Mophie today announced the launch of four new Qi2 wireless chargers that can charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones at up to 15W.


The $60 Powerstation Wireless Slim has an ultra-thin design that's meant to provide extra power without adding too much bulk. It has a 5,000 mAh battery and also includes a 20W USB-C power delivery port for wired charging. It's just 9mm thick, so it pairs well with the iPhone Air or any of Apple's new iPhone 17 models.

Mophie also has a version of the Slim with a built-in stand that is able to rotate 180 degrees, making it ideal for watching videos in either portrait or landscape mode. It is priced at $70, and is 11mm thick to accommodate the stand.

The $80 Powerstation Wireless has a larger 10,000 mAh capacity, but a thicker design than the slim model at 15mm. It too includes a 20W USB-C port for faster wired charging. The $90 Powerstation Wireless with Stand is 2mm thicker, coming in at 17mm, plus it supports 30W wired charging.

Mophie's new wireless chargers can be purchased from the Mophie website or from Amazon.
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Apple released macOS Tahoe on September 15, which means it's now available for all Macs that support it. If you didn't download the new software yet, here are some features that might entice you to upgrade.

• Liquid Glass - macOS Tahoe has a whole new design, and it matches the Liquid Glass that Apple brought to iOS 26. Buttons, navigation bars, widgets, the Dock, menus, side bars, and more all have a more translucent look that reflects the background underneath and refracts light. There are new icon options, including tinted and entirely clear.


• Customizable Control Center - You can rearrange the Control Center in macOS Tahoe, putting what you access most often front and center. You're also able to use multiple Control Center pages, and add third-party app controls like on iOS.


• Customizable Menu Bar - You can also rearrange the Menu Bar, plus add Control Center controls to it. Live Activities from the iPhone will also show up in the Menu Bar now through ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.


• Spotlight Redesign - Spotlight is very different in macOS Tahoe, and it might take some getting used to. There's no more Launchpad, because the new Spotlight functionality has replaced it. There are four main Spotlight options to access apps, files, complete actions, and access the Clipboard History.


• Clipboard - Spotlight now saves what you copy and paste, so you have a log of what you've been doing that you can go back and reference. You can see your entire history for the day, but it is limited to 24 hours.


• Spotlight Actions - You can use Spotlight Actions to do all kinds of things without opening an app. You can send texts, emails, create shortcuts for features in apps, set timers, create Calendar events, make reminders, and much more, plus there's integration with the Shortcuts app to take things even further. There are quick access phrases you can assign to launch tasks quickly, like CH for bringing up ChatGPT.


• Folder Customization - You can assign colors to folders, and also add an emoji or character to help you better organize your files. Folders get a color tag, which is a useful way to group things together.


• Widgets - You can move widgets from the Notification Center to the desktop for quicker access. This works with widgets from Apple apps and from third-party apps.


• Shortcuts - The macOS Shortcuts app supports creating automations, much like the Shortcuts app in ‌iOS 26‌. You can make Shortcuts that run at a specific time of day, with a trigger action, when an accessory connects, when an action in an app takes place, when the battery drains to a certain level, when activating a Focus mode, and more. It's super powerful when paired with Spotlight's new functionality.


• Phone App - Apple brought the Phone app to the Mac, so you can make calls, accept calls, and use features like Hold Assist and Call Screening. You still need a connected ‌iPhone‌ with Wi-Fi Assist turned on.


• Journal App - The Journal app is new to the Mac, and it makes a lot of sense on a platform that has a full keyboard. It works just like the iOS version of the app, but there are also some added features like the option to create multiple journals.


• Games App - The Games app is also new to the Mac. It's a cross-platform app that aggregates Mac App Store games and Apple Arcade games with your own games library, plus it provides options for playing with friends. There's a new Game Overlay that lets you adjust game settings and connect with friends without exiting the game, and if you're on battery, there's a Low Power Mode so you can play longer.

Read More

For more on the new features in macOS Tahoe, make sure to check out our roundup.
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Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, featuring a new Fusion telephoto camera, a brighter display, the A19 Pro chip, and more. As Apple's premium flagship offerings, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max are the most fully-featured iPhones available.


The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ starts at $1,099 and the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max starts at $1,199. For the Pro model, this is a $100 price increase over last year's model, but there is also no longer a 128GB storage configuration available for this device, meaning that it is effectively only a price hike if you normally buy this model. In fact, if you normally buy the 256GB model, it represents a $100 price cut.

Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion and the Dynamic Island, the A19 Pro chip, 5G connectivity, a "Pro" rear camera setup, and are available in the same color options. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are eight differences between the devices.

Our guide highlights the crucial differences between the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you. Both models share the same thickness of 0.34 inches (8.75 mm), but otherwise have very different sizes and weights.

	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Height	5.91 inches (150.0 mm)	6.43 inches (163.4 mm)
Width	2.83 inches (71.9 mm)	3.07 inches (78.0 mm)
Weight	7.27 ounces (206 grams)	8.22 ounces (233 grams)

Other differences essentially come down to display size and battery life. Unlike some previous years, there are no camera differences between the two devices at all for this generation.

‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
6.3-inch display	6.9-inch display
4,252 mAh battery	5,088 mAh battery
Up to 33-hour battery life	Up to 39-hour battery life
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage

Pricing is also a key area of difference, with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max reaching almost $2,000 when configured with 2TB of storage.

	256GB	512GB	1TB	2TB
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	$1,099	$1,299	$1,499
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max	$1,199	$1,399	$1,599	$1,999

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max represents the most you can get out of an ‌iPhone‌ with the best possible battery life, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and Pro Max are some of the thickest iPhones ever. With a 6.9-inch display, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max is a large and hefty device.

Some may find the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max's size excessive or uncomfortably large to hold, while others will love the larger display for consuming media. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and since the ‌‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max share most of their other features, it comes down to individual taste.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max also offers the longest possible battery life, and offers a 2TB storage option. The added $100 in price for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max seems fair for its additional display area and battery life, but it is important to weigh up these factors in your personal use case. With added storage, the Pro Max quickly becomes an expensive device.

The most important decision point when choosing between the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max is undoubtedly screen size, but comfort, pocketability, weight, and battery life are also important considerations that will depend based on your personal needs and preferences. If you are hesitant about the size and weight of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, it may be better to stick with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, but it is otherwise unlikely to disappoint, especially if price is not an issue.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro vs. 17 Pro Max Buyer's Guide: 8 Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The first set of reviews are out for the new Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3, ahead of the devices launching on Friday.


As we already noted in our buyer's guide last week, the Series 11 is a fairly minor upgrade over the Series 10. Apple says the Series 11 offers up to 24 hours of battery life, a six-hour increase over the Series 10. However, while the Series 11 does have a slightly larger battery over the Series 10, Apple also changed its testing parameters to include six hours of sleep tracking per day. So, are the battery gains that noticeable?

According to CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana, they are:

Apple rates the Series 11 for up to 24 hours of "normal use," and after wearing it through at least three full battery cycles, I can confirm that's accurate. With notifications turned on (heavy Slack-ing and texting), at least one 30- to 45-minute outdoor workout a day, a full night of sleep tracking and some mild flashlight use, I've consistently managed to squeeze between 27 and 32 hours per charge.

TechRadar's Jacob Krol also said Series 11 battery life was promising:

The bigger story is battery life: battery capacity is up 9% on the 42mm model and 11% on the 46mm. Apple rates both models for 24 hours of typical use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. In practice, I pulled my 46mm review device off the charger at 54% one night, slept with tracking enabled, and didn't hit 1% until after 5pm the next day – so I got about 17 hours from half a charge. With light use, a full day and a half is very realistic.

Given the 18-hour battery life figure that Apple advertised for the Series 10 and older was widely believed to be an understatement, though, more scientific and thorough testing is needed to determine any exact year-over-year increase.

What else is new? The cover glass on the Apple Watch Series 11 display is said to offer 2× more scratch resistance compared to the previous generation, but this only applies to aluminum models, as titanium Series 10 and Series 11 models already have a more durable sapphire cover. And if you have a cellular configuration, 5G is now supported.

The new Hypertension Notifications (compatible with Series 9 and newer) and Sleep Score health features (Series 6 and newer) do not require a Series 11.

And that's it — making the Series 11 one of the smallest upgrades ever.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 also gets longer 42-hour battery life, Emergency SOS via satellite directly on the wrist, a slightly larger display, and 5G on cellular models. This makes for a slightly bigger upgrade over the Ultra 2, albeit not significantly.

9to5Mac's Zac Hall offered a good overview of the new Ultra 3 capabilities, including Emergency SOS via satellite, which was previously limited to the iPhone:

In most instances, the connection demo experience works flawlessly. It can't work indoors, and in some cases, you may be able to see the sky, but nearby trees will prevent establishing a connection. This requirement will limit how useful satellite connectivity can be, but it's still impressive that an Apple Watch can even do this now without an iPhone.

The real winner, though, is the Apple Watch SE 3. The budget-conscious model received its first update in three years, and it packs quite a few new features.

Apple Watch SE 3 features an S10 chip, an always-on display, Double Tap gesture support, wrist temperature sensing for retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, fast charging support, 5G support on cellular configurations, on-device Siri, and many other improvements. It is also compatible with the new Sleep Score feature. And in the U.S., the device continues to start at just $249.

The Verge's Victoria Song said the Apple Watch SE 3 is "the one to buy."

From her review:

The line between the SE 3 and Series 11? For many people, it's now nonexistent.

The skeptic in me believes that the SE 3's glow-up is partly an effort to draw more people into the Apple Watch ecosystem. It's an incredible value, and Apple happens to be coming off five consecutive quarters of declining Apple Watch shipments due to a decrease in consumer demand, fewer models, and ho-hum feature upgrades. You don’t need to be a financial whiz to see the SE 3 will likely do gangbusters in terms of sales.

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 can be pre-ordered now.

Videos

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Apple Sports was updated today with a Home Screen widget, availability in more countries, and the ability to schedule Live Activities for upcoming events.


The widget lets you view scores and schedules for your favorite leagues and teams at a glance. While the app remains available on the iPhone only, the widget can also be accessed on an iPad and Mac logged in to the same Apple Account.

In addition, the app has been released in eight more countries in Europe, including Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. It was previously only available in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.

When you schedule Live Activities for upcoming events, they automatically appear on your Lock Screen when the event begins, so you do not miss any action.

Last, the app now supports Ligue 2, Segunda División, Serie B, Primeira Liga, and 2. Bundesliga.

Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues.

Apple Sports version 3.3 is available now in the App Store.
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Apple has now made iOS 26 available to download on compatible iPhone models, and if you just installed the new software, Apple has made some changes and feature additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that you may want to check out.


To download iOS 26 on your iPhone, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then let your device check Apple's servers for the latest software. Wait for the update screen to appear, then hit Update Now. With that done, here are five new things you can do to customize your the Lock Screen in iOS 26.

Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass

In iOS 26, Liquid Glass is Apple's new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content across system controls, navigation elements, app icons, and widgets. The design represents the most significant visual overhaul since iOS 7, and it also brings a new clock appearance option to your iPhone Lock Screen.

1. Wake your iPhone so the Lock Screen is showing.


2. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


3. Tap the time within the square frame.


4. Tap the new Glass option to switch from Solid.


5. Make any other desired changes to the clock's color and style, then tap Done to finish.

Move Lock Screen Widgets to 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.

1. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


2. Below the clock, drag the widgets frame to the bottom of the screen.


3. Make any other desired changes to the Lock Screen, then tap Done to finish.

Resize Lock Screen Clock

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. Bear in mind that the ability to expand the time depends on the selected photo – if there's no space above the photo's subject, the drag handle won't appear.

1. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


2. Rest your finger on the drag handle located at the bottom-right of the clock frame.


3. Drag down to resize the clock, then up to adjust if it's too big.


4. Make any other desired changes to the Lock Screen, then tap Done to finish.

Turn Lock Screen Wallpaper Into a Spatial Scene

In iOS 26, your iPhone can convert 2D images into a 3D Spatial Scene that can be viewed on your Lock Screen.

When you're browsing Lock Screen wallpaper options, iOS automatically suggests photos from your library that are compatible with the feature. And if you manually select a Lock Screen photo that supports Spatial Scenes, you'll see a toggle on the customization screen that lets you enable or disable the effect.


The feature works using generative AI that analyzes your photos to identify different elements and create depth maps. Importantly, it doesn't require Apple Intelligence to function, meaning Spatial Scenes works on iPhone 12 and newer models.

It's hard to appreciate without trying it yourself, 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.

Make Music Albums Animate

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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The latest version of popular task manager app Things 3 is now available with comprehensive support for iOS 26 and Apple's other major software updates, introducing a redesigned interface and a range of enhancements.


Things 3.22 features a complete visual refresh tailored for Liquid Glass, with an updated app icon and refined UI elements throughout. The new icon is available in four variants: Default, Dark, Tinted, and Clear.

The interface now incorporates redesigned curves for windows, to-dos, dialogs, and control elements, offering wider spacing and visual transparency in areas such as the sidebar. The release also introduces dynamic interface elements, such as glassy buttons that scale and glow in response to touch. The app's signature Magic Plus button now displays fluid-like deformation when moved.

Things gains full support for the new Windowed Apps mode in iPadOS 26. It supports the creation of new windows via both contextual menu actions—such as right-clicking a list and selecting "Open in New Window"—and through the File menu. Additionally, iPad users can now access a full system menu bar by swiping down from the top of the screen. Things has updated its menu structure accordingly to expose more powerful controls and keyboard shortcuts in this environment.


The widget system has also been updated. Widgets now support new appearance styles, including Dark, Tinted, and the new Clear option. With the latest release, widgets are also supported on the Vision Pro, where they can be placed freely in the user's immersive workspace.

Things 3.22 introduces quick controls on both the Mac and Apple Watch. On macOS, the app adds two Control Center toggles: New To-Do and List (with user-defined destination). These can be added to the Control Center panel or pinned directly to the menu bar for fast access. On the Apple Watch, the New To-Do control allows task creation via swipe, typing, or voice input.

Things also now supports Apple's Writing Tools framework on the Vision Pro. This allows users to edit the text in their task with options to rewrite, summarize, proofread, or reformat content.

The update also expands integration with Spotlight and Apple Shortcuts. On macOS, users can create a new to-do directly from Spotlight by typing "Create To-Do," pressing Return, and entering a title. The task will be added to the Inbox even if Things is not running. Things 3.22 is available now.
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Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 boast a range of new features and improvements that make them a tempting upgrade over previous models, but there's one enhancement that only lives up to its promise if you pair the earbuds with a new iPhone 17.


The third-generation AirPods Pro Charging Case is equipped with a U2 chip – a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that enables Precision Finding. This feature helps you locate the case using the Find My app at longer distances, in the unfortunate event that you lose or misplace your AirPods Pro 3 somewhere around you. The AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case comes with a built-in speaker, so you can also make it play a sound using ‌Find My‌ to more easily locate it.

Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip actually debuted in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but the chip's implementation in AirPods Pro 3 is more advanced. According to Apple, it enables a location-tracking range of up to 200 feet/60 meters, which is up to 3× longer range compared to Apple's first-generation U1 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 charging case, AirTag, and other devices.

However, Apple's claim of a 1.5x increase in the distance of Precision Finding only applies when the AirPods Pro 3 are paired with an iPhone 17 – a detail buried in its marketing footnotes. Apple doesn't explain why the improvement doesn't apply when the earbuds are paired with older devices that also have the U2 chip.

• How to Use Precision Finding to Locate AirPods Pro

Note that Ultra Wideband isn't universally supported worldwide, therefore Precision Finding won't work in some countries. AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, with general availability starting on Friday, September 19, when the iPhone 17 lineup also launches.

(Thanks, Mostafa!)

Update: An earlier version of this article queried whether iPhone Air also got the 1.5x improvement when paired with AirPods Pro 3, since Apple's website didn't specify. Apple has since updated its website to explicitly names iPhone Air as supporting the improvement.
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More than three years after Apple Ginza moved to a temporary location, the store is set to return to its original home in Tokyo's famous shopping district.


Apple today announced its temporary store in Ginza 8-chōme will be permanently closing on Monday, September 22. At the same time, the company confirmed it will "soon" be opening a new store at its original location in Ginza 3-chōme, in the Sayegusa Building, which was demolished and rebuilt over the past few years.

Apple did not provide a date for the grand reopening, but the temporary store will remain open for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air launch day on Friday. A few years ago, Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien said the new store was slated to open in the second half of 2025, and it seems likely that the company will meet that target.

To celebrate the occasion, Apple has shared a special wallpaper featuring luxurious metallic ribbons woven into the shape of the Apple logo.


To download the wallpaper on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, visit the new store's page on your device of choice. It will be available for a limited time.

Opened in 2003, Apple's original store in Ginza was the company's first retail location outside of the United States. Initially, the five-floor store featured a 27-foot-long Genius Bar, an 84-seat theater, and even an internet cafe where visitors could send emails, or make video calls with Apple's iChat software and iSight camera.

More recently, Apple's temporary store in Ginza has occupied four floors of a newer, eco-friendly building outfitted with wood fins on its glass facade.


Temporary is temporary, though, and Apple's next chapter will unfold at its old corner in Ginza.

"A new story with you," says Apple.

Via: Mac OTAKARA
This article, "'A New Story': Apple Store in Tokyo Returning to Original 2003 Location" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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For the last several months, MacRumors has been working on a series of in-depth feature guides and how tos that walk you through the design changes and updates in Apple's new software.


Our ultimate guide includes all of our iOS 26 coverage, and it is a useful resource for iPhone and iPad users who haven't had a chance to test out ‌iOS 26‌, or those who might want a recap on what's new. We've organized it by app or feature to make it easy to find what you're looking for.

Liquid Glass

Apple's Liquid Glass design brings a big visual change to ‌iOS 26‌. Icons, apps, menu bars, navigation bars, and all other interface elements feature a Liquid Glass aesthetic. It's not just translucency that you have to deal with. There are pop out menus, collapsing navigation bars, and a much more rounded aesthetic.

• iOS 26: Everything You Need to Know About the Liquid Glass Redesign


• How to Reduce Transparency of Apple's Liquid Glass

Lock Screen

The Lock Screen clock has embraced Liquid Glass in a big way, and there are also new options for wallpaper and widgets.

• iOS 26: New Lock Screen Features


• How to Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass


• How to Resize the Clock Display on Your Lock Screen


• Move Lock Screen Widgets to the Bottom of Your iPhone Display


• Turn Lock Screen Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

Home Screen

A new design means a new Home Screen, and there are new features for icons, widgets, and wallpapers.

• iOS 26: What's Changed With the iPhone's Home Screen


• Make App Icons Clear on Your iPhone Home Screen


• How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen

Apple Intelligence

Apple is still recovering from the Apple Intelligence Siri delay and the company didn't make a major deal about ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in ‌iOS 26‌, but there are quite a few additions.

Live Translation auto translates messages and calls, Visual Intelligence now works with what's on your screen, the Wallet app can track all of your purchases, and there are other small additions to be aware of.

• All of the New Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 26


• Here's What's New With Visual Intelligence in iOS 26


• iOS 26 Brings Major Changes to Image Playground

All of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features require a device that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, and all iPhone 17 models.

Messages

There are a bunch of new features in the Messages app, including the option to set custom backgrounds for each chat. Be warned, other people see the background that you set. Group chats support typing indicators and other features, and you can add polls to chats.

• iOS 26: Every Change to the Messages App


• How to Create Polls in Messages


• How to Selectively Copy Text Within a Message


• Add Custom Backgrounds to Messages Conversations


• Remove Custom Backgrounds in Messages Conversations

Phone

Some of the biggest changes in ‌iOS 26‌ are to the Phone app. There's a whole Call Screening feature that can screen calls from unknown numbers, and a tool that'll wait for you when you're on hold.

• iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App


• How to Get a Callback Reminder for a Missed Call


• Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds


• iOS 26: Here's What You Can Do With Apple's New Games App

AirPods

With an accompanying firmware update, the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 support Live Translation for in-person conversations, plus there are options like pausing audio when you fall asleep and using the AirPods as a remote for the ‌iPhone‌'s Camera app.

• All the new AirPods Features in iOS 26


• Auto-Pause AirPods Audio When You Fall Asleep


• Remotely Control iPhone Camera With Your AirPods

Safari

Safari has an updated layout, a Liquid Glass design, tab bar changes, new privacy features, and more.

• Safari in iOS 26: Everything New From Design to Privacy


• Restore Safari's Old Layout From iOS 18


• How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen

Apple Maps

The Maps app can learn your preferred route for your commute and alert you if there's anything that's going to make you late. It's also able to save your location history so you can remember your favorite locations when you travel.

• Apple Maps in iOS 26: Track Your Location History and Get Smarter Route Alerts

Notes and Reminders

The Reminders app has some hidden ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features included, while the Notes app supports 3D graphics with three-variable equations and more.

• iOS 26: What's New With Notes and Reminders


• How to Import and Export Markdown Files in Apple Notes


• Add New Reminders Faster Than Ever

Camera

The Camera app received some of the most notable UI changes, with updates to the menu for switching between modes and for accessing different settings.

• iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes


• Remotely Control iPhone Camera With Your AirPods


• Keep iPhone Camera Lens Clean With This Smart Setting

FaceTime

In FaceTime, there's an updated interface with a card-style layout, call screening, an option to block nudity, and support for Live Translation captions.

• iOS 26: Everything New With FaceTime

Apple Music

Apple Music has an AutoMix feature that provides DJ-like transitions for songs, along with Lyric Translation and Pronunciation features.

• iOS 26: Eight New Features in Apple Music


• Use Folders to Manage Playlists in Apple Music


• How to Use the New Music Pins Feature


• How to Enable and Disable AutoMix

Photos

If you hated the unified Photos app in iOS 18, there's good news! Collections and the ‌Photos‌ Library are once again split into two separate tabs. Apple also added support for Spatial Scenes, a feature that gives a 3D look to 2D photos.

• iOS 26 Photos App: Everything That's Changed


• Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

Podcasts

The Podcasts app has a Liquid Glass design, new speed controls, and dialogue improvements.

• iOS 26: What's New With the Podcasts App


• Make Your Favorite Podcasts Easier to Hear


• Fine-Tune Podcast Playback Speeds

Wallet

There are big changes in the Wallet app, including support for digital passports and major improvements to boarding passes.

• iOS 26: 5 New Features in the Wallet App
  


• Save Physical Card Details in Wallet App


• Silence Wallet App Promo and Offer Notifications

Other New Features and Options

• Screen Capture Content in HDR


• Turn Off Full-Screen Screenshot Previews


• Extend iPhone Battery Life With Adaptive Power Mode


• See How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Fully Charge


• How to Customize iPhone Alarm Snooze Duration

Read More

We have a complete overview of all of the new features in ‌iOS 26‌ in one place in our iOS 26 roundup, which is also well worth checking out for all of the smaller details that didn't make it into our guides and how tos.
This article, "iOS 26 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple this month expanded its music transfer tool to almost all countries where Apple Music is supported, simplifying the transition from services like Spotify to ‌Apple Music‌.


The transfer tool lets users import their playlists and libraries from competing streaming services into ‌Apple Music‌.

Apple initially began testing the transfer tool in Australia and New Zealand in May, and then expanded it to the U.S. and six other countries in late August. It's now available worldwide, with the exception of China Mainland, Myanmar, and Russia, according to a new Apple Support document.

To use the Transfer to ‌Apple Music‌ feature, iPhone and iPad users can go to Settings > Apps > Music and tap on the Transfer Music from Other Music Services option. From there, choose a music service, sign into the service, and decide what to transfer.

Apple says that what can be transferred will vary by music service and what is available in the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog, but it is designed to transfer songs, albums, and playlists. In addition to Spotify, the transfer option works with streaming music services from Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, and YouTube. Apple partnered with SongShift for the transfer functionality.

In cases where an exact match for a song isn't able to be located, Apple will flag the music as Needs Review, displaying alternate versions that can be selected. Apple warns that some content might not be available or have an exact match in ‌‌Apple Music‌‌, and the company also says that only user created playlists can be transferred, not playlists created by another music service.

When going through the transfer process, source playlists and libraries in the other music service are not impacted and remain available.

(Thanks, Erdinc!)
This article, "Apple Music Transfer Tool Launches in Nearly All Countries, Simplifying Switching From Spotify" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Roadside Assistance via Satellite is now available in Australia, allowing Australian iPhone users to get help if their car breaks down in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular service.


According to Apple, Roadside Assistance via Satellite can be used in Australia to get help from NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT.

Using the feature requires an ‌iPhone‌ 14 or later with satellite capabilities, and iOS 18.4 or later. There continues to be no charge for Apple's satellite services, though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.

Both Australians and international travelers who visit Australia are able to use the Roadside Assistance feature.

Prior to now, Roadside Assistance via Satellite was limited to the United States and United Kingdom. Apple says that it is working to bring the functionality to additional regions.
This article, "Roadside Assistance via Satellite Expands to Australia" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 replaces the second-generation model that was introduced two years ago in Apple's smartwatch lineup, but how different are the two successive smartwatch generations?


The two Apple Watch Ultra models share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the second generation to save money? This breakdown serves as a way to see all the differences that the Ultra 3 brings to the table.

The Apple Watch Series 11 represents one of the smallest upgrades to the mainstream model ever, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 provides a bit bigger but still modest change compared to its predecessor.

Apple Watch Ultra 2	Apple Watch Ultra 3
OLED display	Wide-angle OLED display
LTPO2 display	LTPO3 display
410 by 502 pixel display	422 by 514 pixel display
1185 sq mm display area	1245 sq mm display area (5% larger)
S9 chip	S10 chip
LTE and UMTS connectivity	LTE and 5G connectivity
	Satellite connectivity
	Emergency SOS via satellite
2.178 watt-hour battery	2.313 watt-hour battery (6% larger)
Fast-charge 0–80% in about 1 hour	Fast-charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes

Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a fairly minor upgrade over the second-generation model, with the most substantial changes focusing on the display. The new Apple Watch Ultra's display is a little larger, and it now features wide-angle OLED and LTPO3 for better viewing angles and a higher refresh rate when lowered, meaning there is a persistent ticking seconds hand on some watch faces.

It features 5G connectivity for the first time alongside Emergency SOS via satellite, bringing two iPhone features to the Apple Watch. Battery life is slightly better and the device charges to 80% 15 minutes faster, but there are few upgrades of substance.

It will likely not be worth upgrading from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to an Ultra 3, even though they come two years apart. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 gains all of the same health features as the Ultra 3, and even its S9 chip has the same CPU as the S10; the S10 is simply a more compact version of the S9, so don't expect a performance boost. Owners of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra from three years ago may have more reason to get the latest device, but it is far from an essential upgrade.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 3 Buyer's Guide: 10 Upgrades Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max have the iOS 26 Adaptive Power option enabled by default, Apple said today in a support document that explains the feature.


Adaptive Power is meant to adjust the iPhone's power draw on days when you are using more battery power than normal. It can adjust power draw, lower screen brightness by three percent, and limit background activity. It's also designed to activate Low Power mode when the ‌iPhone‌'s battery drops to 20 percent.

While Adaptive Power is available for the ‌iPhone 17‌ models, iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 15 Pro models, it is only turned on automatically on the ‌iPhone 17‌ models. It is off by default on ‌iPhone 16‌ models, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

If you have an ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro or any ‌iPhone 16‌ model and want to opt in to Adaptive Power, you can do so by opening up the Settings app, tapping on Battery, tapping on Power Mode, and then toggling Adaptive Power on.

‌iPhone 17‌ users who want to turn Adaptive Power off can do so using the same steps.

Adaptive Power uses on-device intelligence, which is why it is only available on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. Apple says that it predicts when you need extra battery life based on recent usage patterns, and it adjusts accordingly. Adaptive Power does not interfere with tasks that require maximum performance, like using the camera or playing games in Game Mode.

All of the ‌iPhone 17‌ models have extended battery life, but the ‌iPhone Air‌ has the lowest battery life of the bunch. It can last for 27 hours when watching videos, but that can be extended to 40 hours with Apple's $99 MagSafe Battery.
This article, "iPhone 17 Series Ships With iOS 26's Adaptive Power Mode Enabled by Default" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 is now available for everyone to download, and it's a big update. There are significant design changes, and many new features to learn about. Some of the additions need some setup so you can get started, so we've created an ‌iOS 26‌ tutorial that covers what you should do first after installing ‌iOS 26‌.

Set Up Your Lock Screen

You'll see the new Liquid Glass design from the first moment you install ‌iOS 26‌, because it starts at the Lock Screen. Unlock your iPhone and long press to get into the Lock Screen customization features, where you can select new options.


You can turn on a Liquid Glass effect for the time, so select your preferred font and color, then choose the "Glass" option.

If you drag the right hand corner of the clock, you can change its size. The size will adjust dynamically if you have a photos wallpaper selected, but for other wallpapers, you can choose a size.

When selecting a wallpaper, you can use a 2D image to generate a 3D Spatial Scene that uses depth information to separate the subject from the background. Spatial Scene wallpapers show a little bit of motion when you move your ‌iPhone‌, improving the 3D effect.

Make sure you also set up your widgets and your Control Center buttons. In ‌iOS 26‌, you can put your widgets on the bottom of the display, and you're not limited to having them right under the clock.

After everything is customized, save it and then give your ‌iPhone‌ a tilt. You'll see the subtle movement of the Spatial Scene if you selected one, and subtle glints of light reflecting off of the Liquid Glass elements.

Set Up Your Home Screen

There are even more customization options on the Home Screen. Long press, tap on Edit, and then choose Customize to get to the different options.


If you tap on the "Clear" setting, all of your icons will shift to a clear, glass-like look that shows your wallpaper behind them. There are Light and Dark mode options to choose from.

Default uses standard, multi-color icons that have a new stacked glass look. You can also choose Tinted for a unified color that's not quite as transparent as the Clear option. Tinted icons still have a translucent look, but it's subtler.

Apple added buttons so you can choose a tint that matches your ‌iPhone‌ color or your case color if you have an Apple case, so tap on the icons below the color slider if you're interested in those options.

Give Visual Intelligence a Try

The Visual Intelligence feature that's activated with Camera Control now works with screenshots. You can capture a screenshot and then use ‌Visual Intelligence‌ to identify what you're looking at, find products, and get more information.


To use on-screen ‌Visual Intelligence‌, just take a screenshot (press the volume up and side buttons at the same time), then tap on ask, search, or Highlight to Search if you want to select a specific part of an image to ask about.

You can search for products with Google Image Search, Etsy, and more, or ask ChatGPT what you're looking at.

You need an ‌iPhone‌ that supports Apple Intelligence to use ‌Visual Intelligence‌.

Set Up Call Screening

With Call Screening, you can get more information from people calling from an unknown number before you choose to accept a call.


When Call Screening is on, your ‌iPhone‌ asks a caller for their name and reason for calling. The information is relayed to you, and you can decide if you want to accept the call or ignore it.

You can turn on Call Screening in the Phone section of the Settings app. There are also new settings for identifying and filtering out spam calls and spam voicemails.

Choose Messages Backgrounds

The Messages app supports custom backgrounds in ‌iOS 26‌, both for individual conversations and group conversations. You can set a different background for every person or group that you chat with.


To set up a background, tap on the name at the top and then choose the "Backgrounds" option. There are pre-selected settings like sky, water, and aurora, or you can select a color. You can also choose a photo or generate a background using Image Playground.

Backgrounds that you set are changed for every participant in the conversation, so make sure not to choose something that you think is for your eyes only.

If you don't want to see custom backgrounds, you can turn it off in the Messages section of the Settings app.

Turn on Live Translation

Live Translation is a Messages app feature that automatically translates incoming messages from someone that speaks another language. If you regularly chat with someone who doesn't speak your language, you can give it a try.


To turn on Live Translation for a conversation or a group chat, tap on the name at the top and then toggle on "Automatically Translate." From there, anything someone types in another language is translated to your language, and your responses will be translated into their language.

Live Translation for Messages is available in English (US), English (UK), Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).


You can also use Live Translation for FaceTime, where it shows captions with language translations, and the Phone app, where there are spoken translations. AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 also support in-person Live Translation for real-time conversation translations.

Live Translation requires an ‌iPhone‌ that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Make a Genmoji

In ‌iOS 26‌, you can mix two or more emoji together to create a new emoji. If you've had trouble coming up with ideas for Genmoji, the option to combine two characters may be useful.


In the Messages app, tap on the Emoji button and then choose ‌Genmoji‌ to get to the ‌Genmoji‌ interface. You can type in a description, or tap on the smiley face icon to select two or more emoji characters to combine together.

Combining an emotion-related emoji with an object emoji is a good way to get a custom character that has a face or expresses a feeling.

Apple updated ‌Image Playground‌ to take advantage of feeling emoji. You can use an emoji like a happy face or a sad face to change the expression and emotion of an ‌Image Playground‌ creation that features a person.

While in ‌Image Playground‌, you can also try the new ChatGPT integration. You can use ChatGPT's image generation tools to create an image in any style.


Making a ‌Genmoji‌ and using ‌Image Playground‌ requires an ‌iPhone‌ that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Try the Games App

Apple added a Games app in ‌iOS 26‌, and it comes pre-installed on the ‌iPhone‌. It has all of the games from the App Store, along with Apple Arcade titles, but it also has new features for playing games with friends and challenging them to beat your high scores.

Customize Your Alarm and Ringtones

‌iOS 26‌ includes new variations of the popular "Reflections" ringtone that you can use for everything from calls to messages alerts. To try out the new ringtones, open up the Settings app, tap on Sound and Haptics, and tap on Ringtone.


You'll see the new options if you tap on "Reflection." There's also a new ringtone called "Little Bird" that's worth checking out. It's also easier to set a custom ringtone using the Files app and the Share Sheet.

After you set a ringtone, you can customize your alarm's snooze time. For years, Apple has used a nine minute default snooze time for alarms, but now you can choose anywhere from one minute to 15 minutes as the duration between when your alarm will go off.


To customize an alarm, open up the Clock app, choose the Alarms tab, tap on an alarm or create a new one, and then tap on Snooze Duration to select a duration. You can change the snooze length for all of your separate alarms.

Choose Your Safari Preference

Apple added a new "Compact" view for the Safari Tab bar that tucks several settings out of sight. If you want to change back to your preferred view at the top or the bottom, you can change it in the Safari section of the Settings app.

Read More About iOS 26

If you want to find out about even more features in ‌iOS 26‌, we have a comprehensive iOS 26 roundup that walks through everything new.
This article, "iOS 26 Setup Guide: 10 Things You Should Do First" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple devices that are running iOS 10 or macOS Sierra no longer meet the minimum system requirements for iCloud, according to Apple's updated iCloud support document.


All ‌iCloud‌ features now require iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra at minimum. ‌iCloud‌ services like Keychain, iCloud Photos, ‌iCloud‌ backups, Find My, and iCloud Drive will no longer work on devices that are running iOS 10 or macOS Sierra.

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra launched in September 2016, which means the updates are now nine years old. iOS 10 was the final version of iOS available for the iPhone 5 (2012) and the ‌iPhone‌ 5c (2013), along with the fourth-generation iPad (2012). These devices will no longer be able to access ‌iCloud‌ services.

macOS High Sierra was compatible with all Macs running macOS Sierra, so there are no Macs that are losing ‌iCloud‌ support with the compatibility change unless those Macs have not been updated to the last version of macOS they support.
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After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor tweaks.


Keep in mind that 200 changes does not mean 200 new features. The list contains even the smallest of changes across the operating system and Apple's built-in apps.

The vast majority of the changes in the list have already received lots of attention. Here are a few small changes that went somewhat under the radar:

• eSIM Quick Transfer now requires Face ID or Touch ID, with no passcode fallback, when Stolen Device Protection is active.


• In the Messages app, there is now a Drafts folder/filter.


• In the Podcasts app, there are more listening speeds, ranging from 0.5x to 3x. You can save your preferred speed per podcast.

Apple also shared equivalent lists for iPadOS 26 and macOS 26.

Throughout the week, we will be highlighting many of the new features in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and Apple's other software updates, so stay tuned.
This article, "Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In iOS 26, Apple has quietly included seven new ringtones to alert you to calls, messages, and other audible notifications. Keep reading to learn what's new and how to hear the new sounds.


The iconic "Reflection" ringtone – introduced in 2017 alongside the iPhone X – now has multiple alternate versions in iOS 26. While the original tone retains its familiar pellucid xylophone melody, the following new variants bring different energies to the classic:

• Buoyant


• Dreamer


• Pond


• Pop


• Reflected


• Surge

You can find and select the new ringtones in Settings ➝ Sound & Haptics ➝ Ringtone. Tap the chevron next to Reflection to expand the list and reveal the new versions.

The new versions keep Reflection's signature rhythm but each adds its own character and beat. Like the original, they can be used as both a ringtone and an alarm sound. You can listen to the new Reflection mixes yourself right now by hitting play on the embedded X post below.


In an extra Easter egg, Apple also added a new ringtone called Little Bird, which is distinct from the new Reflection options.

• iOS 26: Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds

iOS 26 is available to install now on all compatible iPhone models. To check for the update on your iPhone, tap through to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then tap Update Now when the iOS 26 update appears.
This article, "Here Are All the New iPhone Ringtones in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Affirm and Klarna today announced that their pay later options are now available for in-store Apple Pay purchases.


With the new feature, approved ‌Apple Pay‌ users can use Affirm to opt to split eligible in-person purchases into biweekly or monthly payments from 0% APR to 36% APR.

Those that choose Klarna in the U.S. can use Pay in 4 to split the cost into four interest-free installments, Pay Later to pay the full amount up to 30 days later with no interest, or Financing with monthly installments for larger purchases. In the UK, Klarna supports Pay in 3 and Pay Later.

Affirm and Klarna's pay-over-time options were already available for online purchases made using ‌Apple Pay‌, but now purchases made in retail locations can also use the split payment functionality. For a short period of time, Apple offered its own ‌Apple Pay‌ Later service, but it was discontinued in favor of partnerships with other companies.

To make an in-store purchase using Affirm or Klarna, iOS 26 is required. Customers can tap on the "+" button in the Wallet app, select Pay Later Options, and choose one of the available services. When ready to pay, double click on the side button of an iPhone as normal and then choose Affirm or Klarna as the payment option. From there, tap on Pay Later, obtain approval, and then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID to make the purchase.
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In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal.


A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.

Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources, leading to a "small impact" on performance and battery life.

Apple's hardware and software are designed together to deliver great performance and great battery life. As new features and improvements are added, they can change the way we use our devices, as you explore and utilize these new capabilities. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance. This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps.

New features are exciting and help you get even more out of your Apple product, though some may require additional resources from the device. Depending on individual usage, some users may notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life. Apple continually works to optimize these features in software updates to ensure great battery life and a smooth user experience.

There are often complaints about battery life after a new software update, which is likely why Apple linked the new support document in the ‌iOS 26‌ release notes. While the impact of software updates on battery life has been mentioned in past support documents, Apple has not explained possible battery drain after updates so explicitly.

The new support document wasn't written specifically for ‌iOS 26‌, and it is a generalized support document applicable to all iOS and iPadOS software updates.

Apple's support document also explains why it is important to install new versions of iOS, and how software updates work.
This article, "Apple Says Installing iOS 26 Might Impact Battery Life" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.


The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware.

With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the ‌AirPods 4‌ support better audio quality for phone calls and video calls, and studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, videos, and more.

There is an option to use the AirPods as a camera remote with the Camera app to take photos or start a video recording, and you can now get the AirPods to pause audio if you fall asleep while listening. A Keep Audio in Headphones feature ensures that your music won't switch to your car when you get in, and you can now get charging reminders when your AirPods battery is low. On the ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC and the AirPods Pro 2, Live Translation is supported.

All of these features will also be available with the new AirPods Pro 3 that are releasing on Friday, September 19.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.
This article, "AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 was widely released today, but the new feature that lets you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app has been delayed.


Apple updated its iOS 26 features page today to indicate that the "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be coming in a later software update:

Digital ID will be available in a software update with U.S. passports only.

Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully the feature arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

Until now, the feature had been listed on the iOS 26 page in the present tense.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.

Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.

It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.
This article, "Apple Delays iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released tvOS 26, the latest version of the tvOS operating system that runs on the Apple TV 4K.


tvOS 26 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 26 automatically.

tvOS 26 uses the same Liquid Glass look that's available in Apple's other operating system updates, providing a unified design language across the company's platforms.

The ‌Apple TV‌ app has new poster art and an interface that displays more movies and shows at once, and profiles can be shown when the ‌Apple TV‌ wakes, making it easier for each person to select their personalized settings and recommendations.

When using Apple Music Sing, the iPhone can serve as a microphone, and it supports Lyrics Translation and Lyrics Pronunciation. The FaceTime app supports customized photos for each contact, and Live Captions now support French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish.

There are new Aerial screen savers captured in India, an option to personalize screen savers by selecting specific categories, and the ability to designate any AirPlay-compatible speaker as a permanent speaker for the ‌Apple TV‌.

tvOS 26 is compatible with the original ‌Apple TV‌ HD from 2015 as well as all ‌Apple TV‌ 4K models. Liquid Glass requires the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K or later.
This article, "tvOS 26 Now Available With Liquid Glass UI and Enhanced Apple TV Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released visionOS 26, the newest version of the visionOS operating system that runs on the Apple Vision Pro.


‌visionOS 26‌ can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option. To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.

With visionOS 26, Apple is introducing a new class of widgets that can be integrated into the space around you. They'll stay put even when you move around or restart your Vision Pro. Personas have been upgraded with more lifelike hair and movement, Spatial Scenes add depth to 2D images, and Safari features spatial browsing that hides distractions and lets you interact with 3D models. There's also a new Jupiter Environment.

You can now share visionOS experiences with someone else wearing a Vision Pro in the same room, and a Live Recognition accessibility feature can describe objects that are in the room. Apple's release notes for visionOS 26 are below:

Widgets and persistence
- Widgets seamlessly integrate into your space, allowing customization of frame thickness, color, and depth
- Persistence lets widgets and windowed apps stay where you placed them, even if you restart your Apple Vision Pro
- The new Widgets app lets you easily discover and access widgets available on your Apple Vision Pro
- WidgetKit allows developers to create widgets with depth and dimension for their apps

Spatial scenes
- Spatial scenes let you view your 2D photos with lifelike depth in Photos, Safari, and Spatial Gallery
- The Spatial Scene API lets developers add spatial scenes into their apps for a more immersive experience

Safari
- Spatial browsing hides distractions, reveals spatial scenes as you scroll, and automatically summarizes articles on compatible webpages
- 3D models can be embedded directly in a webpage so they can be viewed and interacted with inline
- Apple Immersive Video and wide field-of-view video can be played directly from webpages

All-new Persona
- All-new Persona feel more natural and familiar, with enhanced hair, eyelashes, complexion and movement
- Persona capture process has been updated to include new glasses styles and materials, and allow you to preview your spatial Persona before saving

Shared experiences
- Share Apple Vision Pro experiences with people in the same room, like watching the latest movie or collaborating with colleagues on a digital whiteboard

Apple Intelligence
- More styles with ChatGPT let you explore additional styles like Oil Painting and Anime, or you can tap Any Style to describe the image and style you want in Image Playground
- Choose expressions for images of people in Image Playground, making them look happy, shocked, and more
- Personal attributes like hairstyle and facial hair can be modified for Image Playground and Genmoji that are inspired by people from your Photos library
- Language support expands to English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, U.S.), French (Canada, France), German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish (Mexico, Spain) for Image Playground app
- Apple Intelligence language support expands to English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, U.S.), French (Canada, France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish (Mexico, Spain) for Writing Tools, Priority Notifications, Priority messages in Mail, Smart Reply, Summary, Genmoji, Image Wand, Memory movie and search photos and videos

Wide field-of-view video support
- Wide field-of-view, 180° and 360° video from action cameras like Insta360, GoPro and Canon can be played back natively on Apple Vision Pro using the new Apple Projected Media Profile

Enterprise
- Team device sharing gives you the ability to easily and securely share devices between team members of their organization
- Securely save hand and eye data, vision prescription, and accessibility settings on your iPhone so you can quickly start using a different Apple Vision Pro
- New Enterprise APIs like Protected Content, Stereoscopic Main Camera, and Window Follow Mode grant enhanced sensor access and increased control, so businesses can create more powerful spatial experiences

Accessibility
- Live Recognition in VoiceOver uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more
- Zoom into your surroundings lets you easily see what is in your view like zoom into physical books, people in the room
- Typing using Dwell and Switch Control is easier and more accurate using QuickPath, which lets you draw a path along the keyboard, and it will predict the word that you're typing
- Live Captions shows real-time transcripts of spoken dialogue in more languages, so you can follow along with conversations, FaceTime calls and content with audio narrative
- Braille Access helps you take notes, read documents, access Live Captions, launch apps, and perform various other tasks effortlessly with your connected braille display
- Accessibility Reader makes text in any app easier to read by giving you new ways to customize text with extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content
- Accessibility Nutrition Labels in App Store product pages tell you if accessibility features like VoiceOver, Voice Control, and Captions are available within apps and games before you download them

Other
- Freeform adds the ability to see 3D objects inside a portal on the board for more seamless viewing
- Screening for unknown senders helps you to stay in control of who can reach you, and puts screened messages in a new area of your conversation list so they're out of your way
- Backgrounds can be added to conversations to make them more personal, with the option to use built-in backgrounds, your own photos, or images made with Image Playground
- Polls can help you find out everyone's availability for an upcoming dinner plan or decide on a group gift
- Typing indicators in groups make it easy to know exactly who is about to chime in
- Folders can now be created, named, and used to group apps on the Home View
- Control Center has been redesigned to give you more convenient access to essential controls like Guest User, Travel Mode, and more
- The new Jupiter Environment lets you view Jupiter from one of its moons and speed up its rotation for more spectacular views of its enormous, swirling storms
- Look to scroll allows you to scroll horizontally or vertically through Safari and other apps just by using your eyes
- Relay cellular calls from your iPhone to Apple Vision Pro
- Record live phone calls or FaceTime audio calls to help recall important details. When you start a recording, Vision Pro automatically announces that the call is being recorded, so no one is surprised
- Unlock and view your iPhone while wearing Apple Vision Pro, even during an immersive experience
- 90Hz hand tracking makes spatial games feel more fluid and responsive
- Spatial accessory support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controller and Logitech Muse unlock new ways to create, collaborate, and play
- Game controllers remain visible even when you are in an Environment, making it easier to stay immersed while playing
- Digital Prism Correction Feature provides digital image adjustments in Apple Vision Pro in accordance with your prism prescription

More information on the Vision Pro can be found in our roundup, and we also have a dedicated Vision Pro forum for those who want to discuss the update.
This article, "Apple Releases visionOS 26 With Persistent Widgets, Lifelike Personas, and Spatial Scenes for Vision Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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