This week we saw some of the first Father's Day deals emerge online, with retailers like Anker, Sonos, and Samsung introducing notable discounts on numerous products ahead of the June 15 holiday. Below, you'll also find all-time low prices on the M3 iPad Air and Apple Watch Series 10.

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.

Father's Day Deals

• What's the deal? Save on popular Apple accessories for Father's Day


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Father's Day deals kicked off this week at numerous retailers, and they include great deals on everything from Sonos home audio equipment to Mophie charging accessories and more.

• Sonos - Get up to $250 off home audio equipment


• Logitech - Get 20% off two or more items


• Native Union - Get 20% off sitewide


• Belkin - Get up to 30% off select purchase amounts


• GRID Studio - Get up to 50% off


• ZAGG - Get 25% off sitewide

Anker

• What's the deal? Save on Anker's best charging accessories


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Anker this week introduced a big collection of discounts on numerous charging accessories on Amazon, with devices like MagSafe-compatible chargers and portable power stations that make perfect Father's Day gifts.

It's also worth noting that MacRumors readers can still get 20 percent off a collection of Anker's best charging accessories over on Anker's website. 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.

• 3-in-1 MagGo Foldable Travel Charger - $71.99 with on-page coupon, down from $89.99


• 3-in-1 MagGo Qi2 Charging Station - $82.49 for Prime Members, down from $109.99


• 3-in-1 MagGo Charger Cube - $113.05 for Prime members, down from $149.99

Samsung

• What's the deal? Get big discounts on Samsung monitors, TVs, and more


• Where can I get it? Samsung


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Samsung this week kicked off a new Discover Samsung sale, which includes savings on monitors, TVs, Galaxy products, and more.

iPad Air

• What's the deal? Get $100 off M3 iPad Air


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week introduced discounts across nearly the entire M3 iPad Air lineup, offering $100 off these tablets. Prices start at $499.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Best Buy is matching all of these deals on the iPad Air.

Apple Watch

• What's the deal? Get $100 Apple Watch Series 10


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $299.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in about 5-6 case colors and band styles.

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

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This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: Father's Day Deals Arrive With Great Sales From Anker, Sonos, Samsung, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple and Major League Baseball this week announced the July schedule for Friday Night Baseball, a weekly doubleheader of MLB games streamed on Apple TV+.


Friday Night Baseball is included with an Apple TV+ subscription, at no additional cost. In the U.S., Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and it is also included in all Apple One subscription bundles with other Apple services.

The full July schedule is as follows:

Friday, 7/4
St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs
2:20 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays
7:07 p.m. ET

Friday, 7/11
Seattle Mariners at Detroit Tigers
7:10 p.m. ET

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Angels
9:38 p.m. ET

Friday, 7/18
No games

Friday, 7/25
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees
7:05 p.m. ET

Cleveland Guardians at Kansas City Royals
8:10 p.m. ET

Available in 60 countries, Apple says Friday Night Baseball provides enhanced production quality, expert commentary, and no local broadcast restrictions.
This article, "Apple TV+ Announces MLB Friday Night Baseball Schedule for July" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Astropad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an M3 iPad Air, an Apple Pencil Pro, and one of Astropad's Rock Paper Pencil kits to go along with it.


Rock Paper Pencil is a product that's meant to make writing on your iPad with the ‌Apple Pencil‌ feel like writing on a piece of paper rather than on a slippery display. Astropad just overhauled Rock Paper Pencil to make it better than ever, so now is a good time to check it out.

The $45 kit includes a NanoCling screen protector that goes on the ‌iPad‌'s display, and an accompanying ‌Apple Pencil‌ tip that pairs with an ‌Apple Pencil‌. You can put the NanoCling screen protector on while you're using your ‌Apple Pencil‌, then take it off and tuck it away for later if you want to use your ‌iPad‌ without it. It takes just seconds to put the screen protector on and remove it again, and it doesn't leave a sticky residue on your ‌iPad‌.


The upgraded NanoCling screen protector has an improved feel, plus it's thinner. Writing on it is like writing on a stack of papers rather than just a single sheet, and it's a little softer and smoother than before. Using the NanoCling is a pleasant experience that makes note taking and sketching on the ‌iPad‌ feel more natural. Even though it has a unique microscopic texture that mimics the feel of paper, the screen protector doesn't interfere with the vivid colors of the ‌iPad‌'s display.


Astropad also redesigned the ‌Apple Pencil‌ tip that comes in the Rock Paper Pencil kit, and it's now made from solid stainless steel that won't wear down or chip over time. The size of the tip has also been increased, so it's now 1mm instead of 0.75mm. The larger tip balances out the friction and improves durability.

If you dislike the slippery feeling of writing on a hard screen, the Rock Paper Pencil is worth checking out. It does a great job of making you forget that you're writing on a tablet because it both feels and sounds like using a pen on paper.


Rock Paper Pencil is compatible with all of Apple's M2, M3, and M4 iPads, and many older models as well. It works with the 6th and 7th-generation iPad mini and the 7th-generation ‌iPad‌ and later.

We have a Rock Paper Pencil kit, an M3 ‌iPad Air‌, and an ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


Astropad Giveaway

The contest will run from today (June 6) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 13. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after June 13 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
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A few smaller-scale Apple Intelligence enhancements will be announced at WWDC 2025 next week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


One planned upgrade that had not been reported until now is the ability to create a Genmoji by combining a pair of existing standard emoji. For example, Gurman said that you will be able to turn separate basketball and trash can emoji into a single Genmoji that shows a basketball going into a trash can.

He also expects iOS 26 to include an upgraded Shortcuts app powered by Apple Intelligence, and a new AI-powered battery mode, as he previously reported.

In addition, he said there will be system-wide Translate app capabilities on iOS 26. 9to5Mac previously reported that the Messages app would be gaining live translation capabilities, but Gurman said it will extend to the Phone app and other areas of the operating system. A live translation feature is also expected for AirPods.


Waiting on Apple's delayed personalized Siri features to launch? Don't get your hopes up next week, as Gurman said that those features remain "far off." He does not expect any significant new Siri features to be announced at WWDC 2025.

What happened to Swift Assist, the coding assistance tool that Apple announced at WWDC 2024? Gurman said it faced issues, so Apple instead plans to let developers use Xcode with third-party large language models (LLMs).
This article, "Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2025: Genmoji Upgrade Incoming Instead of Personalized Siri" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 is rumored to feature a glassy design, new Games and Preview apps, and more, but two other enhancements have reportedly been delayed until next year.


In his list of WWDC 2025 expectations today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple has postponed the launch of revamped Calendar and Health apps until iOS 27 or later, as it needs more time to develop these planned changes.

Gurman did not reveal any specific changes planned for the Calendar app, but Apple's acquisition of Mayday Labs in April 2024 could hint at the company's plans.

Mayday Labs had developed an AI-powered calendar, task manager, and scheduling assistant for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The all-in-one app used AI to automatically schedule your events and tasks at ideal times, and it could learn your scheduling preferences and daily patterns over time to further optimize your calendar.

Mayday's website said its app worked best when you used it with others. For example, it could automatically schedule a meeting at a time where both you and a co-worker were available. It also offered automatic rescheduling for flexibility.

The app was shut down shortly after the acquisition.

It would be reasonable to assume that some of Mayday's features and technologies could be added to Apple's Calendar app across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, under the Apple Intelligence umbrella. But, it appears that will have to wait for iOS 27.

As for the Health app, Gurman has previously reported that it will get a new AI-powered health coaching feature that offers personalized health recommendations. He initially expected the revamp to be part of iOS 19.4 (now iOS 26.4), but it now appears that it will not be ready until at least iOS 27 as well. That update will arrive next year.
This article, "Apple Reportedly Delays Two New iPhone Features Until iOS 27" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more details about iOS 26's rumored new design.


According to Gurman, iOS 26 will feature a "digital glass" design inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That is a well-known rumor by now, but he goes on to provide some more specific details, as listed below:

• There will be more use of light and transparency.


• There will be redesigned app icons, but he does not expect them to be round.


• Toolbars and tabs will be redesigned, with a focus on pop-out menus.


• Home Screen widgets have been redesigned to match the new "digital glass" look.


• Safari will feature a more transparent, glassy address bar.


• The glass-like design changes should extend to the Camera app, which will be revamped with a focus on simplicity.

The design changes are expected to extend to iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26.

Apple will announce iOS 26 and other software updates in just three days from now, during its WWDC 2025 keynote, which kicks off on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The first iOS 26 beta should be seeded to developers shortly after the keynote, and the update will likely be released to the general public in September.
This article, "iOS 26's Digital Glass Design: Home Screen Widgets, Camera, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 is rumored to include a new Games app on iPhones, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has now provided more details about it.


In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman revealed that the Games app will have five tabs: Home, Arcade, Play Together, Library, and Search. He said that the app will look like a games-centric version of the App Store, and it will give a bigger spotlight to both App Store games and Apple Arcade games.

There will still be a Games tab in the App Store, according to Gurman, who described the new Games app as "underwhelming."

Gurman previously said that the Games app will replace Apple's longstanding Game Center feature, which lets players track their in-game achievements and compete with others on leaderboards. Game Center used to be a preinstalled app on iPhones, but it was relegated to the Settings app starting with iOS 10 in 2016.

The new Games app will be one of two new preinstalled apps on iOS 26, with the other being Preview for managing PDFs, according to Gurman.
This article, "iOS 26's Rumored Games App Described in More Detail in New Report" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon's steep discount on the AirPods Pro 2 is back today, with the earbuds available for $169.99, down from $249.00. Free delivery options provide an estimated delivery date of around June 11, while Prime members should get the headphones sooner in most cases.

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.

Compared to past sales, this is a match of the best price we've tracked so far in 2025 and it's an overall solid second-best price on the AirPods Pro 2. Amazon also has the AirPods 4 available for $99.99 during this sale, an all-time low price.





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

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Apple is planning to announce several new features for the Messages and Phone apps on iOS 26, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman said that the two main changes in the Messages app will be the ability to create polls, as well as the option to set a background image within a conversation.

9to5Mac was first to report that the Messages app would be gaining polls, allowing users to vote on questions and topics. It is a feature that has long existed in other popular messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram.

Background images would add a personalized flair to conversations, and Gurman said that the images will automatically sync across Apple devices.

The new Messages features should extend to iPadOS 26 and macOS 26.

For the Phone app, Gurman said that iOS 26 will introduce a new view that combines favorite contacts, recent calls, and voicemails into a single, scrollable window. He said this new design will be optional, with users able to revert to the legacy interface.

iOS 26 and other software updates will be announced during Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote, which begins on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
This article, "iOS 26: New Messages and Phone App Features Leaked Ahead of WWDC" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference will take place the week of June 9 to June 13, and like the last five years, it will be an online event, although select developers and students will be invited to Apple Park. To kick things off, Apple holds a keynote event on the Monday to announce new software, which is what makes it of interest to the general public.


During the keynote event on Monday, June 9, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26. (Apple is changing the naming for its operating system updates – the "26" represents the September 2025 to September 2026 release season.) The company may also preview its new homeOS operating system, the platform that powers its long-rumored smart home hub.

You can watch the WWDC 2025 keynote event using one of the methods outlined below. The live stream is set to start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time from ‌Apple Park‌ in Cupertino, California. We have a full list of when the event will begin in other time zones in the United States and around the world.

• Honolulu, Hawaii -- 7:00 a.m. HAST


• Anchorage, Alaska -- 9:00 a.m. AKDT


• Cupertino, California -- 10:00 a.m. PDT


• Phoenix, Arizona -- 10:00 a.m. MST


• Vancouver, Canada -- 10:00 a.m. PDT


• Denver, Colorado -- 11:00 a.m. MDT


• Dallas, Texas -- 12:00 noon CDT


• New York, New York -- 1:00 p.m. EDT


• Toronto, Canada -- 1:00 p.m. EDT


• Halifax, Canada -- 2:00 p.m. ADT


• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- 2:00 p.m. BRT (no DST)


• London, United Kingdom -- 6:00 p.m. BST


• Berlin, Germany -- 7:00 p.m. CEST


• Paris, France -- 7:00 p.m. CEST


• Cape Town, South Africa -- 7:00 p.m. SAST


• Helsinki, Finland -- 8:00 p.m. EEST


• Istanbul, Turkey -- 8:00 p.m. TRT


• Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- 9:00 p.m. GST


• Delhi, India -- 10:30 p.m. IST


• Jakarta, Indonesia -- 12:00 a.m. WIB next day


• Shanghai, China -- 1:00 a.m. CST next day


• Singapore -- 1:00 a.m. SGT next day


• Perth, Australia -- 1:00 a.m. AWST next day


• Hong Kong -- 1:00 a.m. HKT next day


• Seoul, South Korea -- 2:00 a.m. KST next day


• Tokyo, Japan -- 2:00 a.m. JST next day


• Adelaide, Australia -- 2:30 a.m. ACST next day


• Sydney, Australia -- 3:00 a.m. AEST next day


• Auckland, New Zealand -- 5:00 a.m. NZST next day

Watch the Keynote on YouTube

Watching the WWDC keynote on YouTube may be one of the quickest and easiest ways to catch the event because YouTube is generally available on most devices, including TV sets and consoles.


The YouTube live stream above will be accessible on June 9 when the event kicks off.

Watch the Keynote on Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro

You can watch the WWDC keynote on any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Vision Pro using Apple's native Safari browser or another browser. iOS devices must be running iOS 10 or later, and Macs need to be running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later to access the stream.

Launch Safari from your chosen device and follow this link to the WWDC 2025 Keynote.

Watch the Keynote Using the Apple TV App

You can watch the WWDC keynote via Apple's TV app on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro, and Apple TV, with the link in the TV app becoming available on the day of the event or just before.

1. Open the TV app on your chosen device.


2. Scroll down the Watch Now category and select WWDC 2025. Alternatively, type "WWDC" into the Search field and select WWDC 2025 from the results.


3. Click Play.

The app may tell you to tune in at your local time to watch the event live prior to when the WWDC keynote begins.

Watch the Keynote on a Windows PC

If you don't have an Apple device handy, you can still watch the WWDC 2025 keynote on a PC running Windows 10 or later. Open Microsoft Edge browser and follow this link to the WWDC 2025 Livestream.

While Apple offers no guarantees, other platforms may also be able to access the WWDC 2025 keynote using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC codecs/extensions must be installed).

Watch in the Apple Developer App or Developer Website

Apple also plans to stream the keynote in the Apple Developer app, and on the Apple Developer website, making it easier than ever for Apple fans and developers to catch the event.

MacRumors Coverage

For those unable to watch the live stream, or who prefer to read a text version of the announcements, we'll have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive X (Twitter) account, so make sure to follow.
This article, "How to Watch Apple's WWDC 2025 Keynote on June 9" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 will include a preinstalled Preview app from Apple, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman said that the Preview app will provide iPhone and iPad users with an all-in-one, built-in solution for managing, editing, and annotating PDF documents.

The app will look similar to Apple's longstanding Preview app on the Mac, he said:

The software looks similar to the Mac version, and its launch screen is in the same style as apps like Pages and Keynote. It includes a big logo on the top portion of the screen advertising the Preview name and a gallery of document options below it.

Gurman did not say if the Preview app on the iPhone and iPad will also offer basic image editing abilities, like it does on the Mac.

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 will be announced during Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote, which begins on Monday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
This article, "iOS 26: Apple's Preview App Rumored to Expand From Mac to iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device.


Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, and an A19 chip instead of an A19 Pro chip.

Below, we recap 17 key rumors for the iPhone 17 Air as of June 2025:

• The thinnest iPhone ever, measuring just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, but possibly up to 9.5mm with the rear camera bump included


• 6.6-inch OLED display with Face ID and a potentially smaller Dynamic Island


• ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate (disputed by one source)


• A19 chip instead of A19 Pro chip


• A single 48-megapixel rear camera on an all-new elongated camera bar


• A 24-megapixel front camera


• A single speaker in the earpiece, no bottom speaker


• Apple-designed Wi-Fi 7 chip


• Apple-designed C1 modem for cellular connectivity


• eSIM only, no physical SIM card slot worldwide


• USB-C port


• High-density battery


• Camera Control button


• Action button


• MagSafe


• 12GB of RAM, exceeding the 8GB minimum for Apple Intelligence


• Apple reportedly plans to release an iPhone 17 Air battery case

Bookmark our iPhone 17 Air roundup to stay up to date with more rumors in the coming months.
This article, "'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 17 New Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's upcoming HomePod Software 26 update will support the original first-generation HomePod along with all succeeding HomePod models, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.


Apple released the original HomePod eight years ago, so it's good to see that Apple's latest software will support it. As for what the new software will bring to the table in terms of new features, it's not yet clear, but hopefully improvements to the Siri experience are forthcoming.

Rather than naming the next-generation version HomePod Software 19, Apple is likely to call it HomePod Software 26. All of the major software updates coming this year will be numbered "26," reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 release cycle, so it'd be weird for the HomePod Software not to receive the same treatment.

The HomePod family is expected to grow in size this year or next, with the arrival of Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. We're hoping that Apple provides an early preview of the home hub at WWDC, based on recent trademarking activity.

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote will begin on Monday, June 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its website, on YouTube, and in the TV app. If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.
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Apple's upcoming tvOS 26 software update will support all Apple TV models that are compatible with tvOS 18, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.


If this rumor is accurate, and we have high confidence that it is, then tvOS 26 will be compatible with the Apple TV HD – released in 2015(!) – and beyond:

• Apple TV HD (2015)


• Apple TV 4K (1st generation, 2017)


• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation, 2021)


• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, 2022)

Rather than naming the next-generation version tvOS 19, Apple is going to call it tvOS 26, our source confirmed. All of the software updates coming this year will be numbered "26," reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 release cycle.

The visionOS-inspired design coming to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS will also extend to tvOS. While tvOS typically receives less attention and specific details are scarce, we can infer some changes based on iOS rumors.

iOS 26 is expected to feature a visionOS-like interface with translucent elements, floating menus and windows, and softer, rounded visuals. The design uses light and shadow to create a glass-like effect, as seen in Apple's WWDC promotional imagery, so expect these to appear.

We're also expecting new screensavers, a new cross-platform Games app, Wi-Fi syncing, and potential new AI-powered features. For everything we know, be sure to check out our WWDC roundup for tvOS 26.
This article, "tvOS 26 to Support These Apple TV Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's upcoming watchOS 26 software update will support all Apple Watch models that are compatible with watchOS 11, according to a private account on X with a proven track record for upcoming software updates.


If this rumor is accurate, and we believe it is, watchOS 26 will be compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and beyond:

• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)


• Apple Watch Series 6


• Apple Watch Series 7


• Apple Watch Series 8


• Apple Watch Series 9


• Apple Watch Series 10


• Apple Watch Ultra


• Apple Watch Ultra 2

Rather than naming the next-generation version watchOS 12, Apple is going to call it watchOS 26, our source confirmed. All of the software updates coming this year will be numbered "26," reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 release cycle.

The overhauled design that Apple is introducing for iOS 26 will also extend to the Apple Watch, though the changes to watchOS may not be as dramatic as the iOS 26 refresh. Apple will likely add new watch faces that are designed with the new style.

Apple's upcoming watchOS 26 update could also introduce support for third-party shortcuts in Control Center. For more details on what to expect for Apple Watch at WWDC next week, check out our roundup.
This article, "watchOS 26 to Support These Apple Watch Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Nintendo Switch 2 includes a new built-in social feature called GameChat that allows up to 12 users to engage in video chats simultaneously, even if they're playing in different games. To facilitate this, Nintendo offers an official Switch 2 Camera that connects via USB-C, but it turns out that an iPhone does the job just as well, if not better.


Niles Mitchell has thoughtfully shared a demo of the Switch-iPhone configuration that explains how to set it up. You'll need a HDMI to USB-C cable and a HDMI converter cable to connect them, which should cost around $30 in total.

If you aren't lucky enough to own a Switch 2, you can always use your iPhone as a webcam for a Mac. Click the link to learn how it works.
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tvOS is probably the Apple operating system that gets the fewest updates each year, and that's not going to change in 2025. But thanks to the design overhaul that Apple is introducing across all of its software platforms, tvOS is set to get some interesting new features.

Naming

As we've noted several times this week, Apple is changing the naming for its operating system updates. After tvOS 18, we're getting tvOS 26 instead of tvOS 19. The "26" represents the September 2025 to September 2026 release season for tvOS, with Apple planning to use the same numbering across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS too.

Updated Design

The visionOS-style design update that's coming to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS will also extend to tvOS. tvOS tends to get little attention comparatively so we don't have specific details on what's changing, but we can extrapolate a bit from the iOS rumors.

iOS 26 will adopt an interface that riffs on visionOS, with a focus on translucency, floating menus and windows, and more rounded design elements. It's been described as using light and shadow to give off a glass-like effect, which we can see in the imagery that Apple is using to promote WWDC.

tvOS 26 could adopt some of the same translucency for menus, app icons, buttons, and other parts of the interface, plus it could get the same floating look and more dramatically rounded edges for buttons and windows that are typical of visionOS.

Apple wants the experience of using its various platforms to feel more cohesive, which is why everything is getting some of the same design changes.

Screensavers

It's typical for Apple to introduce new screensavers with tvOS updates, so we can perhaps expect to see new aerial screensaver options, as well as screensavers that match the updated aesthetic. Last year, Apple came out with Snoopy screensavers, so we could get more of those too, or another partnership.

Games App

Apple plans to debut a new cross-platform Games app that will serve as a one-stop spot for discovering and launching games. On the Apple TV, it will feature a range of games that can run on the device, including third-party games and Apple Arcade games.

The Games app will essentially feature the entire games section of the tvOS App Store. It's also expected to have features like achievements, leaderboards, and recommendations from Apple editors. There might also be new tools for communicating with other players.

Wi-Fi Syncing

If you're in the unusual situation of needing to connect your ‌Apple TV‌ to a captive network at a college or similar location, you'll be glad to hear about a new captive Wi-Fi syncing option that's coming to Apple's platforms.

With this feature, you'll only need to log into a captive network on one of your Apple devices, and the login information will sync to everything else signed into your Apple Account.

Recommendations

There's no rumor about tvOS adopting Apple Intelligence, but Apple is expanding AI across its platforms. tvOS could benefit from AI features that better learn from user preferences to make more tailored content recommendations on what to watch next.

If and when Apple introduces major ‌Apple Intelligence‌ updates to Siri, we could see some of those features available on the ‌Apple TV‌.

WWDC 2025 Keynote

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


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

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Apple's upcoming watchOS 26 update could introduce support for third-party shortcuts in Control Center, according to a report from 9to5Mac. This would allow settings from third-party apps to be accessed right alongside Apple's own Control Center options.


Right now, the Control Center on Apple Watch (accessed by pressing the Side button) is limited to Apple's built-in shortcuts for doing things like toggling on Wi-Fi, turning on Airplane mode, activating Do Not Disturb, and pinging the iPhone, but watchOS 26 could bring some of the same customizations that Apple added to the ‌iPhone‌ in iOS 18.

‌iOS 18‌ introduced a customizable Control Center that supports third-party shortcuts on the ‌iPhone‌, so it makes sense that the feature might also expand to the Apple Watch. Shortcuts could be useful for activating specialized workouts in third-party apps, launching streaming music apps, logging food and water intake, and more.

The Apple Watch Control Center could get new options for customizing the layout through the Apple Watch app, with Apple allowing users to add new shortcuts and remove those that aren't necessary.

watchOS 26 is set to debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference, which begins with a keynote event on Monday, June 9.
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Google today announced that its Chrome browser has received the "highest ever score" on the Speedometer 3 benchmarking test. Speedometer 3 is designed to measure browser performance, and it was created collaboratively by Google, Apple, Intel, Microsoft, and Mozilla.


The test is designed to measure web responsiveness through several workloads like HTML parsing, JavaScript and JSON processing, pixel rendering, CSS application, and more.

Optimizations that Google has implemented over the last year have brought a 10 percent improvement in performance since August 2024, which Google says leads to better browser experiences for end users.

The team heavily optimized memory layouts of many internal data structures across DOM, CSS, layout, and painting components. Blink now avoids a lot of useless churn on system memory by keeping state where it belongs with respect to access patterns, maximizing utilization of CPU caches. Where internal memory was already relying on garbage collection in Oilpan, e.g. DOM, the usage was expanded by converting types from using malloc to Oilpan. This generally speeds up the affected areas as it packs memory nicely in Oilpan's backend.

On an M4 MacBook Pro with macOS 15, Chrome 139 achieved a score of 52.35 on the benchmarking test. More detail on the optimizations that were added can be found in Google's blog post.

Apple has not recently shared its maximum Speedometer 3 test results for Safari so there isn't a direct comparison available, and it is worth noting that Google appears to have used Speedometer 3, and not the newer Speedometer 3.1 test.
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We're just a handful of days away from the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple plans to introduce new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and visionOS. visionOS isn't Apple's most popular platform, but it's getting new features that will make the Vision Pro experience better.


The next version of visionOS has actually been described as "feature-packed," but a lot of what's coming will remain a surprise because rumors typically focus on iOS. If you're expecting visionOS 3 to follow visionOS 2, you might be surprised when we get visionOS 26 instead. Apple is changing the way that it names operating system updates, using "26" for everything coming out in 2025. 26 represents the September 2025 to September 2026 visionOS season.

Updated Design

The design that Apple used for visionOS is inspiring a new look for iOS and macOS, but Apple also plans to make some tweaks to the way that visionOS looks. The changes are likely to be small in scale, and we don't have a lot of detail, but at least some visual updates are coming.

Eye-Scrolling

Apple is going to add a new eye-scrolling option to the Vision Pro, which will use the built-in eye tracking features. The Vision Pro already supports navigating through the OS by looking at something on the display and then using a hand gesture to "tap" it, so eye-based scrolling is a natural extension of that functionality.

Apple will add eye scrolling to the built-in Apple apps, and it will provide an API that will let developers integrate the capability into third-party apps as well.

Apple Intelligence

Apple is planning to add new Apple Intelligence features to iOS, and it's possible anything that's added will also expand to visionOS. There's an AI battery management feature rumored for iOS 26, for example, and it would make a lot of sense to have a similar function on the headset because it's so reliant on battery.

At some point, Apple will introduce the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ personalized Siri features that were shown off at WWDC 2024, and those capabilities will almost certainly expand to the Vision Pro. Apple is working on deeper ‌Siri‌ integration for apps, personal context that would let ‌Siri‌ access emails, files, and more, and onscreen awareness so ‌Siri‌ knows what you're looking at.

Games App

Apple plans to release a new cross-platform Games app, and with the company aiming to push gaming on the Vision Pro, the Games app will likely be available on the headset. The Games app will include all the content from the games section of the App Store, along with Apple Arcade content and Game Center features like achievements and leaderboards.

Accessibility

In May, Apple announced upcoming Accessibility features that will be added to visionOS 26. visionOS is going to get new vision accessibility options for users who are blind or have low vision. Zoom will let users magnify anything that's in view using the main Vision Pro camera, while Live Recognition in VoiceOver will use on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, and read documents.

Apple is developing a new API that will allow approved apps to use the main camera for providing live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation, a feature that will be useful for apps like Be My Eyes.

For users with severe mobility disabilities, visionOS is gaining a new protocol that will support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces, a technology that lets users control their devices with brain signals.

WWDC 2025 June 9 Keynote

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

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

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Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system might finally be on the horizon, based on recent trademark activity reviewed by MacRumors.


An apparent shell company known as Home Operations Suite LLC has submitted trademark applications for "HOMEOS" in a handful of countries in recent months. A priority filing was made in Liechtenstein in October 2024, and additional filings were made in the United States, Argentina, Peru, and a few other countries in April this year.

The trademark is now registered in Liechtenstein, but the applications are still pending elsewhere.

The trademark filing in the U.S. was first spotted by Parker Ortolani and reported by 9to5Mac.

There is no definitive proof that Apple owns the shell company, but it has a history of creating limited-liability companies with generic names in order to discreetly move to protect its intellectual property related to unannounced products.

For example, in May 2023, MacRumors uncovered a "VisionOS" trademark application filed by another secretive LLC shell company. A month later, at WWDC, Apple announced its Vision Pro headset and its visionOS operating system.

"homeOS" has been referenced in various other places in the past, including in Apple job listings, and in tvOS 17.4 code discovered by MacRumors. It could end up being the name of the software platform that powers Apple's long-rumored smart home hub, which has been described as a HomePod with a screen. The device will reportedly have a square iPad-like screen that can be attached to a speaker base or mounted on a wall.

The hub 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 smart home camera.

In March, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025, but it is unclear if it will ship to customers this year or next year. Apple delayed the personalized Siri features that are expected to be at the core of the device, so perhaps next year is a safer bet at this point. However, Apple could still provide an early preview of the home hub at any point now, and its WWDC 2025 keynote just so happens to be coming up next week. Stay tuned!
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Following in the wake of numerous Anker discounts on Amazon, today we're tracking an all-time low price for the Apple Pencil Pro and a solid deal on the AirTag 4-Pack at the retailer. Neither deal requires a coupon code this time around, as both have been applied automatically by Amazon.

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.

Starting with the Apple Pencil Pro, you can get this accessory for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a match for the record low price on the Apple Pencil Pro, and it's a deal that doesn't typically stick around long on Amazon, so if you've been waiting for it to return, be sure to check it out soon.



Secondly, Amazon has the AirTag 4-Pack for $74.99, down from $99.00. This is a second-best price on the accessory, and you can find the 1-Pack on sale as well on Amazon, available for $24.99, down from $29.00.



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

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Apple Pay on the iPhone can be used for making PlayStation purchases on the PS4 and PS5, Sony confirmed today. The feature has been rolling out to PlayStation 5 users over the course of the last few weeks, but it is now available more widely and also on the PS4.


The option to use ‌Apple Pay‌ is notable because it is a feature that works when you're making PlayStation Store purchases directly on a PS4 or PS5 from the television interface. To do so, add a game to your cart and then go to checkout.

In the checkout interface, select ‌Apple Pay‌. From there, the PlayStation will display an Apple payment code (essentially an Apple-designed QR code) that can be scanned with an ‌iPhone‌ or an iPad, with payment confirmed through biometric authentication.

Apple implemented support for this type of payment with iOS 18 last year. It also works for purchases on third-party browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

‌Apple Pay‌ is available alongside PayPal and traditional debit and credit card payment options on Sony's consoles, and using ‌Apple Pay‌ may be more secure and convenient than entering in a credit or debit card number.
This article, "PlayStation Adds Apple Pay Support for PS4 and PS5 Store Purchases" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 18 adoption has outpaced iOS 17 adoption during the same timeframe last year, according to new ‌iOS 18‌ adoption statistics that Apple shared today.


‌iOS 18‌ is now installed on 88 percent of iPhones introduced in the last four years (iPhone 13 and newer), and 82 percent of all active iPhones. ‌iOS 18‌ adoption has grown notably since earlier this year. In January, 76 percent of iPhones introduced in the last four years had ‌iOS 18‌ installed, while 68 percent of all iPhones were running the update.

Compared to last year, ‌iOS 18‌ is more popular than iOS 17. In June 2024, 86 percent of all iPhones from the last four years had iOS 17, while 77 percent of all iPhones were running it.

As for the iPad, iPadOS 18 is currently installed on 81 percent of iPads introduced in the last four years, while 71 percent of total devices run ‌iPadOS 18‌. ‌iPadOS 18‌ has also been adopted more rapidly than iPadOS 17 in June 2024. During that time period, iPadOS 17 was installed on 77 percent of all iPads released in the last four years and 68 percent of all iPads.

Apple Intelligence features in ‌iOS 18‌ like Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, and notification summaries may have spurred the uptick in adoption between iOS 17 and ‌iOS 18‌.

Apple views software updates as an integral part of the ‌iPhone‌ usage experience. Apple is able to deliver new functionality to older iPhones on a regular basis, plus the frequent updates that Apple rolls out address bugs and ensure the best protection from security vulnerabilities.

Apple says that providing ‌iPhone‌ users with new features over multiple years is something that is unique to the ‌iPhone‌ because of the deep integration between hardware and software. Apple views software updates as a way to provide value to customers over a long period of time, enabling them to hold onto their devices for years while still getting new experiences.

The newest version of iOS is set to debut next week at the Worldwide Developers Conference. We'll get a look at ‌iOS 18‌'s successor, which rumors say will bring some major design changes and exciting new features.
This article, "Here's How Many iPhones Are Running iOS 18" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Snap today announced the launch of a Snapchat app that's designed for the Apple Watch. Snapchat users can now view and respond to conversations right from their wrists.


The Snapchat app supports replies with the built-in Apple Watch keyboard, Scribble, and Dictation, plus it supports sending emoji, like any other Apple Watch messaging app.

Snap says that it is committed to making Snapchat available across all devices that Snapchat users own, including wearable devices like the Apple Watch.

It is rare for a major company to roll out an Apple Watch app these days, as it has not proven to be a popular platform. Slack, Facebook Messenger, Uber, Lyft, and more were all once available on the Apple Watch but have been discontinued after companies found that the development resources were not worth it.
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Eight years ago today, Apple introduced the HomePod, a smart speaker that it said would provide "amazing sound quality and intelligence" in the home.


"Apple reinvented portable music with iPod and now HomePod will reinvent how we enjoy music wirelessly throughout our homes," said Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller, in a June 2017 press release announcing the HomePod.

While the original HomePod's sound quality did impress reviewers when it launched, Apple largely failed to deliver on the intelligence front. Siri is widely considered to be inferior to other popular voice assistants, like Amazon's Alexa, and the rise of chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini have set Siri even further back.

Apple went on to launch the HomePod mini in November 2020, before making the surprise decision to discontinue the full-size HomePod in March 2021. At the time, Apple said that it discontinued the full-size HomePod in order to focus its efforts on the HomePod mini, but declining sales were also likely a factor. Somewhat unexpectedly, the HomePod then started fetching higher prices on resale marketplaces like eBay, and Apple decided to release a second-generation full-size HomePod with some slight changes in January 2023.

What's Next?

There have not been any rumors about a third-generation HomePod, but at least two other HomePod products are allegedly in the pipeline.

In a January 2025 edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was aiming to release a new HomePod mini "toward the end of the year." He said the speaker will be equipped with an Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, but it is unclear if that change will have any consumer benefits. There is no word yet on what other new features are planned, but improved sound quality and a newer chip are safe bets. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip.


Apple is also rumored to be planning an all-new smart home hub, which has been described as a HomePod with a screen. The device is expected to have a square iPad-like screen that can be attached to a speaker base, or it can be mounted on a wall.

Apple's smart home hub will reportedly feature a 6-inch or 7-inch display, along with an A18 chip. 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 smart home camera.

In March, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025, but it is unclear if it will launch this year or next year. Apple delayed the personalized Siri features that are expected to be at the core of the device, so perhaps next year is a safer bet at this point. However, Apple could still provide an early preview of the home hub at any point now.
This article, "HomePod Turns 8: Here's When to Expect New Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple Watch provides highly accurate measurements of heart rate and step count, but their estimates of calories burned can be significantly off, according to a new peer-reviewed meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Mississippi (via CNET).


The study reviewed 56 previously published studies evaluating the Apple Watch's performance against gold-standard clinical tools in three core areas: heart rate monitoring, step count tracking, and energy expenditure estimation.

The researchers reported low mean absolute percentage errors (a common metric used to assess measurement accuracy) of 4.43% for heart rate and 8.17% for step counts. These fall within the threshold generally considered acceptable for consumer-grade fitness devices. In contrast, the average error for energy expenditure was 27.96%, more than three times the margin considered acceptable for accurate measurement.

The analysis incorporated data from studies spanning multiple Apple Watch models and user groups. The high error margin in calorie estimation was consistent across all cohorts and forms of physical activity.

These devices are great for keeping track of habits and staying motivated. But do not take every number as 100% truth, especially the calories. Think of it as a helpful guide, not a diagnostic tool. It is useful but not perfect.

The findings align with previous independent evaluations that have raised concerns about the reliability of calorie burn estimates from consumer-grade wearable devices like Apple Watches.

While the Apple Watch has undergone continuous generational improvements since its debut in 2015, the researchers noted that even newer models still exhibit considerable error in calorie estimation. However, the study did observe a trend toward improved accuracy in more recent models:

While we cannot say every update is a big leap forward, there is a noticeable trend of gradual improvements over time. It shows that Apple is refining the technology over time.

The researchers emphasized that their analysis is not intended to discredit the utility of wearables, but rather to clarify their limitations and inform both consumers and smartwatch makers.

By showing where the weaknesses are, we can help developers get real feedback. If they know what needs to be fixed, they can design better sensors or algorithms. Our findings can guide improvements and help make these devices more useful for both everyday users and health care providers.

Apple does not publish the algorithms used in Apple Watch fitness tracking, nor does it claim that the device provides clinical-grade energy expenditure measurements. The company has consistently positioned the Apple Watch as a general wellness tool rather than a medical diagnostic device, though it has introduced several advanced health features in recent years, such as body temperature monitoring and sleep apnea detection.
This article, "Apple Watch Gets One Crucial Fitness Metric Wrong, Researchers Say" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today announced that four additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library on Thursday, July 3, including a new Angry Birds title.


Angry Birds Bounce is a new take on the iconic Angry Birds game, which has been downloaded billions of times over the years. According to Apple, it combines classic Angry Birds slingshot gameplay with arcade-style brick-breaker mechanics.

Apple's full description of the game:

Join Red, Chuck, Bomb, and the rest of the gang on a brand-new adventure. Angry Birds Bounce combines the classic charm of Angry Birds with an innovative arcade brick-breaker twist. When the pigs take over their islands, the birds must bounce back — literally — combining into powerful flocks and launching themselves to defeat an army of piggies and reclaim their home. With strategic rogue-lite gameplay, each level is a new challenge where players will master precision shots, unlock exciting power-ups, and build unique combos during each run.

All four games that are coming to Apple Arcade on July 3:

• Angry Birds Bounce


• Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance TD+


• Suika Game+


• Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets+

More details about all of the games are outlined in Apple's announcement.

Apple also highlighted five games that are launching on Apple Arcade today.

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.
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Amazon today is taking up to $65 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model. Best Buy is matching this deal, and a few other of the iPad discounts as well.

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.

Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 ($50 off) and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $594.95 ($55 off). These are also both solid second-best prices on the 11th generation iPad.





There are also numerous discounts on cellular models, starting at $449.00 for the 128GB model. Amazon is providing an estimated delivery of around June 10 for free shipping, while Prime members should be able to get the tablets a bit faster in most cases.





The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new ‌iPad‌ starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.

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

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If the Mail app on your iPhone is not working lately, you are not alone.


A growing number of iPhone users are seeing a blank screen in the Mail app, according to comments posted across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, Apple Support Community, and other online discussion platforms. Affected users are unable to view any emails in their inboxes, and the app can also become glitchy and unresponsive.

The issue does not appear to be tied to any specific iPhone model, and the underlying cause is unknown. Most if not all affected users said their iPhones were running iOS 18.5, but it is unclear why online discussion about this issue only started to gain traction within the past few days, given that the update was released more than three weeks ago.

Affected users said restarting their iPhones temporarily solves the issue, but a permanent solution has yet to be identified. MacRumors has emailed Apple about the matter, and we will update this story if and when the company responds to the inquiry.

The issue is not reflected on Apple's system status page as of writing.

Thanks, Steve Ryan!
This article, "iPhone Users Say Mail App Suddenly Showing Blank Screen on iOS 18.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Since Safari 17 and macOS Sonoma, Apple's browser has supported favicons in the Favorites bar. Keep reading to learn why favicons can be useful, how to make space for more, and how you can disable them if they aren't for you.


A favicon is a small icon that serves as a kind of badge for a website. Its main purpose is to make it easier to locate the webpage when there are multiple tabs open in a browser.

Favicons can usually be found next to anything in a browser's interface that identifies a website. This can include bookmarks, tabs, history results, and search bars.


In Safari, if you have the Favorites Bar enabled (View ➝ Show Favorites Bar in Safari's menu bar) the favicon for each site will appear beside its title, allowing you to more easily spot it in the bar.


Favicons can certainly be handy, but they can make your browser interface look too busy and cluttered. Another possible issue with the space they take up is that if you have a full row of websites in your Favorites Bar, some of them will be lopped off the viewable area, and you may have to click the double chevron icon at the far right to reveal them.

If this happens in your case, don't worry. It's not obvious, but you can easily prevent favicons from appearing in the Favorites Bar. Simply right-click a space on the bar and check Show Text Only in the pop-up menu.


If you should miss them at all, you can easily turn them back on again by selecting Show Icons and Text. Alternatively, if you're a fan of favicons and can identify your favorites at a glance, simply select Show Icons Only. This last option also allows you to pack in more links along the bar.
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Following a study looking into the success of the App Store ecosystem in the United States, Apple has sponsored a second study that covers the global App Store in 2024.


Apple's global ‌App Store‌ ecosystem supported an estimated $1.3 trillion in billings and sales across 2024, and for 90 percent of those sales, developers did not pay a commission to Apple.

"It's incredible to see so many developers design great apps, build successful businesses, and reach Apple users around the world," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "This report is a testament to the many ways developers are enriching people's lives with app and game experiences, while creating opportunity and driving new innovations. We're proud to support their success."

Developer billings and sales of digital goods and services hit $131 billion, primarily from games and photo and video editing apps like those from Adobe. Sales of physical goods and services facilitated by ‌App Store‌ apps exceeded $1 trillion.

Over the last five years, spending in digital goods and services, physical goods and services, and in-app advertising has more than doubled, with the strongest growth in physical goods as people are increasingly using apps to order food and groceries.

The ‌App Store‌ draws more than 813 million average weekly visitors globally, with Apple's commerce system supporting developers with more than 40 local currencies and tax handling in 200 regions.

As with Apple's U.S. study, the global study highlights the ‌App Store‌ benefits and tools available to developers, including the more than 100 technical sessions that will come out next week during the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference.

The study's release comes as Apple is facing regulatory and legal pressure over its ‌App Store‌ rules in multiple countries. In addition to being forced to allow developers to direct customers to web-based purchase options in the U.S., Apple is also continuing to struggle with the Digital Markets Act in Europe. Apple is currently fighting DMA interoperability requirements that require it to give third-party developers access to iOS features that are normally limited to Apple's own products, and it has faced fines for compliance issues.

The full study is available through Apple's Newsroom article.
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OpenAI has announced some new productivity features for ChatGPT, adding direct integration with major cloud storage services and introducing meeting recording capabilities for business users.


The AI chatbot can now connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and SharePoint, allowing users to query information directly from their stored documents and files. Use case examples include a financial analyst asking ChatGPT to pull data from company reports to generate investment insights, or a marketing professional analyzing product presentations without leaving the ChatGPT interface.

OpenAI says the cloud integrations respect existing organizational access controls, so ChatGPT can only access documents it is authorized to view. The company says that data accessed through these connectors won't be used to train its models for Team, Enterprise, and Education customers.

Alongside cloud connectivity, ChatGPT is also introducing "record mode" for meeting transcription and note-taking. Initially available to Team users on macOS, the feature captures audio and generates structured notes complete with summaries, key points, action items, and time-stamped citations.

Unlike competing solutions from Zoom or Notion that require bot participation, ChatGPT's recording tool simply listens through the device microphone. Users can then convert action items into Canvas documents for follow-up work.

The update also includes "deep research connectors" in beta, which links ChatGPT to external platforms like HubSpot and Linear through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This enables autonomous research combining internal company data with web information to produce comprehensive reports.

The cloud connectors are available to all paid ChatGPT users, while MCP support is available to Pro, Team, and Enterprise subscribers.
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WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets users build their own AI chatbot assistant within the app, reports WABetaInfo.


Currently rolling out to a small number of WhatsApp beta testers is a new section in the app called "AI Studio," which walks users through the creation of their AI assistant.

The idea isn't dissimilar to OpenAI's custom GPTs or Google Gemini's Gems. Users can devise their AI's role, personality traits, specialisms, and style of discourse, and start chatting with them immediately after creation. Here's how WABetaInfo describes it:

The creation process is structured as a guided flow directly from the AI Studio screen, making it easier to follow even for users with no technical background. The process starts with users selecting a role for their AI, which could range from a study coach to a travel assistant or even a motivational companion. They then choose a personality style and tone, such as calm and thoughtful, energetic and funny, or professional and informative. Based on these choices, WhatsApp offers smart suggestions to help shape the AI's behavior and conversational style.

WhatsApp owner Meta already offers a web-based AI Studio tool that enables users to create, customize, and deploy AI-powered chatbots across Meta's services like Instagram and Messenger. The WhatsApp implementation looks like it will replicate this feature, only within WhatsApp itself. When the feature will roll out to all users remains unclear.


In related news, WhatsApp developers are also working on bringing usernames to the chat platform. By choosing a unique handle, users will be able to connect with others without sharing their phone number, which should further enhance privacy. Usernames are also in the testing phase, and it's unknown when WhatsApp will take them live.
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Apple appears to be moving to the next-generation Qi 2.2 wireless charging standard, according to regulatory filings on Taiwan's NCC certification website. Qi2.2 is the forthcoming update to the Wireless Power Consortium's (WPC) Qi standard, building on improvements introduced with Qi 2.1.


Spotted by 91mobiles.com, the filings reveal two new MagSafe charger models – A3503 and A3502 – that support the upgraded Qi 2.2 standard. The chargers feature the familiar white puck design with braided cables in 2-meter and 1-meter lengths, respectively.

It's a notable upgrade mainly because of the faster charging speed. Qi 2.2 is technically capable of up to 50W charging output. In contrast, the Qi 2 standard maxes out at 15W (although iPhone 16 models support upgraded MagSafe charging – with a 30W charger, the iPhones can charge at up to 25W). The WPC has since released the Qi 2.1 standard, but no Apple devices officially support it.

Testing documents show the chargers work with devices ranging from the iPhone 16 back to the iPhone 11, indicating the Qi 2.2 pucks will have broad compatibility with existing devices, but charging speeds are going to be limited when using older models. Devices looking to take advantage of the faster charging speeds will need a corresponding advanced charging chip, similar to Samsung's Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC).


In addition to faster charging, Qi 2.2 offers improved magnetic alignment and charging efficiency compared to its predecessor. The standard also features backward compatibility with older Qi chargers.

Apple has not officially announced these new chargers, but their appearance in Taiwan's regulatory databases indicates we're likely to see a public release in the coming months. It also increases the likelihood that the upcoming iPhone 17 models will support the new charging standard – but that doesn't guarantee they will charge at the maximum 50W. Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 lineup around September, while the broader industry is expected to launch Qi 2.2-compatible phones, chargers, and accessories later this year.
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We're still counting down the days until the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, and Apple's big event is creeping closer. We haven't heard too much about what we might see in watchOS 26, but there are a few hints based on rumors, info about other updates, and features that Apple often adds to on a yearly basis.

Naming

Rather than naming the next-generation version watchOS 12, Apple is going to call it watchOS 26. All of the software updates coming this year will be numbered "26," reflecting the September 2025 to September 2026 release cycle.

watchOS 26 will launch alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26, all of which are being renamed.

Design Update

The overhauled design that Apple is introducing for ‌iOS 26‌ will also extend to the Apple Watch, though the changes to watchOS may not be as dramatic as the ‌iOS 26‌ refresh.

With ‌iOS 26‌, Apple is introducing a design referred to internally as "Solarium." As the name suggests, it focuses on a glass-like look that's actually inspired by visionOS. Buttons, search interfaces, tab bars, and windows could adopt a translucent design reminiscent of frosted glass.

Floating menus, rounder buttons, and simplified navigation have been rumored, too. watchOS already uses round app icons and buttons, so it will fit right in. Apple could adopt the Solarium look for things like the app drawer, notifications, and Control Center.

Apple's aim is a more consistent design across all of its software platforms.

New Watch Faces

If watchOS is getting a design update to match ‌iOS 26‌, Apple will likely add new watch faces that are designed with the new style.

Apple Intelligence

The Apple Watch doesn't have the processing power to run Apple Intelligence on-device, but it is rumored to be getting some "powered by ‌Apple Intelligence‌" features that could rely on its link to the iPhone.

There are rumors that Apple will add an AI-powered battery management feature to iPhones running ‌iOS 26‌, and similar functionality would make a lot of sense for the Apple Watch. On the ‌iPhone‌, the feature will analyze device usage and make optimizations to maximize battery life.

Right now, features like ChatGPT Siri integration and Writing Tools don't extend to the Apple Watch, but these are options that Apple could add. The Apple Watch also doesn't support notification summaries or content summaries in general.

AirPods Sleep Detection

The Apple Watch could integrate with the AirPods to pause content that's playing when the wearer falls asleep. It's a rumored feature for ‌iOS 26‌, but the AirPods have no sleep detection functionality, so the option would need to use Apple Watch data.

Health App

Apple is developing an updated version of the Health app for launch in ‌iOS 26‌, but it's not clear if we'll see it at the keynote event because it's not going to be ready right away.

Apple wants to add AI-powered health coaching features that will provide users with personalized health recommendations, and any feature like that will rely on Apple Watch data and features.

Coaching could include expert information on health conditions, fitness tips, and ways to make positive lifestyle changes.

Apple is also said to be developing a food tracking feature that would let users log what they eat throughout the day, and the Apple Watch would be a convenient way to add foods to a daily intake list.

Health Features

Apple has been developing a blood pressure monitoring feature for the Apple Watch, and if it's ready to go for the 2025 models, there could be a new blood pressure app in watchOS 26. The feature will alert users if hypertension is detected, but it won't provide specific systolic and diastolic readings.

It's not yet clear if blood pressure monitoring is ready to launch due to developmental problems, so it's something that we might not see until the 2026 Apple Watch models.

Fitness

Apple typically adds new workout types and features with new watchOS releases. One area that's lacking is strength training, and Apple Watch users need to download third-party apps for counting reps. That's something that the Apple Watch could get in the future. Apple has patented a method for rep tracking that uses the ‌iPhone‌'s camera.

Safety

In 2024, Apple submitted a patent for an Apple Watch feature that would be able to determine when the wearer is drowning, which would be a logical addition to crash detection and fall detection. There's no word that Apple has plans to launch this feature in watchOS 26, but it's something that's in the works behind the scenes.

WWDC 2025 Event Info

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


If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.
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Apple will not be able to walk back the anti-steering App Store changes it was ordered to implement in May while the legal process plays out, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said today. That means Epic Games, Spotify, Patreon, and others will be able to continue to direct customers to web purchase options that are available outside of the App Store, and Apple won't be able to collect fees on those web purchases.


Shortly after being forced to update its U.S. ‌App Store‌ rules to support external purchase links, Apple filed an emergency motion with the appeals court. Apple wanted to be able to hold off on implementing the new rules until it was able to mount a full appeal, but the appeals court denied the motion.

To be granted a stay, Apple needed to prove that its appeal is likely to succeed and that it would be irreparably injured without a stay, while the court also needed to consider whether the stay would injure other parties and where public interest lies. The court said that after "reviewing the relevant factors" it has not been persuaded that a stay is appropriate.

Apple argued that the original order was "extraordinary" and forced it to "give away free access" to Apple products and services, including intellectual property. Apple said that it should be able to collect commission on external purchase links and control the way those links look, both of which are currently prohibited. Apple claimed that keeping the ‌App Store‌ rules as is will cost it "hundreds of millions to billions" of dollars annually.

The ‌App Store‌ changes that Apple implemented in the U.S. are a result of the ongoing Apple vs. ‌Epic Games‌ legal battle that started in 2020. The judge overseeing the case originally ordered Apple to tweak the ‌App Store‌ rules to allow developers to direct customers to web purchase options instead of using in-app purchases. Apple complied after a multi-year appeals process, but levied 12 to 27 percent fees on developers who opted to do so and implemented strict rules around link styling.

‌Epic Games‌ protested Apple's implementation, and the judge sided with Epic. In a scathing ruling, Apple was ordered to immediately change its U.S. ‌App Store‌ rules. As of now, Apple is not allowed to charge any fee on purchases that consumers make outside of an app, nor is it allowed to restrict the language or design that developers use for buttons or links to web purchase options.
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The iOS 26 and macOS 26 updates could bring several new features to the AirPods, including sleep detection features and camera control options, reports 9to5Mac. The AirPods features would be introduced through firmware updates that would accompany Apple's new software.


Here's what's rumored:

• New head gestures - Apple could add new head gestures, such as a gesture for adjusting the volume of Conversation Awareness. Last year, Apple added a nod and a head shake to answer or decline calls.


• Auto-pause for sleep - The AirPods could pause audio when the wearer falls asleep, presumably using sleep data gleaned from the Apple Watch, as the AirPods have no sleep detection functionality.


• Camera trigger - Apple is planning to add trigger functionality to the AirPods, capturing an image on a linked iPhone with a press on the AirPods stem. It's possible this might work with a timer so the ‌iPhone‌ user isn't touching an ear when the photo is taken.


• Microphone enhancement - AirPods could get a "studio quality" microphone mode that's similar to the Audio Mix feature on ‌iPhone‌ that lets users choose from sound recording options like studio and cinematic.


• Better pairing - Apple is apparently working on a feature that would improve how AirPods pair with shared iPads for use in the classroom.

It is not clear if these rumored features would work across all AirPods models or if some features might be limited to the AirPods Pro. 9to5Mac warns that Apple could "choose to delay or tweak" the AirPods features before they are announced.

Apple is also expected to introduce a live translate feature for the AirPods, which would translate in-person conversations from one language to another.

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote kicks off on Monday, June 9, and Apple plans to unveil ‌iOS 26‌ and macOS 26. That's where we're likely to hear additional details about any new AirPods functionality that's coming alongside the software updates.
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Apple's efforts to bring Apple Intelligence to the critical Chinese market have been stymied by tension resulting from the tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump put in place, reports Financial Times.


To deploy ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in China, Apple is working with Alibaba, and the two companies have not yet received regulatory approval in China for the AI products that Apple wants to debut. China's Cyberspace Administration (CAC) must test and approve all AI models before companies can roll out AI services in China, and that's where the process has stalled.

CAC is delaying application approval due to "increasing political uncertainties" between the United States and China. Trump significantly increased tariffs on goods imported from China back in April, and fees reached 145 percent. Apple was exempted from some of the tariffs and the tariffs were later paused for 90 days, but the trade war has been escalating in recent days as the U.S. and China have failed to reach a deal.

Earlier this week, China said that the U.S. had "severely violated" a trade agreement that had been reached at a Geneva meeting in May by limiting sales of jet engine and semiconductor design software to Chinese companies, controlling chip exports, and canceling Visas for Chinese students. Trump claimed that China violated the deal by refusing to roll back some tariffs and restrictions for critical minerals needed for chip production, and he announced plans to raise tariffs on steel back to 50 percent on June 4. Earlier today, he further said that President Xi is "very tough" and "extremely hard to make a deal with."

Chinese regulations prevent Apple from using its own AI technology for ‌Apple Intelligence‌, so Apple is planning to use models developed by Alibaba. Because of the restrictions, Apple has faced delays expanding ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to China, which is a key market. Chinese smartphone manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi have a suite of AI features available for customers, which puts Apple far behind in the AI race in the country.

The Trump administration is "considering" putting Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu on an entity list that would prevent them from engaging in trade with the United States, according to The New York Times. If that happens, Apple will face further issues trying to bring ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to China. The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security has raised concerns about Apple's plans to partner with Alibaba as well.

Rumors suggest that Apple plans to debut ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in China in an iOS 18.6 update, but it is not clear if that is still going to happen nor do we know when we might get iOS 18.6 due to the approval delays. It has been three weeks since the launch of iOS 18.5, and Apple's beta updates usually come just a few days after a software release.
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Apple is rumored to be working on a smart home hub that has been nicknamed the "HomePad." The device is expected to have a square iPad-like screen that can be attached to a HomePod-like speaker base, or it can be mounted on a wall.


One question on the minds of Apple fans: will the HomePad be previewed at WWDC next week?

In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has no major new devices ready to ship, so it appears that the HomePad will not be launching soon. However, Apple could still provide an early preview of the device at WWDC 2025, providing developers with ample time to prepare for its release.

To be clear, there are no rumors indicating that Apple does plan to preview the HomePad next week, but surprises happen sometimes.

Keep in mind that in November 2024, Gurman reported that the first-generation HomePad would not have an App Store, but Apple could still release a set of developer APIs for the device. WWDC 2025 would be a fitting moment to do that.

Apple has a long history of announcing all-new product categories many months in advance of those products launching. The original iPhone was announced in January 2007, ahead of a June 2007 release. The original Apple Watch was unveiled in September 2014, and it launched in April 2015. The original HomePod launched in February 2018, eight months after being introduced at WWDC 2017. There are many other examples.

In March, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the HomePod with a screen would enter mass production in the third quarter of 2025. If that timeframe remains accurate, then a WWDC 2025 preview really could make sense.

In addition, the upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and watchOS 26 updates are all rumored to feature sleek new glass-like designs, and that look will likely extend to the HomePad's software. Apple could show it all off at once.

This is all speculation, of course, and we do not want to get anyone's hopes up. WWDC 2025 is generally not expected to have any hardware announcements, but perhaps the timing might just be right for a "sleek peek" at the HomePad.

Apple's smart home hub is rumored to feature a 6-inch or 7-inch display, and an A18 chip. 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.

Even if the HomePad is shown off at WWDC, it might not ship for many months, as Apple delayed the personalized Siri features that are expected to be core to the device. We might have to wait for those features to be ready before getting our hands on the home hub. A release by some point next year seems likely at this point.

Apple's keynote begins on Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
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