A hardware refresh for the is coming soon. The current generation was released in spring 2022, and is powered by an A15 Bionic chip.

The new generation is expected to feature a new Apple-designed WiFi and Bluetooth chip, as well as a CPU upgrade. A report from MacRumors today cites code references that indicate the box will actually get an A17 Pro chip, the same processor that powers the iPhone 15 Pro.

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Apple is working on a refreshed version of the HomePod mini, and it will have an updated processor that's based on the S-series chips inside the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and the upcoming Apple Watch Series 11.


A reference to a ‌HomePod mini‌ equipped with a chip that uses T8310 microarchitecture was discovered in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The device has a B525 codename, which likely corresponds to the next-generation ‌HomePod mini‌, since the current model's codename is B520.

The existing S9 and S10 chips in the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 10 have T8310 cores, and we're expecting the S11 in the Apple Watch Series 11 to use the same technology.

The current version of the ‌HomePod mini‌ has an S5 chip that was originally developed for the Apple Watch. Since the reference in the code is to the T8310 processor and the S9, S10, and S11 all use it, we don't know if Apple will call the chip the S9, S10, or S11.

Since the ‌HomePod mini‌ is expected to launch in late 2025, it would make sense for Apple to equip it with the S11 chip that will also be in the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. The chip that's expected for the ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 will be a good deal faster than the S5. It features a 64-bit dual-core processor that's based on the A16, and a 4-core Neural Engine.

We don't know much about the ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 aside from the fact that it's going to get an updated chip, but rumors have suggested that it will also feature a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip with Wi-Fi 6E support. New color options are also a possibility.

Apple could introduce the ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 any time from September to December.
This article, "HomePod Mini With Updated Chip Coming Soon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple TV that's slated for launch later this year. Information about the upcoming device that was found in Apple code indicates that it will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip.


There have been multiple rumors about a new ‌Apple TV‌ coming in 2025 with a new A-series processor, but it hasn't been clear which chip Apple would use until now.

The A17 Pro was designed for the iPhone 15 Pro models, but Apple still makes it for the iPad mini 7.

The current ‌Apple TV‌ 4K has an A15 Bionic chip, so the upgrade to the A17 Pro will bring substantial performance improvements. The A17 Pro supports Apple Intelligence, plus it can run console-quality games with advanced graphics effects.

Little else is known about the upcoming ‌Apple TV‌, but it is expected to get an Apple-designed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chip. Apple might introduce the new ‌Apple TV‌ in September alongside new iPhone models, but it could also be held until later in 2025.
This article, "New Apple TV Coming Later This Year With A17 Pro Chip" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is still working on a next-generation version of the Studio Display, and MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered signs of the new display in Apple code.


The upcoming Studio Display 2 has a codename of J427, and references to J427 were tucked away in software code that Apple didn't mean to publish. Rumors suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, so it makes sense that Apple is testing it now.

We don't know a lot about the next-generation Apple display, but it is possible it will use mini-LED backlighting. If the Studio Display does indeed adopt mini-LED technology, we can expect improved brightness, a higher contrast ratio, and better color quality.

References to a display with the codename J527 were also found in the code. It's not clear what J527 is. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said earlier this year that Apple was developing two versions of the Studio Display and would choose one to launch, so J527 could be a second variation of the Studio Display 2. It's also possible that it is a reference to a new version of the Pro Display XDR, but Gurman believes a second-generation Pro Display XDR is not a priority for Apple.

Apple has not launched a display product since it came out with the original Studio Display in 2022. It is not yet clear if the display will actually be named the Studio Display 2 or if Apple will give it another name.

The new model will likely come out alongside Macs with the M5 chip, with the Macs also slated for early 2026.
This article, "Apple Still Working on Studio Display 2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Vision Pro will be two years old in February. For those holding out for a second-gen version, it sounds like the Apple Vision Pro 2 may have a better chip than expected.

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Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features an A19 chip, according to information found in code that Apple mistakenly shared.


It looks like the next-generation ‌iPad mini‌ will get the A19 Pro chip that Apple plans to use in the iPhone 17 Pro models.

Apple is developing the A19 chips for the iPhone 17 series that's set to come out this September. The Pro version of the A19 will have more GPU cores than the standard A19, and rumors suggest there will also be an in-between version that's a binned A19 Pro with one fewer GPU core. The binned chips could be used in the iPhone 17 Air.

The current ‌iPad mini‌ that came out in 2024 is equipped with the A17 Pro chip that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, so it makes sense for the next-generation version to adopt the A19 Pro.

There is no concrete word on when a new version of the ‌iPad mini‌ is coming out. Rumors have suggested that Apple is working on an ‌iPad mini‌ with an OLED display for launch as early as 2026, but the launch timeline is unclear and other rumors have suggested it won't come until 2027.

Apple is also working on an updated version of the low-cost iPad with an A18 chip, according to the Apple's leaked code. Codenamed J581/J582, the low-cost ‌iPad‌ could launch next spring.
This article, "Next iPad Mini to Feature A19 Pro Chip" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is working on a next-generation version of the Vision Pro with an M5 chip, according to code accidentally shared by Apple and discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.


Rumors of a Vision Pro 2 with an updated M-series chip have been circulating since last year, but there was some confusion over which chip the device would use. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the Vision Pro would have an M5 chip, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that it would use the same M4 chip that's in the latest MacBook Air and iPad Pro models rather than the M5.

Based on Apple's code, it looks like the next-generation Vision Pro will use the M5 chip.

The refreshed Vision Pro isn't expected to feature any design changes or hardware updates aside from the new chip, but it could get a new strap that will make it more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.

The Vision Pro 2 with M5 chip could launch as soon as late 2025.
This article, "Apple Code Confirms Vision Pro With M5 Chip" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Good things really do come to those who wait, and Pebble fans have been waiting years. The beloved e-paper smartwatch brand, which predated and out-charmed the Apple Watch for many, is about to make a proper comeback. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky has finalized the design for the new Pebble Time 2.

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The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 will have an updated S11 system in package (SiP), but it may not bring much in the way of processor performance improvements.


Apple accidentally leaked some internal information about the upcoming chip, and it turns out it will have the same T8310 architecture as the S9 and S10 chips in the Series 9 and Series 10 Apple Watch models.

It's not unusual for Apple to use the same architecture across multiple versions of the S-series chips for the Apple Watch. The S6, S7, and S8 chips all had the same core technology.

The S9 and S10 chips use two "Sawtooth" performance cores like the A16 Bionic chip, so while it is older technology, it's still a lot of power for a wrist-worn device. It's a 64-bit dual-core processor with a 4-core Neural Engine, second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, and 64GB storage space.

Though the underlying technology is the same, Apple could make other tweaks. With the S10, for example, Apple redesigned the chip with a thinner profile so it would take up less space inside the watch.

With the S11 chip set to stay largely the same in the 2025 Apple Watch models, it's likely Apple's upcoming S12 chip for 2026 will use a new microarchitecture with performance improvements.

Though Apple's code only gave us insight into the Ultra 3 and Series 11, there were codenames for future devices as well:

• N227: Apple Watch Series 11


• N228: Apple Watch Series 11 (Cellular)


• N230: Apple Watch Ultra 3


• N237: Apple Watch Series 12


• N238: Apple Watch Series 12 (Cellular)


• N240: Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and ‌Apple Watch SE‌ 3 are expected to debut at Apple's upcoming September event.
This article, "Leaked S11 Chip Details Reveal No Major Performance Upgrades for 2025 Apple Watches" 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.

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Apple’s Photos app received a major overhaul last year, and iOS 26 brings a handful of new changes. Here’s everything new coming to the Photos app in iOS 26.

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Today, there’s a considerable debate over how necessary standalone cameras are in a world where smartphones dominate digital photography. While this debate has merit depending on the application, it’ll be long before a smartphone replaces my standalone camera, especially as a tool for shooting video.

My current camera of choice is the Sony FX30—it’s pound for pound the best value in digital videography. Instead of viewing smartphones like the iPhone as competition, Sony has welcomed smartphones with open arms by building an incredible app called Sony | Monitor & Control. With this app, you cannot only monitor your feed from cameras like the FX30, A7S III, A7 IV, and others, but it also affords users an insane amount of control—both wired and wirelessly!

In this video walkthrough, I showcase my Sony FX30 camera rig, with the iPhone 16 Pro as its companion. Be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos.

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Apple's software engineers are testing an internal version of iOS 26.4, according to the MacRumors visitor logs this week.


iOS 26.4 is expected to be released in March or April next year, so the software update is still many months away. However, Apple develops both "Fall" and "Spring" versions of iOS each year, with work on both iOS 26.0 and iOS 26.4 underway.

There are two expected iOS 26.4 features so far, with more to follow.

First up is new emoji.

The Unicode Consortium recently previewed some of the new emoji coming with Unicode 17.0 later this year. It typically takes Apple several months to design new emoji in its own style, so the new emoji will likely be available on the iPhone starting with iOS 26.4.


Here are some of the new emoji:

• Trombone


• Treasure Chest


• Distorted Face


• Hairy Creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)


• Fight Cloud


• Apple Core


• Orca


• Ballet Dancers


• Landslide

Notably, Distorted Face is a popular emoji in Discord servers. It is essentially a distorted version of the embarassed face emoji, also known as Flushed Face.


Apple most recently added new emoji to the iPhone with iOS 18.4, an update that came out in late March. iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4 also introduced new emoji over the years, so the timing has become predictable by this point.

The second expected feature is a more personalized version of Siri.


Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said that his company was making "good progress" on a more personalized Siri, and he reiterated that the features are on track to launch next year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the new Siri to launch in the U.S. in spring 2026, so Apple is likely aiming to make it available as part of iOS 26.4.

Apple first announced the personalized Siri features during its WWDC 2024 keynote, but in March it announced that they were delayed. The new capabilities will include better understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
This article, "Apple Already Testing iOS 26.4 With Two Known Features So Far" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 is coming very soon, and rumors indicate it could remedy a discrepancy that arose last year, when the Apple Watch Series 10 debuted several exclusive features that bested the latest Ultra model.

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Apple is still working on a Ring-like home security camera that will integrate into the Home app, reports Bloomberg. It's unclear when the camera might launch, but it could come alongside or after the smart home hub that's expected in 2026.


The camera will feature a battery that could last for several months to a year, and it in addition to being useful for security, it will be able to detect people and sense motion for Home automation purposes. From Bloomberg:

The device has facial recognition and infrared sensors to determine who is in a room. Apple believes users will place cameras throughout their home to help with automation. That could mean turning lights off when someone leaves a room or automatically playing music liked by a particular family member.

Apple is working on multiple types of cameras and home security products, including a doorbell that uses facial recognition for unlocking a door. Apple is aiming to establish a foothold in the smart home product market, competing with Amazon's Ring brand and Google's Nest brand.

The HomeKit smart home platform already supports cameras developed by third-party manufacturers, with Apple offering secure cloud-based storage through iCloud.
This article, "Apple Developing Ring-Like Home Security Camera" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iPad-like smart home hub that Apple is developing isn't going to launch until mid-2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the device as soon as 2025, but it was delayed because of Apple's issues with the Apple Intelligence version of Siri.


The device will feature a built-in 7-inch display and a speaker, and it supposedly looks similar to the Google Nest Hub. Gurman describes it as "shaped like a square" with thin black or white bezels, rounded corners, and a half-dome-shaped base.

The hub, which is codenamed J490, will run an operating system codenamed "Charismatic." Charismatic is different from iOS, macOS, and tvOS in that it is designed to be used by multiple members of the household. The interface centers on clock faces and widgets for Apple apps, and it could have a ‌Siri‌ virtual interface that gives ‌Siri‌ a more personified look. Apple is said to be testing a look for ‌Siri‌ that resembles the Mac Finder icon.

A front-facing camera will scan a person's face as they approach, providing content and features specific to each user. There won't be a dedicated App Store, but the device will run Apple apps like Calendar, Camera, Music, Reminders, and Notes. Apple expects users to control the smart home hub with voice-based commands, though it does have a touch screen. References to J490 have already been found in Apple's code.

‌Siri‌ will be central to the hub, and Apple is working on a version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by large language models. Apple wants ‌Siri‌ to be able to incorporate personal data to provide a richer experience for users. The functionality was originally meant to be included in iOS 18, but now an expanded LLM version of ‌Siri‌ is coming instead. Apple could be ready to launch LLM ‌Siri‌ "as early as next spring." A visually redesigned version of ‌Siri‌ for iPhones and iPads could also come at some point in 2026.

Apple is testing an LLM version of ‌Siri‌ that is powered by its own internal models, but it is also simultaneously working on a version that uses outside technology from companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Apple hasn't made a final decision on which model it will use.

The Charismatic operating system and the new version of ‌Siri‌ will also be the basis for a separate tabletop robot that Apple is working on for a 2027 launch.
This article, "Apple's Smart Home Hub and LLM Siri Coming in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has a big future planned for Siri, as outlined by a new Bloomberg report that mentions the assistant could be in store for a complete visual overhaul, gaining an animated personality that looks like the Mac’s iconic Finder icon.

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Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."


The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for ‌Siri‌'s look. From Bloomberg:

The idea is for the device to act like a person in a room. It could interrupt a conversation between friends about dinner plans, say, and suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. It's also being designed to engage in back-and-forth discussions for things like planning a trip or getting tasks done -- similar to OpenAI's voice mode.

Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.

At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as ‌Siri‌'s visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌, and the LLM ‌Siri‌ won't come until after that.

Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.
This article, "Apple Launching Robot Virtual Companion in 2027" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A new report from Bloomberg dives deep into Apple’s plans to lean on artificial intelligence as a way to expand into robotics, home security, and smart displays.

One interesting tidbit in the report is that Apple is aiming to develop a system of smart home cameras and other home security products to compete with the likes of Amazon’s Ring brand.

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The iTunes Movies and TV Shows app predate the unified Apple TV app, and go all the way back to the first version of tvOS in 2015. Fast forward to today, and these apps are almost entirely redundant and serve as mere placeholders.

As system apps on Apple TV are not deletable, these husks of times past have somewhat comically stuck around on the Apple TV home screen. With the latest beta of tvOS 26, users will finally have a way to bury these apps for good.

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In case you missed it, Walmart is currently offering the older but still very capable MacBook Air with the M1 chip for just $599 in the United States.


It seems like this deal began around Amazon's four-day Prime Day event in early July, but it flew under our radar until a reader let us know about it today.

Apple first released the MacBook Air with the M1 chip in November 2020, as one of the first Macs with an Apple silicon chip, instead of an Intel processor. The configuration being sold for $599 includes the M1 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM, with Gold, Silver, and Space Gray color options all available as of this writing.

To the best of our knowledge, these MacBook Air units remain in brand-new condition, with the product listing not indicating they are refurbished.

Apple discontinued the MacBook Air with the M1 chip last year, after it launched models with the M3 chip, and it has since updated the MacBook Air with the M4 chip. Prior to being discontinued, the model with the M1 chip was being sold for a starting price of $999 brand new, but Amazon sometimes offered it on sale for $899.

While the MacBook Air with the M1 chip is nearly five years old, it is still a capable machine for many average day-to-day tasks. However, it has an older design, and it is the oldest MacBook Air model compatible with the upcoming macOS Tahoe update, so those aspects should be factored into your purchasing decision.

Walmart first began selling the MacBook Air with the M1 chip for $699 in March 2024. It has since dropped the price two times — first to $649, and now to $599. It is unclear how long supplies will last, but rumors suggest that Apple has a new MacBook with an A18 Pro chip in the pipeline, and that model is also predicted to cost between $599 and $699.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Walmart, and we may receive a small payment if you click a link in this article and proceed to make a purchase.
This article, "MacBook Air With M1 Chip is Just $599 at Walmart" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you’re trying to buy a new iPhone, it can often be hard to find something on a tighter budget. Sure, Apple offers the iPhone 16e at $599 – but not everyone finds that to be a compelling phone. Luckily, there’s plenty of great options if you want to buy used, and I’ll be delving into five great picks for varying needs.

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macOS Tahoe is a big update for Mac screensavers, with 15 brand new options coming. But there’s no need to wait to check them out, as all the new screensavers are available below.

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Apple has uploaded all of macOS Tahoe's beautiful new screen savers to its servers, and you can watch them right now without waiting for the operating system's release. The collection showcases some breathtaking aerial footage and nature scenes from the likes of India that will grace Mac screens later this year.


Rather than waiting to see what Apple has in store, you can preview every single screen saver from the upcoming macOS release immediately. Each video streams directly from Apple's content delivery network in high quality, so you can ignore any warnings your browser throws up.

How to Watch macOS Tahoe Screen Savers

Simply click any of the links below to start streaming the screen savers instantly in your browser in glorious 4K at 240 frames per second.

Lake Tahoe Collection

• Tahoe Day


• Tahoe Evening


• Tahoe Morning


• Tahoe Night

Himalayan Landscapes

• Himalayan Peaks


• Himalayas Day


• Through Himalayas

Indian Coastal and Natural Scenes

• Goa Beaches


• Goa Coast


• Reservoir Day


• Tea Gardens Day


• Tea Gardens Mist


• Tea Gardens from Above


• Ghansali from Above


• The Ganges

They also function as dynamic wallpapers that adapt throughout the day. Setting them from the Screen Saver section in System Settings makes both your wallpaper and screen saver change to the selected scene. They'll animate as screen savers and smoothly slow to a freeze-frame when you unlock to your desktop, just like Apple's existing aerial screen savers.


Alternatively, choosing them from the Wallpaper section changes only your desktop background without animation, but the wallpaper will still dynamically adjust its brightness and darkness to match your time of day.

• tvOS 26 Brings New Aerial Screen Saver Controls to Apple TV

These screen savers will automatically become available to all Mac owners when macOS Tahoe releases, but streaming or downloading them now gives you an early taste of what's coming to your desktop.
This article, "Stream Every New macOS Tahoe Screen Saver Right Now – Here's How" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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