The Connectivity Standards Alliance that counts Apple as a member today released Matter 1.5, the latest version of the cross-platform smart home standard. Matter 1.5 includes support for cameras, closures, and soil sensors, along with updated energy management capabilities.


Matter 1.5 will allow for Matter-enabled cameras without custom APIs or integrations. Matter cameras support live video and audio streaming through WebRTC, enabling two-way talk and local and remote access. Multi-stream specifications are supported, as are pan-tilt-zoom controls, motion detection, privacy zones, and flexible storage options. Clip playback and storage are handled by the device maker or platform, and on-camera audio and video analysis is not available.

The specification will work with doorbell cameras, indoor and outdoor security cameras, flood light cameras, baby and nanny cameras, pan/tilt cameras, and more. Cameras can connect with Wi-Fi, PoE, or Ethernet. There is built-in backward compatibility for most modern cameras, but manufacturers will need to decide which devices will get support.

There is an updated and unified approach to closures, a category that includes devices like window shades, drapes, awnings, gates, and garage doors. Different kinds of motion are supported, such as sliding, rotating, and opening, along with multiple configurations.

The Alliance says that consumers can expect more consistent and flexible control of closures across apps and ecosystems, along with clear knowledge of whether a device like a garage door is open or closed.

For plant care, Matter 1.5 adds support for soil sensors. Soil sensors are able to measure soil moisture and temperature, and can be combined with Matter-based water valves or irrigation systems for automating watering.

Matter 1.5 includes new energy management features. Utilities, grid operators, and energy services can provide real-time and forecasted pricing, tariff, and carbon data with devices. Devices can use the information to estimate and report true energy costs and carbon impact. Better smart metering support provides more accurate cost and consumption tracking.

Now that the Matter 1.5 standard has been released, manufacturers will be able to develop new kinds of Matter devices, and platforms will be able to integrate support for those devices.

This article, "Matter 1.5 Launches With Camera Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Given Apple’s profitability, it won’t come as any surprise to learn that the company generates a huge amount of revenue per employee.

The figure itself is a little more eye-opening, at $2,413,171 – but it’s still not enough to give Apple first place in the tech giant rankings …

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The official AirPods Pro 3 Black Friday deal is now live at Amazon. Amazon’s 2025 Black Friday week sale is now live and offering Apple’s brand new AirPods Pro 3 at $219.99 shipped alongside AirPods 4 with ANC at the $109.99 all-time low.

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Like its predecessor, the M5 Vision Pro is currently only available in a limited number of countries. Apple just added two more to the roster as it opened pre-orders in Korea and Taiwan.

Potential customers in both countries can also book Apple Store appointments from today for a personalized trial of the spatial computer …

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A Doordash data breach has exposed the personal data of an unspecified number of customers, including name, phone number, email address, and physical address.

The food delivery company says that it has implemented a number of security measures in response, including reporting the attack to law enforcement …

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Apple has announced pre-orders are now open for the Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band in Korea and Taiwan, preceding a launch in both countries on Friday, November 28.


Apple's updated Vision Pro moves to the M5 chip, bringing a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine, while retaining 16GB of RAM.

Battery life has been increased to about three hours of video playback, up from 2.5 hours. The displays render 10% more pixels and now support a 120Hz refresh rate for sharper visuals and reduced motion blur.

The M5 also adds hardware-accelerated ray tracing, mesh shading, and up to 50% faster AI performance. Design and connectivity remain unchanged, including the R1 chip, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and the tethered battery.

The updated Dual Knit Band combines two straps in one piece: an upper strap over the head and a lower strap across the back. Tungsten inserts in the lower strap act as counterweights for balance and comfort, and both straps can be adjusted with the Fit Dial.

In Korea, the Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip with Dual Knit Band starts at 4,990,000 won and is available with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage capacity, while the Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for 149,000 won.

In Taiwan, the headset and band starts at NT$119,900, while the Dual Knit Band can be had separately for NT$3,490.

Apple launched the M5 Vision Pro on October 15 in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
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In September, Apple controversially cancelled the launch of new series The Savant, seemingly in the wake of the murder of political activist Charlie Kirk. The company said it looks forward to releasing the show at a later time, but two months on, there’s still no release date in sight. It’s listed as “coming at a later date” in the TV app.

Meanwhile, Apple TV has perhaps just repeated the same fiasco for a second time. The service was set to premiere French-language series The Hunt on December 3, having released a trailer earlier this month. But now, all references to The Hunt have been scrubbed, including removal of the press release from the Apple TV PR newsroom and the YouTube trailer is now marked private.

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The Apple Store today announced its Black Friday shopping event, which runs November 28 through December 1. Shoppers can get up to a $250 gift card when buying eligible Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch and more.

Apple’s gift card promotions don’t generally represent the best value for money. For instance, you can buy AirPods 4 on Amazon right now discounted more than the $25 gift card value Apple is offering in this promotion. Similarly, the 15-inch MacBook Air is discounted by $250 right now on Amazon, exceeding the $200 gift card Apple is offering … As always, for the best deals around, check out 9to5Toys.

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Apple is working on a 12th-generation iPad, and plans to update the most affordable tablet in the ‌iPad‌ lineup next spring. It's not going to be a major update, but if you're planning a purchase, you might want to wait for the newest model.

Design

There are no rumors of an updated design for the 12th-generation ‌iPad‌, so it will likely have the same 11-inch edge-to-edge display with Touch ID Side Button and thick bezels.

Apple last updated the ‌iPad‌'s design with the 10th-generation model, giving the device a more modern look to better match the designs of the iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

The low-cost ‌iPad‌ is only available in a single screen size, and it is Apple's thickest tablet at 7mm. It features a Retina LED display with no ProMotion support, no P3 wide color, and no lamination (display technology that allows for improved visuals) compared to Apple's other tablets.

Apple makes the low-cost ‌iPad‌ in several fun colors, and we could see some new shades in 2026. Current colors include blue, pink, silver, and yellow.

No changes are expected for the rear camera, front camera, USB-C port, or compatibility with accessories like the Apple Pencil.

A-Series Processor

Rumors suggest the low-cost ‌iPad‌ will use Apple's A18 chip, which is the chip that Apple used for the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus. It is built on a 3-nanometer process and it will offer speed and efficiency improvements over the A16 chip that's in the current model.

The A16 chip that Apple used in 2025 does not support Apple Intelligence, but the A18 does, so that will mark a major update for Apple's affordable tablet. The 2026 model should be able to support ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that are unavailable with the 2025 model.

The A18 also offers hardware-accelerated ray tracing and similar features for improved gameplay.

The 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ has 6GB RAM, but Apple will need to bump that up to 8GB for ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

N1 Chip

Apple debuted its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, called the N1, in the iPhone 17 models. The N1 was added to the ‌iPad Pro‌, and it's likely that Apple plans to add the chip to all future devices coming in 2026 and beyond.

The N1 chip supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread networking technology for smart home devices.

The 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ is limited to Wi-Fi 6, so if the 12th-generation version does indeed get Wi-Fi 7, it will be able to connect to faster 6GHz networks for the first time. Bluetooth 6 would also be an improvement over Bluetooth 5.3.

Apple Modem

Apple has designed C1 and C1X modem chips that it has used in iPhones and iPads in 2025, and the next-generation version of the ‌iPad‌ could also get an Apple-designed modem chip for cellular models.

Apple's modem chips are more power efficient than Qualcomm chips while providing similar performance.

Pricing

The 11th-generation ‌iPad‌ is priced starting at $349 for 128GB of storage, and there are so far no indications that pricing is going to change for the 12th-generation model.

Launch Date

Apple plans to release the new low-cost ‌iPad‌ in spring 2026, which is a timeframe that spans from March 20 to June 20. The launch will likely come sometime in March or April, with Apple also set to update the ‌iPad Air‌.
This article, "12th-Generation iPad: Release Date, Specs, and Everything We Know About Apple's 2026 Budget Tablet" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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There are now 13 states that have added support for storing a driver's license or ID in the Apple Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch, with more to come.

States With iPhone Digital ID Support

• Arizona


• California


• Colorado


• Georgia


• Hawaii


• Illinois


• Iowa


• Maryland


• Montana


• New Mexico


• North Dakota


• Ohio


• West Virginia

Arizona, Maryland, and Colorado were some of the first states to add support back in 2022, while Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Illinois just added support this year.

Digital IDs are also able to be added to the Wallet app in Puerto Rico.

States Planning to Add Support

Several states have announced plans to support digital IDs in the Wallet app in the future.

• Connecticut


• Kentucky


• Mississippi


• Oklahoma


• Utah

There's no word on when these states plan to add support, nor on other states that have not yet committed to introducing the functionality.

Passport Digital IDs

As of November 2025, Apple is allowing ‌iPhone‌ users to create a Digital ID in the Wallet app using a U.S. passport. ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch users who do not live in a state that supports digital IDs and driver's licenses can instead use their passport to create an ‌iPhone‌ ID.



Digital IDs created using a passport work the same way as state IDs and driver's licenses added to the Wallet app.

TSA Support

TSA security checkpoints at most major airports in the United States accept digital IDs in lieu of a physical ID. Digital IDs in the Wallet app can only be used for domestic travel.

Age Verification

State IDs stored in the Wallet app can be used for age verification purposes at businesses and retailers that support the functionality. Apple is also adding support for using IDs for age verification in apps and on websites.

Physical ID Requirements

Most states say that ‌iPhone‌ users are still required to present a physical ID if requested, and a digital ID cannot be used in lieu of an actual ID.

Digital IDs based on a passport cannot be used for international travel or border crossing purposes, so a physical passport is still required.

How to Add an ID

An eligible driver's license, ID, or passport can be added to the Wallet app on ‌iPhone‌ by tapping on the "+" sign in the upper right corner and then choosing the "Driver's License and ID Cards" option.

Device Compatibility

Using the digital ID feature in the Wallet app requires an ‌iPhone‌ 8 or later with iOS 16.5 or later or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 9.5 or later.

Adding a passport requires an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or later running iOS 26.1 or later or an Apple Watch Series 6 running watchOS 26.1 or later.
This article, "Here Are All the States That Support Digital Driver's Licenses in the iPhone Wallet App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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TikTok today announced that it will let users limit the amount of AI-generated content that they see in their feeds. There will be a new AI content control toggle in the Manage Topics section of TikTok, with a slider for adjusting the AI content in the For You feed.


TikTok's Manage Topics section allows users to adjust the content that they see across categories like Dance, Sports, Current Affairs, Fashion, Health, and more. AI will be added as a new option "in the coming weeks."

People who like AI-generated content can opt to see more, while those who want to see less can "dial things down," according to TikTok. There won't be a toggle to turn AI-generated content off entirely.

TikTok is also testing an AI-generated content labeling system called invisible watermarking. Invisible watermarking will prevent labels denoting content as AI-generated from being removed when the content is reuploaded or shared on another platform. The invisible watermark will be harder to remove from metadata.

Invisible watermarks will be added to AI-generated content made with TikTok tools like AI Editor Pro, as well as content uploaded with C2PA Content Credentials.
This article, "TikTok Adds Toggle to Limit AI Content in For You Feed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Google today announced several new features that are coming to the Google Maps app, including Gemini-powered tips, trending places, and estimates on EV charger availability.


When searching for places in the Google Maps app like restaurants or hotels, there's now a "Know Before You Go" section that's powered by Gemini. The section provides tips on what to expect, pulling information from user reviews and other online content. It can include tips on how to book a reservation, what the secret menu items are, where to park, and more.

An updated Explore tab features trending and popular restaurants, activities, and popular sites near you. The suggestions can be accessed by swiping up, with curated lists from trusted sites easier to access.

Electric vehicle owners already have access to real-time information on whether charging locations have an open spot, but Google Maps will now use AI to predict how many chargers will likely be available at your arrival time to a charging location. Google says the feature uses AI to analyze historical and real-time charger availability for predictions so you can avoid charging lines.

Finally, Google is now adding support for sharing reviews without using your real name. Users can choose a nickname and profile picture to be associated with their reviews.

Insider tips are available today for iOS users, while the updated Explore tab and the review name change option is rolling out this month. Charger predictions will initially be limited to Android Auto and cars with Google built-in, but the functionality could eventually expand.
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Following Apple’s detailing yesterday of its 3D printing process for the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, iFixIt is out today with an even deeper dive into the company’s 3D printing techniques. Here’s what they found.

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The European Commission (EC) today announced a new digital package that relaxes some of the rules implemented with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that has protected European consumers since 2018.


Part of the change to the GDPR includes a modernization of cookie rules that should result in fewer pop-up cookie agreements on websites. The EC says that users will be able to indicate their cookie consent with a single click, with those preferences saved through the central settings of preferences in browsers and operating systems.

It sounds like browser makers will need to have a GDPR toggle that informs websites of a user's preference, eliminating the need for users to consent to cookies on a site-by-site basis.

In addition to changing GDPR cookie requirements, the EC's proposal allows personal data to be used to train AI without express consent, simplifies cybersecurity reporting, improves access to data through simplified rules, and more, with full details available in the European Commission's press release. It also delays the implementation of parts of the Artificial Intelligence Act, giving companies a longer period to comply with the rules.

Critics of the changes suggest that the EC is watering down the GDPR and rolling back consumer protections. European Digital Rights (EDRi) said that the EC's changes risk "dismantling the very foundation of human rights and tech policy in the EU."
This article, "Europe Wants to Cut Down on Annoying GDPR Cookie Pop-Ups" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’re in the market for an excellent 3-in-1 charging stand ahead of the holiday season, Anker’s new 3-in-1 Prime MagSafe charger could be an excellent pick. It offers 25W MagSafe charging with Qi2.2 support, as well as support for Apple Watch and AirPods – making it an excellent pick for Apple users.

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T-Mobile's Apple TV On Us promotion is ending, and T-Mobile has been informing customers that access to the ‌Apple TV‌ streaming service will no longer be free starting on January 1, 2026.


Going forward, T-Mobile subscribers with a higher-tier plan like Experience More, Experience Beyond, Go5G Plus, Magenta Plus, and more can get discounted access to Apple TV, but will need to pay a $3 per month fee.

T-Mobile has offered customers free ‌Apple TV‌ streaming access since 2021, but earlier this year, Apple increased the price of the ‌Apple TV‌ service from $9.99 per month to $12.99 per month. T-Mobile will now only provide a $9.99 per month discount, requiring customers to pay the difference.

Carriers have been pulling back on freebies in recent months. Verizon recently ended free Apple Arcade access, and it has unbundled its plans from free perks. Verizon now offers discounts for streaming add-ons, but it does not provide them for free except for some legacy subscribers who have not updated to newer plans. Verizon also nixed its loyalty discounts.

T-Mobile recently ended its Jump on Demand leasing program, and discontinued its partnership with Google offering unlimited Google Photos storage.
This article, "T-Mobile Won't Offer Free Apple TV Subscription Anymore" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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MLB today announced new media rights agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal, and Netflix, and confirmed that, contrary to previous reports, Apple will continue to stream “Friday Night Baseball”. Here are the details.

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Following the announcement yesterday, Gemini 3 Pro is now rolling out to the Gemini app on Android and iOS.

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Apple TV subscribers will continue to have access to two Friday Night Major League Baseball games for the 2026 to 2028 seasons, Major League Baseball said today.


There were rumors that Apple would both abandon and expand MLB coverage, but that information turned out to be inaccurate. Apple's deal with MLB remains the same, despite new rights agreements that MLB has established with Netflix, ESPN, and NBCUniversal.

Sunday Night Baseball, Sunday Leadoff, and the Wild Card Series will move from ESPN to NBC. Netflix will air the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and special games that will include the 2026 Field of Dreams Game and the World Baseball Classic in Japan. ESPN will have rights to a national midweek game package and will sell MLB.TV, MLB's out-of-market streaming service.

Fox will air the All-Star Game and regular season games, along with the World Series, League Championship Series and Division Series. TBS will air LCS and Division Series telecasts, along with regular season games on Tuesday nights.

Apple has offered Friday Night Baseball since 2022, providing a doubleheader with pregame and postgame analysis. Friday Night Baseball is free to ‌Apple TV‌ subscribers.

Apple will have access to Friday night games through 2028 due to a 7-year deal that was established in 2022. The 2026 season will begin on March 25, 2026, with Apple's first games to air on Friday, March 27.
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With iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, Apple is removing a key Wi-Fi sharing feature from iPhone and Apple Watch in the European Union due to interoperability requirements under the Digital Markets Act.

This news was first reported last month by French publication Numerama. The report explained that starting with iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, iPhone won’t be able to sync Wi-Fi history to a newly-paired Apple Watch like it can now.

Here are more details on how exactly this will work and why Apple is making the change.

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Apple has faced tremendous challenges in 2025, but it’s closing the year on a high note. Here’s why the company’s momentum is strong heading into 2026, and the key role Siri can play in keeping good times rolling.

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Fandango is offering an "Apple Pay Wednesday" promotion that discounts movie tickets by $5 when making a purchase with ‌Apple Pay‌ in the Fandango app or on the Fandango website. Customers will need to use the promo code APPLEPAYWED when checking out to get the deal.


The discount can be used for tickets at any theater that supports Fandango, and at any date and time, so purchases do not have to be for same-day tickets. ‌Apple Pay‌ is required when checking out to get the $5 discount.

Fandango says that there are a limited quantity of code redemptions allowed for the promotion, and it is first come first served while supplies last. The code is only valid on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

There is a one-time use only per email address limit with a maximum $5 discount.

Apple has teamed up with Fandango for promotions multiple times in the past, most recently offering ‌Apple Pay‌ customers $10 off F1 movie ticket purchases.
This article, "Apple Pay Promo Offers $5 Off Fandango Movie Tickets Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple CEO Tim Cook attended a White House dinner that U.S. President Donald Trump arranged for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, reports The New York Times.


The dinner marked Prince Mohammed's first visit to the United States since the October 2018 murder of author and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency determined that the prince ordered the killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Ahead of the dinner, U.S. President Donald Trump defended the prince and said "A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about," when responding to a question from a reporter that asked about Khashoggi.

Cook previously met Prince Mohammed in April 2018 to discuss education and app development opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Apple has since invested $2 billion in Saudi Arabian companies, and Cook last visited the country in December 2024.

Apple launched an online store in Saudi Arabia in July 2025, and it plans to open retail locations in the country in 2026.

Other tech attendees included X CEO Elon Musk, Dell CEO Michael Dell, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, and AMD CEO Linda Su.
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