tvOS 26 is compatible with all Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models, but some of the new features are only available on newer models.


The new Liquid Glass design with shimmery app icons and see-through elements is only visible on the Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) and Apple TV 4K (3rd generation).


tvOS 26 takes Apple Music Sing a step further by allowing you to use your iPhone as a wireless microphone, with your voice amplified through the TV's speakers. However, this functionality is limited to the latest Apple TV 4K (3rd generation).



tvOS 26 is currently available as a developer beta. The update will be released later this year.
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In iOS 17 and later, Apple includes an accessibility setting that makes the haptic feedback feature activate faster than in previous versions of its mobile operating system. If you fondly hearken back for the days of 3D Touch, you might just prefer it.


As many iPhone users might remember, ‌3D Touch‌ was an interactive haptic feature that Apple introduced in 2015 with the ‌iPhone‌ 6s. When the iPhone XR was released in 2018, Apple kiboshed 3D Touch‌ to the dismay of some users, and instead implemented the simplified ‌Haptic Touch, which offers less functionality‌.

‌3D Touch‌ supported multiple levels of pressure for different interactions depending on how hard you pressed, with Apple implementing "Peek and Pop" gestures. In contrast, ‌Haptic Touch‌ supports just a single level of pressure for the long press gesture.

‌Haptic Touch‌ has always worked slower than ‌3D Touch‌ because of the two levels of pressure that ‌3D Touch‌ allowed for. The first ‌3D Touch‌ pressure level activated quickly when pressing on the display, so those who became used to ‌3D Touch‌ may have found the ‌Haptic Touch‌ replacement to be too sluggish.

The good news is that setting ‌Haptic Touch‌ to the Fast option makes a noticeable difference in how quick haptic menus pop up under the finger when an icon or on-screen element is long pressed. The speed brings ‌Haptic Touch‌ interactions closer to 3D Touch interactions. Here's how to enable it on iPhones running iOS 17 and newer.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Accessibility.


2. Under "Physical and Motor," tap Touch.


3. Tap Haptic Touch.


4. Select from Fast, Default, and Slow. Note that when you select a speed, you can test it using the flower image on the same screen.

It's still not entirely clear why Apple got rid of ‌3D Touch. Some have argued that it suffered from a lack of discoverability, similar to the Apple Watch's Force Touch functionality, which suffered the same fate. Others have speculated that Apple eliminated it in order to bring gesture parity to the ‌iPhone‌ and the iPad. Either way, the change allowed Apple to remove the capacitive layer that used to be integrated into every ‌‌iPhone‌‌ display.
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Amazon today has a few models of Apple's M4 Mac mini on sale at record low prices, starting at $469.00 for the model with 16GB RAM/256GB SSD, down from $599.00. Discounts reach up to $150 off in these sales, and this time around there isn't a discount on the M4 Pro model.

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

In terms of the 16GB/256GB SSD model, this is a new record low price. You can also get the M4 Mac mini with 16GB RAM/512GB SSD for $689.00, down from $799.00, and the model with 24GB RAM/512GB SSD for $849.00, down from $999.00.





Apple updated the Mac mini back in October 2024, introducing a redesigned computer that's smaller than the previous generation and featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips. 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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A bit of sad news for old iPods: Macs might be losing FireWire support.


The first macOS Tahoe developer beta does not support the legacy FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 data-transfer standards, according to @NekoMichi on X, and a Reddit post. As a result, the first few iPod models and old external storage drives that rely on FireWire cannot be synced with or mounted on a Mac running the macOS Tahoe beta.

Unlike on macOS Sequoia and earlier versions, the first macOS Tahoe beta does not include a FireWire section in the System Settings app.

Of course, this could all end up being a false alarm. It is still early in the macOS Tahoe beta testing cycle, and FireWire support could return in a later beta version, or in time for the final release. We reached out to Apple for comment about the matter shortly before publishing this story, and we will update this story if we hear back.

FireWire was primarily developed by Apple, but it was later standardized as IEEE 1394 and licensed for use in non-Apple devices.

iPods started to transition from FireWire to USB for data transfer in 2003, so the standard is very outdated, but it would still be the end of an era if macOS Tahoe drops it. The last Mac with a FireWire port was released in 2012, so connecting older iPods and FireWire drives to newer Macs has long required the use of adapters.
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As expected, Apple lowered its iPhone trade-in values in the U.S. and select other countries today, following the end of a limited-time promotion that ran through June 18.


In the U.S., the maximum estimated trade-in values decreased by $5 to $30, with the full changes in that country outlined below.

iPhone Model	New Values	Old Values
iPhone 15 Pro Max	Up to $630	Up to $650
iPhone 15 Pro	Up to $500	Up to $520
iPhone 15 Plus	Up to $440	Up to $450
iPhone 15	Up to $400	Up to $410
iPhone 14 Pro Max	Up to $455	Up to $460
iPhone 14 Pro	Up to $380	Up to $400
iPhone 14 Plus	Up to $300	Up to $310
iPhone 14	Up to $290	Up to $300
iPhone SE (3rd generation)	Up to $100	Up to $120
iPhone 13 Pro Max	Up to $370	Up to $380
iPhone 13 Pro	Up to $300	Up to $310
iPhone 13	Up to $250	Up to $270
iPhone 13 mini	Up to $200	Up to $210
iPhone 12 Pro Max	Up to $280	Up to $300
iPhone 12 Pro	Up to $220	Up to $250
iPhone 12	Up to $170	Up to $200
iPhone 12 mini	Up to $120	Up to $130
iPhone SE (2nd generation)	Up to $50	Up to $60
iPhone 11 Pro Max	Up to $180	Up to $200
iPhone 11 Pro	Up to $150	Up to $160
iPhone 11	Up to $130	Up to $150
iPhone XS Max	Up to $120	Up to $130
iPhone XS	Up to $90	Up to $95
iPhone XR	Up to $100	Up to $105
iPhone X	Up to $60	Up to $65
iPhone 8 Plus	Up to $60	Up to $65
iPhone 8	Up to $45	Up to $50

iPhone trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. Visit the trade-in page on Apple's website to learn more.
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Apple developed a custom camera system using iPhone components to capture high-speed footage from Formula 1 cars for its upcoming feature film "F1: The Movie," WIRED reports. The project involved the replacement of standard F1 broadcast cameras with a bespoke module engineered around an ‌iPhone‌ camera sensor and powered by an A-series chip.



Filmmakers reportedly insisted on capturing authentic driver-perspective racing footage using real Formula 1 vehicles, but the constraints of F1 car design, such as aerodynamics, weight, and safety, made it impossible to mount a traditional Hollywood cinema camera. While standard onboard cameras used in live F1 race broadcasts are suitable for television, they are not designed to meet the visual standards required for film production.

As a result, Apple's engineering team was tasked with designing a new camera system that could meet the technical requirements of Formula 1 and the modern filmmaking needs. The ultimate module does not resemble an ‌iPhone‌ in any way, was engineered to fit into the exact same space as the official F1 broadcast camera modules, and designed to match their weight in order to comply with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. The unit was also tested for resistance to shock, heat, and vibration, exceeding the durability specifications of standard F1 broadcast equipment.

The module uses the 48-megapixel image sensor from the iPhone 15 Pro, paired with an Apple A-series processor believed to be the A17 Pro. It is able to capture high-resolution video in ProRes Log format, providing the production team with significantly more control over dynamic range and color grading. Apple also integrated a physical neutral density (ND) filter into the lens system, enabling better exposure control in the variable and high-intensity lighting conditions typical of daytime races.

It runs a custom version of iOS with firmware built specifically for this use-case. Apple says that this firmware directly informed new features introduced in the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, including the addition of Log encoding and support for the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) workflow.

Because F1 regulations prohibit onboard radio transmitters or wireless systems, Apple also developed an iPad app to serve as a wired control interface for the camera. Filmmakers were able to connect the ‌iPad‌ to the module via USB-C and adjust recording parameters such as ISO, shutter angle, white balance, frame rate, and start/stop functions as required. The footage was recorded locally on the module and later extracted.

Apple's "F1: The Movie" opens internationally on June 25 and in U.S. theaters and IMAX on June 27.
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YouTube is deliberately slowing video loading for users with ad blockers enabled, in what appears to be an escalation in Google's campaign against ad-blocking extensions.


Multiple users across Reddit and the Brave browser forum report videos displaying black screens for the typical duration of pre-roll ads before content begins playing. The video player simultaneously shows a pop-up ("Experiencing interruptions? Find out why") with a link directing users to a Google support page about disabling ad-blocking extensions, suggesting the slowdowns are intentional.

The recent crackdown is a shift from YouTube's previous tactics of simply displaying warning messages or blocking video playback entirely. The new approach inserts artificial delays that mirror the time you would spend watching advertisements, basically forcing the same annoying time investment, whether ads are blocked or not.

It looks like specific user accounts previously flagged for ad-blocking behavior are being targeted, potentially bypassing detection methods that extension developers typically use to counter YouTube's measures. PCWorld confirmed the behavior using uBlock Origin Lite, while Brave browser users report similar experiences despite the browser's built-in ad-blocking capabilities.


This latest move suggests YouTube is prepared to significantly degrade the user experience for non-paying users who refuse to view advertisements or subscribe to the $13.99 monthly YouTube Premium service, which offers an ad-free experience, offline downloads, and background playback.

For what it's worth, YouTube recently introduced a Premium Lite plan for $7.99/month that removes ads for most videos, excluding music content, Shorts, and when you search or browse.
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Apple is investigating generative AI to accelerate its custom chip design, according to remarks by hardware chief Johny Srouji last month.


Srouji outlined the company's interest in AI-assisted chip design during a speech in Belgium, where he received an award from semiconductor research group Imec. Reuters was able to review a recording of his remarks.

"Generative AI techniques have a high potential in getting more design work in less time, and it can be a huge productivity boost," Srouji said. He also talked about the role of electronic design automation companies like Cadence and Synopsys, which he said are "critical in supporting our chip design complexities." Both companies are said to be racing to integrate AI into their chip design software.

The news comes as Apple faces scrutiny over its perceived lag in consumer-facing AI. While competitors like Google and OpenAI have dominated headlines, Apple Intelligence has struggled to match rival offerings. Srouji's comments suggest Apple may be taking a more holistic approach – leveraging AI behind the scenes for chip development rather than focusing solely on user-facing features.

During his speech, Srouji traced Apple's silicon journey from the first A4 chip in 2010 to today's processors, and took time to underline Apple's bold decision-making during the 2020 Mac transition from Intel to Apple Silicon.

"Moving the Mac to Apple Silicon was a huge bet for us," he explained. "There was no backup plan, no split-the lineup plan, so we went all in, including a monumental software effort."

By all accounts, the transition was an unqualified success, bringing dramatic gains in performance-per-watt, battery life, thermal efficiency, and software compatibility achieved by Apple's M-series chips.

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Apple won't change the display size of next year's iPhone 18 Pro models, but they'll still look pretty different to what we've generally become accustomed to, rumors are increasingly suggesting.


Weibo-based Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station today said that Apple will stick with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays (rounded up) for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, respectively. For context, those are the display sizes of the current iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Apple is not expected to change the dimensions for this year's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro devices either.

Despite the unchanged sizes, the leaker corroborated two major revisions to the screens: Apple will move the scanning technology for Face ID under the display, and leave just a pinhole for the front-facing camera as the only obstruction to the on-screen content.

The leaker is corroborating what has previously been reported by display industry analyst Ross Young and The Information. One additional detail the latter publication has revealed is worth noting: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will position the pinhole to accommodate the front-facing camera in the top-left corner of the screen.

The same report said the devices will no longer have a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen, but it is unclear if the Dynamic Island will be discontinued.

In terms of other rumored features, the 48 MP primary rear camera may gain a variable aperture, allowing users manual control over aperture size – enhancing depth-of-field flexibility beyond the fixed ƒ/1.78 aperture used today. This rumor is attributed to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple could also introduce Samsung's advanced three-layer stacked sensor for improved responsiveness, lower noise, and better dynamic range, marking a possible shift away from Apple's use of Sony-only sensors, claims DigiTimes. The technology is called "PD-TR-Logic," according to a leaker known as "Jukanlosreve", and it refers to a camera sensor with three layers of circuitry affixed to it.

According to Kuo, a jump from 8GB to 12GB RAM is additionally expected, which aligns with rumors that both iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Air will adopt 12GB. This upgrade should help to improve the performance of Apple Intelligence and multitasking. All four current iPhone 16 models have 8GB of RAM.

It is also said that the next-gen C2 modem – Apple's follow-up to the C1 – will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro, according to analyst Jeff Pu. This will likely offering mmWave support in the US and improved speed and efficiency.

Lastly, per Kuo, Apple's A20 Pro chip will be built on TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm process (N2), providing around 15% performance boost and 30% better power efficiency over the 3nm A19 series that is expected to be used in the iPhone 17 series.

All in all, the upgrades reflect pretty significant camera, display, performance, and connectivity enhancements coming in 2026. Still, if you're a stickler for the current iPhone 16 Pro screen dimensions, then today's rumor should provide some gentle relief.
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Every year between 2015 and 2024, at least one Apple executive agreed to be interviewed by Daring Fireball's John Gruber for a special WWDC episode of his podcast, The Talk Show. Last year, for example, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi, marketing chief Greg Joswiak, and top AI researcher John Giannandrea joined Gruber on stage at the California Theatre in San Jose to discuss Apple Intelligence and more.


That decade-long tradition abruptly came to an end last month, when Apple declined Gruber's invitation to speak for this year's special episode.

A few months prior to that, Gruber published a blog post that was heavily critical of Apple. In that piece, the well-known Apple pundit said that the company "pitched a story that wasn't true" at WWDC 2024, when it previewed a more personalized Siri that was not close to being ready and is now delayed. He said that the situation damaged Apple's credibility, and he expressed concern that it could be a sign of bigger problems inside the company.

Unsurprisingly, Apple did not like the commentary.

In the latest episode of the Channels podcast, Gruber told Business Insider's Peter Kafka that Apple was "not happy" about the blog post and felt it was unfair.

However, Gruber said Apple's absence was actually a net positive for him.

"I'm not trying to lack humility here — but I feel them deciding not to do my show this year is a total win for me and was a huge loss for them," he said.

Why does he believe that?

"I think it asserts my independence," he argued. "And I think more than making me look good, I think it makes them look bad."

For his WWDC 2025 episode, Gruber ended up interviewing The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern and The Verge's Nilay Patel.


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Apple's year-old iPhone Mirroring feature is still unavailable in the European Union, and it appears that will remain the case on macOS Tahoe.


During its WWDC 2025 developer conference last week, Apple told French tech website Numerama that iPhone Mirroring will remain unavailable in the European Union for now due to continued regulatory uncertainty there.

Apple did not elaborate, but it might be worried about the European Commission eventually forcing it to expand iPhone Mirroring to Windows, or requiring it to offer Android Mirroring on the Mac. In addition, Apple offering iPhone Mirroring on the Mac might contribute to the European Commission designating macOS as a "gatekeeper" platform like iOS and iPadOS, and that would subject the platform to stricter rules in the European Union.

Introduced on macOS Sequoia last year, iPhone Mirroring lets you interact with your iPhone in a window on your Mac's desktop, over a wireless connection. You can use your iPhone apps, receive your iPhone notifications, and more, right on your Mac.
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Meta today announced that passkey support has been added to Facebook, making it easier to sign in securely without a password. Passkeys are compatible with all Apple devices, so iPhones and iPads can use passkeys for Facebook logins instead of passwords.


Passkeys will be available on iOS devices "soon," with Meta rolling out support to Messenger in the coming months. The same passkey that's set up for Facebook will also work for Messenger when Messenger passkey support launches. Meta says that passkeys are only available on mobile devices for the time being, so logging in on a computer will still require a username and password.

Apple devices have supported passkeys as an alternative to traditional passwords since 2022, and websites have increasingly added support over the last several years. Passkeys use on-device authentication like Face ID or Touch ID for account verification instead of a password.

Passkeys are more secure than passwords, and protect users from phishing, malware, and other attacks that are aimed at getting access to online accounts. Passkeys work as a two-key authentication system where an on-device key must match an account key, and as the second key is on-device, there is no login information that can be stolen by a malicious person.

On Apple devices, passkeys are securely stored in the Passwords app, and they sync across all of your Apple products.

Meta says that users can set up a Facebook passkey by going to Accounts Center in the Settings menu and choosing the Passkey option under Password and Security. Users may also see a prompt to upgrade to a passkey when logging into Facebook.
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Apple is teaming up with Fandango to offer Apple Pay users a special discount on upcoming Apple TV+ movie F1. When purchasing two or more tickets to F1 through Fandango using ‌Apple Pay‌, movie goers can get a $10 discount.


To get the deal, just enter promo code APPLEPAYTEN when checking out with ‌Apple Pay‌ on the Fandango website or the Fandango app. Discounted tickets are available today through June 29, but there are a limited number of tickets available at the lower price and it is first come, first served.

F1 is set to be released on June 27, and it is based on the Formula One World Championship. The movie stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who is in a terrible crash that forces him to retire. He returns to racing as a mentor for hotshot rookie Joshua "Noah" Pearce, played by Damson Idris.

The film will also feature the 10 Formula One teams in the 2023 season and their drivers, including Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Charles Leclerc.

Apple and distribution partner Warner Bros. Pictures have been heavily promoting F1, and it has seen more promotion than any other ‌Apple TV‌+ movie. Apple has been running ads on YouTube and on social media, and Apple CEO Tim Cook and Brad Pitt were at Apple's flagship Fifth Avenue Store in New York to highlight the movie. Apple also added a guide to the Maps app that features well-known F1 racetracks, and Craig Federighi promoted the movie by driving a race car around Apple Park in Apple's WWDC opening video.

Formula One offered a unique advanced screening event, and some theaters are offering special F1 helmet popcorn buckets and themed drinks. Mercedes plans to sell a limited-edition AMG GT63 APXGP Edition road car from the film, with colors to match the fictional movie team's colors. EA Sports is adding movie-inspired gameplay chapters to its F1 25 video game, and luxury watch company IWC has released a $7,000 Pilot's Watch Chronograph APXGP (the team from the movie) inspired by the movie. Shark/Ninja released a whole line of appliances using the black and gold color scheme from the movie.

At the Met Gala, Tommy Hilfiger dressed F1 star Damson Idris in a tear-away fire suit featuring the APXGP team, which he ripped off to debut a Tommy Hilfiger Tuxedo. The reveal was popular on social media. Marriott is sending members offers for a premiere event in New York City, and Heineken is an official partner of the movie and is running ads promoting it.

Apple has also detailed how the movie was filmed using the iPhone. Apple's engineering team created a custom camera module using ‌iPhone‌ components that was meant to be mounted on Formula 1 cars during actual races. The special camera was designed to withstand extreme speeds and conditions while capturing racing footage for the film.

Part of the reason why F1: The Movie is seeing such heavy promotion is because it features significant brand placement because F1 is a sponsor-heavy sport. Some of the companies that are appearing in the film include KFC, EA Sports, IWC, Mercedes, Geico, Marriott, Expensify, MSC Cruises, Tommy Hilfiger, Shark/Ninja, and Heineken.
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Applying for an Apple Card can score you some bonus money for a limited time.


Now through July 7, customers who apply for an Apple Card will receive $100 in extra Daily Cash when they spend $500 or more within the first 60 days of opening the account. You must apply for the Apple Card via the offer page to be eligible for the bonus.

The bonus is provided in addition to any regular Daily Cash that is earned. When paying with the Apple Card via Apple Pay, you can receive 3% back on purchases from Apple, Nike, Uber, Walgreens, and select other merchants in the U.S., and 2% back on all other purchases. When paying with the physical Apple Card, Daily Cash is limited to 1%.

It is common for credit cards to offer sign-up bonuses tied to minimum spending requirements, and there have been several Apple Card offers over the years.

Launched in 2019, Apple's credit card remains available in the U.S. only. The card can be managed in the Wallet app on the iPhone, with key benefits including color-coded spending summaries, no fees, and Daily Cash cash back paid out daily. Apple Card holders can also open a high-yield savings account, which currently offers a 3.65% APY.
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Apple today shared a new short film in its ongoing Shot on iPhone series, this time using the latest iPhone 16 Pro model for filming purposes. The video, called "Big Man," stars British rapper Michael "Stormzy" Omari.


The mini movie features Stormzy as Tenzman, a washed-up, world-weary musician who runs into two joyful kids. The three embark on a journey that ultimately inspires Tenzman to make new music. The film was directed by Aneil Karia, known for Surge and The Long Goodbye.


An ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ site accompanying the film highlights features like Camera Control, the option to shoot in 4K at 120 frames per second, playback speed adjustments, Audio Mix, and more.
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MacStories' Federico Vittici, who is known for his focus on the iPad as a main computing device, recently did an interview with Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi. Federighi and Vittici did a deep dive into the ‌iPad‌ and the changes that are coming to iPadOS this fall.


Federighi said that figuring out multitasking on the ‌iPad‌ has been a multi-year task that's required experimentation.

"Figuring out what the right multitasking experience is for this device, and in all the ways that make it unique, has been something that I think deserved careful exploration", Federighi begins, after telling me that he's "on an iPad every day, all the time".

Apple wanted to ensure that users didn't have to worry about managing apps, and that led to the first implementation of Slide Over and Split View multitasking, which was limited. Federighi said ensuring that the ‌iPad‌'s simplicity and interactivity stays intact has always been "job one." Touch first experiences are "the non-negotiable in the whole thing," according to Federighi.

When Stage Manager came around as the next major multitasking change in 2022, Federighi said that the ‌iPad‌ and its OS were well-established and developers had a solid understanding that the ‌iPad‌ was distinct from the Mac, so Apple "felt a little more flexibility" to add multitasking options for those who wanted them.

Apple's long path toward more Mac-like multitasking features seems to reflect a fear that adding Mac capabilities to ‌iPad‌ would limit what developers might do on the ‌iPad‌. Federighi suggested that if the ‌iPad‌ had app menu bars to begin with, developers might have tucked functionality away, and Apple wanted to encourage a simpler experience.

"If iPad had had a menu bar from the beginning, like Mac did, app developers would naturally say, "Well, I think a lot of my functionality probably is only accessible via menu bar, right?", Federighi says. "Those affordances provide the set of constraints under which developers operate and dictate, to some degree, the nature of what gets created. And with iPad, by creating an environment that had very simplicity at its core, it meant the entire app ecosystem had all kinds of incredible design work done by so many developers to preserve the simplicity of that experience", he continues.

It has taken time for Apple to establish how people are using iPads, and the decision to update ‌iPad‌ multitasking in iPadOS 26 was made to meet the needs of different kinds of ‌iPad‌ users. There are some users who want a simple iPhone-like interface with a fully immersive, single window, but there are also ‌iPad‌ users who want more control and more functionality beyond the tablet interface. "We came to the point of saying, 'Let's recognize that audience,'" Federighi said. "I think we've been on a journey of finding the right interface for ‌iPad‌, along with our users," he said. "And I think it actually has been important that it's been considered a journey."

Federighi explained that with a new device and a different kind of user in mind, Apple needed to guard against the urge to "pull the old thing off the shelf and put it here because maybe that feels right." Instead, it was important to discover the "essence of ‌iPad‌," and what windowing might be like on a touch-first device if the Mac had never existed. Apple is now trying to strike a balance.

Apple has long been resistant to merging iPadOS and macOS, and Federighi used a spork analogy to explain why. Apple's aim is not to displace the Mac, and each device has a different purpose.

Someone said, "If a spoon's great, a fork's great, then let's combine them into a single utensil, right?" It turns out it's not a good spoon and it's not a good fork. It's a bad idea. And so we don't want to build sporks".

Federighi went on to say that while the ‌iPad‌ can be "inspired" by Mac elements, he does not believe that the ‌iPad‌ should run macOS.

Vittici's full interview with Federighi goes into much more detail, and it is well worth a read over at MacStories.
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macOS Tahoe 26, Apple's newest operating system for the Mac, is getting many of the same changes that are coming to iOS. That includes the Liquid Glass redesign, and the changes to apps like Messages, Safari, and Phone, an app that's new to the Mac this year. There's also a whole new Spotlight system that's pretty neat, so we thought we'd do a quick overview so you can see it in action.


Liquid Glass on the Mac looks a lot like it does on the iPhone, which was Apple's goal. Apple wanted more design and navigation parity between operating systems, so mission accomplished?

The menu bar is now invisible so there's more available display space at the top of your Mac, and the icons use the same stacked glass look. You can also turn on an all-glass design for the icons, or use iPhone-style tints for the first time. Control Center has the Liquid Glass design, plus it's more customizable, along with the menu bar.

Toolbars, sidebars, and buttons have a more rounded look and a Liquid Glass aesthetic. Folders can be customized with colors and emoji, which makes them stand out more.

Spotlight got a major overhaul, and you can now use it to do just about anything on your Mac. It supports actions, so you can send emails and messages without ever opening up an app. Spotlight also incorporates a list of all of your apps plus a clipboard manager that keeps track of what you've copied and pasted. You can get to Spotlight's features with the Command Key and 1, 2, 3, or 4, and you can launch actions with short little phrases like SE for send email.

Several ‌iPhone‌ apps are now available on the Mac, including Phone and Journal. You can make calls with the Phone app through your ‌iPhone‌, and it even supports the new Hold Assist and Call Screening features. There's an all-new Games app that houses all your Mac games and helps you find new content, and a Magnifier app that lets you use your ‌iPhone‌ to zoom in on text so you can view it on your Mac.

macOS Tahoe is in beta right now, so some of these features could change, and Apple could add new capabilities. The beta is currently limited to developers, but a public beta is set to come in July. macOS Tahoe will launch in September.
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Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to public beta testers, with the betas coming just a few days after Apple provided the betas to developers.


Testers who have signed up for beta updates through Apple's beta site can download iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

When the developer betas came out earlier this week, we didn't find any notable new features. Apple initially planned to release Apple Intelligence in China in the iOS 18.6 beta, but that plan may have been delayed due to ongoing regulatory issues.

We don't know what's in iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6, but the updates seem to focus on smaller changes and bug fixes.

Apple is also beta testing iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, and while betas are limited to developers right now, a public beta will be coming in July.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 18.6 Public Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple supplier Foxconn is expected to officially start producing Apple's foldable iPhone late in the third quarter of 2025 (late September), or early in the fourth quarter (October), Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today. Apple plans to launch the device in the fall of 2026 as part of the iPhone 18 lineup.


Though the September/October 2025 timeline is fast approaching, Kuo says that many component specifications have not yet been finalized. What is finished, though, is the foldable display, which will be produced by Samsung Display.

Rumors suggest that the foldable ‌iPhone‌ will feature a display that's around 5.5 inches when closed, and 7.8 inches when opened up. It will fold in half like a book, similar to the Galaxy Fold devices, rather than the Galaxy Flip.

The foldable ‌iPhone‌ could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and 9 to 9.5mm when it's closed, which would make it incredibly thin when used in its full-screen mode. Apple put considerable effort into hinge design, and the device is expected to have almost no visible crease. It will use under-display cameras, though it may feature some kind of Touch ID authentication feature rather than Face ID due to space constraints. It will, of course, be expensive. In the past, Kuo has said he expects Apple to price the foldable ‌iPhone‌ at $2,000 to $2,500, and that was before Apple was facing steep tariffs in China.

Kuo expects that Samsung Display will produce around seven to eight million foldable panels for the foldable ‌iPhone‌ in 2026, with Apple placing an order for 15 to 20 million total foldable iPhones. Kuo suspects that the 15 to 20 million foldable devices will last Apple two to three years, with demand somewhat limited due to the cost of the smartphone.

Right now, rumors suggest that Apple is aiming for a fall 2026 launch, but Kuo warns that Apple's plans "remain subject to change" prior to when the project officially reaches the production stage.
This article, "Apple's Foldable iPhone Production to Begin This Fall for 2026 Release" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today announced that registration for its annual summer camp for kids will open today.


Apple Camp will run from June 21 through July 31 this year at Apple Store locations around the world. A part of the broader Today at Apple program, the camp offers free creative programming to children ages 6-10, with parent or guardian attendance required. This year, families can learn how to make movies on an iPad using the iMovie app.

Apple's description of the Direct Your Own Friendship Film on iPad session:

In this 90-minute experience, kids and their families are invited to explore the magic of filmmaking on iPad with iMovie. Kids will collaborate as they direct, film, edit and more to make a friendship film that celebrates how we're better when we come together. This year, campers will be split into two groups and will learn how to record video and use iMovie on iPad to create a story together inspired by friendship. The groups will use the iPad to film scenes to create a movie. They will then use the iMovie app to edit their movies and learn how to add fun sound effects, transitions, slow motion, and more.

All children will take home an Apple Camp shirt, which has been redesigned this year and is now made from 100% recycled materials, according to Apple.

The 90-minute sessions are entirely free of charge, and Apple will provide children with an iPad to use during the sessions.
This article, "Apple Camp for Kids Returns to Apple Stores This June and July" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Hold that train! The latest Apple Arcade ad shared today features SpongeBob SquarePants, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, Hello Kitty, and many other popular characters, who are all quickly trying to board a departing train at a station.


The idea behind the ad is that Apple Arcade provides you with access to hundreds of games on the go, right on your iPhone, with a single subscription.

"Bring hundreds of games with you," says Apple. "Fun for all. All on iPhone."

Accessible through the App Store, Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, all free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade is also prominently featured in Apple's new Games app.
This article, "New Apple Arcade Ad Features SpongeBob, Pac-Man, Sonic, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has teamed up with a handful of accessory makers to offer chargers, stands, cases, power banks, cables, and more in fun new color options, like Teal, Coral, and Deep Purple. The splash of color arrives just in time for summer in many countries.


The new color options are available exclusively from Apple, both online and for in-store pickup.

Participating brands include Anker, Belkin, Herschel, Mophie, Nimble, PopSockets, SanDisk, Satechi, Scosche, Tech21, and Twelve South.

Here are some examples:

• Nimble Wally Stretch 65W Wall Charger — Teal


• Twelve South Curve Mini Stand — Multicolor


• Anker MagGo Power Bank (5K, Slim) — Coral


• Satechi Magnetic Wallet Stand — Deep Purple/Teal


• Scosche WatchIt Keychain Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger — Coral

This article, "Apple Begins Selling Wide Range of Accessories in Fun Summer Colors" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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One of the key changes to Safari on iOS 26 is a redesigned Liquid Glass address bar, with three layouts available to choose from. Beyond that, the upcoming software update includes a few smaller changes for the web browser.

Web Apps For All Websites

Starting with iOS 26, every website added to the Home Screen via Safari opens as a web app, even if it is not configured to be. On earlier iOS versions, websites that were not configured to open as a web app would open in Safari, meaning that the Home Screen app icons for those websites were effectively just bookmarks.


Users can turn off "Open as Web App" while adding a website to the Home Screen if they prefer the app icons to still function as simple bookmarks.

This change also applies to iPadOS 26.

HDR Images

Safari now supports HDR images, five years after the browser gained support for HDR video.

HDR images have wider dynamic range and increased color gamut, making bright areas of the image appear brighter and dark areas appear darker.

This change applies across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26.

SVG Icons

Safari now supports the SVG file format for icons anywhere that they are shown in the browser, including in the bookmark bar and on the start page.

SVG icons have smaller file sizes than PNG icons, and they offer infinite vector scaling, meaning they can be resized without any loss in image quality.

More

Even more changes coming to Safari across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26 were outlined in a WebKit blog post last week.

iOS 26 and the other software updates are currently in beta.
This article, "Safari Changes on iOS 26 Go Beyond the Address Bar" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has made the first macOS Tahoe developer beta available for testing before its official release in the fall, but don't be fooled into thinking only developers can download it. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.


Getting access to the macOS Tahoe developer beta is simple, and can be done by registering your Apple Account with the Apple Developer program. The extra steps you need to complete to install the software on your Mac are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Should I Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta?

With macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces a major redesign for the platform with the all-new Liquid Glass interface, along with a host of new features. These include the Phone app on Mac, powerful new Spotlight actions, further Apple Intelligence integration, a dedicated Games app, and customizable backgrounds in Messages. Live Activities from iPhone also make their way to your Mac's menu bar, which now has a fully customizable Control Center. With so many additions and a striking visual update, it's no surprise that macOS Tahoe is generating a lot of interest among Mac users.

But before you commit, bear in mind that Apple does not recommend installing macOS developer beta updates on your main Mac. Remember, this is beta software, which means there are almost certainly bugs and issues that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems with the system. Indeed, one of the reasons that Apple releases the beta to developers early is so that they can feed back problems and help Apple debug them. If you have a spare Mac hanging around, by all means use that, but we would be the first to advise holding off until at least July, when the macOS Tahoe public beta is expected to drop.

Is My Mac Supported?

macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Mac models, according to Apple:

• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)


• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)


• MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)


• MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)


• iMac (2020 and later)


• Mac mini (2020 and later)


• Mac Studio (2022 and later)


• Mac Pro (2019 and later)

macOS Tahoe officially drops support for the following Macs (earlier models than those shown are also not supported):

• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)


• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)


• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)


• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)


• MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)


• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)


• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)


• iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)


• iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)


• iMac Pro (2017)


• Mac mini (2018)

Don't Forget to Back Up Your Mac

Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing the software using the method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to the previous version of macOS if things go wrong.

How to Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.


2. Open System Settings on your Mac and select General ➝ Software Update.


3. Look for "Beta Updates" and click the info (i) symbol next to it.
   
   
4. Choose macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta from the dropdown list.
   
   
5. Click Upgrade Now to begin the update process to macOS 26.
   

That's all you need to do. The installation process will complete just like a standard macOS update, so sit back and let the installation finish, after which your Mac will boot directly into the macOS Tahoe beta.
This article, "How to Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today we're tracking a collection of discounts on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro at Amazon, including as much as $400 off select models of the computer. Most of these deals represent solid second-best prices on each model.

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

Deals include both 14-inch and 16-inch models, and the biggest savings will be found on the latter group. The steepest discount is on the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max 48GB RAM/1TB), available for $3,599.00, down from $3,999.00. Most of the computers in this sale have estimated delivery dates before the end of June.



For the 14-inch models, you'll find up to $320 off these computers on Amazon this week. You can get the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/512GB) for $1,399.00, down from $1,599.00, available in both Silver and Space Black.

14-inch MacBook Pro

• M4 10-Core/16GB RAM/512GB - $1,399.00 ($200 off)


• M4 10-Core/24GB RAM/1TB - $1,759.00 ($240 off)


• M4 Pro 12-Core/24GB RAM/512GB - $1,749.00 ($250 off)


• M4 Pro 14-Core/24GB RAM/1TB - $2,149.00 ($250 off)


• M4 Max 14-Core/36GB RAM/1TB - $2,879.00 ($320 off)

16-inch MacBook Pro

• M4 Pro 14-Core/24GB RAM/512GB - $2,229.00 ($270 off)


• M4 Pro 14-Core/48GB RAM/512GB - $2,599.00 ($300 off)


• M4 Max 14-Core/36GB RAM/1TB - $3,149.00 ($350 off)


• M4 Max 16-Core/48GB RAM/1TB - $3,599.00 ($400 off)

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

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This article, "Get Up to $400 Off M4 MacBook Pro on Amazon, Starting at $1,399" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple will face a proposed class action lawsuit in California federal court over allegations that iCloud unlawfully monopolizes iPhone users' access to core device backups, following a judge's decision to deny the company's motion to dismiss the case (via Reuters).


Earlier this week, the Northern District of California ruled that plaintiffs had sufficiently amended their complaint to move forward with antitrust claims in light of "substantial new allegations." The lawsuit was originally filed in March 2024 and alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data while restricting third-party cloud services from providing comparable functionality, with wired backups being the only other option.

While Apple permits third-party services to back up user data such as photos, videos, and documents, the company does not allow them to access certain system-level items, including device settings, app configurations, and encrypted keychains. The plaintiffs seek to certify a nationwide class of potentially tens of millions of ‌iCloud‌ subscribers, arguing that Apple's system effectively coerces users into subscribing to its paid storage tiers.

Apple provides all users with 5GB of free ‌iCloud‌ storage. For many users, this allocation is insufficient for full-device backups. Paid plans begin at $0.99 per month for 50GB in the United States. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim that the restricted access to full backup functionality compels users to purchase ‌iCloud‌ subscriptions, resulting in overcharges that violate U.S. competition law.

In its motion to dismiss, Apple argued that the need to use ‌iCloud‌ for backups was shaped by privacy and security considerations. The company said that the restrictions on access to sensitive files were intentional and rooted in the need to protect users' personal information. Apple also contended that the case was time-barred, as plaintiffs must generally bring federal antitrust claims within four years of the alleged violation.

Apple is required to file a formal response to the complaint by July 7, 2025. See the full court order for more information.
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Google has announced four Maps updates across Europe designed to reduce reliance on driving and promote sustainable transportation choices.


Google says it's expanding its AI-powered alternative transport suggestions to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Warsaw, and additional cities in the coming months. The feature predicts when walking or transit will match driving times, which aims to help users avoid car trips entirely.

Meanwhile, cyclists this summer are getting enhanced route details in 17 new European cities, including Hamburg, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Budapest, Vienna, and Brussels. The updates show dedicated bike lanes alongside existing warnings about traffic and steep hills, covering 125,000 kilometers of cycling infrastructure globally.

For necessary car journeys, Google says its fuel-efficient routing is now live worldwide. The company estimates this feature alone prevented 2.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, which is equivalent to removing over 630,000 cars from roads for a year.

The final update tackles low-emission zones and low-traffic zones. Over the coming months, Google says it will expand alerts for restricted areas to over 1,000 zones across Europe, including Italy, Sweden, and Austria. The notifications mean it's possible for drivers to check vehicle eligibility and find alternative routes when needed.

• Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: Which Is Better?

Since the end of March when Apple released iOS 18.4, iPhone users in the EU have been able to set Google Maps as their default navigation app, completely replacing Apple Maps. If you count yourself among them, perhaps the upcoming updates will improve your travels on the continent this summer.
This article, "Google Maps Unveils 4 Major Updates for European Commuters" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's new speech-to-text transcription APIs in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe are delivering dramatically faster speeds compared to rival tools, including OpenAI's Whisper, based on beta testing conducted by MacStories' John Voorhees.


Apple uses its own native speech frameworks to power live transcription features in apps like Notes and Voice Memos, as well as phone call transcription in iOS 18.1. To improve efficiency in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, Apple has introduced a new SpeechAnalyzer class and SpeechTranscriber module that deal with similar requests.

According to Voorhees, the new models processed a 34-minute, 7GB video file in just 45 seconds using a command line tool called Yap (developed by Voorhees' son, Finn). That's a full 55% faster than MacWhisper's Large V3 Turbo model, which took 1 minute and 41 seconds for the same file.

Other Whisper-based tools performed even slower, with VidCap taking 1:55 and MacWhisper's Large V2 model requiring 3:55 to complete the same transcription task. Voorhees also reported no noticeable difference in transcription quality across models.

The speed advantage comes from Apple's on-device processing approach, which avoids the network overhead that typically slows cloud-based transcription services.

While the time difference might seem modest for individual files, Voorhees notes that the performance gain increases exponentially when processing multiple videos or longer content. For anyone generating subtitles or transcribing lectures regularly, the efficiency boost could save them hours.

The Speech framework components are available across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro platforms in the current beta releases. Voorhees expects Apple's transcription technology to eventually replace Whisper as the go-to solution for Mac transcription apps.
This article, "Apple's New Transcription APIs Blow Past Whisper in Speed Tests" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is considering introducing displays that use a lot less battery power in its iPhone lineup starting in 2027, according to a new report from The Elec.


According to the Korean-language report, the technology would involve upgrading Apple's current LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) OLED displays by incorporating oxide semiconductors in both switching and drive transistors.

Every iPhone screen has millions of tiny switches that control each pixel. Right now, Apple uses two different types of these switches: some are power-efficient but slow, while others are fast but power-hungry.

Apple's current plan has this year's iPhone 17 series using low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LPTO2) displays across the lineup, which would continue to use a mix of both switch types. But by 2027, Apple might replace more of the power-hungry switches with efficient ones.

The benefit of moving the drive transistors to oxide would be much better battery life when the iPhone screen runs at low refresh rates, such as 1Hz when it's showing the always-on display with just the time and notifications. The downside is that the more efficient oxide switches respond slower, so Apple would somehow have to balance performance with efficiency.

The Elec suggests Apple will likely debut this advanced LTPO technology – sometimes called "LTPO3" – in a 2027 version of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

Since thinner phones have less room for big batteries, squeezing every bit of efficiency from the screen is crucial. Therefore, the iPhone Pro models, which are thicker and can fit larger batteries, probably won't get the new display tech right away. In other words, Apple views the power savings as more critical for ultra-thin devices.

Apple has already tested this approach with the Apple Watch Series 10, which uses the more efficient LPTO3 display technology. This has likely given Apple the confidence to scale the technology to iPhone-sized displays.

The report suggests Samsung and LG will manufacture these next-generation displays, though both companies will need to invest in new equipment. LG faces the bigger challenge, since it produces fewer OLED screens overall compared to Samsung.

Apple reportedly plans to make a final decision on adopting the new display architecture for at least one model in its 2027 iPhone lineup by Q3 2025, giving suppliers roughly two years to prepare for potential mass production.
This article, "2027 iPhone Air Could Debut Power-Saving LTPO3 OLED Display" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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U.S. President Donald Trump will extend the looming TikTok ban for another 90 days later this week, the White House said today (via Axios). It will be the third extension Trump has put in place since taking office in January.


Trump's second TikTok extension will expire on June 19, and there appears to be no sign of a deal with China that would allow TikTok's U.S. operations to be sold to a U.S. company.

TikTok has been banned in the United States since January 19 due to the passing of the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, but Trump's extensions prevent the U.S. Department of Justice from enforcing the law and allow TikTok to remain operational.

The act required TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese company or face shutdown in the U.S., but TikTok did not sell during the grace period before the law took effect. One day after TikTok was banned in the U.S. in January, Trump provided an extension, and he has since been working to establish a deal with China.

China has to sign off on any purchase agreement that TikTok parent company ByteDance makes with a U.S. company, and Trump's tariffs have reportedly led to trade tensions that have seen China refuse to cooperate.

TikTok continues to be available for download while the extensions are in place.
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iOS 26 includes three small but meaningful changes for screenshots.


The upcoming software update adds a new Screen Capture menu to the Settings app, under General. In it, there are a few useful toggles.

First, there is now an option for HDR screenshots. When this format is selected, any HDR photos or videos in screenshots will actually appear in HDR with full dynamic range, when viewed on newer iPhone models and other supported devices.

Apple says HDR screenshots use the HEIF image format. There is still an option for SDR screenshots, which are saved as PNG files.

Second, CarPlay screenshots finally work on an opt-in basis. On iOS 18 and earlier, taking a screenshot on an iPhone connected to CarPlay generates both iPhone and CarPlay screenshots. Starting with iOS 26, however, only an iPhone screenshot is captured in this situation by default. CarPlay screenshot capture must be turned on manually.

Third, when you take a screenshot on an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, you can now identify content within the screenshot by using the Visual Intelligence feature.

Apple has redesigned the screenshot interface on iOS 26, with Visual Intelligence options now shown at the bottom of the screen. "Ask" lets you ask ChatGPT about content in a screenshot, while "Image Search" can show you similar images to those in a screenshot across Google Images, Etsy, and Pinterest. There is also a "Highlight to Search" option that lets you conduct an image search for a specific object in a screenshot.

If you would rather have screenshots appear as thumbnails in the bottom-left corner of the screen, as they do on iOS 18 and earlier versions, you can turn off full-screen previews in the new Screen Capture settings menu.

iOS 26 is currently in beta, and the update should be released in September.
This article, "iOS 26 Improves Screenshots in Three Ways" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Signify today updated its popular Philips Hue lighting lineup with the Philips Hue Play Wall Washer, a new light that's meant to provide background lighting for a TV or other entertainment space.


The Hue Play Wall Washer is meant to provide an immersive lighting experience with wide-angle real-time effects that are ideal for movies, TV shows, gaming, and more. The device uses ColorCast projection technology for gradient lighting that covers an entire wall, and the compact aluminum design of the light itself is unobtrusive and modern.

While the Hue Play Wall Washer can be used on its own, it also pairs well with the rest of the Philips Hue ecosystem. It is able to be used with all Philips Hue lights, the Hue HDMI Sync Box, and the TV and PC Sync apps. Like all Hue products, it is HomeKit-compatible and can be controlled with the Home app and Siri voice commands.


Signify says that the light uses a dynamic entertainment algorithm to enhance realism and spatial immersion. The projection area can be shifted by moving the light closer to or further from the wall, and there are controls for adjusting intensity, speed, brightness, and positioning. Each light is 1035 lumens.

The Philips Hue Play Wall Washer is priced at $220 for a single light and $385 for two, with the two-pack featuring one power supply that powers both. The Wall Washer can be purchased from the Hue website in either white or black.

The Philips Hue line will also soon gain a generative AI assistant that is able to understand context to create lighting scenes based on moods, styles, and occasions. Signify plans to roll out the AI options in the U.S. and Canada by the end of August. Later in the year, the AI features will include creating schedules and automations.
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Apple today stocked its U.S. refurbished store with Apple Watch Series 10 models, offering the latest Apple Watch devices at a discount for the first time since their launch last September.


The refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 models are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to the standard price for brand new models. The Wi-Fi only 46mm Apple Watch Series 10, for example, is available for $359, down from $429. A titanium 46mm Series 10 is priced at $639, down from $749.

As of right now, Apple is only offering 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 models in either Jet Black aluminum or Slate titanium, but additional models in other colors and sizes will likely be added in the not too distant future.

Refurbished stock fluctuates based on what Apple is getting when people return devices or send them in for repair, so if you're looking for a discount on a specific model, you may need to check back often.

Refurbished devices go through a rigorous refurbishment process prior to sale, according to Apple. Steps include functionality testing, cleaning and inspection, and repackaging. Apple does not offer refurbished Apple Watch models that require replacement parts, so all devices are in operational condition before refurbishment.

Apple's refurbished products feature the same one-year limited warranty as newly purchased devices, and they are eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.

It is worth noting that third-party retailers like Amazon often offer better discounts on the same Apple Watch Series 10 models.
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Apple today won a victory in its ongoing patent infringement litigation with Texas-based patent troll Optis, reports Reuters.


The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today threw out a prior jury verdict that would have forced Apple to pay $300 million for infringing on standard-essential LTE patents owned by Optis.

When appealing the initial ruling from the Eastern District Court of Texas, Apple argued that the court had not fairly separated the different patent claims that it allegedly violated, and only asked the jurors to determine if Apple violated any patents. The federal appeals court agreed with Apple, and said that the district court ruling provided incorrect jury instructions and violated Apple's Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial on each patent infringement claim.

Apple and Optis will now return to court for another jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas. In a statement, Optis said it believes it will ultimately receive fair compensation from the court.

We remain highly confident the Court will establish fair compensation for the critical Optis patents that enable high-speed connectivity for millions of Apple devices. Nothing in this decision challenges the fundamental facts, which demonstrate that Apple is infringing Optis patents and permit a new trial on damages. No patents were found to be invalid by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The legal fight between Apple and Optis kicked off in 2019, when Optis claimed that Apple violated LTE patents owned by Optis. Optis was initially awarded $506 million in a 2020 trial, but after appeal, the damages were thrown out because Optis is required to license standard-essential patents under fair and reasonable terms and $506 million did not meet that obligation.

The $300 million award that was thrown out today was the result of a second jury trial in 2021 that also found in Optis' favor. As a patent holding company, Optis does not manufacture products, instead going after tech companies that may violate the patent portfolio that it owns.

Optis also filed infringement claims against Apple in the UK, and in May 2025, Apple was ordered to pay $502 million plus interest after it was found to have violated Optis' UK wireless patents. Apple is also appealing that ruling.
This article, "Apple Saves $300 Million After Appeals Court Win in LTE Patent Fight" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

Portable Chargers

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


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

Wall Chargers

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


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

Charging Stations

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


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


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

Hubs

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


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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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

In the U.S., Apple charges $2,400 to upgrade a Mac mini to 8TB of built-in storage, so using external NVMe storage is a much cheaper option. Satechi's enclosure is available starting today for $119.99, and customers can receive an additional $20 off using code LIMITED20 for a limited time. You have to provide your own NVMe SSD, with 8TB options available for as little as $500 to $700 depending on sales.
This article, "Satechi's New Accessory Lets You Add Up to 8TB of Storage to Mac Mini" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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We are still waiting for Apple's long-rumored AirTag 2 to launch. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the item-tracking accessory.


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


• Improved integration with Apple's spatial computing ecosystem.


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

No major design changes are expected.

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

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