


• Prime Power Bank 20,100 mAh - $149.99, down from $179.99


• SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $169.99, down from $249.00


• Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $171.48, down from $229.99


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $449.99, down from $799.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $799.99, down from $1,499.00

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

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Trial production of Apple's long-anticipated foldable iPhone, likely called the "iPhone Ultra," has run into a significant engineering hurdle centered on hinge reliability, according to a known leaker.


The leaker known as "Instant Digital" posted on Weibo that the foldable device's hinge is consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. The leaker described the mechanical wear issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection; otherwise, progress will simply have to be stalled for the time being."

The hinge has been a key focus of Apple's foldable development for years. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first reported that the device would use Liquid Metal components in the hinge mechanism, with Dongguan EonTec serving as the exclusive supplier of the amorphous alloy. Instant Digital subsequently elaborated that the material, also known as metallic glass, features a disordered atomic structure that is more resistant to bending and deformation than traditional metals, and more durable than titanium alloy. This makes it suitable for a foldable's hinge.

Apple has previously used the material only in small components such as SIM ejector pins, so the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ would mark its first major use in a critical mechanical part. A subsequent report in January corroborated the liquid metal hinge plans, noting that Apple has been exploring the material for over 15 years, tracing back to a 2010 licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies.

Screen creasing is a concern that has followed the foldable smartphone category since its inception. Instant Digital says Apple has essentially accepted some degree of crease as inevitable, but that test results have demonstrated the device can maintain a visually crease-free state over the long term. That aligns with previous reporting: leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" reported in February that production orders had been placed with a crease depth under 0.15mm and a crease angle under 2.5 degrees. Apple has reportedly pursued eliminating the crease "regardless of cost," with engineering solutions including a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure designed to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers, and advances in optically clear adhesive to keep display layers in precise alignment.

A follow-up post from the leaker suggested the hinge difficulties are unlikely to push back the device's expected release window somewhat, noting that there is still ample time remaining. That is broadly consistent with earlier reporting: DigiTimes reported in April that production was running roughly one to two months behind schedule, but that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Apple is expected to announce the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models at its September event, though some reports suggest customer availability could slip as late as December.

In a third post, Instant Digital offered a note on the device's experience, suggesting that despite its larger form factor the foldable feels like an iPhone rather than an iPad when in use. The leaker added that the screen size offers limited practical utility for a stylus, casting doubt on whether Apple Pencil support would be a meaningful feature for the device.

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, with an A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID power button, and two rear cameras. Pricing is rumored to sit at around $2,000.
This article, "Foldable iPhone Production Stalls Amid Hinge Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AMC+ has kicked off a major new discount this week, offering 74 percent off your entire first year of the service via Amazon channels. This knocks the price of AMC+ Premium down to $29.99 per year, down from $109.99 per year.

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.

This is the Premium tier of the subscription service, allowing you to stream without ads (with limited exceptions), access to six live TV channels, and the ability to download and watch programs on the go. It also features full access to Shudder, BBC America, and Sundance Now.



To get the deal, you can follow this link on Amazon and click "select plan" under the AMC+ Premium tier option. From there, you can select the Annual option to add the AMC+ Premium subscription to your channels list for just $29.99 for one year.

Shoppers should note that the price will increase to $109.99 per year at the end of your first year unless canceled. This discount is expected to expire on May 25, so be sure to lock in the sale soon if you're interested.

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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Sony's latest noise-canceling headphones have been leaked. Images of the 10th anniversary models, called 1000X "The Collexion" Edition, were shared online today by OnLeaks. They're expected to launch tomorrow, coming just a year after the company's WH-1000XM6 series.


From what we can tell based on the leaked materials, the changes are largely design-based. The new cans have a thicker leatherette padding than their predecessors, as well as larger ear cups, while the buttons are more separated and the microphone grilles get more breathing room. But it's the headband stems that stand out. Depending on the color choice, they're glossy black or chrome-on-white. The touch control surface has also been moved to the side and rear of each cup.

The biggest difference though is said to be a more robust design. Durability was reportedly a recurring complaint with the XM6's, so Sony has reinforced the stems by making them a single piece of polished metal rather than a fork. A purse-style carry case comes along for the ride, as does a headphone cable, but a USB-C charging cable may not be included (the leaked materials are contradictory on this point).

Battery life on a single charge sounds roughly comparable to the XM6's, with up to 24 hours of playback with acoustic noise-canceling enabled and 32 hours with ANC off. There's also a five-minute quick-charge feature that gets you 1.5 hours of battery life.

Sony says it has partnered with three world-class mastering studios for the driver tuning, including Battery Studios, Sterling Sound and Coast Mastering.

The new headphones will be available on Tuesday for $649 in the United States – $200 more than the cost of the XM6 headphones at launch, suggesting they are being marketed as a luxury product. It's only a short step up from the category occupied by Apple's $549 AirPods Max, which received a refresh earlier this year with a H2 chip.

(Via HotEUDeals.)
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Woot today has Apple's first generation AirTag 4-Pack for $45.59 with the code SAVETWENTY, down from $99.00. This code works on numerous products sitewide this week on Woot, taking 20 percent off for existing customers and 30 percent off for new customers. This means that if you've never purchased anything at Woot, you can get the AirTag 4-Pack for around $40 this week.

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

The AirTag 4-Pack is in new condition and comes with a 90-day Woot limited warranty, and the sale is set to last for four more days. Be sure to check out the rest of the products that you can use the SAVETWENTY code on, including monitors, video game accessories, smart home products, apparel, and much more.



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 wants users to look again at their use of generative Genmoji in iOS 27, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


‌Genmoji‌ is an Apple Intelligence feature that lets you use AI to generate all-new emoji characters based on text input. All ‌Genmoji‌ generation happens directly on-device, but the feature has had a rocky run.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that the generated images often looked nothing like Apple's polished marketing examples, and the underlying models were demanding enough to heat up iPhones and drain their batteries.

Apple has apparently made some tweaks so that no longer happens, while also adding a new supplementary feature.

"Suggested Genmoji" will reportedly offer you custom emoji ideas automatically based on your media and text history, rather than you having to think them up yourself. The feature is said to be optional in the next iPhone and iPad software update.

Gurman says a new toggle in the Keyboard settings of iOS 27 reads: "Suggested Genmoji are created from your photos and your commonly typed phrases."

iOS 27 will be previewed at WWDC next month, with a public release expected in the fall.
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Apple in iOS 27 will include an enhanced Siri with a dedicated app that gives users options to keep conversations in memory for a limited time, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that Apple is keen to market its privacy credentials as a key advantage in the way it is implementing AI across its software compared to rivals.

Cognizant of the perception that it has fallen behind other companies in the race to integrate AI into its operating systems, Apple will lean into privacy as a core tenant of its approach – starting with giving users options to auto-delete chats.

In the Settings panel for the new Siri app, "users will be able to choose to keep conversations for 30 days, one year, or forever," says Gurman, based on his sources. A similar feature can already be found in the Messages app's Settings.

"Most leading AI chatbots today rely heavily on histories and memory systems to personalize responses and improve future interactions," says Gurman. "But Apple will place tighter limits around how memory works, including restrictions on what information can persist and how long it can be retained."

Gurman also mentions that users will be able to decide if the Siri app opens showing either a grid of prior conversations or a new chat screen.

Apple's enhanced Siri will be powered by Google's Gemini models, but Apple apparently won't emphasize this, given that Google is historically known as an ad-driven business that farms users' data.

Another interesting tidbit in Gurman's latest newsletter is that the new Siri app will be labeled "beta," despite being the culmination of two years of delays. Apple recently agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over delayed Siri features, with eligible iPhone users able to receive up to a $95 payout.
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Amazon this weekend has brought back a major sale on the M4 iPad Air, with a trio of all-time low prices on the tablet. This includes both 11-inch and 13-inch models of the brand new 2026 M4 iPad Air.

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.

Specifically, the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Air has dropped to $519.99, down from $599.00, beating the previous low price by about $40. You'll also find low prices on the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch model and 256GB Wi-Fi 13-inch model, both of which we're only tracking on Amazon.





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.

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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The best Apple deals this week include AirPods Max 2 for $40 off, 2026 MacBook Pro for up to $216 off, and Apple Watch Series 11 for up to $130 off. You'll also find Anker's best charging accessories on sale on Amazon right now, including the new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station.

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.

Anker

• What's the deal? Save on Anker charging accessories


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Anker's new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station has been marked down to $104.99 on Amazon, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price.

AirPods Max 2

• What's the deal? Take $40 off AirPods Max 2


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week has a record low price on the AirPods Max 2, now available for $509.00, down from $549.00. This sale is available in three colors of the headphones.

MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take up to $249 off M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon is offering a few all-time low prices on Apple's M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro this week, with up to $249 off select models.

Apple Watch Series 11

• What's the deal? Take up to $130 off Apple Watch Series 11


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11 this week, with up to $130 off numerous models of the smartwatch. A highlight of the sale is the 46mm cellular model at $130 off, which is a match of the all-time low price.

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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WWDC is less than a month away, so the focus of the Apple world is turning toward what we might see in the next major operating system updates, but we're also looking ahead to the busy hardware update season in the fall.


This week also saw a significant change to Apple's education pricing program in some countries, while a new commemorative U.S. coin featuring Steve Jobs made a brief appearance, so read on below for all the details!

Top Stories

11 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

We're only four months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.


Despite cost pressures from industry-wide memory shortages that are forcing some Android smartphone manufacturers to raise prices, one analyst believes Apple will be "aggressive" on pricing with the iPhone 18 Pro models.

iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Apple this week released iOS 26.5 and related updates to the general public, delivering several new features and dozens of fixes for security issues.


The headline features in iOS 26.5 include a beta of end-to-end encryption for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users on supported carriers, a new "Suggested Places" section in the Maps app for recommendations based on your location and recent searches, and a new Pride Luminance wallpaper option.

macOS 27: Two More Changes Leaked Ahead of WWDC Next Month

macOS 27 will have a "slight redesign" compared to macOS Tahoe, according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter this week, Gurman said the design changes will help to improve the readability of macOS Tahoe's Liquid Glass interface.


In addition, Gurman said macOS 27 will have a new Safari feature that can automatically organize browser tabs into groups. This feature, previously revealed by MacRumors, is also expected to be available on iOS 27 and iPadOS 27.

macOS 27 and Apple's other major operating system updates will be revealed during the WWDC keynote on June 8.

Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year

While not too much has been reported about the next Apple Watch models, there are a few rumors about potential design changes and watchOS 27 features.


Apple Watch Series 12 and potentially Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we recently recapped some of the key rumored hardware and software changes. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was just updated last year and it typically goes two to three years between refreshes.

Touch ID is one interesting rumor that has been circulating based on leaked Apple code, but one leaker recently claimed it won't be coming to the next-generation Apple Watch models, so we'll have to wait and see whether it makes an appearance. Otherwise, it seems battery life improvements, new Apple Intelligence and satellite features, and a few other quality-of-life improvements are likely.

Apple Now Requires UNiDAYS Verification for Education Discounts in U.S. and Canada, Adds Apple Watch

Apple has long offered discounted pricing on an array of products to educational customers, but in the U.S. and Canada this has largely been on the honor system outside of the occasional audit.


That changed as of this week, with Apple now requiring education customers in the U.S., Canada, and several other countries to verify their eligibility via the UNiDAYS system that the company has long used in other countries around the world.

On the positive side, Apple Watch is now eligible for education pricing in a number of countries, delivering a roughly 10 percent discount compared to regular pricing.

Steve Jobs U.S. Commemorative $1 Coin Goes on Sale, Immediately Sells Out

The United States Mint this week began selling a new $1 American Innovation Coin featuring Steve Jobs, although the coins sold out within minutes.


The $1 Steve Jobs Coin features a young Steve Jobs in a turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers, sitting in front of the Northern California landscape. Jobs is said to be "captured in a moment of reflection," in which "his posture and expression reflect how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself."

The coin is part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program that has been graudally honoring groundbreaking innovations and innovators from every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia for nearly a decade.

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