Your Monday edition of 9to5Toys Lunch Break is now live with notable discounts on Apple’s Midnight 15-inch 24GB M4 MacBook Air at $179 off courtesy of Amazon to join the ongoing $200 price drop on the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. Next up, we move over to the 24GB M4 Pro Mac mini at over $150 off that landed over the weekend alongside this morning’s $99 discount on the USB-C AirPods Max and up to $399 off iPhone 16 Pro Max units. Just make sure you scope out the all-time low on Twelve South’s AirFly SE wireless AirPods and headphones transmitter at $16 alongside everything else waiting below. 

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tvOS 26 is the next major update for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD users. Joining the Liquid Glass design, new screensavers, and FaceTime upgrades, tvOS 26 introduces a new feature that could make AirPlay speakers an asset in your home theater setup.

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Apple recently announced that iPhone users will soon be able to watch videos right on the CarPlay screen in supported vehicles.


This is arguably the biggest new CarPlay feature coming with the iOS 26 update later this year, and yet Apple did not even mention it during its WWDC 2025 keynote last month. Instead, it was buried on Apple's developer website.

iPhone users will be able to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen using AirPlay, according to Apple. For safety reasons, video playback will only be available when the vehicle is parked, to prevent distracted driving. The connected iPhone will be able to detect when the vehicle is in motion and end playback.

Apple says that automakers need to add support for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it will likely take some time to roll out. It appears that the AirPlay functionality will be available for both regular CarPlay and the higher-end CarPlay Ultra, but it is unclear if it will be enabled in any existing vehicles, or if it will be limited to new vehicles.

From the CarPlay page on Apple's developer website:

Video in the car

AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren't driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.

This feature would be especially beneficial in electric vehicles with CarPlay, as it would provide the driver and any passengers with entertainment while they are parked at a charging station. Some electric vehicles already offer this capability natively. Tesla, for example, has long offered a Theater app that can play videos from apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Twitch on the dashboard screen, while the vehicle is parked.

Apple has not shared any further details or images for AirPlay video in the car. Availability of the feature might vary by country based on safety regulations.

There were already some unapproved ways to watch videos through CarPlay, with various jailbreak tweaks and TestFlight beta apps promising to unlock such functionality. Now, it is something that Apple will officially allow.
This article, "iOS 26's Biggest CarPlay Feature Was Quietly Hiding on Apple's Website" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden Password Manager, featuring a new Apple Watch authenticator integration, secure autofill on Safari and iOS apps, and enterprise-grade security tools that help you manage credentials with confidence.

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With smartphone addiction a growing problem among US teens, one solution being tried is digital detox summer camps, where parents are charged around $2,000 a week to separate their kinds from their electronic devices.

One kid sent to camp was so desperate to remain connected he brought three phones with him, handed over one, had another found in his bag, and was ratted out on the third by his room-mate …

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iPhone 17 Air is a brand new model expected to debut this fall, with Apple prioritizing form over function. The ultra-thin, futuristic design will come with some compromises, but one rumored new accessory could solve my biggest concern: battery life.

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Apple will soon begin development of iOS 27 with a shift in emphasis as the company prepares its flagship software to accommodate the first foldable iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that iOS 27 will "prioritize" software features tailored specifically for Apple's first book-style foldable device, expected sometime in late 2026.

That said, there's nothing in Gurman's report to suggest that regular iPhone users need be concerned about a lack of UI innovations coming to their devices next year.

Given Samsung's seven-year stint in the foldable market, the report goes on to suggest that there is a "pent-up demand" among some Apple users for a foldable device that doesn't rely on an Android OS. How that will translate in terms of U.S. sales is unclear, but Gurman believes that Apple has been swayed by the Chinese market, where book-style foldables are preferred to flip-style designs.

Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to launch next year, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. The device will reportedly address common foldable phone issues, with a less visible display crease and an improved hinge mechanism that has a titanium and stainless steel construction to increase durability.

• 2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far

The "iPhone Fold" will likely be Apple's most expensive iPhone ever, with rumors suggesting pricing starting at $2,000. Instead of Face ID, the device is expected to use Touch ID authentication built into a side button to save internal space, while 48MP dual-lens rear cameras are also likely to feature.
This article, "iOS 27 to Prioritize New Features for Apple's Foldable iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is permanently closing its retail store in the heart of Bristol, England next month, and there is no replacement store in sight.


The store's final day of business will be Saturday, August 9.

Within the past few days, Apple updated the store's page with the following message:

Thank you, Bristol. Apple Bristol is closing on 9 August at 5 pm. We're still here for you. Please visit apple.com/uk/retail to find your nearest store.

Apple Bristol is closing due to redevelopment plans at the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, and the adjacent Bristol Shopping Quarter.

In a statement shared with MacRumors in April, Apple said affected employees will be able to continue their roles at the company:

At Apple, we're always focused on providing an exceptional experience for all of our customers. Due to the redevelopment plans at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, which include the closure of the section where our store is located, Apple Bristol will close on August 9, 2025. We've loved serving the Bristol community for over 15 years, and our valued team members will continue their roles at Apple.

Apple Bristol first opened in 2008, with the location formerly known as Apple Cabot Circus. The two-floor store still had a classic design that was due for a facelift. The lower level serves as a product sales area, while the upper level provides space for Genius Bar appointments and Today at Apple creative sessions.


The company has two other stores in the surrounding areas, including Apple Cribbs Causeway on the outskirts of Bristol, and Apple SouthGate in Bath.
This article, "Apple Store in Bristol Permanently Closing Next Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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During WWDC25, Apple announced new versions of its on-device and cloud-based foundation models. Now, they have published a tech report detailing how those models were trained, optimized, and evaluated. And the report includes some genuinely interesting under-the-hood tidbits.

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Apple today updated its Sports app with support for the FA Community Shield, the annual English football pre-season opener where the reigning champions of the Premier League take on the FA Cup winners.


This year will see league champions Liverpool Football Club take on FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at the traditional Wembley Stadium venue in London on Sunday, August 10.

Liverpool secured a record-equaling 20th top-flight league title when they were crowned Premier League winners in late April following an unassailable lead, while Crystal Palace lifted the FA Cup in May for the first time in their history, beating Manchester City in a dramatic final.

Following this app update, Apple Sports is now also available in Mexico, allowing Liga MX fans to stay up-to-date with their local team and follow progress in the MLS Leagues Cup.

Elsewhere in the Apple Sports app version 3.1, Apple says that more information will now show in the box scores, allowing fans to see more performance stats about their favorite players in real-time.

This is just the latest enhancement that Apple has rolled out for its Sports app, which most recently saw a June update that brought a new home screen layout as well as support for tennis.

Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues. Along with Mexico, the free app is available on the iPhone in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
This article, "Apple Sports Gets Expanded Soccer Support, Rolls Out in Mexico" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Act surprised: Apple is soon expected to formally kick off development of iOS 27. This year, Apple will have a big task: updating the iOS experience in preparation for its most radical new iPhone yet.

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The Apple Sports app, which allows users to track sports scores in real-time, today expanded its coverage of soccer. With the new 3.1 update, fans of the FA Community Shield soccer match can now follow along inside Apple Sports.

Also notable is that the app is now available to download in Mexico. This means fans of Liga MX can now use the app for the first time to track the performance of their local teams, as well as how they fare in the MLS Leagues Cup.

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More than 10,000 organizations around the world are at risk from hackers after a serious security flaw was discovered in Microsoft’s popular Sharepoint platform, used to store and share confidential documents. The majority of companies at risk are said to be in the US …

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We learned earlier this year that the British government had secretly ordered Apple to create a backdoor into encrypted data for all iCloud users worldwide. Specifically, it wanted a way to see personal data protected by Apple’s introduction of Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which extended end-to-end encryption to almost all iCloud data, meaning not even the iPhone maker could access it.

Apple has been fighting the secret order in secret court hearings, but it now appears that the US government is using technology agreement negotiations to force Britain to back down …

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Update: Apple has issued the following statement: "Apple is not a party to this case, and the order has no impact on any Apple products," confirming that current iPhones on the market won't be affected by the ruling. Original article follows.

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Apple could potentially end up having to drop a key supplier of iPhone OLED panels, following a preliminary ruling issued by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that found Chinese display maker BOE violated federal trade secret laws.


The ITC found that BOE and seven of its subsidiaries misappropriated Samsung Display's trade secrets to manufacture panels, violating Section 337 of the Tariff Act. The commission has proposed banning BOE's OLED imports and ordering existing U.S. inventories be removed from sale.

Apple could be looking at significant supply chain disruption if the ruling stands. BOE supplies around 20% of OLED displays for the iPhone 16 lineup and has built annual capacity for 100 million iPhone panels. The company has even established a dedicated facility in Sichuan province specifically for Apple orders after entering the iPhone display market with the iPhone 12.

The ITC will issue a final determination in November, followed by a 60-day presidential review. According to analysts, these sort of preliminary rulings are rarely overturned. Whichever way things go, existing Apple devices already imported to the U.S. wouldn't be impacted by the ITC ruling, however Business Korea notes that the legal risks could lead Apple to reconsider its dependence on BOE.

As for alternative suppliers, Samsung and LG Display would likely absorb BOE's iPhone panel orders if the import ban takes effect.

The trade secret ruling comes amid escalating patent disputes between the two display giants. BOE and Samsung Display now have six active cases against each other, including five patent infringement suits and the trade secret case.

BOE recently filed its second patent lawsuit in two months, targeting Samsung's Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold5, Fold6, and the S25 Ultra. BOE has asked the court to ban the import, sale, and distribution of the products in the U.S., as well as full legal cost compensation.

(Via DigiTimes.)
This article, "Chinese iPhone Display Supplier Hit by US Trade Ruling [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The British government may be forced to drop its plans to force Apple to build a backdoor to access encrypted user data, the Financial Times reports.


In February, it emerged that the British government had secretly demanded Apple gives it access to all encrypted user content uploaded to iCloud. It argued the ability, which is unprecedented for any other democratic country, is necessary for law enforcement and the security services to investigate serious crimes such as terrorism and child sexual abuse. In response, Apple removed Advanced Data Protection from the UK‌ and filed a legal complaint in an attempt to quash the demand.

Now, senior British officials speaking to the Financial Times say that the UK is likely to drop the plan amid pressure from the U.S. government:

This is something that the vice-president is very annoyed about and which needs to be resolved. The Home Office is basically going to have to back down.

One of the challenges for the tech partnerships we're working on is the encryption issue. It's a big red line in the US — they don't want us messing with their tech companies.

The demand to build a backdoor into ‌iCloud‌ and break Apple's end-to-end encryption could impede vital technology agreements with the U.S. related to artificial intelligence and data partnerships, and has already caused friction between the two governments. Senior members of the U.S. administration, including the President, Vice-President, and Director of National Intelligence, have all raised strong objections to the British government's request.

The Financial Times says that the British Home Office has handled the issue of Apple encryption "very badly" and now has "its back against the wall." For now, the government still appears to be pursuing the demand and apparently discussed next steps with lawyers as recently as this month.
This article, "UK May Backtrack on Controversial Demand for Backdoor to Encrypted Apple User Data" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Artificial intelligence has obviously been the industry craze for the past couple years. While large language models are incredibly capable, they’ve always come with a bit of a compromise: privacy. Ultimately, you’re still using a model hosted in the cloud, and all of your conversations are stored on some server.

Apple’s always had privacy at the core of its products – so in the months leading up to the debut of Apple’s AI features, many people wondered: how would Apple handle it? Today, we delve into exactly how.

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At WWDC25, Apple introduced a few new capabilities to the Photos app for iOS 26. Most notably, it reintroduces a tab bar layout after last year’s controversial single-page redesign. It also allows you to create spatial scenes from existing photos.

On top of those headlining features, there’s another underlying feature in the Photos app for iOS 26 that a lot of users might appreciate, and thats event details. Let’s explain.

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The first iOS 26 public beta should arrive this week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


"All indications are that iOS 26 should go into the public beta phase this coming week," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.

In a social media post last week, Gurman said that the iOS 26 public beta would likely be released on or around Wednesday, July 23.

Apple previously announced that a public beta of iOS 26 would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

The first public betas of iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and HomePod software 26 should be released alongside the iOS 26 public beta, and Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update for the first time. Apple does not plan to offer a visionOS 26 public beta, though, according to its beta website.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas for testing. As always, we highly recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

All of the updates are already available in developer beta. A few years ago, Apple dropped the requirement to pay $99 per year for an Apple Developer Program membership in order to access the developer betas, but you still need to have an Apple Developer account. Technically, though, the public should wait for the public betas.

Looking ahead, the first iOS 27 rumor has surfaced.

According to Gurman, Apple will formally kick off development of iOS 27 soon, and the company plans to prioritize software features that are tailored for the long-rumored foldable iPhone. That device is expected to launch in the second half of next year.


This article, "iOS 26 Public Beta Expected This Week as First iOS 27 Rumor Surfaces" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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With last year’s M4 iPad Pro, Apple made a long-awaited change to the design: it moved the front-facing camera from the top to the side.

According to Bloomberg today, Apple has another big change to the iPad Pro’s front-facing camera in store for the M5 update coming later this year.

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Apple's next-generation iPad Pro models will be equipped with two front-facing cameras, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the upcoming iPad Pro models with the M5 chip will have both portrait and landscape cameras, letting you capture photos and go on video calls without having to worry about the device's orientation.

The current iPad Pro models with the M4 chip have a single front camera that is designed to be used in landscape orientation.

Face ID already works in any orientation on the iPad Pro.

After being updated with an OLED display and a much thinner design last year, the iPad Pro will likely receive relatively smaller upgrades this year. For now, the key rumored changes include the M5 chip and the dual front cameras.

Last year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said iPad Pro models with an M5 chip would enter mass production in the second half of 2025. The current iPad Pro models with the M4 chip launched in May 2024, and Apple typically updates the iPad Pro on a roughly 18-month cycle, so the next models could be released in September or October.


This article, "New iPad Pro Expected This Year With M5 Chip and Two Front Cameras" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A short while ago, I was browsing Apple deals on Amazon (as one does) – and something stuck out to me. High-end iPad Pros, particularly 12.9-inch models, are surprisingly cheap. I saw .

Given the recent iPadOS 26 overhaul that makes the iPad much more Mac-like, I figured these deals would be worth a share. While renewed iPad deals are the focus here because of their affordability, new iPad deals are also mentioned at the end.

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Welcome to Indie App Spotlight. This is a weekly 9to5Mac series where we showcase the latest apps in the indie app world. If you’re a developer and would like your app featured, get in contact.

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Many people want to do a better job monitoring their diet and eating habits, but don’t exactly know where to start. Nunch is a fantastic new app to make the process a lot more seamless.

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With data brokers making big money by selling your personal details, it’s never been easier for bad actors to get access to your phone number, email address, physical address, and even sensitive data like your social security number.

That doesn’t just leave you at risk from spammers and scammers, but some people unfortunately have to worry about their contact details being used for stalking and harassment …

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