Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 17 Air will come with a key component many years in the making: the C1 modem, which debuted in the iPhone 16e. The idea of a new modem may not sound very exciting, but already with this first version it’s become clear why Apple spent so long developing it. There are cost benefits to ditching Qualcomm, but also user-facing improvements. Here are two killer features Apple’s new C1 enables.

more…

Apple’s M5 iPad Pro is launching this fall, and thanks to the huge upgrades coming in iPadOS 26, it’s set to deliver something users have long asked for: new hardware that’s truly pushed to the limits by it software.

more…

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by 1Password: For a limited time, get $20 off the easiest way to stay secure online with 1Password—featuring a new passkey feature that lets you go passwordless on compatible apps and sites.

more…

Transcend today announced the launch of the ESD420, a portable SSD that includes a magnetic attachment designed to work with MagSafe iPhones.


The ESD420 can be attached to the back of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone and connected using the appropriate cable, such as a USB-C to USB-C cable. It supports ‌iPhone‌ video recording features that require an external SSD, such as 4K ProRes video recording.

Transcend designed the SSD to be compact and portable, and it weighs 48 grams. Transcend says that it offers military-grade drop resistance so that it can withstand shocks and falls, and it is meant to match the ‌iPhone‌ with gold and space gray color options available. Because there is a magnet inside, the SSD can also be attached to other magnetic surfaces for storage purposes.

The ESD420 comes in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. It supports read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, and it comes formatted in the exFAT file system. More information is available on Transcend's website.
This article, "Transcend Launches SSD With MagSafe Compatibility" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Sony’s subsidiary Aniplex Inc. has made Resident Evil: Survival Unit available for pre-order on the App Store, ahead of its release. Way ahead, as it turns out. Here are the details.

more…

Following years in development and countless rumors, Apple’s first foldable iPhone looks to finally be coming next year. Here are five new features rumored for Apple’s first ever iPhone Fold.

more…

Apple recently updated its website with a list of products eligible for upcoming 2025 sales tax holidays in select U.S. states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.


The tax-free holidays will occur in late July to early August, with the exact dates per state and other details outlined on Apple's website.

Sales tax holidays provide a limited-time opportunity to purchase select Apple products online or in stores without paying sales tax. Apple says tax savings may not appear during checkout, but will be reflected on the final receipt.

Apple products that are eligible for the tax-free holidays vary by state, and there are also price limits in some states. The most common eligible products include Macs, iPads, and related accessories, but the iPhone and Apple Vision Pro are also eligible in a few states, and some states allow any item up to a certain price limit.

Sales tax holidays are especially beneficial to students, as the tax savings can be combined with Apple's ongoing Back to School promotion, which offers students a free or discounted accessory like AirPods 4 with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad.
This article, "Apple Lists Products Eligible for Tax-Free Holidays in Nine U.S. States" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple released the HomePod mini nearly five years ago, so you may be wondering when a new version of the speaker will finally arrive.


Below, we recap rumors about a next-generation HomePod mini.

HomePod mini: Timeline

• October 2020: Apple announces the HomePod mini during its iPhone 12 event.


• November 2021: HomePod mini gains blue, orange, and yellow color options.


• January 2023: Apple enables the inactive temperature and humidity sensor in the ‌HomePod mini‌ with a software update.


• July 2024: Apple replaces the HomePod mini's space gray color with a midnight color.

HomePod mini 2: Rumors

In January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was aiming to release a new HomePod mini "toward the end of the year." If that timeframe remains accurate, the HomePod mini 2 will likely be released in September, October, or November this year.

The new HomePod mini will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Gurman. He said the chip will support Wi-Fi 6E, which is much faster and has lower latency compared to the current HomePod mini's Wi-Fi 4.

No other features or changes have been rumored yet, but improved sound quality and a newer processor are safe bets. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. The speaker could also be updated with Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which debuted in iPhone 15 models.

New color options are likely as well.
This article, "HomePod Mini 2 Expected Later This Year With These New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

How long will Tim Cook stay Apple’s CEO? The question has come up often, but a new report indicates any big leadership transition is likely a lot farther off than you might expect.

more…

I went off to college with a giant desktop computer, so I’m a little envious of the gear students have today. I still remember the flex of buying a 64MB USB flash drive just so I could move papers between computers (this was all pre-Google Docs). If you’re heading to campus this fall, here’s the best MagSafe gear to make your dorm setup cleaner, smarter, and less tangled.

more…

YouTube is rolling out, or at least widely testing, a new video player design for its web experience that feels much different.

more…

Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6 updates for testing purposes. The software comes two weeks after Apple released the second betas.


The betas are available to registered developers at the current time, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.

There's no word on what's included in the beta updates at this time and no features were discovered in the first two beta rounds, but we'll update this article if anything new is found.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third Betas of visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the second ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.6 beta.


Developers can opt-in to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.

There's no word yet on what's included in ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.6, and no new features were discovered in the first two betas. Apple's work on ‌macOS Sequoia‌ is winding down as it focuses on macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS that's coming in the fall.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third Beta of macOS Sequoia 15.6" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas.


iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

No notable new features were found in the first two iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 betas, so it's not clear what might be added in the update, though there are some changes to the App Store in the EU due to the DMA. Rumors suggest that Apple wanted to expand Apple Intelligence to China with iOS 18.6, but regulatory hurdles have delayed the launch.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 likely focus on smaller changes and bug fixes, and we'll update this article should anything new be found in the third beta.

Apple is winding down work on iOS 18 and is focusing on iOS 26. ‌iOS 26‌ is in beta testing right now and is set to launch in September alongside new iPhone 17 models.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 18.6 to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple has just released a batch of new betas for the current iOS 18 software cycle: iOS 18.6 and more have received beta 3 updates.

more…

In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start compatible vehicles with select iPhone and Apple Watch models. The feature is based on the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC)'s Digital Key specification, which will be receiving an upgrade soon, according to an announcement today.


Digital Key version 3.0 was released in 2021, adding support for Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology alongside Bluetooth LE. Four years later, it appears that the CCC is currently in the process of readying Digital Key version 4.0. In a press release today, the CCC said that Apple and other CCC members will be conducting real-world testing of Digital Key version 4.0 this week at an event hosted by Apple in Cupertino, California. In an email, a CCC spokesperson said the event is taking place at Apple Park.

Unfortunately, the CCC has not shared many details about Digital Key version 4.0 at this time. All it said is that the latest specification will "further improve cross-platform interoperability and cross-version compatibility" of digital car keys.


Digital Key version 4.0 should enhance the iPhone's car key feature in various ways, but we will have to wait for specific details and a timeframe.

We recently shared a list of vehicles that offer iPhone car keys, including select models from Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, Volvo, and others. During its WWDC 2025 keynote last month, Apple listed other brands that will soon offer the feature, including Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche, Rivian, and more.
This article, "iPhone's Car Key Feature Set to Improve as Apple Tests Digital Key 4.0" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Prime Day is over and while we did see some of the best deals still live this morning, they are going quick so make sure you get in there while you still can – you can grab Apple Watch Series 10 at $120 off for the lowest prices to date still, for example. But there are also some fresh new deals to scope out today including a very rare deal on the 2025 Apple Watch Pride Edition band, as well as Apple USB-C cable deals, OG Apple Watch Ultra at $429 off the original price, a super rare deal on the Nomad 240W USB-C ChargeKey, and up to $170 off Apple’s latest M4 MacBook Air. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

more…

Amazon is offering numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10 devices today, including both GPS and cellular models at $120 off original prices. These deals were introduced last week during Prime Day and have stuck around, so if you missed them you still have a chance to get them this week.

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

Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $279.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles, all of which you can find in the lists below.

42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $279.00, down from $399.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Loop - $279.00, down from $399.00

46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (M/L) - $309.00, down from $429.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $309.00, down from $429.00

42mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (S/M) - $379.99, down from $499.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (S/M) - $379.99, down from $499.00


• Rose Gold Aluminum with Plum Sport Loop - $379.99, down from $499.00

46mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $409.99, down from $529.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $409.99, down from $529.00


• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (M/L) - $409.99, down from $529.00

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

---

This article, "Amazon Takes $120 Off Huge Collection of Apple Watch Series 10 Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Maps is full of updates as part of iOS 26, including a new Liquid Glass design and Preferred Routes proactive feature.

Another notable new feature is Visited Places. Here’s how it works…

more…

iPhone 17 color rumors continue to surface. The latest word is that Apple plans to expand the MacBook Air's new Sky Blue finish to the rumored iPhone 17 Air later this year, according to a leaker known as Majin Bu.


Majin Bu initially claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models would be available in Sky Blue, but today they said that Apple has ultimately decided to limit the color option to the rumored ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Pro models could still be available in a darker blue shade, according to a separate rumor. An image of alleged camera lens covers for the iPhone 17 Pro models suggests that Apple might reintroduce the Blue Titanium color that it offered for the iPhone 15 Pro models, after skipping that finish for the iPhone 16 Pro models.

iPhone 16 Pro models are available in four colors: Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, White Titanium, and Black Titanium.

As for the iPhone 17 Air, other rumored color options besides Sky Blue include Black, Silver, and Gold, according to Majin Bu. The leaker was most recently accurate about iPadOS 26 adding a Mac-like menu bar to iPads, but they were seemingly wrong about iOS 26 expanding the iPad's Stage Manager feature to iPhones.
This article, "Sky Blue Color Now Rumored for iPhone 17 Air Instead of iPhone 17 Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Last week multiple leaks revealed the colors to expect from iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air this fall. But now, a new leak of camera parts for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max provides a first look at the likely colors for those models too.

more…

Best Buy today has Apple's M2 13-inch MacBook Air on sale for $699.00, down from $799.00. This deal is available in Starlight and Midnight color options, with both pickup and delivery options.

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

This MacBook Air is a previous-generation model that launched in 2022, featuring Apple's M2 chip and 16GB of memory with a 256GB SSD. Although a few years old, the M2 MacBook Air is still a great option for anyone looking for a day-to-day laptop, especially at this low price.



The M2 MacBook Air features a 13.6-inch display with a notch, MagSafe charging, a 1080p camera, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. When it debuted in the summer of 2022, pricing for the MacBook Air started at $1,199.00.

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

---

This article, "Get Apple's M2 MacBook Air for $699 at Best Buy" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

What’s a Mac app that was included on the very first Macintosh back in 1984 – long before the internet – and still exists on today’s machines, albeit with a different name?

Designer and author Marcin Wichery has not only traced the first 20 years of development of that app, but has also included emulators that let you experience it for yourself …

more…

Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models may have a new copper-like orange color option, according to Sonny Dickson.


In a social media post today, Dickson shared images of alleged lens covers for the rear cameras on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, with the following five color labels: black, gray, silver, dark blue, and orange.

The black, gray, and silver colors likely correspond with the existing Black Titanium, Natural Titanium, and White Titanium finishes for the iPhone 16 Pro models, while the presence of a dark blue lens cover suggests that Apple might reintroduce the Blue Titanium color option that it offered for the iPhone 15 Pro models.

The orange lens cover is the most notable one, as it could point to an all-new copper color that Apple has never offered for any iPhone models before.


It is unclear if the images are authentic, or if Apple finalized these color options.

Dickson has routinely shared images of dummy models, cases, CAD files, and other components related to future iPhone models over the years, and these images have often accurately depicted new color options or design changes.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, so we will find out if these colors are the real deal in just two more months.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Have All-New Unique Color Option" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums