Apple Watch Ultra 3 is coming very soon, and rumors indicate it could remedy a discrepancy that arose last year, when the Apple Watch Series 10 debuted several exclusive features that bested the latest Ultra model.

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Apple is still working on a Ring-like home security camera that will integrate into the Home app, reports Bloomberg. It's unclear when the camera might launch, but it could come alongside or after the smart home hub that's expected in 2026.


The camera will feature a battery that could last for several months to a year, and it in addition to being useful for security, it will be able to detect people and sense motion for Home automation purposes. From Bloomberg:

The device has facial recognition and infrared sensors to determine who is in a room. Apple believes users will place cameras throughout their home to help with automation. That could mean turning lights off when someone leaves a room or automatically playing music liked by a particular family member.

Apple is working on multiple types of cameras and home security products, including a doorbell that uses facial recognition for unlocking a door. Apple is aiming to establish a foothold in the smart home product market, competing with Amazon's Ring brand and Google's Nest brand.

The HomeKit smart home platform already supports cameras developed by third-party manufacturers, with Apple offering secure cloud-based storage through iCloud.
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The iPad-like smart home hub that Apple is developing isn't going to launch until mid-2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the device as soon as 2025, but it was delayed because of Apple's issues with the Apple Intelligence version of Siri.


The device will feature a built-in 7-inch display and a speaker, and it supposedly looks similar to the Google Nest Hub. Gurman describes it as "shaped like a square" with thin black or white bezels, rounded corners, and a half-dome-shaped base.

The hub, which is codenamed J490, will run an operating system codenamed "Charismatic." Charismatic is different from iOS, macOS, and tvOS in that it is designed to be used by multiple members of the household. The interface centers on clock faces and widgets for Apple apps, and it could have a ‌Siri‌ virtual interface that gives ‌Siri‌ a more personified look. Apple is said to be testing a look for ‌Siri‌ that resembles the Mac Finder icon.

A front-facing camera will scan a person's face as they approach, providing content and features specific to each user. There won't be a dedicated App Store, but the device will run Apple apps like Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes. Apple expects users to control the smart home hub with voice-based commands, though it does have a touch screen. References to J490 have already been found in Apple's code.

‌Siri‌ will be central to the hub, and Apple is working on a version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by large language models. Apple wants ‌Siri‌ to be able to incorporate personal data to provide a richer experience for users. The functionality was originally meant to be included in iOS 18, but now an expanded LLM version of ‌Siri‌ is coming instead. Apple could be ready to launch LLM ‌Siri‌ "as early as next spring." A visually redesigned version of ‌Siri‌ for iPhones and iPads could also come at some point in 2026.

Apple is testing an LLM version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by its own internal models, but it is also simultaneously working on a version that uses outside technology from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Apple hasn't made a final decision on which model it will use.

The Charismatic operating system and the new version of ‌Siri‌ will also be the basis for a separate tabletop robot that Apple is working on for a 2027 launch.
This article, "Apple's Smart Home Hub and LLM Siri Coming in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has a big future planned for Siri, as outlined by a new Bloomberg report that mentions the assistant could be in store for a complete visual overhaul, gaining an animated personality that looks like the Mac’s iconic Finder icon.

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Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."


The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for ‌Siri‌'s look. From Bloomberg:

The idea is for the device to act like a person in a room. It could interrupt a conversation between friends about dinner plans, say, and suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. It's also being designed to engage in back-and-forth discussions for things like planning a trip or getting tasks done -- similar to OpenAI's voice mode.

Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.

At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as ‌Siri‌'s visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌, and the LLM ‌Siri‌ won't come until after that.

Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.
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A new report from Bloomberg dives deep into Apple’s plans to lean on artificial intelligence as a way to expand into robotics, home security, and smart displays.

One interesting tidbit in the report is that Apple is aiming to develop a system of smart home cameras and other home security products to compete with the likes of Amazon’s Ring brand.

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The iTunes Movies and TV Shows app predate the unified Apple TV app, and go all the way back to the first version of tvOS in 2015. Fast forward to today, and these apps are almost entirely redundant and serve as mere placeholders.

As system apps on Apple TV are not deletable, these husks of times past have somewhat comically stuck around on the Apple TV home screen. With the latest beta of tvOS 26, users will finally have a way to bury these apps for good.

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In case you missed it, Walmart is currently offering the older but still very capable MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $599 in the United States.


It seems like this deal began around Amazon's four-day Prime Day event in early July, but it flew under our radar until a reader let us know about it today.

Apple first released the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in November 2020, as one of the first Macs with an Apple silicon chip, instead of an Intel processor. The configuration being sold for $599 includes the M1 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM, with Gold, Silver, and Space Gray color options all available as of this writing.

To the best of our knowledge, these MacBook Air units remain in brand-new condition, with the product listing not indicating they are refurbished.

Apple discontinued the MacBook Air with the M1 chip last year, after it launched models with the M3 chip, and it has since updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. Prior to being discontinued, the model with the M1 chip was being sold for a starting price of $999 brand new, but Amazon sometimes offered it on sale for $899.

While the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is nearly five years old, it is still a capable machine for many average day-to-day tasks. However, it has an older design, and it is the oldest MacBook Air model compatible with the upcoming macOS Tahoe update, so those aspects should be factored into your purchasing decision.

Walmart first began selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip for $699 in March 2024. It has since dropped the price two times — first to $649, and now to $599. It is unclear how long supplies will last, but rumors suggest that Apple has a new MacBook with an A18 Pro chip in the pipeline, and that model is also predicted to cost between $599 and $699.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart, and we may receive a small payment if you click a link in this article and proceed to make a purchase.
This article, "MacBook Air With M1 Chip is Just $599 at Walmart" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’re trying to buy a new iPhone, it can often be hard to find something on a tighter budget. Sure, Apple offers the iPhone 16e at $599 – but not everyone finds that to be a compelling phone. Luckily, there’s plenty of great options if you want to buy used, and I’ll be delving into five great picks for varying needs.

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macOS Tahoe is a big update for Mac screensavers, with 15 brand new options coming. But there’s no need to wait to check them out, as all the new screensavers are available below.

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Apple has uploaded all of macOS Tahoe's beautiful new screen savers to its servers, and you can watch them right now without waiting for the operating system's release. The collection showcases some breathtaking aerial footage and nature scenes from the likes of India that will grace Mac screens later this year.


Rather than waiting to see what Apple has in store, you can preview every single screen saver from the upcoming macOS release immediately. Each video streams directly from Apple's content delivery network in high quality, so you can ignore any warnings your browser throws up.

How to Watch macOS Tahoe Screen Savers

Simply click any of the links below to start streaming the screen savers instantly in your browser in glorious 4K at 240 frames per second.

Lake Tahoe Collection

• Tahoe Day


• Tahoe Evening


• Tahoe Morning


• Tahoe Night

Himalayan Landscapes

• Himalayan Peaks


• Himalayas Day


• Through Himalayas

Indian Coastal and Natural Scenes

• Goa Beaches


• Goa Coast


• Reservoir Day


• Tea Gardens Day


• Tea Gardens Mist


• Tea Gardens from Above


• Ghansali from Above


• The Ganges

They also function as dynamic wallpapers that adapt throughout the day. Setting them from the Screen Saver section in System Settings makes both your wallpaper and screen saver change to the selected scene. They'll animate as screen savers and smoothly slow to a freeze-frame when you unlock to your desktop, just like Apple's existing aerial screen savers.


Alternatively, choosing them from the Wallpaper section changes only your desktop background without animation, but the wallpaper will still dynamically adjust its brightness and darkness to match your time of day.

• tvOS 26 Brings New Aerial Screen Saver Controls to Apple TV

These screen savers will automatically become available to all Mac owners when macOS Tahoe releases, but streaming or downloading them now gives you an early taste of what's coming to your desktop.
This article, "Stream Every New macOS Tahoe Screen Saver Right Now – Here's How" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is just a month away from its likely September event where it will announce 7+ new products. The announcements will include new the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and more. Here’s everything to expect.

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Apple is preparing to offer in-store iPad repairs for the first time, according to French site iGeneration.


The report claims that by the end of 2025, around 30 Apple Stores will be able to carry out certain ‌iPad‌ repairs directly with on-site technicians. The participating stores will be mostly located in the United States.

Today, Apple resolves ‌iPad‌ hardware problems in Apple Stores by simply offering a complete replacement of the device, often with a quote at the maximum out-of-warranty price. The faulty or broken device is then sent to a repair center.

The final invoice is apparently often revised down since the repair subcontractor only replaces the damaged part, but an accurate picture of the final repair price is not provided during the customer's first appointment at the Genius Bar. Apple is now seemingly looking to overhaul this system starting in September, providing exact quotes just like it does for iPhone and Mac repairs.

Earlier this year, Apple announced that its Self Service Repair program would expand to the ‌iPad‌ lineup for the first time.
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The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro might be more expensive than the iPhone 16 Pro, according to some leakers and analysts. Will it, though?


If that sounds like a familiar rumor to you, that is because it is:

• iPhone 14 Pro price increase rumor


• iPhone 15 Pro price increase rumor


• iPhone 16 Pro price increase rumor

A previously-accurate leaker on the Chinese platform Weibo claimed the smaller iPhone 17 Pro model with a 6.3-inch display will start at $1,049 in the U.S. with 256GB of storage, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with 128GB of storage.

Apple has offered at least one Pro model or equivalent tier of the iPhone at a starting price of $999 in the U.S. since the iPhone X was released in 2017, so the iPhone 17 Pro would break an eight-year streak held by the company.

The starting prices of each model in the U.S.:

• iPhone X: $999


• iPhone XS: $999


• iPhone 11 Pro: $999


• iPhone 12 Pro: $999


• iPhone 13 Pro: $999


• iPhone 14 Pro: $999


• iPhone 15 Pro: $999


• iPhone 16 Pro: $999


• iPhone 17 Pro: $1,049?

If the iPhone 17 Pro lacks a 128GB storage tier, some might argue that this is not a price increase anyway. In fact, $1,049 would be a price decrease for the 256GB configuration. On the other hand, customers who do not want to pay more than $999 for the Pro model would lose that option. This was a hotly-debated topic when Apple dropped the 128GB tier for the Pro Max model with the iPhone 15 Pro Max a few years ago.

In any case, Apple has proven the price increase rumors wrong year after year, so it deserves the benefit of the doubt. But, nothing lasts forever. If the $999 streak finally does come to an end, you can probably blame it on a combination of tariffs and higher inflation in recent years, although Apple is unlikely to mention that.

At this point, though, it is a see-it-to-believe-it situation.

We'll find out next month.
This article, "Will the iPhone 17 Pro Really Break Apple's 8-Year Pricing Streak?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is ready to roll starting off with iPad Air. We are tracking $150 price drops to deliver new all-time lows across the latest M3 lineup, but we also spotted a new Amazon all-time low on the least pricey 13-inch Wi-Fi + Cell M2 model at $300 off the original price tag. Those deals also join another rare M4 MacBook Air offer that has the 15-inch model with 24GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD at $200 off the list price alongside 16GB M2 Mac mini starting from $370 Prime shipped, MacBook Pro deals, and more. Head below to check it all out. 

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Rumors continue to surface about Apple launching an affordable MacBook as early as this year.


Below, we recap all of the reports and rumors so far.

Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes expects the laptop to have a starting price of between $599 and $699 in the United States.

The publication said the lower-cost MacBook will be equipped with a 12.9-inch display, and a version of the A18 Pro chip that debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro models last year. It would become the first Mac to ever use an A-series chip from an iPhone.

The lower-cost MacBook could launch in late 2025 or early 2026, according to the report.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to reveal that Apple is allegedly planning a more affordable MacBook. In late June, he also said the laptop will have around a 13-inch display, and an A18 Pro chip. Kuo said potential color options include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, so the laptop could come in bright colors, like the iMac.

A18 Pro specs include a 6-core CPU, a 6-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The chip is around 40% slower than the M4 chip, but its performance is comparable to the M1 chip, so this new MacBook could effectively be a replacement for the old MacBook Air with the M1 chip, which Apple still sells through Walmart for $649 $599.

In the iPhone 16 Pro models, the A18 Pro chip has 8GB of RAM, whereas all current MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models start with at least 16GB of RAM. In addition, the chip lacks Thunderbolt support, so the new MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports. They would look the same as Thunderbolt ports, but data transfer speeds would be limited to up to 10 Gb/s, and the new MacBook might natively support only a single external display, but that limitation can be overcome with DisplayLink adapters.

The lower-cost MacBook could have a lot in common with the discontinued 12-inch MacBook, including an ultra-thin and lightweight design. It would slot in below the MacBook Air, which has a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, an M4 chip, and a starting price of $999. However, the latest MacBook Air is often on sale on Amazon for as low as $799.

Apple often announces new Macs in October, so stay tuned.
This article, "Here Are All the Rumors About Apple's New $599 MacBook" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s next-gen M5 chip is coming soon, debuting in this fall’s new iPad Pro model. But despite this being the second year in a row the iPad gets an M-class chip first, this time will be different for two key reasons.

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In iOS 26, Apple has a helpful new feature that notifies you when your iPhone's camera lens needs cleaning – something Android devices have offered for years. Here's how to turn on this smart notification system.


Whenever your iPhone's camera is active, iOS 26 monitors the incoming light for signs of reduced clarity or smudging that could indicate a dirty lens. When triggered, you'll see a discrete alert suggesting you clean your camera lens to improve image quality.

To benefit from the feature, you'll need an iPhone running iOS 26 (currently in beta). It's currently unclear which models support Lens Cleaning Hints, but you can check by looking for the following toggle:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.


2. Scroll down and tap Camera.


3. Toggle on Lens Cleaning Hints.

Once enabled, your iPhone will analyze image quality and display a notification in the Camera app when it detects your rear camera lens could benefit from cleaning.

• Will My iPhone Support iOS 26?

This feature joins another camera-related change in iOS 26 – a completely redesigned Camera app interface that includes a new minimalist navigation bar. If you don't have the beta software installed, you shouldn't have long to wait: Apple is expected to officially release iOS 26 in September.
This article, "iOS 26: Keep iPhone Camera Lens Clean With This Smart Setting" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner, with the iPhone 17 series expected to be announced in early September, and availability to follow later in the month. As always, the Pro and Pro Max models will have the most new features.


Below, we have recapped rumors about four of the most interesting iPhone 17 Pro features. This list is subjective, of course, so sound off in the comments section.

12GB of RAM

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models are rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, which would be an increase over the 8GB of RAM in the iPhone 16 Pro models.

Increased RAM can contribute to improved performance, including for Apple Intelligence.

Even the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature 12GB of RAM, while the base-model iPhone 17 is expected to remain at 8GB of RAM.

Up to 8× Optical Zoom

iPhone 17 Pro models are widely expected to be equipped with an upgraded 48-megapixel Telephoto camera, and it might offer up to 8× optical zoom.

Specifically, it has been rumored that the Telephoto lens in the iPhone 17 Pro models will be able to move, allowing for multiple focal lengths. As a result, a tipster claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro models will let you switch between 5× and 8× optical zoom, without tricks like sensor cropping. A moving Telephoto lens would require more parts and internal space, which could explain why the camera bump is expected to be larger on iPhone 17 Pro models.


On the iPhone 16 Pro models, the Telephoto lens has a fixed focal length of 120mm, and it offers a single 5× optical zoom option. Apple says the devices also have a 2× optical zoom option, but that uses the main rear camera with sensor cropping, which in simple terms is a technique that effectively zooms in on the center of a larger photo.

Anti-Reflective Display

While it has been an on-again, off-again rumor, the latest word is that all iPhone 17 models will feature an anti-reflective display (option?) with a matte finish.

If this rumor is true, perhaps the iPhone will get the same nano-texture glass option that Apple's online store offers for select higher-end configurations of the iMac, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro. In the U.S., for example, a nano-texture display is a $100 upgrade option for iPad Pro models equipped with 1TB or 2TB of storage. Nano-texture glass is also an upgrade option for Apple's Studio Display and Pro Display XDR monitors.

On the other hand, perhaps it will just be a more basic anti-reflective coating that is included on all iPhone 17 models at no extra cost.

For the iPad Pro, Apple says nano-texture glass "reduces glare and is perfect for high-end, color-managed workflows and demanding lighting environments."

Video Recording Enhancements

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that Apple is planning to emphasize the iPhone 17 Pro's improved video recording capabilities.

Here is what he said about that:

In past years, Apple has focused more heavily on the camera's photo-taking abilities. This year it will stress improvements to video recording. One of the goals for 2025's iPhone line is to get the vlogging community and other video creators to move away from standalone cameras and use the iPhone for even more of their work. Look for Apple to more heavily than ever tout these video recording capabilities when the new iPhones debut in September.

One specific rumor is that the Camera app on the iPhone 17 Pro models will let users record video with the front and rear cameras simultaneously.

It has even been rumored that Apple might offer a "Camera Pro" app of sorts, for both photos and videos, but the source behind this information does not have an established track record yet. The app would compete with the likes of Halide, Kino, and Filmic Pro. It is unclear if the app would be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro models.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Just Weeks Away — Here Are the Top 4 Rumored Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is testing Douyin Pay support for the App Store in China, according to the South China Morning Post.


Douyin Pay launched in January 2021 as a payment feature within Douyin, ByteDance's Chinese short video platform that serves as the domestic counterpart to TikTok. Douyin has approximately 766.5 million monthly active users in China, making it one of the country's most heavily used apps. Its payment service allows users to link bank accounts and conduct transactions within Douyin's ecosystem, including livestream shopping and in-app purchases.

Once the testing period concludes, the ByteDance-owned service would join Ant Group's Alipay, Tencent Holdings' WeChat Pay, and state-run China UnionPay as available payment options for ‌App Store‌ purchases in mainland China. Apple introduced Alipay support for the ‌App Store‌ in 2016 and added WeChat Pay in 2017, while UnionPay has long since been integrated through credit and debit card support.


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With just two days to go until its theatrical release, the first reviews for Highest 2 Lowest are in. Here’s what critics have to say about the new Spike Lee movie, featuring Denzel Washington.

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We were already expecting higher iPhone prices this year, but it now seems that one of the four models will get a bump in storage in return.

That’s always welcome, of course, but a move Apple made two years ago already made it irrelevant to me …

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Amazon and Best Buy are both discounting Apple's 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro to record low prices this week, offering $300 off select models of the computer. In this article we're focusing on the 10-core configurations of the computer, but you'll also find sales on other M4 MacBook Pros at both retailers.

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 10-core 16GB RAM/512GB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,299.00 [Amazon/Best Buy], down from $1,599.00. This is the entry-level model of the M4 MacBook Pro, and it's never dropped below this price.



You can also get both 1TB 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro on sale this week. The 10-core 16GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,499.00 [Amazon/Best Buy] and the 10-core 24GB RAM/1TB model is available for $1,699.00 [Amazon/Best Buy]. Both of these are also $300 discounts and record low prices on each computer.




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, "Apple's 14-Inch M4 MacBook Pro Gets Steep $300 Discounts, Starting at $1,299" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s new iPhone 17 Air is expected to come in four colors, including Sky Blue. And based on a new dummy model video, Sky Blue looks like it could easily prove the most popular color.

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