CarPlay’s evolution has in several ways been a disappointment since the “next generation” of CarPlay was first previewed in 2022. But all of a sudden, in the span of a mere month, CarPlay’s future looks brighter than it has in years—in part because of a redefinition of what that future will be.

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The dust is beginning to settle on iOS 26, but there is one more smaller improvement that we wanted to make sure that we highlighted: the ability to set custom ringtones on the iPhone without using the GarageBand app.


To set a custom ringtone on iOS 26, open the Files app and tap on an MP3 or M4A audio file that is less than 30 seconds long. Next, tap on the share button in the bottom-right corner of the screen, tap on More, and tap on Use as Ringtone. Then, that audio file will be listed as a ringtone option in the Settings app under Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.

As noted by Macworld last week, the Use as Ringtone option also appears for audio files in select other apps, including Voice Memos. However, it is not possible to set Apple Music songs as custom ringtones for free, even with a subscription.

Apple continues to sell 30-second song ringtones for $1.29 each through the iTunes Store app on iOS 26, but this is a legacy feature.

iOS 26 is currently in beta.
This article, "iOS 26 Lets You Set Custom Ringtones Without Using GarageBand" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s Journal app is coming to the iPad and Mac as part of iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, and several brand new features will be included too—even on iPhone.

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MacRumors readers can get 20 percent off a collection of Anker's best charging accessories this month. In order to get this deal, head to Anker's website and add an accessory to your cart, then enter the code Ankermacrumors2025 at checkout to see the discount.

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

Our exclusive 20 percent off code works on most accessories sitewide, including Anker's new "high power" charging accessories. This exclusive discount code does not stack with existing discounts on Anker's website, but it can be used on multiple items in the same cart.



In the lists below, we've collected a few examples of the best products available at a discount with our exclusive promo code, but remember that it works sitewide. You have until the end of June to take advantage of this promotion, so be sure to browse Anker's best products on its website before the end of the month.

It's also worth noting that Anker is hosting a new "essential items" sale, and some of the discounts in that event are steeper than our 20 percent sitewide discount. Be sure to check and compare both discounts in your cart before you place your order to ensure you have the best deal.

Portable Chargers

• MagGo 10,000 mAh Power Bank - $64.00, down from $79.99


• Prime 20,000 mAh Power Bank - $89.99, down from $139.99

Wall Chargers

• 67W 3-Port Wall Charger - $39.99, down from $59.99


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

Charging Stations

• MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station - $72.00, down from $89.99


• MagGo 3-in-1 Charging Stand - $74.99, down from $110.99


• 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe - $104.00, down from $129.99

Hubs

• 200W 6-Port Prime Charger with USB-C Cable - $83.20, down from $103.99


• 250W 6-Port Prime Charger - $136.00, down from $169.99

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, "Anker Offers MacRumors Readers 20% Off Collection of Chargers, Hubs, Batteries, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iPadOS 26 is going to change the way that you use your iPad, and it turns working on the ‌iPad‌ into a much more Mac-like experience. Apple introduced a whole new multitasking system, which you can get a first look at in our video.


Windows on the ‌iPad‌ now work like Windows on the Mac. You can have multiple app windows open at once, and arrange them in any way that's convenient for you. Split View and Slide Over are gone, but the new window options work with Stage Manager.

‌iPad‌ apps have menu bars where you can access settings for each app, and there are also the iconic "traffic light" buttons that you can use for adjusting and resizing open windows. Apple added multiple convenient tiling options for showing two, three, or four apps on your display in an organized way. You can view all of your open apps with an Exposé interface.

The windowing system extends to connected displays, giving you even more space for viewing your ‌iPad‌ apps. Note that on some older iPads, you'll be limited to four app windows, but this is a feature that is compatible with every ‌iPad‌ that runs ‌iPadOS 26‌. Newer iPads can have far more app windows open.

To further the Mac-like experience, folders are now customizable with colors and emoji, and in the Files app, there's a new list view that's like working with the Mac files app. Apple even added collapsible folders, so you don't need to tap into a folder on ‌iPad‌ to see what's inside in a tiled view.

Files can be set to open with a default app of your choosing, and you can store your folders in the Dock for quicker access. Finally, the ‌iPad‌ supports background tasks, so if you're doing a large file transfer, you'll see a Live Activity to keep an eye on progress while you do other things on your ‌iPad‌.

Keep in mind that we're only on the first beta of ‌iPadOS 26‌, and there's more testing and refining to go before launch. Right now, ‌iPadOS 26‌ is only available for developers, but Apple is going to make a public beta available in July. ‌iPadOS 26‌ will launch in September.
This article, "See iPadOS 26 Multitasking in Action" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is rumored to be working on an all-new smart home hub, and an alleged reference to the device has been discovered in the iOS 18.6 beta.


9to5Mac today reported that iOS 18.6's code includes a new "apple-logo-1088@2x~home.png" image asset. According to the report, the "~home" suffix indicates that the image asset is intended to be limited to Apple's rumored homeOS operating system for the home hub, which is expected to have a square iPad-like screen.

If the report is accurate about the image asset, it serves as further proof that Apple is continuing to work on the home hub's software.

Apple's smart home hub is rumored to feature a 6-inch or 7-inch display, and the A18 chip from iPhone 16 models. The device can reportedly be attached to a speaker base, or mounted on a wall, and it would allow users to control smart home accessories, make FaceTime video calls, use Apple's intercom feature between rooms in a house, and more. It might even double as a home security system with an Apple-designed camera.

While recent homeOS trademark activity that might be connected to Apple fueled hopes that the company would provide an early preview of the home hub at its WWDC 2025 developer conference last week, that did not end up happening.

Apple originally planned to unveil the home hub in March 2025, but the device's launch was reportedly postponed as a result of Apple delaying its personalized Siri features. The device is unlikely to launch until those features are ready.

In March, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that a HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025. Kuo is likely referring to the rumored home hub, and if his timeframe remains accurate, then the device could still be announced at some point later this year. A launch is expected by next year at the latest.
This article, "iOS 18.6 Beta Code Includes Reference to Apple's Rumored Home Hub" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you got excited by yesterday’s news that iOS 26 will let you copy parts of a text message in Messages, but aren’t running the beta and don’t want to feel left out, here’s some good news: you can already do that on WhatsApp.

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Next week, Apple TV+ will premiere a new crime drama—Smoke—that reunites the team behind one of its best reviewed shows ever: Black Bird. Reviews for Smoke have arrived, here’s the verdict.

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Accessory maker Satechi has announced that it has released a new NVMe SSD enclosure that is specially designed for the latest Mac mini.


The slim aluminum enclosure is the same size as the Mac mini models with M4 and M4 Pro chips, allowing it to sit atop the computer. It connects to the Mac mini with an included USB 4 cable, offering data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps.

The enclosure can hold up to an 8TB NVMe SSD, and it has a hidden compartment for storing the braided USB 4 cable. In addition, Satechi says it has integrated cooling vents and a thermal pad, for peak performance without thermal throttling.


While the enclosure matches the look and size of the latest Mac mini, it can be used with a wide variety of Apple devices, including MacBooks and iPads.

In the U.S., Apple charges $2,400 to upgrade a Mac mini to 8TB of built-in storage, so using external NVMe storage is a much cheaper option. Satechi's enclosure is available starting today for $119.99, and customers can receive an additional $20 off using code LIMITED20 for a limited time. You have to provide your own NVMe SSD, with 8TB options available for as little as $500 to $700 depending on sales.
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We are still waiting for Apple's long-rumored AirTag 2 to launch. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the item-tracking accessory.


In his Power On newsletter before WWDC, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that a new AirTag was "nearly ready" to launch. Last year, he said that it would be released around the middle of 2025, and the midpoint of the year is just two weeks away.

"The new AirTag is nearly ready, having been prepared for launch over the past several months," he said. However, he said that it was unlikely that Apple would announce the AirTag 2 during WWDC 2025 last week, and the developer conference indeed came and went without any new Apple devices or accessories being unveiled.

So, when? Apple typically does not hold any product events between WWDC and its annual iPhone event in September. Accordingly, if the mid-2025 launch timeframe for the AirTag 2 remains accurate, the accessory will likely be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom site. That would make sense for a minor accessory update.

Unfortunately, the exact timing is unclear at this point. The definition of mid-2025 can probably be stretched to include the month of September, so the AirTag 2 being announced alongside the iPhone 17 series is still a possibility too.

In any case, it is not a great time to buy the existing AirTag, unless you really need one or do not care about any of the potential new features.

Three upgrades have been rumored for the AirTag 2 so far:

• Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, for up to 3× longer tracking range compared to the current AirTag.


• Improved integration with Apple's spatial computing ecosystem.


• A more tamper-proof speaker, to reduce usage of AirTags for stalking.

No major design changes are expected.

The original AirTag was announced during an Apple Event in April 2021. In the U.S., an individual AirTag costs $29, and a set of four costs $99.
This article, "Where's the AirTag 2?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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With iOS 26, Apple has made some additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that aim to make it more customizable than ever.


Of course, things can always change before the software makes its way to the general iPhone-owning public, but here are five new things iOS 26 can do on the Lock Screen as of the current developer beta.

Widgets Top or Bottom

In iOS 18, the row of widgets on your Lock Screen is literally locked in place right below the clock. In iOS 26, however, Customize mode lets you drag them down to the bottom of the screen, so that they hover just above the two quick actions (assuming you have any). The new optional positioning makes tapping a widget during one-handed use a lot easier.

Make the Time Bigger

In iOS 26, Apple has made it so that the clock on the Lock Screen can be expanded to fill more of the display, making it easier to read. This can be done in Customize mode thanks to a new drag handle on the bottom-right corner of the selection frame around the time. You can make the digits take up half of the screen, though if you have any widgets, they will slide down to the bottom of the display. In addition, if you have a depth effect applied to a photo and pinch to crop, the time will automatically adjust to accommodate the subject.

Quicker Photo Access

The Lock Screen in iOS 26 has a different Photos selection button in Customize mode that appears as a miniature version of the currently displayed photo. If you tap it, you now have an option to Show Photo in Library, making it easier to find the picture, or you can take the existing route and tap Choose Photo to pick another image.

Spatial Scenes

The iPhone 15 Pro and newer models can take Spatial Photos, and while the 3D photos have a realistic depth to them, they're best viewed on Apple's Vision Pro. In iOS 26, however, the Photos app has inherited the Vision Pro's ability to convert 2D images into a 3D Spatial Scene. The feature is hard to appreciate with a still image, but the results are impressive as the image animates when you move your device. Spatial Scenes use machine learning rather than Apple Intelligence, which means the feature is available on iPhone 12 and newer devices.

Music Album Animations

iOS 26 introduces full-screen animated album art on the iPhone Lock Screen for select Apple Music tracks. By tapping the album art in the Lock Screen music player, the artwork expands and animates, creating a more immersive listening experience. While animated album art has been available within the Apple Music app for some time, this marks its first appearance on the Lock Screen. Not all songs support it yet, but the number is steadily increasing. Apple is also opening the Animated Album Art feature to third‑party developers, so expect it to work with apps like Spotify and YouTube Music soon.
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Alongside ongoing deals on M4 Mac mini at $150 off, as well as Apple Watch Series 10 at $100 off, we are starting with a notable offer on the upgraded 48GB M4 Pro MacBook Pro at $300 off the list price. Not to be confused with yesterday’s offer on the 16-inch model, this is the 14-inch at the lowest price we have tracked to date – this config isn’t even available on Amazon. Next up we have up to $400 in savings on iPhone 16 Pro in Amazon Renewed Premium condition with deals from $870 alongside clearance deals on M2 iPad Air models at up to $400 off. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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Instagram might be about to cross off one of the most requested features from users’ wish lists: The company has confirmed it’s testing a native repost button for the main Feed. Here’s how it might work.

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When Apple released iOS 18.4 to everyone earlier this year, and it came with a big upgrade to the Home app. With iOS 18.4, users can now add robot vacuums to HomeKit for the first time thanks to the Matter smart home standard.

Here are the robot vacuums compatible with HomeKit…

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iOS 26 introduces a lot of big changes to how the iPhone software looks and feels, but there are plenty of updates for system apps too, including Notes, Maps, Photos, and more. Apple’s Reminders app gets a variety of new features too, here’s everything coming to Reminders in iOS 26.

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Each year, Jamf—the popular Apple device management platform—releases its Security 360: Annual Trends Report, which gives a broad outlook of the macOS threat landscape currently facing businesses and users. The analysis uses anonymized real-world data collected from 1.4 million Macs across 90 countries with Jamf software installed.

Today, Jamf is out with its 2025 edition, which spans the previous 12 months. The report offers many shocking insights, most notably a 28% spike in infostealer malware, making it the leading Mac malware family type.

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Amazon today announced that its annual Prime Day sale will take place beginning Tuesday, July 8 and run through Friday, July 11. This is the first time in ten years that Prime Day will take place over four days, instead of the usual two days.

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.

Amazon began Prime Day back in 2015, and since 2019 the event has been running for two days straight every summer. Shoppers can expect massive discounts on an array of products, including Apple devices. Some deals will last the entire run of the sale, but there will also be lightning deals that drop every 30 minutes and last for select periods, or until they sell out.



To get in on these Prime Day deals, you will need to be an Amazon Prime member. If you aren't, you can join Prime to participate in this year's Prime Day. Once your initial 30-day free trial is over, Prime membership will run for $14.99/month or $139/year. For students, that's $7.49/month or $69/year, with a six month free trial for new students.

Once Prime Day kicks off, Amazon's website will be filled with lightning deals on everything from tech products to home appliances, clothing, toys, and much more. We'll be covering all of the best deals you can get throughout Prime Day, particularly on all of the Apple products that appear, so be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page starting July 8.

Early Deals

Amazon is already highlighting early Prime Day deals that you can shop now, weeks ahead of the event. For now, this mainly includes Amazon devices like Kindles, Echo Dot, Fire TVs, and other Amazon branded products.

Amazon-owned Woot is also getting in on the early Prime Day deals with a big discount on the USB-C Apple Pencil on sale for $59.99, down from $79.00. This one is in new condition but comes in bulk packaging and with a one-year vendor warranty.

Anker Wireless Chargers

• 3-in-1 MagGo Foldable Travel Charger - $71.99, down from $89.99


• 3-in-1 MagGo Qi2 Charging Station - $82.49, down from $109.99


• 3-in-1 MagGo Charger Cube - $103.99, down from $149.99

Anker Wall Chargers

• Nano 30W USB-C Charger - $13.99 for Prime members, down from $22.99


• Nano 47W 2-Port USB-C Charger - $25.99 for Prime members, down from $29.99


• Nano 65W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $29.99 with on-page coupon, down from $55.99


• 250W GaN USB-C 6-Port Charging Station - $139.99 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99

Anker Portable Power Stations

• Anker 521 Portable Power Station - $169.99, down from $219.99


• Anker 535 Portable Power Station - $349.99, down from $499.99


• Anker 521 Portable Power Station with 100W Solar Panel - $379.99, down from $499.99


• SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station - $448.99, down from $799.00


• Anker 535 Portable Power Station with 100W Solar Panel - $599.99, down from $799.99

Beats

• Beats Studio Buds+ - $99.95, down from $169.95


• Beats Solo 4 - $129.95, down from $199.95


• Beats Studio Pro - $179.95, down from $349.99


• Powerbeats Pro 2 - $199.95, down from $249.99

Amazon has held two Prime Day events the past few years, one in July and a second in October. Given that we're only now hearing about the July event, we don't know yet if the retailer will again host a second Prime Day, which it called "Prime Big Deal Days," in the fall. If and when that is announced, you can also expect us to cover all of the deals that come out.

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This article, "Amazon Prime Day 2025 Will Run July 8-11, Shop Early Deals on Anker and More Now" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In its continued “Best Phones Forever” series, Google pokes a bit of fun at how many iOS 26 features are “inspired” by Pixel, while also teasing the Pixel 10.

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In a new ad, Google says iOS 26 copies three Android features that have been available on Pixel phones for years: Live Translate, Hold Assist, and Call Screening.


The video, part of the ongoing #BestPhonesForever series, shows an iPhone and a Pixel 9 Pro talking to each other on a fictional podcast.

"I announced live translation for text messages," the iPhone says.

"And it turned out I had that four years ago," the Pixel 9 Pro responds.

"Yeah, crazy coincidence," the iPhone says.

Similarly, the iPhone brings up Hold Assist and Call Screening, and the Pixel phone says it already offered those features too.


Live Translate debuted on the Pixel 6 in 2021. Just like on iOS 26, the feature can auto-translate text messages and phone calls.

In 2020, Google introduced a Hold for Me feature for the Pixel 3 and newer. Just like Hold Assist on iOS 26, the feature can wait on hold for you during a phone call so you do not need to pay attention, and alert you when the agent comes on the line.

Call screening debuted on the Pixel 3 all the way back in 2018.

Google does have a point here, but whether the ad is humorous or cringy is up for debate.

Also, the copying goes both ways.
This article, "Google Says iOS 26 Copies Three Android Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The NFC Forum has announced NFC Release 15, which extends the operating range of Near Field Communication interactions by up to four times and enables faster, more seamless experiences.


The NFC Forum is the global standards body responsible for Near Field Communication technology. NFC Release 15 increases the maximum operating range of NFC contactless connections from 0.5 centimeters to 2 centimeters. This fourfold increase in the NFC operating range reduces the need for precise alignment between devices during contactless transactions.

NFC Release 15 increases reliability and speed, resulting in fewer failed or repeated taps. It improves performance for smaller devices such as wearables, which contain smaller antennas. Support for devices like iPhones acting as NFC readers, such as during Tap to Pay on iPhone, will now support wider and more stable connection volumes.

Multi-purpose tap, allowing one tap to trigger multiple actions such as scanning a loyalty card at the same time as paying, is optimized. In addition, the new standard incorporates extended support for the NFC Digital Product Passport (DPP), a European Commission initiative designed to embed environmental and lifecycle data within physical products.

Apple is one of eight Board-level Principal Members of the NFC Forum, alongside companies including Google, Sony, and NXP. The ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch are both NFC-enabled, so the improvements with NFC Release 15 should materially improve performance and reliability on these devices in the future.

The Technical Specifications for NFC Release 15 are available today for NFC Forum Associate, Principal, and Sponsor-level member companies. Certification for NFC Release 15-compliant devices is expected to open later in 2025.
This article, "Next NFC Release Will Quadruple Range of Contactless Connections" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Device management vendor Fleet has raised $27 million in Series B funding to accelerate development of its open device management platform. The round was led by Ten Eleven Ventures and brings Fleet’s total funding to $52.3 million. The company reports 6x revenue growth over the past two years and plans to use the funding to expand adoption across enterprises looking for flexible deployment options.

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Mozilla is making its first official move toward AI-powered search in Firefox. As part of a new experiment, Perplexity AI is now being offered as an optional search engine directly in the browser’s address bar. Here’s how to try it.

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Adobe has launched Firefly as a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing users to generate images and videos using text prompts, integrating both Adobe's own generative AI models and a growing list of third-party models from companies including OpenAI, Google, and Flux.


Firefly is designed to be a cross-platform hub for generative AI content creation, with features like text-to-image, text-to-video, image-to-video, Generative Fill, and Generative Expand. For image generation, the app supports Adobe's own Firefly models alongside third-party systems including OpenAI's image model, Google's Imagen 3 and 4, Ideogram 3.0, Flux 1.1 Pro, and Runway's Gen-4. For video generation, the app integrates with Adobe's own video models as well as Google's Veo 2 and 3.

All content generated within the mobile app will automatically sync with the user's Creative Cloud account. Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers can access the Firefly app's tools as part of their existing subscription, but the use of certain AI features requires Firefly generative credits — a token-based system introduced in 2023. These credits are allocated monthly to Creative Cloud members and can also be acquired separately via a dedicated Firefly subscription.

Adobe has also updated its collaborative design platform Firefly Boards, which was first introduced in beta in April 2025. Similar in format to digital whiteboarding tools such as Figma's FigJam, Firefly Boards now includes video generation capabilities. Users can upload video clips, remix existing footage, and generate new video segments using Adobe's Firefly video model or supported third-party systems, including Google's Veo 3.

Adobe Firefly is available to download from the App Store now.
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Apple’s iCloud storage policies are unpopular with users for a variety of reasons. And according to a judge’s ruling, certain aspects of those policies might just be monopolistic, as Apple’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit related to iCloud storage has just been denied. Here’s what that means.

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Adobe Firefly, the popular AI app for generating both images and video, is now available as an iPhone app. It follows the release of a Vision Pro app back in February.

The app has the same capabilities as the the web tool, but in a form optimized for mobile use. The app doesn’t limit you to using Adobe’s own image-generation models – you can also choose between a selection of third-party ones by Google, OpenAI, and others …

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Apple was most recently rumored to be readying an unveiling of its upcoming smart display product in the spring, but the device’s dependence on the troubled Siri features seemingly put the launch on hold.

Nevertheless, it seems work on the project continues as we have found new assets meant for the device, hidden inside the just-released iOS 18.6 beta. The asset may even reveal the screen resolution of the device …

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There are strong indications that Apple Intelligence could be about to launch in China, following its deal with Alibaba to use its Qwen models.

A local report says that Alibaba has updated its ChatGPT competitor Qwen3, which has been optimized for the AI framework used on Apple devices …

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Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion, offering eligible students, educators, and parents free accessories worth up to $199 when purchasing select Mac and iPad models through September 30.


The 2025 promotion is different from last year's up-to-$150 gift card format, and instead provides eligible customers with their choice of popular Apple accessories. Some accessories are completely free, while other more expensive options incur an additional fee on top of the main device purchase. Here's a breakdown of what's on offer.

MacBook Buyers

Customers purchasing any new MacBook can select from accessories valued up to $199:

• AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)


• AirPods Pro 2 (additional $70 fee, $249 total value)


• Magic Mouse ($79–$99 value)


• Magic Trackpad ($129–$149 value)


• Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($179–$199 value)

iPad Buyers

iPad buyers can choose accessories ranging from $119 to $210 in value:

• Apple Pencil Pro (free, $119 value)


• AirPods 4 (free, $129 value)


• AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)


• Premium keyboard options available with additional fees up to $210

Magic Keyboard accessories are available for various iPad models, though they all require paying an additional fee on top of the price of the iPad.

iMac Buyers

iMac purchasers can select accessories worth up to $179:

• AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)


• AirPods Pro 2 (additional $70 fee, $179 value)

The promotion is open to K-12 employees, including teachers and school board members, plus higher education faculty, staff, and students. Parents buying for college-bound children also qualify. The promotion runs alongside Apple's year-round education pricing discounts.

The offer begins today and remains available through September 30, 2025, with full terms and conditions available on Apple's education store.
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For the first time ever, social media has overtaken TV as the number one way Americans get their news. Whether that’s a good thing… depends on who you ask.

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WhatsApp this week introduced advertising to its messaging platform, but your encrypted conversation threads in the Meta-owned app are off limits for marketers – at least for now.


WhatsApp announced on Monday it will display ads through three new features, all contained within the Updates tab. Users will see promoted content in Status updates, discover promoted channels, and encounter subscription-based channel content.

The ads won't appear in personal chats or use encrypted message content for targeting. Instead, WhatsApp said it will rely on basic information like location, language, and channel follows to serve relevant ads.

"We've been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years," WhatsApp stated in its announcement.

The move comes after years of deliberation. WhatsApp's founders originally opposed advertising, and Meta shelved similar plans in 2020. However, with 1.5 billion daily users of the Updates tab, the company sees clear monetization potential.

Of course, the strategy could easily backfire in privacy-conscious markets like Europe, where users consider WhatsApp a messaging tool rather than a content platform. As it stands though, users who stick to messaging won't notice any changes.
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Apple’s Back to School promotion for 2025 is now available. For a limited time, eligible customers can get AirPods or another eligible accessory for free when they buy a new iPad, MacBook, or iMac. That comes in addition to the year-round discount Apple offers on items sold through the Apple Store for Education.

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A new report found that around a million two-factor authentication codes sent by text message appear to have been intercepted.

A tech industry whistleblower revealed that the 2FA security codes passed through an obscure foreign company with links to government intelligence agencies and companies engaged in digital surveillance …

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iPhone sales climbed 15% year-over-year during April and May, signaling Apple's strongest two-month performance for the period since the pandemic, according to preliminary data from Counterpoint Research's Market Pulse Global Monthly Smartphone Sales Report.


The growth was driven mainly by the United States and China, Apple's two largest markets. Both regions returned to positive year-over-year growth after three years of declines during what is typically a less seasonal period. China sales were particularly notable, with Apple capturing the top spot in May. It's quite the turnaround, after Apple only recently sustained market share losses to Huawei and other local mobile vendors.

"Q2 iPhone performance looks promising at the moment but as always swings either way are dictated by two markets – US and China," said senior analyst Ivan Lam. Lam questioned whether recent U.S. sales reflected consumer concerns about potential tariffs and whether China's momentum could continue with government subsidies and promotional offers.

The report showed Japan also indicated strong iPhone demand, with the more affordable iPhone 16e proving especially popular among consumers who favor smaller devices. The device's entry-level pricing apparently appealed to Japanese tastes, while Apple also maintained strong sales for the iPhone 16 base model and even the older iPhone 14.


India continued its growth trajectory as Apple expands both manufacturing and market presence in the world's most populous country. Analyst Jeff Fieldhack noted that the surge suggests "agentic AI is not quite a factor yet" in most smartphone purchasing decisions, giving Apple time to integrate Apple Intelligence more broadly across its platforms and enhance Siri's lagging capabilities.
This article, "iPhone Sales Jump 15% in April-May as Apple Reclaims China Lead" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’ve had your eye on any tech goodies, the dates for Amazon Prime Day 2025 have been announced by the company. What started as a single day and was later extended to two has again been doubled, running for a full four days this year …

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Apple CEO Tim Cook and Brad Pitt surprised fans at the company's Fifth Avenue flagship store over the weekend to promote the upcoming Apple Original Film "F1 The Movie."


The unexpected appearance followed a packed panel discussion featuring "Severance" cast members Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and Britt Lower to chat about their work on the hit Apple TV+ show.

Pitt greeted the crowd and said he was excited for fans to see the movie, calling the high-octane thriller the "most visceral racing film ever made." Meanwhile, Cook was keen to tout the film's authenticity and spoke about how Apple's iPhone camera technology used to capture the immersive in-car footage. "It was important for us to be authentic to the sport and really capture that immersive feeling of being in the car," Cook told attendees.

Apple's engineering team developed a custom camera module using iPhone components specifically for mounting on Formula 1 cars during actual races. The module resembles a standard broadcast camera but contains an iPhone sensor and A-series chip. It was designed to withstand extreme speeds and conditions while capturing footage in Apple's ProRes format. Wired has an in-depth look at the engineering challenges behind the approach that's well worth a read.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, the film stars Pitt as a veteran driver attempting a classic comeback. "F1 The Movie" opens globally in theaters and IMAX on June 27. Apple has also released a unique haptic trailer over on the TV app that uses the iPhone's Taptic Engine to create vibrations that sync with the on-screen action – be sure to give it a watch.
This article, "Apple CEO and Brad Pitt Promote 'F1 The Movie' at Fifth Avenue Store" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In this episode of Apple @ Work, I talk with Bernie Thompson from Plugable about all the ins and outs for Thunderbolt docks, multi-display support, DisplayLink, the new , and more.

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Apple fans visiting the company’s iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York were treated to an unexpected moment this week: following a panel on Apple TV+ hit series Severance, Apple CEO Tim Cook and actor Brad Pitt took the stage to promote the upcoming Apple Original Film F1 The Movie.

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It looks like Meta’s smart glasses lineup is about to expand beyond Ray-Ban. A new verified Instagram page called “Oakley | Meta” popped up this week, teasing a joint product launch scheduled for Friday, June 20. Here’s what to expect.

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Oakley today shared several social media teasers for an upcoming product that it is releasing in partnership with Facebook parent company Meta, and it's likely to be the Oakley-branded smart glasses that were rumored earlier this year.


Meta already has a set of smart glasses that it produces in partnership with Ray-Ban, but in January, Bloomberg claimed that Meta is also working to bring the technology to Oakley sunglasses. Like the Meta Ray-Bans, the Meta Oakleys will feature built-in cameras for capturing photos and videos, along with AI capabilities.

Meta AI is integrated into the Ray-Bans and able to answer queries about the wearer's surroundings. The glasses also include speakers and can play music, plus they allow the wearer to accept phone calls.

The Oakley version of the Meta glasses could be based on the Oakley Sphaera glasses, with the camera positioned at the center of the glasses frame. Meta may market the glasses at cyclists and other athletes that already wear Oakley sunglasses.


Oakley didn't confirm exactly what's in the works and the teaser is limited to the Meta and Oakley logos, but there's little else that the two companies could be releasing. We'll learn more on June 20, when the new product is set to be released.

Apple is rumored to be working to catch up to Meta, and the Cupertino company is developing its own set of camera-equipped smart glasses. Apple's smart glasses are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, much like the Meta Ray-Bans. Both Meta and Apple are working on full augmented reality glasses, and Meta has already shown off an "Orion" prototype. Meta's AR glasses could be ready to launch as soon as 2027.
This article, "Meta to Announce Oakley-Branded Smart Glasses" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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More than two years after landing in South Korea, Apple Pay is about to fill one of its biggest gaps in the country: public transportation support. However, the win might be short-lived. Here’s why.

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