Woot this week is back with a big sale on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands for Apple Watch, with as much as 70 percent off these accessories. Additionally, Woot has sweetened this deal and is offering 35 percent off when you buy two or more, 50 percent off three or more, and 65 percent off four or more.

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

You can get the Solo Loop for just $14.99 ($34 off) and the Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 ($69 off). All bands in this sale are in brand new condition and come with a one-year Apple limited warranty, and they are all compatible with the new Apple Watch Series 11.



Shoppers should note that this sale is focused on colors of the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop that Apple has stopped selling, and it doesn't include any of the new band colors. That being said, all of the bands in this sale are in new condition.

The entire sale is focused on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, so you'll need to know the size that works best for you before you buy. Apple has a measurement tool on its website that you can use to determine your exact size.

Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $14.99, down from $49.00


• Blue Hues - $14.99, down from $49.00


• Green Hues - $14.99, down from $49.00


• Purple Hues - $14.99, down from $49.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $14.99, down from $49.00

Braided Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Blue Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Green Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Purple Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Pride - $29.99, down from $99.00

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

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Volkswagen today announced that it is bringing Apple Watch support to the myVW app, allowing Volkswagen owners to access key vehicle functions from their wrists.


The myVW ap is available for most MY20+ ICE and electric vehicles that have an applicable connected vehicle service plan. Volkswagen has several paid plan options, like Remote Access, VW Vehicle Insights, and Safe and Secure.

Some of the features available through the Apple Watch app include Lock/Unlock, Honk and Flash, Vehicle Status, and Lock Status. For EVs, Remote Charging, Charge Status, and Climate Start/Stop are available. ICE models have access to Remote Start/Stop and Fuel Status.

To use the app, vehicle owners will need to download the myWV app, accept the myVW terms of service, add their vehicle to the virtual garage, and subscribe to a paid or included Remote Access or VW Vehicle Insights plan.
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Tesla is working to add support for Apple CarPlay in its vehicles, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.


Tesla vehicles rely on its own infotainment software system, which integrates vehicle functions, navigation, music, web browsing, and more. The automaker has been an outlier in foregoing support for Apple ‌CarPlay‌, which has otherwise become an industry standard feature, allowing users to mirror their iPhone apps to their in-car infotainment screen.

Now, Tesla seems to have abruptly reversed course and apparently intends to add support for the highly requested feature. Apple ‌CarPlay‌ for Tesla vehicles is said to now be in testing, according to several individuals familiar with the matter. The company has purportedly discussed a roll out of feature "in the coming months," but release plans are not yet finalized and it could come at a later date.

Tesla's adoption of ‌CarPlay‌ will involve the feature operating "within a window inside its broader interface," rather than being a full-screen experience like it is in most vehicles. Tesla's implementation will also be the standard version of wireless ‌CarPlay‌, rather than the next-generation ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra that started rolling out earlier this year.

Tesla apparently hopes that adding support for Apple ‌CarPlay‌ will help boost sales, with some prospective buyers citing the lack of ‌CarPlay‌ support as a reason for not choosing the company's cars.
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Apple today announced the App Store Mini Apps Partner Program, allowing apps that host mini apps and mini games to support In-App Purchases.


The program is designed for developers who host mini apps and games within a larger, native app.

Today, we're introducing the Mini Apps Partner Program, which expands on the App Store's ongoing support for apps that offer mini apps. Mini apps are self-contained experiences that are built using web technologies like HTML5 and JavaScript. This program is designed to help developers who host mini apps grow their business and further the availability of mini apps on the App Store — all while providing a great customer experience.

Participating developers may benefit from a reduced commission rate of 15% on the sales of qualifying In-App Purchases. To be eligible for this reduced commission rate, participating apps must support certain App Store technologies, including the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API in order to help provide a safe and seamless experience for customers of all ages.

The mini apps must be not be controlled by the developer of the host app. Participating apps are also required to support certain ‌App Store‌ technologies, such as the Declared Age Range API and the Advanced Commerce API. To join the Mini Apps Partner Program, developers must submit a request form.

The program seemingly relates to Apple's deal with Tencent, allowing it to obtain commission on mini games and mini apps in China's WeChat.

Apple also updated its App Review Guidelines today, adding and clarifying a range of requirements, including the provision that "creator apps must provide a way for users to identify content that exceeds the app's age rating, use an age restriction mechanism based on verified or declared age to limit access by underage users."
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Apple has reached a new agreement with Tencent that will allow the company to process payments and collect a 15% commission on purchases made inside WeChat mini games and mini apps on the iPhone, establishing a major new revenue stream in China after over a year of negotiations, according to Bloomberg.


Under the arrangement, Apple will begin handling in-app payment processing for qualifying mini apps and mini games distributed inside WeChat, China's dominant all-purpose mobile platform. Developers participating in the system will need to adopt specific Apple software requirements, including a feature that allows parents to share a child's age range.

Unlike users in the rest of the world, most Chinese ‌iPhone‌ users do not access services by downloading separate apps from the App Store. Instead, they use WeChat as a single interface for services, utilities, and entertainment. These functions are powered by a vast network of mini apps contained entirely within WeChat.

Purchases made through these mini apps have historically not generated ‌App Store‌ commission because many developers direct users to external payment systems. As a result, Apple's new agreement gives the company a foothold in a major segment of Chinese mobile payments from which it previously received no revenue.

While the new 15% commission is half of Apple's standard 30% rate for many ‌App Store‌ transactions, Bloomberg estimates that the size of the WeChat ecosystem makes the agreement potentially worth billions of dollars to Apple. The agreement is expected to be disclosed publicly by the companies at a later date.

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Amazon today has dropped the price of the new M5 MacBook Pro to $1,480.00, down from $1,599.00. This is the 10-Core model with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD in Space Black, and it's a new all-time low price on the M5 MacBook Pro.

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

This version of the MacBook Pro just launched last month and it comes with the newest M5 chip, which offers up to 15% faster CPU performance and up to 45% faster graphics when compared to the M4 chip. For the 512GB model, Amazon provides a November 18 estimated arrival date for free shipping without Prime.



If you're shopping for any other models of the M5 MacBook Pro, you'll want to take a look at our exclusive offers at Expercom. In regards to both 1TB models, as well as a few custom higher-end models, you'll find the best prices here, and our discount has been applied automatically to every computer. Some examples of deals are listed below.

• 10-Core M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB - $1,673.07, down from $1,799.00


• 10-Core M5, 24GB RAM, 512GB, Nano-texture - $1,812.57, down from $1,949.00


• 10-Core M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB - $1,859.07, down from $1,999.00

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

Note: We're currently seeing an issue where clicking on the links in this article may not show the discounted pricing. Opening the links in a new tab/window or manually copying and pasting them into your browser should, however, work. The issue seems to only affect Safari, with Chrome, Firefox, and several other browsers working fine in our testing.

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iOS 26 extended pinned conversations in the Messages app to CarPlay, for quick access to your most frequent chats. However, some drivers may prefer the classic view with a list of individual conversations only, and Apple now lets users choose.


Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.2 this week, and it introduces a new CarPlay setting for turning off pinned conversations in the Messages app. After installing the beta on your iPhone, simply open the Settings app on CarPlay, look for the Pinned Conversations toggle in the main menu, and turn it off if you prefer to.

iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, according to Apple.

• Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 1


• Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 2

CarPlay received many other upgrades on iOS 26, including a Liquid Glass design, Live Activities, widgets, a compact view for phone calls, and more.

• iOS 26 Adds These 10 New Features to CarPlay

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Apple was today denied permission from the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to appeal a ruling that found its App Store commission practices to be unlawful and could result in damages of over $1 billion.


The hearing follows a decision made in October by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) saying that Apple unlawfully abused its position in the distribution of iOS apps. The case was brought forward in 2023 on behalf of more than 1,500 UK developers who alleged that Apple charged excessive commission rates on paid apps and in-app purchases.

The tribunal agreed, ruling that Apple holds a monopoly over the sale and distribution of iPhone apps and that its commission structure resulted in higher prices being passed on to consumers. According to the CAT's published judgment, it accepted the claimants' argument that Apple's control over app distribution meant developers had "no economically viable alternative" to the ‌App Store‌.

The tribunal also cited comments made by Steve Jobs in 2008 that Apple did not intend to profit from the store and aimed only to cover operating costs. That early statement was referenced by the claimants as evidence that Apple's current commission structure had diverged significantly from its initial framing.

The latest hearing sought to establish a methodology for calculating compensation for both developers and affected consumers. Apple used the same hearing to request permission to appeal the October ruling, which was denied. Apple is now entitled to apply directly to the Court of Appeal to challenge the refusal and continue pursuing an appeal of the main ruling.
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1Password today announced a redesigned unlock system for Mac and Windows that allows the app to open automatically when a user unlocks their device.


The new setting lets 1Password unlock alongside the operating system when a user authenticates with Face ID, Touch ID, a PIN, or a system password. According to 1Password, this removes the repeated reauthentication many users encounter when returning to their computers after brief periods away, while still relying on the device's built-in authentication hardware to validate identity.

1Password said the feature is optional and forms part of a broader update introducing new security presets that define how frequently the app locks. The presets offer three default configurations ranging from automatic unlock with the device to more frequent password prompts. Each preset can be adjusted per device, and settings do not sync across platforms.

The update also introduces a security review prompt that explains how each preset works and, in some cases, recommends creating a recovery code. Recovery codes provide an additional fallback if users forget their password or lose access to a trusted device.

1Password said that mobile versions already support a similar device-based unlock, though the app will only reopen automatically if it was accessed within the previous 10 minutes.

The company said the new features are first rolling out to Individual and Family accounts. Business and Enterprise users will receive a separate update and no settings will change without administrator approval.
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Apple's entry-level iPhone 16e model is selling poorly, just like the iPhone Air, according to an Asia-based leaker.


The Weibo user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the ‌iPhone 16e‌ is not selling well and the attempt at delivering a popular, low-cost iPhone has "failed." That being said, both models are expected to see successors. The ‌iPhone‌ 17e is expected to debut in the spring of 2026, while the ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 is likely to arrive at a later date owing to a delay. Meanwhile, demand for the iPhone 17 lineup continues to surge, with production orders increasing.

The ‌iPhone 16e‌ was introduced earlier this year, offering the A18 chip, an OLED display, the C1 modem, a 48-megapixel camera, and more, for $599. There have been few reports about its sales performance until now.

On the other hand, the ‌iPhone Air‌ is widely reported to have seen low demand. All production is expected to stop by the end of this month. There were plans for a second-generation ‌iPhone Air‌ that would be released alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, but The Information says Apple has decided to delay the fall 2026 launch.

The ‌iPhone‌ 17e is expected to feature the A19 chip and potentially the Dynamic Island. The ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 is rumored to offer an additional rear camera, a larger battery, and a vapor-chamber for cooling. Apple is seemingly hoping that these enhancements will help lift sales.
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Apple today provided developers with the second beta of iOS 26.2, which adds a few new features worth knowing about.

Measure App

Apple's Measure app now features a Liquid Glass design for the level, with two Liquid Glass bubbles instead of white circles.

Games App

There's now an option to sort games in the Games app Library by size, in addition to Name and Recent.

CarPlay

The CarPlay app supports disabling pinned messages in the Messages app.

Menu Animations

For pop-out menus that expand from a corner button, there's a quicker, bouncier animation that looks like the animation that Apple showed off at WWDC.

Alerts

Apple now provides more information on the Enhanced Safety Alerts added in the first beta.

Enhanced Safety Alerts can provide you safety alerts on your iPhone and Watch to notify you of an emergency event, such as an earthquake or flood. These alerts are sent over available connectivity, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and, when available, mobile data. Apple can deliver Enhanced Safety Alerts to your current region, which is determined using your device location. A region may be a country, or for some countries (such as the US), a region may be a group of states. Your Apple device can be associated with this region. Apple does not store information about your device location in a region.

Enhanced Safety Alerts are turned on by default. You can disable or re-enable Enhanced Safety Alerts by going to Settings > Notifications > Enhanced Alerts > Enhanced Safety Alerts, then tapping to turn one or more types of Enhanced Safety Alerts on or off. Enhanced Safety Alerts are delivered by Apple and will appear and sound different to a Government Alert sent by your local government.

Improve Alert Delivery uses your approximate location to improve the timeliness and reliability of Enhanced Safety Alerts. For example, Earthquake Alerts might be delivered quicker and more reliably when Improve Alert Delivery is turned on. Apple does not store your approximate location. You can enable Improve Alert Delivery in Settings > Notifications > Enhanced Alerts > Enhanced Safety Alerts > Improve Alert Delivery.
To receive Enhanced Alerts, you must have enabled Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Alerts & Shortcuts Automation.

Other Features

There are several other new features coming in iOS 26.2, such as a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen and Live Translation support for the AirPods in the European Union. More information can be found in our iOS 26.2 beta 1 guide.

Download iOS 26.2

iOS 26.2 beta 2 is available for developers right now, but a public beta is likely coming later this week. You can sign up for public beta testing by visiting Apple's beta website.

Compatibility

iOS 26.2 is available on all iPhones that support iOS 26.

Release Date

We're expecting Apple to release iOS 26.2 in December, sometime between December 9 and December 16.
This article, "Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.


‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 232 includes fixes and updates for CSS, JavaScript, Media, Rendering, SVG, Storage, Web API, and Web Inspector.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser from Apple’s website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple’s aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
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Aqara today launched its latest sensor, debuting the Presence Multi-Sensor FP300. Aqara’s sensor is able to determine when someone is in the room, providing a useful way to control HomeKit-connected lights and devices.


There are dual mmWave and passive infrared sensors inside the FP300, and in our testing prior to launch, the sensors worked well to detect presence and keep lights on even when sitting still.

A wide 120-degree field of view provides coverage of most of a room depending on where the sensor is located, and Aqara added extra sensors for ambient light, humidity, and temperature. It’s handy to have extra sensors for keeping an eye on room conditions or activating scenes based on parameters like light levels.

Unlike prior Aqara sensors that detect presence, the FP300 is battery powered so it can be placed anywhere, and it’s also more affordable. At $50, it’s an easier buy for rooms where you want better control over when the lights are on and off. The sensor is small and unobtrusive with a rotatable base, so it can be placed almost anywhere. It comes with screws, adhesive and a magnet for mounting it on the wall or another surface.

Compared to the more expensive FP2 Presence Sensor from Aqara, the FP300 is not as advanced and does not include multi-person detection, sleep tracking, or fall detection capabilities.

There are plenty of sensors that can detect movement to turn on lights or activate other devices, but those mostly work by detecting movement upfront and then turning the lights off after a set period. Aqara’s Presence Sensor works much better than these static motion sensors. It keeps the lights on inside the closet for the entire duration that I’m in there before turning them off again. It has a range of almost 20 feet, so it works in most rooms.

The FP300 is able to connect to HomeKit using Matter, and it also includes Zigbee and Thread protocol support. When used in Thread mode, it can connect with Apple Home without a hub, but Zigbee mode requires an Aqara Zigbee Hub.

It supports ‌HomeKit‌ automations, so you can create actions for turning on lights or other devices when you enter the room, or use features like the ambient light detection to automate your lights when it starts to get dark.

Combining the included sensors is useful too. You can set up an automation for turning the lights on in the dark only when presence is detected, or activating the thermostat only if it’s over a certain temperature while someone is in the room. Aqara designed the sensor with AI, and it can adjust detection sensitivity to the room where it is placed.

There are two CR2450 batteries inside, which will need to be replaced approximately once every two years when it’s connected via Thread.

The Presence Sensor FP300 can be purchased from Amazon for $50 as of today.
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The second beta of macOS 26.2 introduces a new Edge Light feature that's designed for video calls on FaceTime and other video calling platforms. It adds a light border around the edges of your Mac's display, providing improved lighting. Apple says that it is meant to help you look your best on video calls.


Edge Light mimics a ring light, eliminating the need for a separate device. It can provide illumination when you're in a dark room, and customize the light to match the brightness of the ambient lighting.

The Mac's Apple Neural Engine is able to detect your face, relative size, and location in the video frame to position the light appropriately, and it will fade out to allow you to access content on your screen when needed by detecting your mouse cursor. You can adjust the color of the light using a slider that transitions between warm and cool options.

Edge Light can be accessed in the settings of video conferencing apps alongside other options like backgrounds, Portrait mode, Studio Light, and Voice Isolation. The feature is available on Macs that support Apple silicon, and it works with both webcams and external cameras that are connected.

On Macs from 2024 and later, Edge Light can turn on automatically when ambient lighting in the room drops.

Developers can try Edge Light today, and macOS Tahoe 26.2 is set to launch to the public in December.
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Apple today provided the second beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple released the first beta.


Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.2 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

The Reminders app is getting an option to have an alarm go off when a reminder is due, the News app has some design updates, and Apple is adding new features to the Podcasts app.

We'll likely see Apple release macOS Tahoe 26.2 right around mid-December given past launch timelines.
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Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the first betas.


Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.2 has a Liquid Glass slider on the Lock Screen to adjust the transparency of the clock, plus it brings AirPods Live Translation to the European Union. The Reminders app now supports alarms for when tasks are due, and there are updates to the Podcasts and Apple News apps.

We have a full guide on all of the features available in iOS 26.2 in our guide.

iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 will see a launch in December.
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Apple today provided developers with the second betas of upcoming watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS 26.2 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple seeded the first betas.


The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.

watchOS 26.2 features updated Sleep Score ranges that better match how people might be feeling after a night's rest.

In tvOS 26.2, Apple added support for creating a profile without an Apple Account, plus there is a dedicated Apple TV app kids mode for profiles created for kids.

We don't know what new features might be added in watchOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and tvOS 26.2. Apple doesn't typically provide release notes for betas, so we might not know what's new until the software updates see a public launch unless there are outward-facing changes.

The new updates will probably launch sometime between December 9 and December 16, given Apple's historical release timelines for .2 updates.
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OpenAI today upgraded GPT-5 to GPT-5.1, the next-generation version of the AI model that powers ChatGPT. There are two versions of GPT-5.1, including Instant and Thinking.


Instant is warmer, more intelligent, and better at following instructions, according to OpenAI, while GPT-5.1 Thinking is easier to understand, faster on simple tasks, and more persistent on complex tasks.

OpenAI says that users can expect a more enjoyable communication experience, with options to more easily customize ChatGPT's tone. There are new presets for tone, including Professional, Candid, and Quirky. The new presets join the existing Default, Nerdy, Cynical, Friendly (previously Listener), and Efficient (previously Robot) options. ChatGPT can also proactively offer to update preferences during conversations when you ask for a certain tone or style, and there are fine tuning options to adjust how concise, warm, or scannable responses are, along with how often it employs emojis.

By default, GPT-5.1 Instant is warmer and more playful, and more likely to adhere to parameters that you set. GPT-5.1 Thinking is able to adapt thinking time more precisely to the question, and responses are clearer with fewer undefined terms. It's also warmer and more empathetic than before.

Questions will continue to be routed to the most suitable model using GPT-5.1 Auto. GPT 5.1 Instant and Thinking are rolling out to users today, with paid Pro, Plus, Go, and Business users set to get access first, then free and logged-out users. Enterprise and Edu users will get a seven-day early-access toggle, after which GPT-5.1 will become the default model.

OpenAI plans to roll out GPT-5.1 gradually to keep performance stable, so not all users will see it right away.

GPT-5 will remain available in the legacy models dropdown for paid subscribers for the next three months.
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While it was rumored that Apple planned to release new versions of the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag this year, it is no longer clear if that will still happen.


Back in January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year," while he at one point expected a new AirTag to launch "around the middle of 2025." Yet, nothing so far.

There are reasons to believe that at least one of the products could be updated imminently, but there are also signs that Apple might hold off until next year.

For starters, HomePod mini inventory is running low at many of Apple's retail stores, and the speaker is completely out of stock at select resellers. That would typically be a sign that a hardware refresh is imminent, but it is already mid-November, so it is getting late in the year. Apple just updated its online store for the holiday season, and it even highlights the existing five-year-old HomePod mini as a gift idea.

"We are excited to be sharing our most extraordinary lineup of products as we head into the holiday season," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a press release at the end of October. Did he mean no more new products this year? Maybe. Maybe not.

Apple rarely launches new products in the second half of November or December, but it has happened a few times. For example, the original 16-inch MacBook Pro was announced in November 2019, and the AirPods Max were unveiled in December 2020. So, anything is possible. Just keep your expectations low.

All in all, the reality is that nobody seems to know if the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag will be updated this year anymore — at least until the next rumor surfaces.

If the HomePod mini and Apple TV do not end up being updated until 2026, it could be the result of Apple delaying its more personalized version of Siri until next year, as Gurman expects both devices to support the revamped assistant. The improved Siri is currently expected to launch as part of iOS 26.4 in March or April. It is possible that Apple would want to show off the new-and-improved Siri at the same time as the first new devices that will run it, including the company's long-rumored smart home hub.

The current HomePod mini was unveiled in October 2020, while the latest-generation Apple TV 4K was released in October 2022.

It is harder to explain why the AirTag has not been updated yet. Apple unveiled the current version of the accessory in April 2021.

Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product:

• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for proximity features, and potentially new color options like Red.


• Apple TV: A faster A17 Pro chip that will support next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, and Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model specifically.


• AirTag: Up to 3× longer item tracking range vs. current AirTag, a more tamper-proof speaker, and "very low" battery life alerts.

What do you think? Will any of these products be updated this year, or is Apple done for now?
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Apple today announced that iPhone users can now create a Digital ID in the Apple Wallet app based on information from their U.S. passport.


To create and present a Digital ID based on a U.S. passport, you need:

• An iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.1 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 26.1 or later


• Face ID or Touch ID and Bluetooth turned on


• An Apple Account with two-factor authentication turned on


• A valid U.S. passport that is not expired


• Your device region set to United States

To create a Digital ID, tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner of the Wallet app on the iPhone, and then select Driver's License or ID Cards. Next, select Digital ID and follow the on-screen instructions to start the setup and verification process.

During the setup process, one must use their iPhone to scan the photo page of their physical passport. They will also be asked to use their iPhone to read the chip embedded on the back of their passport, to ensure the data's authenticity. From there, they are asked to take a selfie for verification, and as another security step, they will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you can present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for age and identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple said it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.


At launch, Apple said Digital IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S., but the company said the feature is still in public beta.

To present a Digital ID in person, double-click the iPhone's side button and select Digital ID. Then, hold the iPhone near a scanner, review the information being requested, and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. The feature is also available on the Apple Watch.

In the future, Apple said users will be able to present their Digital ID at select stores for identity and age verification in person, as well as in supported apps and online on supported websites. No specific timeframe for this was shared.

Apple said Digital ID data is encrypted, and it ensured that iPhone and Apple Watch privacy and security features help protect against tampering and theft. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their Digital ID.

This feature builds on the existing driver's license feature in the Wallet app, which is currently available in 12 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Japan's My Number Card can also be added to the Wallet app.

More details about the passport feature are available in an Apple support document.
This article, "Apple Announces Launch of U.S. Passport Feature in iPhone's Wallet App" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's extended return policy went into effect today for the 2025 holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products sold by Apple online and in its stores, but there are a few exceptions, including most carrier-financed iPhones.


In the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and many other countries, most products purchased between November 12 and December 25 of this year may be returned through January 8, 2026, according to Apple's website. All purchases made after December 25 in those countries are subject to Apple's standard 14-day or 15-day return policy.

In some countries, such as Italy, Spain, Japan, and Mexico, the return window is slightly longer. Apple says eligible products purchased in those countries between November 12 and January 6, 2026 may be returned through January 20, 2026.

Apple has also updated its online store with gift recommendations for the holidays. Notably, this includes the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag, even those though products have not been updated in years. HomePod mini inventory is low at many Apple Stores, and the speaker is entirely out of stock at select resellers, but there is no clear consensus on whether it will still be updated this year, as was initially rumored.

In the Apple Store app on the iPhone and iPad, you can send someone a personalized gift email.
This article, "Apple's Extended Return Policy Now in Effect for 2025 Holiday Season" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Arcade will be adding five games on Thursday, December 4, including endless runner Subway Surfers, the world's most downloaded mobile game. Since its launch in 2012, the game has received billions of downloads across all platforms.


The premium Subway Surfers+ edition on Apple Arcade will offer the same run as the classic game, but without in-app purchases and ads. As a result, there will be new ways to revive your character, collect items, and progress.

A spin-off game Subway Surfers Tag was already released on Apple Arcade in 2022.

The other four games coming to Apple Arcade on December 4:

• SpongeBob: Patty Pursuit 2, a sequel to the popular side-scrolling game


• PowerWash Simulator, which involves pressure washing dirty vehicles, homes, and more


• Cult of the Lamb Arcade Edition, a mobile version of the award-winning roguelite dungeon crawler


• NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM+, a 3D fighting game based on the popular manga and anime series

In addition, the popular Apple Arcade game Sneaky Sasquatch recently launched a massive farming town in the game.


Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store, and in the Apple Games app.
This article, "Apple Arcade Adding World's Most Downloaded Mobile Game and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today shared a study commissioned from Analysis Group [PDF] that looks at App Store pricing changes before and after reduced fees took effect in the EU in March 2024 under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The report shows that the DMA has not resulted in lower prices for consumers.


In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that the DMA has reduced privacy and security without the outcomes that EU lawmakers expected.

The DMA has failed to live up to its promises, delivering less security, less privacy, and a worse experience for consumers across Europe. This study provides further evidence that the DMA is not benefiting consumers in the form of lower prices. At the same time, we know the regulation is creating new barriers for innovators and startups while exposing consumers to new risks.

The European Commission believes that if developers pay reduced fees, those savings will be passed on to consumers through lower prices, but the study suggests that lower fees have not led to lower ‌App Store‌ prices.

Analysis Group looked at 41 million ‌App Store‌ transactions across 21,000 paid apps and in-app purchases, comparing app prices for three months before developers enrolled in the alternative business terms to prices for three months after they enrolled. 91 percent of the time, prices did not go down, even though fees dropped by 10 percentage points on average. In some cases, developers raised their prices.

The top five EU app developers did not change their app pricing despite the reduced commission, instead keeping the additional revenue. Developers paid an estimated 20.1 million euros less in commission fees to Apple after the change. More than 86 percent of the savings went to developers outside of the European Union.

When developers did lower prices, the average decrease was 2.5 percent, seemingly unrelated to the DMA. Apple says that it saw the same effect when it launched the ‌App Store‌ Small Business Program. The lowered fees did not result in meaningful savings for consumers because only a small minority of developers decreased their prices.

The study says that the percentage of fee reductions does not change over a longer eight-month period, and that the Core Technology Fee paid by apps with more than one million first-time installs per year also does not change the results. 80 percent of the apps in the study did not pay the CTF.

The study was done on behalf of Apple, and it wasn't independently produced. It is limited to ‌App Store‌ data, and only applies to apps using Apple's services. It didn't include web or alternative marketplace pricing, and developers do have those distribution options under the DMA. A more in-depth look at the results and the data are available in the full study. [PDF].

Apple argues that the Digital Markets Act leads to a worse experience for consumers in the European Union, with less security, less privacy, less innovation, and more complexity. Apple has delayed several iOS 18 and iOS 26 features in the EU, and it attributes those delays to DMA requirements.

Live Translation was not available in the European Union when the AirPods Pro 3 launched, but it is coming soon. Apple hasn't found a way to bring iPhone Mirroring to non-Apple devices without privacy risks, so it remains unavailable. Automatic Wi-Fi network syncing is being disabled in iOS 26.2 because Apple wants to keep consumer Wi-Fi data from being shared with third parties. The DMA would give developers access to usernames, Wi-Fi network history, and more.
This article, "EU's Digital Markets Act Failed to Lower App Store Prices, Apple-Commissioned Study Says" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible car chargers to portable power stations, Find My compatible wallets, and robot vacuums.

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.

Highlights of the sales include Anker's 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank for $35.99 ($14 off), Jackery's Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station for $399.00 ($100 off), and Ecovacs' Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum for $699.99 ($600 off). Some of these deals will require a Prime membership in order to see the final deal price.





Anker's discounts on Amazon include big savings on MagSafe-compatible charging stations, USB-C accessories, portable batteries, and much more. The popular Anker 60,000mAh Power Station with Smart Digital Display and Retractable Light is available for $99.99, down from $149.99.

Anker

• Nano USB-C 30W Foldable Charger - $11.19, down from $19.99


• 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank - $35.99, down from $49.99


• Soundcore V40i Open-Ear Headphones - $49.99, down from $79.99


• MagGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger - $59.99, down from $89.99


• 10,000 mAh MagGo Qi2 Power Bank - $79.99, down from $89.99


• 140W 4-Port USB-C Charger - $65.99, down from $99.99


• Power Station with Lantern - $99.99, down from $149.99

Jackery

• Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station - $399.00, down from $499.00


• Explorer 2000 Plus Solar Generator - $2,199.00, down from $4,399.00

Ecovacs

• Deebot N30 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop - $349.99, down from $699.99


• Deebot T30S Pro Robot Vacuum - $545.99, down from $1,099.99


• Deebot T50 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum - $499.99, down from $699.99


• Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum - $699.99, down from $1,299.99

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

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This article, "Amazon Introduces Early Black Friday Deals on Popular Accessories From Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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