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Apple Camp Registration Opens Today

Apple today announced that registration for its annual summer camp for kids will open today.


Apple Camp will run from June 21 through July 31 this year at Apple Store locations around the world. A part of the broader Today at Apple program, the camp offers free creative programming to children ages 6-10, with parental or guardian attendance required. This year, families can learn how to make movies on an iPad using the iMovie app.

All children will take home an Apple Camp shirt, which has been redesigned this year and is now made from 100% recycled materials, according to Apple.

The 90-minute sessions are free of charge, and Apple will provide children with an iPad to use during the sessions.
This article, "Apple Camp Registration Opens Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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New Apple Arcade Ad Features SpongeBob, Pac-Man, Sonic, and More

Hold that train! The latest Apple Arcade ad shared today features SpongeBob SquarePants, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, and many other popular characters, who are all quickly trying to board a departing train at a station.


The idea behind the ad is that Apple Arcade provides you with access to hundreds of games on the go, right on your iPhone, with a single subscription.

"Bring hundreds of games with you," says Apple. "Fun for all. All on iPhone."

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

Apple Arcade is also prominently featured in Apple's new Games app.
This article, "New Apple Arcade Ad Features SpongeBob, Pac-Man, Sonic, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Begins Selling Wide Range of Accessories in Fun Summer Colors

Apple has teamed up with a handful of accessory makers to offer chargers, stands, cases, power banks, cables, and more in fun new color options, like Teal, Coral, and Deep Purple. The splash of color arrives just in time for summer in many countries.


The new color options are available exclusively from Apple, both online and for in-store pickup.

Participating brands include Anker, Belkin, Herschel, Mophie, Nimble, PopSockets, SanDisk, Satechi, Scosche, Tech21, and Twelve South.
This article, "Apple Begins Selling Wide Range of Accessories in Fun Summer Colors" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Safari Changes on iOS 26 Go Beyond the Address Bar

One of the key changes to Safari on iOS 26 is a redesigned Liquid Glass address bar, with three layouts available to choose from. Beyond that, the upcoming software update includes a few smaller changes for the web browser.


Web Apps For All Websites


Starting with iOS 26, every website added to the Home Screen via Safari opens as a web app, even if it is not configured to be. On earlier iOS versions, websites that were not configured to open as a web app would open in Safari, meaning that the Home Screen app icons for those websites were effectively just bookmarks.


Users can turn off "Open as Web App" while adding a website to the Home Screen if they prefer the app icons to still function as simple bookmarks.

This change also applies to iPadOS 26.

HDR Images


Safari now supports HDR images, five years after the browser gained support for HDR video.

HDR images have wider dynamic range and increased color gamut, making bright areas of the image appear brighter and dark areas appear darker.

This change applies across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26.

SVG Icons


Safari now supports the SVG file format for icons anywhere that they are shown in the browser, including in the bookmark bar and on the start page.

SVG icons have smaller file sizes than PNG icons, and they offer infinite vector scaling, meaning they can be resized without any loss in image quality.

More


Even more changes coming to Safari across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26 were outlined in a WebKit blog post last week.

iOS 26 and the other software updates are currently in beta.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tag: Safari
Related Forum: iOS 26

This article, "Safari Changes on iOS 26 Go Beyond the Address Bar" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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How to Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta

Apple has made the first macOS Tahoe developer beta available for testing before its official release in the fall, but don't be fooled into thinking only developers can download it. Keep reading to learn whether you should install it on your Mac, and if so, how to go about it.


Getting access to the macOS Tahoe developer beta is simple, and can be done by registering your Apple Account with the Apple Developer program. The extra steps you need to complete to install the software on your Mac are provided towards the end of this article, but before you jump ahead, here are a few things worth considering.

Should I Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta?


With macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces a major redesign for the platform with the all-new Liquid Glass interface, along with a host of new features. These include the Phone app on Mac, powerful new Spotlight actions, further Apple Intelligence integration, a dedicated Games app, and customizable backgrounds in Messages. Live Activities from iPhone also make their way to your Mac's menu bar, which now has a fully customizable Control Center. With so many additions and a striking visual update, it's no surprise that macOS Tahoe is generating a lot of interest among Mac users.

But before you commit, bear in mind that Apple does not recommend installing macOS developer beta updates on your main Mac. Remember, this is beta software, which means there are almost certainly bugs and issues that can prevent software from working properly or cause other problems with the system. Indeed, one of the reasons that Apple releases the beta to developers early is so that they can feed back problems and help Apple debug them. If you have a spare Mac hanging around, by all means use that, but we would be the first to advise holding off until at least July, when the macOS Tahoe public beta is expected to drop.

Is My Mac Supported?


macOS Tahoe is compatible with the following Mac models, according to Apple:

  • MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

  • MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)

  • MacBook Pro (16‑inch, 2019)

  • MacBook Pro (13‑inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

  • iMac (2020 and later)

  • Mac mini (2020 and later)

  • Mac Studio (2022 and later)

  • Mac Pro (2019 and later)

macOS Tahoe officially drops support for the following Macs (earlier models than those shown are also not supported):

  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)

  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)

  • iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019)

  • iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)

  • iMac Pro (2017)

  • Mac mini (2018)

Don't Forget to Back Up Your Mac


Be sure to back up your Mac using Time Machine before installing the software using the method, otherwise you won't be able to revert back to the previous version of macOS if things go wrong.

How to Install macOS Tahoe Developer Beta


  1. If you haven't already, register your Apple Account with the Apple Developer Program (it's free) over at developer.apple.com.

  2. Open System Settings on your Mac and select General ➝ Software Update.

  3. Look for "Beta Updates" and click the info (i) symbol next to it.
    settings
  4. Choose macOS Tahoe 26 Developer Beta from the dropdown list.
    settings
  5. Click Upgrade Now to begin the update process to macOS 26.
That's all you need to do. The installation process will complete just like a standard macOS update, so sit back and let the installation finish, after which your Mac will boot directly into the macOS Tahoe beta.
This article, "How to Install the macOS Tahoe Developer Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Get Up to $400 Off M4 MacBook Pro on Amazon, Starting at $1,399

Today we're tracking a collection of discounts on Apple's M4 MacBook Pro at Amazon, including as much as $400 off select models of the computer. Most of these deals represent solid second-best prices on each model.

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.

Deals include both 14-inch and 16-inch models, and the biggest savings will be found on the latter group. The steepest discount is on the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max 48GB RAM/1TB), available for $3,599.00, down from $3,999.00. Most of the computers in this sale have estimated delivery dates before the end of June.



For the 14-inch models, you'll find up to $320 off these computers on Amazon this week. You can get the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/512GB) for $1,399.00, down from $1,599.00, available in both Silver and Space Black.

14-inch MacBook Pro



16-inch MacBook Pro




Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.



Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over iCloud Backups

Apple will face a proposed class action lawsuit in California federal court over allegations that iCloud unlawfully monopolizes iPhone users' access to core device backups, following a judge's decision to deny the company's motion to dismiss the case (via Reuters).


Earlier this week, the Northern District of California ruled that plaintiffs had sufficiently amended their complaint to move forward with antitrust claims in light of "substantial new allegations." The lawsuit was originally filed in March 2024 and alleges that Apple effectively forces consumers to use ‌iCloud‌ for backing up ‌iPhone‌ data while restricting third-party cloud services from providing comparable functionality, with wired backups being the only other option.

While Apple permits third-party services to back up user data such as photos, videos, and documents, the company does not allow them to access certain system-level items, including device settings, app configurations, and encrypted keychains. The plaintiffs seek to certify a nationwide class of potentially tens of millions of ‌iCloud‌ subscribers, arguing that Apple's system effectively coerces users into subscribing to its paid storage tiers.

Apple provides all users with 5GB of free ‌iCloud‌ storage. For many users, this allocation is insufficient for full-device backups. Paid plans begin at $0.99 per month for 50GB in the United States. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim that the restricted access to full backup functionality compels users to purchase ‌iCloud‌ subscriptions, resulting in overcharges that violate U.S. competition law.

In its motion to dismiss, Apple argued that the need to use ‌iCloud‌ for backups was shaped by privacy and security considerations. The company said that the restrictions on access to sensitive files were intentional and rooted in the need to protect users' personal information. Apple also contended that the case was time-barred, as plaintiffs must generally bring federal antitrust claims within four years of the alleged violation.

Apple is required to file a formal response to the complaint by July 7, 2025. See the full court order for more information.
This article, "Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over iCloud Backups" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Google Maps Unveils 4 Major Updates for European Commuters

Google has announced four Maps updates across Europe designed to reduce reliance on driving and promote sustainable transportation choices.


Google says it's expanding its AI-powered alternative transport suggestions to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Warsaw, and additional cities in the coming months. The feature predicts when walking or transit will match driving times, which aims to help users avoid car trips entirely.

Meanwhile, cyclists this summer are getting enhanced route details in 17 new European cities, including Hamburg, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Zurich, Budapest, Vienna, and Brussels. The updates show dedicated bike lanes alongside existing warnings about traffic and steep hills, covering 125,000 kilometers of cycling infrastructure globally.

For necessary car journeys, Google says its fuel-efficient routing is now live worldwide. The company estimates this feature alone prevented 2.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, which is equivalent to removing over 630,000 cars from roads for a year.

The final update tackles low-emission zones and low-traffic zones. Over the coming months, Google says it will expand alerts for restricted areas to over 1,000 zones across Europe, including Italy, Sweden, and Austria. The notifications mean it's possible for drivers to check vehicle eligibility and find alternative routes when needed.


Since the end of March when Apple released iOS 18.4, iPhone users in the EU have been able to set Google Maps as their default navigation app, completely replacing Apple Maps. If you count yourself among them, perhaps the upcoming updates will improve your travels on the continent this summer.
This article, "Google Maps Unveils 4 Major Updates for European Commuters" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's New Transcription APIs Blow Past Whisper in Speed Tests

Apple's new speech-to-text transcription APIs in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe are delivering dramatically faster speeds compared to rival tools, including OpenAI's Whisper, based on beta testing conducted by MacStories' John Voorhees.

Call recording and transcription in iOS 18.1

Apple uses its own native speech frameworks to power live transcription features in apps like Notes and Voice Memos, as well as phone call transcription in iOS 18.1. To improve efficiency in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, Apple has introduced a new SpeechAnalyzer class and SpeechTranscriber module that deal with similar requests.

According to Voorhees, the new models processed a 34-minute, 7GB video file in just 45 seconds using a command line tool called Yap (developed by Voorhees' son, Finn). That's a full 55% faster than MacWhisper's Large V3 Turbo model, which took 1 minute and 41 seconds for the same file.

Other Whisper-based tools performed even slower, with VidCap taking 1:55 and MacWhisper's Large V2 model requiring 3:55 to complete the same transcription task. Voorhees also reported no noticeable difference in transcription quality across models.

The speed advantage comes from Apple's on-device processing approach, which avoids the network overhead that typically slows cloud-based transcription services.

While the time difference might seem modest for individual files, Voorhees notes that the performance gain increases exponentially when processing multiple videos or longer content. For anyone generating subtitles or transcribing lectures regularly, the efficiency boost could save them hours.

The Speech framework components are available across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro platforms in the current beta releases. Voorhees expects Apple's transcription technology to eventually replace Whisper as the go-to solution for Mac transcription apps.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe
Related Forums: iOS 26, macOS Tahoe

This article, "Apple's New Transcription APIs Blow Past Whisper in Speed Tests" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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2027 iPhone Air Could Debut Power-Saving LTPO3 OLED Display

Apple is considering introducing displays that use a lot less battery power in its iPhone lineup starting in 2027, according to a new report from The Elec.


According to the Korean-language report, the technology would involve upgrading Apple's current LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) OLED displays by incorporating oxide semiconductors in both switching and drive transistors.

Every iPhone screen has millions of tiny switches that control each pixel. Right now, Apple uses two different types of these switches: some are power-efficient but slow, while others are fast but power-hungry.

Apple's current plan has this year's iPhone 17 series using low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LPTO2) displays across the lineup, which would continue to use a mix of both switch types. But by 2027, Apple might replace more of the power-hungry switches with efficient ones.

The benefit of moving the drive transistors to oxide would be much better battery life when the iPhone screen runs at low refresh rates, such as 1Hz when it's showing the always-on display with just the time and notifications. The downside is that the more efficient oxide switches respond slower, so Apple would somehow have to balance performance with efficiency.

The Elec suggests Apple will likely debut this advanced LTPO technology – sometimes called "LTPO3" – in a 2027 version of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air.

Since thinner phones have less room for big batteries, squeezing every bit of efficiency from the screen is crucial. Therefore, the iPhone Pro models, which are thicker and can fit larger batteries, probably won't get the new display tech right away. In other words, Apple views the power savings as more critical for ultra-thin devices.

Apple has already tested this approach with the Apple Watch Series 10, which uses the more efficient LPTO3 display technology. This has likely given Apple the confidence to scale the technology to iPhone-sized displays.

The report suggests Samsung and LG will manufacture these next-generation displays, though both companies will need to invest in new equipment. LG faces the bigger challenge, since it produces fewer OLED screens overall compared to Samsung.

Apple reportedly plans to make a final decision on adopting the new display architecture for at least one model in its 2027 iPhone lineup by Q3 2025, giving suppliers roughly two years to prepare for potential mass production.
This article, "2027 iPhone Air Could Debut Power-Saving LTPO3 OLED Display" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Trump to Delay TikTok Ban for Another 90 Days

U.S. President Donald Trump will extend the looming TikTok ban for another 90 days later this week, the White House said today (via Axios). It will be the third extension Trump has put in place since taking office in January.


Trump's second TikTok extension will expire on June 19, and there appears to be no sign of a deal with China that would allow TikTok's U.S. operations to be sold to a U.S. company.

TikTok has been banned in the United States since January 19 due to the passing of the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, but Trump's extensions prevent the U.S. Department of Justice from enforcing the law and allow TikTok to remain operational.

The act required TikTok to be sold to a non-Chinese company or face shutdown in the U.S., but TikTok did not sell during the grace period before the law took effect. One day after TikTok was banned in the U.S. in January, Trump provided an extension, and he has since been working to establish a deal with China.

China has to sign off on any purchase agreement that TikTok parent company ByteDance makes with a U.S. company, and Trump's tariffs have reportedly led to trade tensions that have seen China refuse to cooperate.

TikTok continues to be available for download while the extensions are in place.
Tag: TikTok

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iOS 26 Improves Screenshots in Three Ways

iOS 26 includes three small but meaningful changes for screenshots.


The upcoming software update adds a new Screen Capture menu to the Settings app, under General. In it, there are a few useful toggles.

First, there is now an option for HDR screenshots. When this format is selected, any HDR photos or videos in screenshots will actually appear in HDR with full dynamic range, when viewed on newer iPhone models and other supported devices.

Apple says HDR screenshots use the HEIF image format. There is still an option for SDR screenshots, which are saved as PNG files.

Second, CarPlay screenshots finally work on an opt-in basis. On iOS 18 and earlier, taking a screenshot on an iPhone connected to CarPlay generates both iPhone and CarPlay screenshots. Starting with iOS 26, however, only an iPhone screenshot is captured in this situation by default. CarPlay screenshot capture must be turned on manually.

Third, when you take a screenshot on an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, you can now identify content within the screenshot by using the Visual Intelligence feature.

Apple has redesigned the screenshot interface on iOS 26, with Visual Intelligence options now shown at the bottom of the screen. "Ask" lets you ask ChatGPT about content in a screenshot, while "Image Search" can show you similar images to those in a screenshot across Google Images, Etsy, and Pinterest. There is also a "Highlight to Search" option that lets you conduct an image search for a specific object in a screenshot.

If you would rather have screenshots appear as thumbnails in the bottom-left corner of the screen, as they do on iOS 18 and earlier versions, you can turn off full-screen previews in the new Screen Capture settings menu.

iOS 26 is currently in beta, and the update should be released in September.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Philips Hue Line Gains New Wall Washer Light

Signify today updated its popular Philips Hue lighting lineup with the Philips Hue Play Wall Washer, a new light that's meant to provide background lighting for a TV or other entertainment space.


The Hue Play Wall Washer is meant to provide an immersive lighting experience with wide-angle real-time effects that are ideal for movies, TV shows, gaming, and more. The device uses ColorCast projection technology for gradient lighting that covers an entire wall, and the compact aluminum design of the light itself is unobtrusive and modern.

While the Hue Play Wall Washer can be used on its own, it also pairs well with the rest of the Philips Hue ecosystem. It is able to be used with all Philips Hue lights, the Hue HDMI Sync Box, and the TV and PC Sync apps. Like all Hue products, it is HomeKit-compatible and can be controlled with the Home app and Siri voice commands.


Signify says that the light uses a dynamic entertainment algorithm to enhance realism and spatial immersion. The projection area can be shifted by moving the light closer to or further from the wall, and there are controls for adjusting intensity, speed, brightness, and positioning. Each light is 1035 lumens.

The Philips Hue Play Wall Washer is priced at $220 for a single light and $385 for two, with the two-pack featuring one power supply that powers both. The Wall Washer can be purchased from the Hue website in either white or black.

The Philips Hue line will also soon gain a generative AI assistant that is able to understand context to create lighting scenes based on moods, styles, and occasions. Signify plans to roll out the AI options in the U.S. and Canada by the end of August. Later in the year, the AI features will include creating schedules and automations.
This article, "Philips Hue Line Gains New Wall Washer Light" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Discounted Apple Watch Series 10 Now Available From Apple's U.S. Refurbished Store

Apple today stocked its U.S. refurbished store with Apple Watch Series 10 models, offering the latest Apple Watch devices at a discount for the first time since their launch last September.


The refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 models are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to the standard price for brand new models. The Wi-Fi only 46mm Apple Watch Series 10, for example, is available for $359, down from $429. A titanium 46mm Series 10 is priced at $639, down from $749.

As of right now, Apple is only offering 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 models in either Jet Black aluminum or Slate titanium, but additional models in other colors and sizes will likely be added in the not too distant future.

Refurbished stock fluctuates based on what Apple is getting when people return devices or send them in for repair, so if you're looking for a discount on a specific model, you may need to check back often.

Refurbished devices go through a rigorous refurbishment process prior to sale, according to Apple. Steps include functionality testing, cleaning and inspection, and repackaging. Apple does not offer refurbished Apple Watch models that require replacement parts, so all devices are in operational condition before refurbishment.

Apple's refurbished products feature the same one-year limited warranty as newly purchased devices, and they are eligible for AppleCare+ coverage.

It is worth noting that third-party retailers like Amazon often offer better discounts on the same Apple Watch Series 10 models.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Apple Saves $300 Million After Appeals Court Win in LTE Patent Fight

Apple today won a victory in its ongoing patent infringement litigation with Texas-based patent troll Optis, reports Reuters.


The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today threw out a prior jury verdict that would have forced Apple to pay $300 million for infringing on standard-essential LTE patents owned by Optis.

When appealing the initial ruling from the Eastern District Court of Texas, Apple argued that the court had not fairly separated the different patent claims that it allegedly violated, and only asked the jurors to determine if Apple violated any patents. The federal appeals court agreed with Apple, and said that the district court ruling provided incorrect jury instructions and violated Apple's Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial on each patent infringement claim.

Apple and Optis will now return to court for another jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas. In a statement, Optis said it believes it will ultimately receive fair compensation from the court.
We remain highly confident the Court will establish fair compensation for the critical Optis patents that enable high-speed connectivity for millions of Apple devices. Nothing in this decision challenges the fundamental facts, which demonstrate that Apple is infringing Optis patents and permit a new trial on damages. No patents were found to be invalid by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The legal fight between Apple and Optis kicked off in 2019, when Optis claimed that Apple violated LTE patents owned by Optis. Optis was initially awarded $506 million in a 2020 trial, but after appeal, the damages were thrown out because Optis is required to license standard-essential patents under fair and reasonable terms and $506 million did not meet that obligation.

The $300 million award that was thrown out today was the result of a second jury trial in 2021 that also found in Optis' favor. As a patent holding company, Optis does not manufacture products, instead going after tech companies that may violate the patent portfolio that it owns.

Optis also filed infringement claims against Apple in the UK, and in May 2025, Apple was ordered to pay $502 million plus interest after it was found to have violated Optis' UK wireless patents. Apple is also appealing that ruling.
This article, "Apple Saves $300 Million After Appeals Court Win in LTE Patent Fight" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 Lets You Set Custom Ringtones Without Using GarageBand

The dust is beginning to settle on iOS 26, but there is one more smaller improvement that we wanted to make sure that we highlighted: the ability to set custom ringtones on the iPhone without using the GarageBand app.


To set a custom ringtone on iOS 26, open the Files app and tap on an MP3 or M4A audio file that is less than 30 seconds long. Next, tap on the share button in the bottom-right corner of the screen, tap on More, and tap on Use as Ringtone. Then, that audio file will be listed as a ringtone option in the Settings app under Sounds & Haptics → Ringtone.

As noted by Macworld last week, the Use as Ringtone option also appears for audio files in select other apps, including Voice Memos. However, it is not possible to set Apple Music songs as custom ringtones for free, even with a subscription.

Apple continues to sell 30-second song ringtones for $1.29 each through the iTunes Store app on iOS 26, but this is a legacy feature.

iOS 26 is currently in beta.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Anker Offers MacRumors Readers 20% Off Collection of Chargers, Hubs, Batteries, and More

MacRumors readers can get 20 percent off a collection of Anker's best charging accessories this month. In order to get this deal, head to Anker's website and add an accessory to your cart, then enter the code Ankermacrumors2025 at checkout to see the discount.

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

Our exclusive 20 percent off code works on most accessories sitewide, including Anker's new "high power" charging accessories. This exclusive discount code does not stack with existing discounts on Anker's website, but it can be used on multiple items in the same cart.



In the lists below, we've collected a few examples of the best products available at a discount with our exclusive promo code, but remember that it works sitewide. You have until the end of June to take advantage of this promotion, so be sure to browse Anker's best products on its website before the end of the month.

It's also worth noting that Anker is hosting a new "essential items" sale, and some of the discounts in that event are steeper than our 20 percent sitewide discount. Be sure to check and compare both discounts in your cart before you place your order to ensure you have the best deal.

Portable Chargers



Wall Chargers



Charging Stations



Hubs




If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.




Deals Newsletter


Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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See iPadOS 26 Multitasking in Action

iPadOS 26 is going to change the way that you use your iPad, and it turns working on the ‌iPad‌ into a much more Mac-like experience. Apple introduced a whole new multitasking system, which you can get a first look at in our video.


Windows on the ‌iPad‌ now work like Windows on the Mac. You can have multiple app windows open at once, and arrange them in any way that's convenient for you. Split View and Slide Over are gone, but the new window options work with Stage Manager.

‌iPad‌ apps have menu bars where you can access settings for each app, and there are also the iconic "traffic light" buttons that you can use for adjusting and resizing open windows. Apple added multiple convenient tiling options for showing two, three, or four apps on your display in an organized way. You can view all of your open apps with an Exposé interface.

The windowing system extends to connected displays, giving you even more space for viewing your ‌iPad‌ apps. Note that on some older iPads, you'll be limited to four app windows, but this is a feature that is compatible with every ‌iPad‌ that runs ‌iPadOS 26‌. Newer iPads can have far more app windows open.

To further the Mac-like experience, folders are now customizable with colors and emoji, and in the Files app, there's a new list view that's like working with the Mac files app. Apple even added collapsible folders, so you don't need to tap into a folder on ‌iPad‌ to see what's inside in a tiled view.

Files can be set to open with a default app of your choosing, and you can store your folders in the Dock for quicker access. Finally, the ‌iPad‌ supports background tasks, so if you're doing a large file transfer, you'll see a Live Activity to keep an eye on progress while you do other things on your ‌iPad‌.

Keep in mind that we're only on the first beta of ‌iPadOS 26‌, and there's more testing and refining to go before launch. Right now, ‌iPadOS 26‌ is only available for developers, but Apple is going to make a public beta available in July. ‌iPadOS 26‌ will launch in September.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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iOS 18.6 Beta Code Includes Reference to Apple's Rumored Home Hub

Apple is rumored to be working on an all-new smart home hub, and an alleged reference to the device has been discovered in the iOS 18.6 beta.


9to5Mac today reported that iOS 18.6's code includes a new "apple-logo-1088@2x~home.png" image asset. According to the report, the "~home" suffix indicates that the image asset is intended to be limited to Apple's rumored homeOS operating system for the home hub, which is expected to have a square iPad-like screen.

If the report is accurate about the image asset, it serves as further proof that Apple is continuing to work on the home hub's software.

Apple's smart home hub is rumored to feature a 6-inch or 7-inch display, and the A18 chip from iPhone 16 models. The device can reportedly be attached to a speaker base, or mounted on a wall, and it would allow users to control smart home accessories, make FaceTime video calls, use Apple's intercom feature between rooms in a house, and more. It might even double as a home security system with an Apple-designed camera.

While recent homeOS trademark activity that might be connected to Apple fueled hopes that the company would provide an early preview of the home hub at its WWDC 2025 developer conference last week, that did not end up happening.

Apple originally planned to unveil the home hub in March 2025, but the device's launch was reportedly postponed as a result of Apple delaying its personalized Siri features. The device is unlikely to launch until those features are ready.

In March, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that a HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025. Kuo is likely referring to the rumored home hub, and if his timeframe remains accurate, then the device could still be announced at some point later this year. A launch is expected by next year at the latest.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Satechi's New Accessory Lets You Add Up to 8TB of Storage to Mac Mini

Accessory maker Satechi has announced that it has released a new NVMe SSD enclosure that is specially designed for the latest Mac mini.


The slim aluminum enclosure is the same size as the Mac mini models with M4 and M4 Pro chips, allowing it to sit atop the computer. It connects to the Mac mini with an included USB 4 cable, offering data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps.

The enclosure can hold up to an 8TB NVMe SSD, and it has a hidden compartment for storing the braided USB 4 cable. In addition, Satechi says it has integrated cooling vents and a thermal pad, for peak performance without thermal throttling.


While the enclosure matches the look and size of the latest Mac mini, it can be used with a wide variety of Apple devices, including MacBooks and iPads.

In the U.S., Apple charges $2,400 to upgrade a Mac mini to 8TB of built-in storage, so using external NVMe storage is a much cheaper option. Satechi's enclosure is available starting today for $119.99, and customers can receive an additional $20 off using code LIMITED20 for a limited time. You have to provide your own NVMe SSD, with 8TB options available for as little as $500 to $700 depending on sales.
Related Roundup: Mac mini
Tag: Satechi
Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Mac mini

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Where's the AirTag 2?

We are still waiting for Apple's long-rumored AirTag 2 to launch. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the item-tracking accessory.


In his Power On newsletter before WWDC, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that a new AirTag was "nearly ready" to launch. Last year, he said that it would be released around the middle of 2025, and the midpoint of the year is just two weeks away.

"The new AirTag is nearly ready, having been prepared for launch over the past several months," he said. However, he said that it was unlikely that Apple would announce the AirTag 2 during WWDC 2025 last week, and the developer conference indeed came and went without any new Apple devices or accessories being unveiled.

So, when? Apple typically does not hold any product events between WWDC and its annual iPhone event in September. Accordingly, if the mid-2025 launch timeframe for the AirTag 2 remains accurate, the accessory will likely be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom site. That would make sense for a minor accessory update.

Unfortunately, the exact timing is unclear at this point. The definition of mid-2025 can probably be stretched to include the month of September, so the AirTag 2 being announced alongside the iPhone 17 series is still a possibility too.

In any case, it is not a great time to buy the existing AirTag, unless you really need one or do not care about any of the potential new features.

Three upgrades have been rumored for the AirTag 2 so far:No major design changes are expected.

The original AirTag was announced during an Apple Event in April 2021. In the U.S., an individual AirTag costs $29, and a set of four costs $99.
Tag: AirTag

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iOS 26: Five Changes Coming to Your iPhone Lock Screen

With iOS 26, Apple has made some additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that aim to make it more customizable than ever.


Of course, things can always change before the software makes its way to the general iPhone-owning public, but here are five new things iOS 26 can do on the Lock Screen as of the current developer beta.

Widgets Top or Bottom



In iOS 18, the row of widgets on your Lock Screen is literally locked in place right below the clock. In iOS 26, however, Customize mode lets you drag them down to the bottom of the screen, so that they hover just above the two quick actions (assuming you have any). The new optional positioning makes tapping a widget during one-handed use a lot easier.

Make the Time Bigger



In iOS 26, Apple has made it so that the clock on the Lock Screen can be expanded to fill more of the display, making it easier to read. This can be done in Customize mode thanks to a new drag handle on the bottom-right corner of the selection frame around the time. You can make the digits take up half of the screen, though if you have any widgets, they will slide down to the bottom of the display. In addition, if you have a depth effect applied to a photo and pinch to crop, the time will automatically adjust to accommodate the subject.

Quicker Photo Access



The Lock Screen in iOS 26 has a different Photos selection button in Customize mode that appears as a miniature version of the currently displayed photo. If you tap it, you now have an option to Show Photo in Library, making it easier to find the picture, or you can take the existing route and tap Choose Photo to pick another image.

Spatial Scenes



The iPhone 15 Pro and newer models can take Spatial Photos, and while the 3D photos have a realistic depth to them, they're best viewed on Apple's Vision Pro. In iOS 26, however, the Photos app has inherited the Vision Pro's ability to convert 2D images into a 3D Spatial Scene. The feature is hard to appreciate with a still image, but the results are impressive as the image animates when you move your device. Spatial Scenes use machine learning rather than Apple Intelligence, which means the feature is available on iPhone 12 and newer devices.

Music Album Animations



iOS 26 introduces full-screen animated album art on the iPhone Lock Screen for select Apple Music tracks. By tapping the album art in the Lock Screen music player, the artwork expands and animates, creating a more immersive listening experience. While animated album art has been available within the Apple Music app for some time, this marks its first appearance on the Lock Screen. Not all songs support it yet, but the number is steadily increasing. Apple is also opening the Animated Album Art feature to third‑party developers, so expect it to work with apps like Spotify and YouTube Music soon.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Amazon Prime Day 2025 Will Run July 8-11, Shop Early Deals on Anker and More Now

Amazon today announced that its annual Prime Day sale will take place beginning Tuesday, July 8 and run through Friday, July 11. This is the first time in ten years that Prime Day will take place over four days, instead of the usual two days.

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Amazon began Prime Day back in 2015, and since 2019 the event has been running for two days straight every summer. Shoppers can expect massive discounts on an array of products, including Apple devices. Some deals will last the entire run of the sale, but there will also be lightning deals that drop every 30 minutes and last for select periods, or until they sell out.



To get in on these Prime Day deals, you will need to be an Amazon Prime member. If you aren't, you can join Prime to participate in this year's Prime Day. Once your initial 30-day free trial is over, Prime membership will run for $14.99/month or $139/year. For students, that's $7.49/month or $69/year, with a six month free trial for new students.

Once Prime Day kicks off, Amazon's website will be filled with lightning deals on everything from tech products to home appliances, clothing, toys, and much more. We'll be covering all of the best deals you can get throughout Prime Day, particularly on all of the Apple products that appear, so be sure to keep an eye on the MacRumors front page starting July 8.

Early Deals



Amazon is already highlighting early Prime Day deals that you can shop now, weeks ahead of the event. For now, this mainly includes Amazon devices like Kindles, Echo Dot, Fire TVs, and other Amazon branded products.

Amazon-owned Woot is also getting in on the early Prime Day deals with a big discount on the USB-C Apple Pencil on sale for $59.99, down from $79.00. This one is in new condition but comes in bulk packaging and with a one-year vendor warranty.

Anker Wireless Chargers



Anker Wall Chargers



Anker Portable Power Stations



Beats




Amazon has held two Prime Day events the past few years, one in July and a second in October. Given that we're only now hearing about the July event, we don't know yet if the retailer will again host a second Prime Day, which it called "Prime Big Deal Days," in the fall. If and when that is announced, you can also expect us to cover all of the deals that come out.




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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Google Says iOS 26 Copies Three Android Features

In a new ad, Google says iOS 26 copies three Android features that have been available on Pixel phones for years: Live Translate, Hold Assist, and Call Screening.


The video, part of the ongoing #BestPhonesForever series, shows an iPhone and a Pixel 9 Pro talking to each other on a fictional podcast.

"I announced live translation for text messages," the iPhone says.

"And it turned out I had that four years ago," the Pixel 9 Pro responds.

"Yeah, crazy coincidence," the iPhone says.

Similarly, the iPhone brings up Hold Assist and Call Screening, and the Pixel phone says it already offered those features too.


Live Translate debuted on the Pixel 6 in 2021. Just like on iOS 26, the feature can auto-translate text messages and phone calls.

In 2020, Google introduced a Hold for Me feature for the Pixel 3 and newer. Just like Hold Assist on iOS 26, the feature can wait on hold for you during a phone call so you do not need to pay attention, and alert you when the agent comes on the line.

Call screening debuted on the Pixel 3 all the way back in 2018.

Google does have a point here, but whether the ad is humorous or cringy is up for debate.

Also, the copying goes both ways.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Next NFC Release Will Quadruple Range of Contactless Connections

The NFC Forum has announced NFC Release 15, which extends the operating range of Near Field Communication interactions by up to four times and enables faster, more seamless experiences.


The NFC Forum is the global standards body responsible for Near Field Communication technology. NFC Release 15 increases the maximum operating range of NFC contactless connections from 0.5 centimeters to 2 centimeters. This fourfold increase in the NFC operating range reduces the need for precise alignment between devices during contactless transactions.

NFC Release 15 increases reliability and speed, resulting in fewer failed or repeated taps. It improves performance for smaller devices such as wearables, which contain smaller antennas. Support for devices like iPhones acting as NFC readers, such as during Tap to Pay on iPhone, will now support wider and more stable connection volumes.

Multi-purpose tap, allowing one tap to trigger multiple actions such as scanning a loyalty card at the same time as paying, is optimized. In addition, the new standard incorporates extended support for the NFC Digital Product Passport (DPP), a European Commission initiative designed to embed environmental and lifecycle data within physical products.

Apple is one of eight Board-level Principal Members of the NFC Forum, alongside companies including Google, Sony, and NXP. The ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch are both NFC-enabled, so the improvements with NFC Release 15 should materially improve performance and reliability on these devices in the future.

The Technical Specifications for NFC Release 15 are available today for NFC Forum Associate, Principal, and Sponsor-level member companies. Certification for NFC Release 15-compliant devices is expected to open later in 2025.
Tag: NFC

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Adobe Firefly App Launches on iOS and Android

Adobe has launched Firefly as a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing users to generate images and videos using text prompts, integrating both Adobe's own generative AI models and a growing list of third-party models from companies including OpenAI, Google, and Flux.


Firefly is designed to be a cross-platform hub for generative AI content creation, with features like text-to-image, text-to-video, image-to-video, Generative Fill, and Generative Expand. For image generation, the app supports Adobe's own Firefly models alongside third-party systems including OpenAI's image model, Google's Imagen 3 and 4, Ideogram 3.0, Flux 1.1 Pro, and Runway's Gen-4. For video generation, the app integrates with Adobe's own video models as well as Google's Veo 2 and 3.

All content generated within the mobile app will automatically sync with the user's Creative Cloud account. Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers can access the Firefly app's tools as part of their existing subscription, but the use of certain AI features requires Firefly generative credits — a token-based system introduced in 2023. These credits are allocated monthly to Creative Cloud members and can also be acquired separately via a dedicated Firefly subscription.

Adobe has also updated its collaborative design platform Firefly Boards, which was first introduced in beta in April 2025. Similar in format to digital whiteboarding tools such as Figma's FigJam, Firefly Boards now includes video generation capabilities. Users can upload video clips, remix existing footage, and generate new video segments using Adobe's Firefly video model or supported third-party systems, including Google's Veo 3.

Adobe Firefly is available to download from the App Store now.
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Apple's 2025 Back to School Sale Now Live, Offering Free Accessories With Purchases

Apple today launched its annual Back to School promotion, offering eligible students, educators, and parents free accessories worth up to $199 when purchasing select Mac and iPad models through September 30.


The 2025 promotion is different from last year's up-to-$150 gift card format, and instead provides eligible customers with their choice of popular Apple accessories. Some accessories are completely free, while other more expensive options incur an additional fee on top of the main device purchase. Here's a breakdown of what's on offer.

MacBook Buyers


Customers purchasing any new MacBook can select from accessories valued up to $199:

  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)

  • AirPods Pro 2 (additional $70 fee, $249 total value)

  • Magic Mouse ($79–$99 value)

  • Magic Trackpad ($129–$149 value)

  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($179–$199 value)

iPad Buyers


iPad buyers can choose accessories ranging from $119 to $210 in value:

  • Apple Pencil Pro (free, $119 value)

  • AirPods 4 (free, $129 value)

  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)

  • Premium keyboard options available with additional fees up to $210

Magic Keyboard accessories are available for various iPad models, though they all require paying an additional fee on top of the price of the iPad.

iMac Buyers


iMac purchasers can select accessories worth up to $179:

  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (free, $179 value)

  • AirPods Pro 2 (additional $70 fee, $179 value)

The promotion is open to K-12 employees, including teachers and school board members, plus higher education faculty, staff, and students. Parents buying for college-bound children also qualify. The promotion runs alongside Apple's year-round education pricing discounts.

The offer begins today and remains available through September 30, 2025, with full terms and conditions available on Apple's education store.
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WhatsApp Ads Debut in Updates Section, Personal Chats Unaffected

WhatsApp this week introduced advertising to its messaging platform, but your encrypted conversation threads in the Meta-owned app are off limits for marketers – at least for now.


WhatsApp announced on Monday it will display ads through three new features, all contained within the Updates tab. Users will see promoted content in Status updates, discover promoted channels, and encounter subscription-based channel content.

The ads won't appear in personal chats or use encrypted message content for targeting. Instead, WhatsApp said it will rely on basic information like location, language, and channel follows to serve relevant ads.

"We've been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years," WhatsApp stated in its announcement.

The move comes after years of deliberation. WhatsApp's founders originally opposed advertising, and Meta shelved similar plans in 2020. However, with 1.5 billion daily users of the Updates tab, the company sees clear monetization potential.

Of course, the strategy could easily backfire in privacy-conscious markets like Europe, where users consider WhatsApp a messaging tool rather than a content platform. As it stands though, users who stick to messaging won't notice any changes.
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iPhone Sales Jump 15% in April-May as Apple Reclaims China Lead

iPhone sales climbed 15% year-over-year during April and May, signaling Apple's strongest two-month performance for the period since the pandemic, according to preliminary data from Counterpoint Research's Market Pulse Global Monthly Smartphone Sales Report.


The growth was driven mainly by the United States and China, Apple's two largest markets. Both regions returned to positive year-over-year growth after three years of declines during what is typically a less seasonal period. China sales were particularly notable, with Apple capturing the top spot in May. It's quite the turnaround, after Apple only recently sustained market share losses to Huawei and other local mobile vendors.

"Q2 iPhone performance looks promising at the moment but as always swings either way are dictated by two markets – US and China," said senior analyst Ivan Lam. Lam questioned whether recent U.S. sales reflected consumer concerns about potential tariffs and whether China's momentum could continue with government subsidies and promotional offers.

The report showed Japan also indicated strong iPhone demand, with the more affordable iPhone 16e proving especially popular among consumers who favor smaller devices. The device's entry-level pricing apparently appealed to Japanese tastes, while Apple also maintained strong sales for the iPhone 16 base model and even the older iPhone 14.

iPhone global sell-through market share (April and May) for 2019-2025.

India continued its growth trajectory as Apple expands both manufacturing and market presence in the world's most populous country. Analyst Jeff Fieldhack noted that the surge suggests "agentic AI is not quite a factor yet" in most smartphone purchasing decisions, giving Apple time to integrate Apple Intelligence more broadly across its platforms and enhance Siri's lagging capabilities.
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Apple CEO and Brad Pitt Promote 'F1 The Movie' at Fifth Avenue Store

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Brad Pitt surprised fans at the company's Fifth Avenue flagship store over the weekend to promote the upcoming Apple Original Film "F1 The Movie."


The unexpected appearance followed a packed panel discussion featuring "Severance" cast members Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and Britt Lower to chat about their work on the hit Apple TV+ show.

Pitt greeted the crowd and said he was excited for fans to see the movie, calling the high-octane thriller the "most visceral racing film ever made." Meanwhile, Cook was keen to tout the film's authenticity and spoke about how Apple's iPhone camera technology used to capture the immersive in-car footage. "It was important for us to be authentic to the sport and really capture that immersive feeling of being in the car," Cook told attendees.

Apple's engineering team developed a custom camera module using iPhone components specifically for mounting on Formula 1 cars during actual races. The module resembles a standard broadcast camera but contains an iPhone sensor and A-series chip. It was designed to withstand extreme speeds and conditions while capturing footage in Apple's ProRes format. Wired has an in-depth look at the engineering challenges behind the approach that's well worth a read.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, the film stars Pitt as a veteran driver attempting a classic comeback. "F1 The Movie" opens globally in theaters and IMAX on June 27. Apple has also released a unique haptic trailer over on the TV app that uses the iPhone's Taptic Engine to create vibrations that sync with the on-screen action – be sure to give it a watch.
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Meta to Announce Oakley-Branded Smart Glasses

Oakley today shared several social media teasers for an upcoming product that it is releasing in partnership with Facebook parent company Meta, and it's likely to be the Oakley-branded smart glasses that were rumored earlier this year.


Meta already has a set of smart glasses that it produces in partnership with Ray-Ban, but in January, Bloomberg claimed that Meta is also working to bring the technology to Oakley sunglasses. Like the Meta Ray-Bans, the Meta Oakleys will feature built-in cameras for capturing photos and videos, along with AI capabilities.

Meta AI is integrated into the Ray-Bans and able to answer queries about the wearer's surroundings. The glasses also include speakers and can play music, plus they allow the wearer to accept phone calls.

The Oakley version of the Meta glasses could be based on the Oakley Sphaera glasses, with the camera positioned at the center of the glasses frame. Meta may market the glasses at cyclists and other athletes that already wear Oakley sunglasses.


Oakley didn't confirm exactly what's in the works and the teaser is limited to the Meta and Oakley logos, but there's little else that the two companies could be releasing. We'll learn more on June 20, when the new product is set to be released.

Apple is rumored to be working to catch up to Meta, and the Cupertino company is developing its own set of camera-equipped smart glasses. Apple's smart glasses are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, much like the Meta Ray-Bans. Both Meta and Apple are working on full augmented reality glasses, and Meta has already shown off an "Orion" prototype. Meta's AR glasses could be ready to launch as soon as 2027.
Tag: Meta

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Spigen's Latest Apple Watch Charger Looks Like a Retro iMac

Spigen recently expanded its C1 series with an Apple Watch charger that's designed to look like Apple's retro iMac G3. For those unfamiliar with Spigen's C1 accessories, they are modeled after classic Apple products.


The Apple Watch Classic C1 Charger Stand is priced at $34.99, and it is designed to house an Apple Watch charging puck. This is just an Apple Watch charger enclosure, so you're going to need to supply your own puck. The good news is that if you have an Apple Watch with fast charging, you can use the puck that came with it to get the quickest charging speeds.

Spigen's C1 Charger Stand uses the ‌iMac‌ G3 shape, with the Apple Watch charging puck embedded in the display. It features a disk drive at the front, and two control buttons. At the back, there's a translucent plastic enclosure with four color options selected to match Apple's original Mac: Tangerine, Graphite, Bondi Blue, and Ruby. Bondi Blue in particular is a well-known color associated with the ‌iMac‌ G3.

The Apple Watch charging cable can be pulled through the back of the mini ‌iMac‌, and the cable length can be tucked away under a desk for a cable-free look.

Spigen offers a range of C1 devices inspired by classic Apple products, including iPhone cases and AirPods cases.

Spigen's new ‌iMac‌ G3 Apple Watch charger can be purchased from the Spigen website.
Tag: Spigen

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Amazon Takes $100 Off Huge Collection of Apple Watch Series 10 Models, Available From $299

Amazon is offering numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10 devices today, including both GPS and cellular models at $100 off original prices. Best Buy is matching these prices in many cases.

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Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $299.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles, all of which you can find in the lists below.



42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10



46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10




If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.



Deals Newsletter


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Apple Seeds First Beta of macOS Sequoia 15.6

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a month after Apple released ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.5.


Developers can opt-in to the ‌macOS Sequoia‌ beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.

There's no word yet on what's included in ‌macOS Sequoia‌ 15.6, but rumors suggest that Apple plans to bring Apple Intelligence to China. There have been some regulatory hurdles that Apple is dealing with, so ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in China might be delayed beyond macOS 15.6.
Related Roundup: macOS Sequoia
Related Forum: macOS Sequoia

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Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 18.6 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming over a month after Apple released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5.


iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

With the iOS 18.6 update, Apple may bring Apple Intelligence to China for the first time. Apple is expected to partner with Alibaba and Baidu for AI features in the country, but it is not clear if this has been delayed because Apple is facing regulatory hurdles in China.

We don't know of any other new features expected for iOS 18.6, and Apple is winding down work on iOS 18 as it shifts focus to iOS 26. ‌iOS 26‌ is in beta testing right now and it is set to be released in September.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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iPhone Parts Become Wall Art in New 'Collectible Phones' Display Pieces

Leaker Sonny Dickson recently launched Collectible Phones, a new website focused on art created from discarded iPhones that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.


Dickson's company sources out-of-commission iPhones from recycling facilities, selecting those in the best condition to disassemble and preserve. The site says that only the best components are picked, carefully glued to a backboard, and then placed in a high-quality frame.

Each component is labeled with details and specifications, so you'll see all of the information about the iPhone's display, logic board, battery, and more. Launch date, pricing, and other interesting tidbits are included too.

Right now, Collectible Phones is offering the $349 Collectible 2G, featuring Apple's iconic original ‌iPhone‌ from 2007. Each component of the original ‌iPhone‌ has a description of what it was, from the camera to the Home button. Dickson sourced an original screenshot of the first version of iOS, so you can see what the Home screen of the ‌iPhone‌ looked like back in 2007.

Each Collectible 2G piece can be purchased with either a black frame or a silver frame that's ready to hang on the wall. Frames measure in at 30cm x 42.3cm, and shipping is free worldwide. In the future, Dickson plans to add more devices to the collection.
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Apple Seeds First Betas of visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6

Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6 updates for testing purposes. The software comes over a month after Apple released visionOS 2.5, tvOS 18.5, and watchOS 11.5.


The betas are available to registered developers at the current time, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.

There's no word on what's included in the beta updates at this time, but we'll update this article if any new features are found.
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus

Apple will finally deliver the Apple Watch Ultra 3 sometime this year, according to analyst Jeff Pu of GF Securities Hong Kong (via @jukanlosreve).


The analyst expects both the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to arrive this year (likely alongside the new iPhone 17 lineup, if previous launches are anything to go by), according to his latest product roadmap shared with investors.

It's been a long wait for Ultra fans. Apple skipped updating the rugged smartwatch entirely in 2024, choosing instead to simply add a black titanium color option to the existing Apple Watch Ultra 2. That means it will have been nearly two years when September rolls around since we've seen any meaningful changes to the Ultra lineup.

Pu's timeline aligns with other industry watchers who expect Apple's fall event to bring refreshes across the Apple Watch family. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested the Ultra 3 could gain satellite connectivity and 5G capabilities, features that would arguably help justify the extended development cycle.

The analyst's broader Apple roadmap paints an interesting picture for 2025. More notably, he predicts that Apple will also release its rumored HomePad tablet this year, while pushing AirPods Pro 3 back to 2026 – a timeline that conflicts with other recent predictions.

For Ultra users hanging onto first-generation models, the wait might finally be worth it. Two years of development could mean more substantial upgrades than the typical annual refresh cycle allows, assuming Apple hasn't just been sitting on its hands.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally Coming After Two-Year Hiatus" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Court Upholds Regulator's Case Against Apple Over App Store

Apple has lost a legal challenge in the Netherlands after a Dutch court ruled that the company abused its dominant market position by imposing restrictive payment terms on dating app developers (via Reuters).



The ruling was issued earlier today by the Rotterdam District Court, confirming a 2021 decision by the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), which found that Apple violated European Union competition laws by forcing dating app developers to use its proprietary in-app payment system, prohibiting them from directing users to alternative payment methods, and charging commissions of up to 30% on transactions.

The court's decision means that the ACM's prior enforcement actions still stand, including a significant penalty for non-compliance. In a statement provided to Reuters following the ruling, an Apple spokesperson said the company would appeal the decision:
This ruling undermines the technology and tools we've created to benefit developers and protect users' privacy and security, and we plan to appeal.


The ACM initially ordered Apple in August 2021 to revise its policies for dating apps distributed via the Dutch App Store. Apple was told to allow developers of these apps to either integrate an alternative payment system or direct users to external payment options. When Apple failed to implement these changes in a manner the ACM deemed sufficient, the regulator imposed a series of weekly fines totaling €50 million. The case in the Netherlands is part of broader ongoing international scrutiny of Apple's ‌App Store‌ practices.
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Satechi's New Accessory Lets You Add Up to 8TB of Storage to Mac Mini

Accessory maker Satechi has announced that it is releasing a new NVMe SSD enclosure that is specially designed for the latest Mac mini.


The slim aluminum enclosure is the same size as the Mac mini models with M4 and M4 Pro chips, allowing it to sit atop the computer. It connects to the Mac mini with an included USB 4 cable, offering data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps.

The enclosure can hold up to an 8TB NVMe SSD, and it has a hidden compartment for storing the braided USB 4 cable. In addition, Satechi says it has integrated cooling vents and a thermal pad, for peak performance without thermal throttling.


While the enclosure matches the look and size of the latest Mac mini, it can be used with a wide variety of Apple devices, including MacBooks and iPads.

In the U.S., Apple charges $2,400 to upgrade a Mac mini to 8TB of built-in storage, so using external NVMe storage is a much cheaper option. Satechi says the enclosure will be available starting this Tuesday for $119.99, and customers can receive an additional $20 off using code LIMITED20 for a limited time. You have to provide your own NVMe SSD, with 8TB options available for as little as $500 to $700 depending on sales.

The product page for the enclosure will go live tomorrow, so keep an eye on Satechi's website.
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This article, "Satechi's New Accessory Lets You Add Up to 8TB of Storage to Mac Mini" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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