The 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference is coming up quick, with less than a week to go before the big keynote event. We're sharing a series of rumor recaps this week, for those who want to get a sneak peek at some of the features expected in Apple's upcoming software updates.


iOS 26 is definitely the OS that we've heard the most about, and rumors suggest that it's going to get a major design overhaul. We've highlighted everything we know below.

Naming

iOS 18 is not going to iOS 19, with Apple instead opting to change the numbering for its software updates. Instead, we're going to get ‌iOS 26‌, which will be released alongside iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.


The "26" in the name marks the September 2025 to September 2026 release season for ‌iOS 26‌. Next year we'll get iOS 27, then iOS 28, and so on. All software updates now share the same year number, which makes it easier to keep new releases straight.

Design Updates

‌iOS 26‌ is going to get a major design revamp, adopting some visual elements from the visionOS operating system. Inside Apple, the design project is referred to as "Solarium," which hints at what we can expect.


A solarium is an all-glass room that's designed to let in sunlight, and rumors suggest that ‌iOS 26‌ will adopt a more translucent, glass-inspired aesthetic.

visionOS has a translucent interface to allow people to see their surroundings in AR or VR while also interacting with app menus and windows. visionOS windows blend into the background for an unobtrusive look, and on the iPhone, Apple could adopt the same translucent focus to let content shine through.

‌iOS 26‌ is also expected to get some of the floating on-screen windows and menus that are used in visionOS, with rounded pop-up navigation and menu bars that float above the content on the display. Apple could use shading, shadowing, and subtle lighting effects to give buttons and other interface elements a slight lift.

App icons could be rounder, and notifications, menus in apps, search bars, card-style interfaces, and other parts of the iOS user interface could have more rounded corners than we're used to. The floating navigation bars are expected to be pill-shaped, for example.

‌iOS 26‌ has been described as having a glossy or glass-like look, which is also how visionOS looks. Apple's WWDC 2025 teaser images feature a frosted glass rainbow with soft colors, and those images might hint at what's coming. Apple could use a soft, frosted glass style across ‌iOS 26‌.

Mockups that are allegedly based on real ‌iOS 26‌ designs were shared earlier this year by Front Page Tech, demonstrating some of the design changes that might be in store.


A mockup of the Camera app, for example, has translucent pop-out menus that better blend into the background to put the focus on the images.

Newer Apple apps like Apple Sports and Invites have simpler, translucent interface elements with expanding buttons, and could also serve as an example of the design language Apple is debuting in ‌iOS 26‌.



Apple is planning to overhaul its built-in apps with the updated design, though some will get bigger refreshes than others. Apple will also provide developers with design guidelines and assets so that third-party apps can adopt the new aesthetic as well.

Navigation Simplification and Streamlining

Along with a new look, Apple is also going to streamline navigation options in ‌iOS 26‌. Apple is tweaking menus, buttons, and navigation to make the operating system simpler to learn and navigate.

Some of the design and interface changes will also extend to macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS, improving design consistency and navigation across Apple's operating systems.

Apple Intelligence Features

There are several new Apple Intelligence features that are expected in ‌iOS 26‌.

AI Battery Management

An AI-powered battery management feature will analyze how you use your ‌iPhone‌ and make adjustments to maximize battery life. The option will be able to limit the power draw of apps and other system features based on device usage.

Battery management will be particularly useful for the iPhone 17 Air that will have a smaller battery than other iPhones, but it will be available on iPhones that are able to run ‌iOS 26‌.

Shortcuts App

Apple plans to update the Shortcuts app with ‌Apple Intelligence‌, allowing users to create actions that use ‌Apple Intelligence‌ models. With this functionality, Shortcuts could be easier to use, with even casual users able to create useful shortcuts using natural language.

Google Gemini

Apple and Google are close to establishing a deal that will add Google Gemini to the ‌iPhone‌ as an alternative to ChatGPT, and that's a feature that we'll likely see in ‌iOS 26‌. Google Gemini would integrate with Siri like ChatGPT, with ‌Siri‌ able to hand requests over to Gemini for more in-depth AI-powered answers.

Siri

We're still waiting on all of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ personalized ‌Siri‌ features that Apple debuted at WWDC 2024. Those updates are expected to come at some point in ‌iOS 26‌, but they may not be ready for the launch version of the software. If the functionality isn't ready to go, Apple isn't going to mention it at ‌WWDC 2025‌ to avoid further embarrassment.

Here's what's coming, eventually:

• Personal Context - ‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of everything on your device, like emails, messages, files, and more, helping you complete tasks and find things.


• Onscreen awareness - ‌Siri‌ will know what's on your screen and will be able to complete actions involving whatever you're looking at.


• Deeper App Integration - ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and tasks that are not possible with the personal assistant right now. This will be a feature available for Apple's apps and third-party apps.

Gaming App

Apple has a new gaming app planned, and it'll replace Game Center and add more functionality than ever before. It's going to house the games section of the App Store, so you'll be able to find and launch games from one convenient gaming-centric spot.

The app is also expected to feature communication options for connecting with other players, in-game achievements, editorial content and recommendations, and leaderboards.

New Features for Existing Apps

Rumors suggest that there are several new features coming to existing Apple apps.

• Messages - Automatic translations and support for polls.


• Music - Full screen animated art on the Lock Screen.


• Notes - Markdown support.


• CarPlay - Updated user interface to match ‌iOS 26‌.

AirPods Live Translate

With an AirPods firmware update, an ‌iOS 26‌ feature will allow the AirPods to translate in-person conversations from one language to another. If an English speaker with AirPods is conversing with someone who is speaking Spanish, the ‌iPhone‌ will detect the audio, translate the speech, and relay it back in English to the AirPods wearer.

Connectivity

Apple is adding a new feature that will synchronize captive Wi-Fi portal login information across devices, so you'll only need to enter login details for a captive Wi-Fi network once, and it'll be available on all of your Apple products. Captive networks are common in hotels, airports, coffee shops, and other locations with shared or paid internet options.

Apple might also make it easier for ‌iPhone‌ users to transfer an eSIM to an Android smartphone.

Health App

There's a new Health app coming, but it might not be ready when ‌iOS 26‌ launches, so Apple might not be planning to unveil it just yet. The revamped app will apparently offer AI-powered health coating features with personalized health recommendations.

There may also be new food tracking functionality that would allow users to keep track of their calorie intake each day.

Stage Manager

There's a possibility that Apple will add a Stage Manager feature for ‌iPhone‌ models that have a USB-C port, with the feature activating when an ‌iPhone‌ is connected to an external display over USB-C.

‌Stage Manager‌ would allow multiple apps to be opened at once, offering a more Mac-like experience when an ‌iPhone‌ is used with a display.

Accessibility Features

Apple previewed new Accessibility features coming to ‌iOS 26‌ earlier this year, and there are some interesting new additions.

• Music Haptics - Music Haptics will get customization options so haptics can be enabled for an entire song or just vocals, plus there will be options to adjust the intensity of taps, textures, and vibrations.


• App Store Labels - ‌App Store‌ product pages will get Accessibility Nutrition Labels that highlight accessibility features in apps.


• Accessibility Reader - Accessibility Reader is a systemwide reading mode that will make text easier to read thanks to customization features for adjusting font, color, spacing, and more.


• CarPlay - CarPlay is getting support for Large Text and Sound Recognition that will alert drivers to the sound of a crying baby, horns, and sirens.


• Background Sounds - Background Sounds will be customizable with new EQ settings, timers, and automation actions in Shortcuts.


• Personal Voice - Personal Voice will let users preserve their voice faster and more easily. It will use on-device machine learning to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in under a minute.


• Tracking - Head tracking and eye tracking are getting updates, plus Apple is adding support for Brain Computer Interface devices.

iPadOS 26

iPadOS 26 is going to get the same design updates that are coming to the ‌iPhone‌, so it will have the same glass-like, translucent look.

Apple is also rumored to be working on adding new features that will make the iPad experience more like using a Mac, introducing improved productivity, new multitasking features, and expanded window management options.

iPadOS 26 may have a Mac-like menu bar when connected to a Magic Keyboard, plus Apple is adding a new reed calligraphy pen option for Apple Pencil users that need to write Arabic script.

Compatibility

Rumors suggest that ‌iOS 26‌ will not be available on the ‌iPhone‌ XR, ‌iPhone‌ XS, or the ‌iPhone‌ XS Max, but it will run on all other iPhones that support ‌iOS 18‌.

• iPhone 16e


• iPhone 16


• ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus


• iPhone 16 Pro


• ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max


• iPhone 15


• ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus


• ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro


• ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max


• ‌iPhone‌ 14


• ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus


• ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro


• ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max


• ‌iPhone‌ 13


• ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini


• ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro


• ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max


• ‌iPhone‌ 12


• iPhone 12 mini


• ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro


• iPhone 12 Pro Max


• ‌iPhone‌ 11


• ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro


• iPhone 11 Pro Max


• ‌iPhone‌ SE (2nd generation or later)

While these iPhones will support ‌iOS 26‌, advanced features may be limited to newer iPhones with faster processors. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in ‌iOS 18‌, for example, only runs on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and the ‌iPhone 16‌ models.

Read More

More info on all of the rumored features that we know about so far can be found in our iOS 26 roundup.

WWDC 2025 Keynote

Apple's ‌WWDC 2025‌ keynote will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website, on YouTube, and in the TV app.


If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.
This article, "WWDC 2025: iOS 26 Rumored Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iOS 26 Messages app will include a new translate feature, according to 9to5Mac. Messages will apparently be able to automatically translate incoming and outgoing messages when you're conversing with someone who speaks another language.


You can already long press on an incoming message and choose the translate option to translate it to another language, but it seems the process could be sped up with automatic translation options.

Apple is also said to be planning to add an option for a polls in the Messages, which would allow people in group chats to vote. The polls option could be powered by Apple Intelligence, with Apple suggesting polling categories.

9to5Mac claims that Apple is also working on several other features:

• Music - Full screen animated art on the Lock Screen.


• Notes - Markdown support.


• CarPlay - Updated user interface to match ‌iOS 26‌.

All of the new features in ‌iOS 26‌ will be unveiled at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is set to begin next week.
This article, "iOS 26 Messages App Rumored to Get Polls and Automatic Translate Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Next Monday at 1 PM ET, Apple will unveil its biggest OS redesign since iOS 7, its biggest OS rename ever, and, lack of Apple Intelligence blow-away notwithstanding, a slew of welcome features and improvements across all its operating systems.

And while much of the spotlight will probably shine on the visual overhaul, 9to5Mac has learned that Apple has also been quietly preparing a handful of enhancements to everyday apps like Messages, Music, Notes, and even CarPlay. Some of which could be announced as early as next week.

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Apple is planning to overhaul its chip design for the 2026 iPhones, in a move that could mark the first time it uses advanced multi-chip packaging in a mobile device. It sounds complicated, but here’s what this means.

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Airthings is a company known for its air quality sensors, and today it introduced its newest digital radon detector, the Corentium Home 2. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be aware of radon, but exposure to radon over time can lead to lung cancer, and many people aren't aware that there's radon in their homes.


The Corentium Home 2 is a follow up to the original Corentium Home, and while it does not include HomeKit, it does have an iOS app that's able to connect to your iPhone over Bluetooth to deliver regular readings. It monitors radon levels, humidity, and temperature, and can send an alert if levels exceed a set threshold. When a reading is out of range, the display will let you know, so you can open the app to download the data to check in. Wi-Fi would be nice to have for continual data without the need to connect, but so far, the connection and data downloads have been quick and reliable.

Design wise, the Corentium Home 2 is fairly simple. It's made from black plastic, with a small square screen where you can see the radon, humidity, and temperature readings at a glance. There's a button on the front that cycles through each view, and that's about it except for a battery compartment and a button inside the battery compartment that activates Bluetooth. It connects to an ‌iPhone‌ over Bluetooth to sync data to the accompanying app, and the app has the same straightforward design.


The app features current radon, humidity, and temperature levels, along with options to view results over time. Options include 24 hours, seven days, 30 days, and a year. You'll see averages over each time period, but you can also tap into each section for more granular data. When you're viewing data, the app has a neat haptic feature. When you tap along the line graph, rather than just jumping from one spot to another, it will quickly run through the different averages, which is useful for getting an in-depth look in just a few seconds.

The app and the graph use green for "good" radon readings, yellow for readings that exceed the good category, and red for danger zone readings, while it uses the same colors for humidity and adds blue for temperature. The app has built-in thresholds that aren't customizable, but seem to be based on generally accepted ideal indoor radon, humidity, and temperature settings.


As long as radon readings are below 2.7 pCi/L (that's picocuries per liter), the app and the sensor won't raise an alarm. The yellow zone is between 2.7 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, while the red zone is above 4 pCi/L. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that people address radon at levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, with a stronger recommendation at above 4 pCi/L.


For temperature, the Corentium Home 2 green zone is between 64 and 77 degrees, the red zone is above 77 degrees (aka it's hot), and the blue zone is below 64 degrees (it's cold). Humidity is red above 70 percent and below 25 percent (these extremes are unpleasant for people and for wood floors and items in your home), yellow between 25 and 30 percent and also 60 and 70 percent, and green between 30 and 60 percent. The EPA recommends humidity levels between 30 and 50 for optimal comfort, but the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute recommends between 40 and 60 percent. Drier air can lead to dry mucus membranes and an increase in infections, while moister air can cause mold. Ideals may vary based on climate and personal preference, so I do wish Airthings allowed the thresholds for temperature and humidity to be adjusted if needed.

You can opt in or opt out of alerts for radon, temperature, and humidity. Radon alerts are turned on by default, but can be toggled off in the app's settings, while the other options can be toggled on. Units of measurement can be changed in the app, and there's also an option to check pollen levels if you provide the app with your location.


There are much more affordable temperature and humidity sensors on the market, so most people are likely going to want to pick up the Corentium Home 2 for the radon detection, with temperature and humidity readings serving as a bonus. There are multiple kinds of radon testing. Some are small packets of activated charcoal that you leave in place before sending them off to a lab, while there are also expensive professional level testing machines and mid-tier sensors like the Corentium Home 2.


The mail-in tests are the most affordable and the professional tests are the most expensive, but neither provides monitoring over time like the Corentium Home 2 does. Radon is a significant enough issue that if you're in an area with radon levels that are known to be high, keeping an eye on radon levels over time can provide peace of mind.

The EPA has a radon zone map [PDF], and much of the U.S. has high to moderate potential for indoor radon levels over 2 pCi/L. Radon comes from soil, rock, and groundwater, and it can seep into your home without you knowing because it is invisible and has no odor. The EPA estimates that there are 21,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths each year, and there is no established "safe" level of radon exposure. Exposure is continuous even at low levels, and it is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke.

I had average radon levels of 5.7 pCi/L in my house, and it sometimes spiked to 8 pCi/L, so I am familiar with radon and radon testing. I have had my home radon tested several times, before and after a radon mitigation system was installed. I don't have a recent professional test (the last was in 2023), but the levels that the Corentium Home 2 show are in line with the results of the post mitigation testing that I had done (below 2 pCi/L on average).

The Corentium Home 2's radon readouts appear to be accurate to me, as are the temperature and humidity sensors. I have several SensorPush sensors that I use regularly and that are calibrated, and the Corentium Home 2 is generally within a percent on both temperature and humidity each time I've checked.

Even with a radon mitigation system, an option to see radon levels continually prevents anxiety over spikes in concentration and settles the question of whether mitigation is working. Radon levels can fluctuate quite a bit depending on outdoor conditions, time of year, and other factors, plus they can vary by room, so the other great thing about the Corentium Home 2 is that you can move it around and make sure there are no hot spots.


Radon monitors are typically placed in the lowest area of the home (that's where the gas settles), and several feet from a door or window that's opened regularly, because that can affect the readout. With the Corentium Home 2, you'll get your first reading within 24 hours, and continual readings after that. You need to test for around 30 days to get a clear picture of radon over time, and data will download from the device to the app each time you open up the app.

If it turns out that you do have a radon issue, the app can provide information on what to do about it. You can also turn on a "Connect with a professional" setting that will automatically contact a local company that deals with radon if you get a high reading, but I think most people are intelligent enough to seek out their own help.

The Corentium Home 2 operates on two AA batteries. I'm not yet sure how long the batteries will last, but AA is a battery type a lot of people keep on hand, and battery use seems minimal given that data is transferred over Bluetooth.

Bottom Line

Most of us have carbon monoxide sensors and smoke detectors in our homes, but radon can be just as dangerous. The Corentium Home 2 is $180, which feels like a reasonable price to pay to be able to keep an eye on radon fluctuations over time.

If you don't have a radon mitigation system or aren't familiar with radon, it can let you know if there's a problem. If you do have mitigation already and are aware of an issue, it can let you know that your system is working as intended.

How to Buy

The Corentium Home 2 can be purchased from the Airthings website or from Amazon for $180.
This article, "Review: iPhone-Connected Corentium Home 2 Radon Monitor Provides Peace of Mind" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Crafting a smart home ecosystem can be tricky. There are a lot of product categories, and it can be hard to know which ones to prioritize. Here are some of my go-to smart home recommendations for outfitting your smart home setup … and they all integrate with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

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Apple’s big WWDC keynote is next Monday, where it will unveil major new software updates like iOS 26, macOS 26, and more. According to one recent report, however, this year’s keynote might not be quite as jam-packed as we’re used to. Here’s why we should all expect a little less from WWDC next week.

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Apple’s big WWDC25 keynote is just days away. And as it’s been doing for the past few years, the company has released its official “Hello” playlist to help set the mood, whether you’re a developer or just here for the vibes.

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Samsung recently launched the Galaxy S25 Edge, a super thin smartphone that will compete with Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Air. To see what it's like using such a thin phone, MacRumors video editor Dan Barbera used it as his main device for two weeks to see what it might be like to use Apple's equivalent later this year.


The Galaxy S25 Edge has a 6.7-inch display, so it's a larger smartphone, but because it's so thin and light, it's easy to hold. It's just 5.8mm thick and it weighs 163 grams, and it's so light that it almost feels like a plastic dummy phone. Apple's ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ could be even thinner at 5.5mm, and it will have a similar display size at 6.6 inches, so it should be a lot like the S25 Edge.

These super thin smartphones need to be used without a case to get the full effect, since a case is just going to increase the weight and thickness. A slim case might not be too bad, but it seems silly to shell out money for a super thin smartphone just to stick it inside a thick case.

With such a thin body, the Galaxy S25 Edge doesn't have as much room for a battery as other Samsung smartphones, so battery life is lacking. It's still possible to get through the day without a charge, but if you're a heavy user, you're probably going to need to top up your battery every so often during the day. Samsung has battery optimization settings that prioritize battery life, but those options affect game performance.

Apple will likely have some of the same issues with battery life, though optimizations are being implemented through AI battery settings in iOS 19. The efficiency of the C1 modem that the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ will use will also help, plus Apple is going to sell an add-on battery pack alongside it.

Camera functionality is a tradeoff on the Galaxy S25 Edge, because it only has the 200-megapixel main lens and a 12-megapixel ultra wide lens with no telephoto lens. Other Samsung devices have triple-lens camera setups. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ will suffer from the same issue, and it's only going to get a single-lens main camera due to space constraints.

Samsung is selling the Galaxy S25 Edge for $1,100, which is not too far off from the higher-end and more feature rich Galaxy smartphones. Apple's ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ could come in cheaper at around $899, but that pricing plan was before any potential increases due to tariffs.

Do you plan to get the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ this year? How do you think it will measure up to the S25 Edge? Let us know in the comments below.
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While the iPhone 17 series is still three months away from launching, rumors about next year's iPhone 18 models continue to surface.


The latest word comes from Apple analyst Jeff Pu. In a research note with equity research firm GF Securities this week, Pu said that he expects the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and so-called iPhone 18 Fold to be equipped with Apple's A20 chip, and he believes the chip will have some key design changes over the A18 and upcoming A19 chips.

First, Pu reiterated that the A20 chip will be manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process. The current A18 Pro chip in iPhone 16 Pro models is fabricated with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, while the A19 Pro chip for the iPhone 17 Pro models is expected to use TSMC's third-generation 3nm process. The move from 3nm to 2nm starting with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Fold models would allow for more transistors in each chip, which helps to boost performance. Specifically, previous reports indicated that A20 chips should be up to 15% faster and up to 30% more power efficient than A19 chips.

An overview of current and expected iPhone chips:

• A17 Pro chip: 3nm (TSMC's first-generation 3nm process N3B)


• A18 chips: 3nm (TSMC's second-generation 3nm process N3E)


• A19 chips: 3nm (TSMC's third-generation 3nm process N3P)


• A20 chips: 2nm (TSMC's first-generation 2nm process N2)

Keep in mind that these nanometer sizes like 3nm and 2nm are simply TSMC marketing terms, rather than actual measurements.


Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also expects the A20 chip to be 2nm, which is not very surprising if you look at the iPhone chip trajectory.

There is another alleged change that would be more notable. In addition to the 2nm process, Pu said that he expects the A20 chip to use TSMC's newer Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) chip packaging technology. With this new design, RAM would be integrated directly onto the chip's wafer with the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than being adjacent to the chip and connected with a silicon interposer.

This packaging change could contribute to a wide range of benefits for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Fold over previous models, including faster performance for both overall tasks and Apple Intelligence, longer battery life, and improved thermal management. The change could also result in the A20 chip having a smaller footprint than previous chips, which could free up space inside the iPhones for other uses.

This packaging change for the A20 chip has also been rumored previously.

All in all, the A20 chip is shaping up to be a big upgrade for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Fold models, which should launch in September 2026.
This article, "iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Fold Said to Use A20 Chip With New Design" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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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 9to5Mac Daily Plus: Get ad-free versions of every episode by visiting 9to5mac.com/join. 

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While the Apple Vision Pro may offer a glimpse into Apple’s, well… vision for gesture-based spatial computing, it’s still an awkward fit for traditional gaming. Coming next week, that may change.

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Until recently, Apple’s biggest hit show, by far, was Ted Lasso. Now that title belongs to Severance. But a brand new comedy series—Stick—is the best Apple TV+ attempt yet to re-capture its Lasso magic. Here’s what reviews say.

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Like it did last year, Apple officially unveiled the 2025 Apple Design Awards winners a few days before WWDC. And while this time around, Spatial Computing didn’t get its own category, apps built for Apple Vision Pro played a larger role than ever.

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By this time next week, Apple will have fully unveiled its big iOS 26 redesign. But as we count the days until Monday’s WWDC keynote, one notable designer just published what could be the best preview yet of what’s coming to Apple’s software.

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Looking forward to WWDC 2025? Get in the mood with the official Apple Music playlist for the event, which features 20 songs from a variety of artists, including Benson Boone, Charli xcx, Ed Sheeran, Don Toliver, and others.


"Get ready for the biggest Apple developer event of the year with a new playlist of summer sounds," said Apple, in a social media post today.


WWDC 2025 kicks off with Apple's keynote on June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will preview its latest software updates, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, and there could be other surprises in store.
This article, "Apple Shares WWDC 2025 Playlist With One Hour of 'Summer Sounds'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.


The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category:

• Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game)


• Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ - The Musical (Game)


• Interaction - Taobao (App) and Dredge (Game)


• Inclusivity - Speechify (App) and Art of Fauna (Game)


• Social Impact - Watch Duty (App) and Neva (Game)


• Visuals and Graphics - Feather: Draw in 3D (App) and Infinity Nikki (Game)

More details on the winning apps and games and the developers behind them can be found on Apple's website. Apple also has a selection of apps and games that were selected as finalists before the winners were chosen.

WWDC will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
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Apple has announced that its Den Haag retail store in the Netherlands will be reopening on Thursday, August 14, following a temporary closure.


As we previously reported, the store has been closed since June 1 for renovations, but Apple had not announced a reopening date until now.

First opened in 2014, Apple Den Haag is located in The Hague, in the province of South Holland. The location is one of Apple's flagship stores, with beautiful historical architecture. It is located in a covered walkway, known as an arcade. The remodeled store may feature an Apple Pickup station for online orders, but the exact changes planned are unknown.

Apple has two other stores in the Netherlands, in Amsterdam and Haarlem.

Thanks, Filip Chudzinski!
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All Apple Watch models include a stock Calculator app that offers a couple of handy features for working out how much you should tip when eating out and how much each person in a group owes if you're splitting the bill.


The two functions can be used together, but if it's just yourself dining out then you can just leave the People field set to 1. The steps below show you how it works.

Note: If you see a standard percentage (%) button where the TIP button should be, you can change the calculator layout to replace it. Simply go to Settings ➝ Calculator and select Tip Function instead of Percent.

How to Use the Split Bill and Tip Calculator Functions on Apple Watch

1. Launch the Calculator app on your Apple Watch.


2. Enter the total amount of the bill.


3. Tap the TIP button in the top-right corner, just left of the divide button.


4. With the Tip field highlighted in green, turn your watch's Digital Crown to change the percentage.


5. To split the bill between a group of people, tap People and then use the Digital Crown to change the number (the maximum is 50).

You'll see the total amount below the two fields change to reflect your tip adjustments, and the amount below that will change depending on how many people are paying.
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Apple’s WWDC keynote is only a few days away, and while software is expected to be the main focus as always, I’m increasingly optimistic we may get a surprise ‘HomePad’ appearance too. Here’s why.

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Today’s best Apple deals are starting off with a bang and you might need to act fast to take advantage. Both the 13- and 15-inch 16GB M4 MacBook Air models are now starting at the best prices we have tracked online at up to $199 off the going rates – these deals might very well not last for long. Next up, we have the iPads – the entire M3 iPad Air lineup is $100 off, the iPad A16 from $299, and we have the 512GB M4 iPad Air at up to $352 off. All of that and more awaits below in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.

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The iPhone 16e is one of Europe's top-selling smartphones, yet its early sales figures still lagged significantly behind those of Apple's previous mid-tier models, according to Counterpoint Research.


‌iPhone 16e‌ launched in February, marking the company's first attempt in recent years to redefine its mid-range offerings with a product distinct from its "SE" branding. Despite debuting on Europe's Top 10 smartphones list in its first full month of availability, the model failed to match the initial traction of its predecessors.

Counterpoint Research finds that the ‌iPhone 16e‌ was the ninth best-selling smartphone in Europe in March, representing 8% of Apple's total iPhone sales in the region and 2% of the broader smartphone market. In Western Europe, the device performed slightly better, securing the seventh position overall.

However, the ‌iPhone 16e‌'s early performance marks a clear departure from the success of the ‌iPhone‌ SE models that preceded it. The third-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE from 2022 ranked sixth on the same European bestseller list during its first month and accounted for 12% of Apple's regional ‌iPhone‌ sales.

The second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE from 2020 performed even more strongly, achieving third place overall and making up 19% of Apple's European ‌iPhone‌ sales in its debut month. Compared to these benchmarks, ‌iPhone 16e‌ sales were down 17% versus the ‌iPhone‌ SE (2022) and down 20% compared to the ‌iPhone‌ SE (2020), according to Counterpoint.

Unsurprisingly, the primary reason identified for the ‌iPhone 16e‌'s weaker debut is its higher launch price. The 16e starts at €699 ($599) in Europe. This is a significant increase over the ‌iPhone‌ SE (2022), which debuted at €519 ($429), and the ‌iPhone‌ SE (2020), which launched at €479 ($399).

Additionally, the mid-tier smartphone market in Europe is increasingly price-sensitive; consumers are showing increased interest in refurbished and second-hand iPhones, which further complicates Apple's efforts to drive volume through new mid-range hardware.
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WWDC 2025 is fast approaching, with Apple's opening keynote set to begin on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple always uses the annual developer conference to unveil the latest versions of its software platforms, with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 all expected to be announced next week. But a key question remains: will there be any hardware announcements too?


The answer to that question is likely no. In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has no major new devices ready to ship, so there might not be any hardware announcements at WWDC 2025.

Apple could still surprise us on the hardware front, of course, and Gurman did not explicitly rule out smaller device announcements.

WWDC is always focused on software, but there are hardware announcements at the conference in some years. Most recently, Apple unveiled the Vision Pro and updated three Mac models at WWDC 2023. In 2024, however, it was a software-only affair.

The only rumored Apple product that might be imminent is an AirTag 2. Gurman previously said that he expected a new AirTag to be released around mid-2025, but he has not mentioned the accessory in a while, so it is unclear if that timeframe remains accurate. Even if an AirTag 2 is coming soon, there is no guarantee that it will be unveiled during the WWDC 2025 keynote, as Apple could opt to announce it with a press release only.

The majority of Macs have been updated since October 2024, with the only exception being the high-end Mac Pro desktop tower. The current Mac Pro is equipped with Apple's M2 Ultra chip, so in theory it could be updated with the M3 Ultra chip that debuted in the Mac Studio this year, but that has not been rumored. It is also looking unlikely that Apple will ever release an M4 Ultra chip, so the Mac Pro's path forward is currently unclear.

Likewise, the entire iPad lineup has been updated since May 2024, so new iPad models are unlikely to be announced at WWDC 2025.

The next iPhone and Apple Watch models are expected to launch in September, as usual, while new Apple TV and HomePod mini models are rumored to launch in September or later this year. AirPods Pro 3 are also rumored to launch later this year, at the earliest, while new AirPods Max are not expected to launch until 2027.

There have been on-again, off-again rumors about a Vision Pro 2 with an M5 chip, but it is unclear if that would launch in 2025 or 2026.

A new version of Apple's standalone Studio Display with mini-LED backlighting has been rumored, but it is not expected to launch until late 2025 or early 2026. Apple's higher-end Pro Display XDR has not been updated since it first launched in 2019, but it is unclear if and when a new version of the display will be released.

Last, Apple's rumored smart home hub has been postponed due to delayed Siri features, so do not expect that device to launch at WWDC 2025. However, it is plausible that Apple could provide an early preview of the device at the conference. Gurman said that the device will not have an App Store, but there could be new APIs for developers.

That wraps up where things stand. As mentioned, though, a surprise or two is always possible.

The keynote will be streamed on Apple's website, in the Apple TV app, and on YouTube. On-demand playback will be available afterwards.
This article, "Will Apple Announce Any New Hardware at WWDC 2025 Next Week?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Tim Cook was recently reported to be determined to bring out an Apple Glasses product ahead of Meta’s version, with one insider going so far as to say the CEO “cares about nothing else.”

A new report suggests that Meta is changing its own headset plans in what may be a move geared to accelerate its moves towards an AR glasses product …

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Amazon today is offering numerous discounts on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE, including both GPS and cellular models. These deals are being matched at Best Buy in most cases.

Apple Watch Series 10

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 $299.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in about 5-6 case colors and band styles.

Apple Watch SE

In addition to Series 10 deals, Amazon is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.00 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.



Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE for $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.



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, "Amazon Takes Up to $100 Off Huge Collection of Apple Watch SE/Series 10 Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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YouTube just released a new update for its iOS and iPadOS app, and by raising minimum OS requirements ahead of WWDC, it has in the process dropped support for six iPhone and iPad models. Here’s what you should know.

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One of the most beloved Apple TV+ series is coming back soon: Slow Horses just got its season 5 release date.

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With every iOS update, Apple quietly adds additional features under its accessibility category. These features are there to give people and customers alternatives to how they interact and use their iPhones. When iOS 17 was announced, they added a new feature called Personal Voice. This new feature seemed terrific; it was a way to train your iPhone to speak and sound like you, literally. But now it’s been almost 2 years since its release. So, how well does it work?

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Apple TV+ is emerging as the frontrunner to acquire additional MLB media rights currently held by ESPN, according to a Sports Business Journal report.


Sources tell the publication that Apple's offer would likely exceed what NBC has proposed for the same package, particularly if focused on Sunday night games. NBC reportedly bid for all of ESPN's current MLB rights, but the league faces a familiar streaming dilemma: fewer dollars from traditional broadcasters with broader reach versus higher payments from digital platforms with smaller audiences.

Apple already pays MLB a reported $85 million annually for "Friday Night Baseball" through to 2028. The potential deal would be structured as a three-year agreement, positioning MLB to bundle all national rights when current contracts with Fox Sports and TNT Sports expire in 2028.

The streaming service currently includes Friday night games at no additional cost with Apple TV+ subscriptions, which cost $9.99 monthly or $99 yearly in the U.S. It's also included in all Apple One subscription bundles with other Apple services.

MLB has yet to finalize the structure of post-ESPN packages, leaving multiple scenarios on the table for Sunday night games, Wild Card coverage, and the Home Run Derby. The talks sound like they remain fluid, with various moving parts still under consideration.
This article, "Apple TV+ Reportedly Outbidding NBC for More MLB Games" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The legal battle between Apple and the European Union is showing no signs of easing up. A possible consequence of the latest round is that Apple could end up removing AirDrop functionality from iPhones sold in the EU.

Apple has appealed a key part of the Digital Markets Act that would require it to make certain features available to third-party companies, and given its hardline attitude so far, there could be significant consequences if it loses the case …

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WhatsApp has ended support for iOS versions older than iOS 15.1, removing the chat platform's compatibility with several iPhone models in the process. The change began on June 1, after Meta delayed it from an original planned date of May 5.


WhatsApp is no longer compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus models. Users with those devices won't be able to access the encrypted chat service through the app unless they upgrade their iPhone. Alternatively, users can visit web.whatsapp.com in their browser, but the experience won't be the same.

Users who intend to upgrade can back up their WhatsApp chats to iCloud, and restore their full chat and media history to a newer, supported device using using WhatsApp's Chat Transfer feature. Instructions on how to do so are outlined in WhatsApp's Help Center.

In related developments, WhatsApp is now available on the iPad, coming more than 15 years after the messaging service launched. An Instagram app for the iPad is also in the works.
This article, "WhatsApp Drops Support for These iPhone Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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T-Mobile Tuesdays have been offering giveaways since 2019, and the carrier is celebrating the 9th anniversary with some ‘thankiversary’ deals.

These include a free drink at 7-Eleven, and a range of food deals, including a free Burger King Whopper Jr …

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YouTube has updated its iOS app to version 20.22.1, which now requires iOS 16 or later to install and run. The change means several older iPhone models are no longer officially compatible with the app.


The affected devices are those that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15 – namely, the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the first-generation iPhone SE. If you have an iPod touch 7, that will no longer run the app either.

Likewise, the YouTube app for iPad now requires iPadOS 16 or later, which means the app has discontinued support for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.

Users with these older devices can still access YouTube through their web browser by visiting m.youtube.com, but the experience won't match the native app's functionality.
This article, "YouTube's iOS App Just Dropped Support for These iPhone Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The base model iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air are currently expected to get ProMotion displays, but a leaker suggests these reports are only half-right.

They suggest that the non-Pro models will get the higher refresh-rate 120Hz displays, but that these will be lacking two key ProMotion features …

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A Chinese leaker with a mixed track record for accurate predictions has today disputed claims that the regular iPhone 17 and all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air will feature ProMotion displays.


ProMotion has been limited to the Pro models since it debuted on the iPhone 13 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro Max in 2021, but several sources have suggested that Apple will this year fit the 120Hz variable refresh technology into the base iPhone 17 model, as well as the new iPhone 17 Air that replaces the Plus model in the lineup.

However, Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital's sources apparently tell them that the panel being used in the upcoming non-Pro models is "just a standard 120Hz screen, not ProMotion with adaptive refresh rate." If the claim is true, it would indicate that Apple is still using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panels for its lower-end iPhone models, albeit fixed at 120Hz, whereas the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are fitted with 60Hz LTPS panels.

Without ProMotion, a fixed 120Hz panel will still feel smooth, particularly during scrolling, animations, and UI transitions. However, it would likely drain more battery, since it's refreshing rapidly all the time, even when viewing static content. In contrast, ProMotion dynamically adjusts the refresh rate anywhere between 1Hz and 120Hz, depending on content and user interaction, which preserves battery life.

A fixed 120Hz panel also means the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air would lack Apple's always-on display capability that shows the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked and idle.

Fortunately, the case for ProMotion coming to the non-Pro iPhone 17 remains strong. Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young last year indicated that Apple's suppliers are ramping up production of LTPO panels for the entire iPhone 17 lineup, further supporting the possibility of ProMotion displays across all models. LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) is a low-power backplane technology for OLED displays that allows for a variable refresh rate with reduced power consumption. Young's claim has since been corroborated by South Korea's ETNews and The Elec.

Fixed Focus Digital has shared accurate predictions in the past, including correctly naming the iPhone 16E before its official confirmation. The account also accurately claimed the iPhone 16 Pro models would be available in a new bronze finish, which ended up being Desert Titanium. On the other hand, the account was wrong about the number of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus color options that would be available. As for ProMotion, the weight of evidence is against them on this rumor, and we're personally hoping it's a bad call. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 lineup around September.
This article, "iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air ProMotion Rumors Disputed by Leaker" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In this episode of Apple @ Work, I talk with Kate O’Neill about her book, , and how it impacts today’s IT leaders.

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Following the breakout success of ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’, which stars Jon Hamm and wrapped its first season last week, Apple has extended its deal with showrunner Jonathan Tropper, Deadline reports.

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After months of EU regulators breathing down its neck, Apple is finally seeing a happier kind of headline from across the Atlantic. And it comes courtesy of the new iPhone 16e.

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If you’re Apple, this is the kind of internal document that you knew existed, but still hits hard. Especially in the middle of a global antitrust reckoning and internal… whatever the heck is going on in there.

A recently unsealed OpenAI file outlines the company’s ambitions for ChatGPT. In short? They’re coming for Siri with everything they’ve got.

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WWDC is less than a week away, and as we ramp up to the big announcement, we're going to share details on what we know about each operating system. We're starting with the next-generation version of macOS, which Apple is apparently going to call macOS Tahoe.

Name

Since the current version of macOS is macOS 15, it would normally be followed by macOS 16, but Apple is changing its naming scheme for operating system updates starting this year.

Everything coming out in 2025 will be numbered with a "26" to reflect its release season, covering the period between September 2025 and September 2026. We're getting macOS 26, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26. Apple could have gone with 25 because that's the year of launch, but 26 technically does make more sense because there are more months in 2026 where we'll have the 26 series of updates installed.

With the streamlined naming that Apple is implementing, there won't be a need to remember separate, confusing numbers for each operating system. It might be confusing at first for people to go from macOS 15 to macOS 26, but it should make more sense over the long haul.

macOS is special because it always gets a California landmark name along with its number, unlike other operating systems. This year, it looks like Apple is going to go with "Tahoe," a popular lake between California and Nevada. Lake Tahoe is a popular vacation destination all year long, but particularly in the winter where it is known for its ski slopes.

Tahoe will join the other California landmark names that Apple has used, including Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

Design Overhaul

Most of the rumors that we've heard about Apple's upcoming software have focused on ‌iOS 26‌ and the design changes that Apple has planned, but macOS 26 is going to get some of those same design updates.


The revamp might not be quite as dramatic, but Apple wants to have a more cohesive look and feel across its operating systems, hence the design overhaul and the "26" name change.


Basically, Apple is expanding some visionOS design elements to all of its software, with a focus on translucency, rounded menus and buttons, and a frosted glass-like look for the interface. On the Mac, Apple already uses translucency for some things like the menu bar and the dock, but we could perhaps see more translucency in windows and menu elements.

App icons that have a more rounded look could happen, and we could see rounder corners for windows and other interface elements. Apple could also adopt some floating menu bars, and add more depth to everything for a glossier look and feel.


Streamlined navigation, menus, and layout could bring better design consistency across iOS and macOS. Expect to see design changes at the operating system level and in Apple's apps, with Apple also providing new guidelines and assets for developers to tailor their apps to match the updated aesthetic.

Apple Intelligence

There are new Apple Intelligence features coming in macOS 26, but Apple is undoubtedly going to be more reserved about announcing anything that's not ready to go.

Apple plans to update the Shortcuts app to integrate ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Users will be able to create actions that use ‌Apple Intelligence‌ models, which should make it easier for casual users to create useful shortcuts.

Apple might give us some insight into when Siri will be able to integrate with Gemini in addition to ChatGPT, because that's a feature coming soon.

All those personalized ‌Siri‌ features that Apple announced at WWDC 2024 are going to come in ‌iOS 26‌ and macOS 26 at some point, but it's not clear if they'll be ready by WWDC. If they're not ready to go, Apple probably won't mention them, and we'll get them later in the year.

As a reminder, we're waiting on personal context that lets ‌Siri‌ keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, or basically anything on your device. Apple is also adding onscreen awareness so ‌Siri‌ can help you with what's on your screen, and ‌Siri‌ will also get deeper app integration so that it can do more in and across apps.

Gaming App

There's a new game app in the works that'll be available for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS. It'll have the games you'd normally find in the App Store and Apple Arcade titles, along with sections for in-game achievements, leaderboards, and editorial content.

You'll be able to use the app to communicate with other people, and on the Mac, it'll be able to tap into games downloaded outside of the Mac App Store. It'll replace Game Center, and will be a more feature rich app.

Other Rumored Features

Apple previewed several Accessibility features that are coming in macOS 26 and ‌iOS 26‌, plus there have been rumors of new Wi-Fi features.

• Captive Wi-Fi Portal Syncing - When you log into a captive Wi-Fi network, like at a hotel or an airport, you'll only need to do it once and the info will sync across all of your devices.


• Magnifier - Apple will let you connect an iPhone to your Mac to use the ‌iPhone‌'s camera for zooming in on text and other things that you might need help seeing.


• Vehicle Motion Cues - The little dots that are meant to help you from getting carsick or airsick are also coming to the Mac. Vehicle Motion Cues is meant to match the feeling of movement with what the eyes are seeing.

Compatibility

macOS Tahoe could drop support for some older Macs, including the 2018 MacBook Pro, the 2019 iMac, the 2017 ‌iMac‌ Pro, the 2018 Mac mini, and the 2020 Intel-based MacBook Air. The update is expected to be compatible with the following Macs:

• ‌MacBook Pro‌ (2019 and later)


• ‌iMac‌ (2020 and later)


• Mac Pro (2019 and later)


• ‌Mac mini‌ (M1 and later)


• Mac Studio (all models)


• ‌MacBook Air‌ (‌M1‌ and later)

Read More

We have a dedicated macOS 26 Tahoe roundup that we'll be updating throughout the week.

Make sure to check back every day for more rumor roundups, and stay tuned for our all-in-one what to expect article on Friday.

WWDC Event Details

The WWDC 2025 keynote will take place on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website, on YouTube, and in the TV app.


If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.
This article, "WWDC 2025: What to Expect From macOS 26 Tahoe" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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