↩ Accueil

Vue lecture

NFL Apps Rolling Out on CarPlay Starting With These Teams

As spotted by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall, NFL team apps are rolling out on CarPlay.


The official Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears apps gained CarPlay support earlier this year, followed by the official New Orleans Saints app this week. All three apps are developed by a company named YinzCam, which says it develops the official apps for a total of 24 NFL teams, 18 NHL teams, 17 NBA teams, 16 MLS clubs, and more.

In the CarPlay apps, fans can listen to live audio and radio broadcasts for their favorite team's games, right on their vehicle's dashboard.

YinzCam will presumably continue to roll out CarPlay support across its portfolio of NFL apps, but for now only Bills, Bears, and Saints fans can take advantage. The only NFL teams that the company does not develop apps for are the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Starting with iOS 18.4, released in late March, CarPlay apps that stream audio for live sports events can show a scoreboard for the game on the CarPlay screen, right alongside controls for the audio feed. The revamped Now Playing view can show team logos, scores, the game clock, and more. Based on screenshots shared by YinzCam last month, however, it appears that the company has not yet implemented this feature.

Related Reading: iOS 26 Upgrades CarPlay in These 10 Ways
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: NFL

This article, "NFL Apps Rolling Out on CarPlay Starting With These Teams" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Review: Aqara's G410 Doorbell Camera Brings HomeKit Support and Hub Features for $130

Smart home accessory maker Aqara today launched the Doorbell Camera Hub G410, which integrates with HomeKit and offers HomeKit Secure Video Support.


I was able to test the Doorbell Camera Hub G410 ahead of launch, and it's a solid doorbell camera, and even better if you have an Aqara setup or plan to get more Aqara products. The G410 includes a Matter controller and it is able to serve as a hub for other Aqara Zigbee devices, like Aqara's door locks, so you don't need a standalone hub that doesn't serve another purpose. For Thread-based devices, it's also a Thread border router that can improve connectivity.

Aqara's camera has a unique look that sets it apart from other cameras like Ring. It has a simple, sleek look with a large main camera and a button that can be pressed to ring the doorbell below. If you have the wiring for a doorbell set up, you can use that to power it, or you can use 6 AA batteries that come with it. There are also multiple options for mounting, including a sticky backing or screws. Aqara includes a wedge plate that can be used to angle the doorbell out from the wall if needed. I don't know the IP rating of the G410, but it has survived rain and heat with no issue.

6AA batteries is a lot of batteries, so a wired connection might be the best option. I haven't had the doorbell long enough to get a good feel for how long the battery lasts, but Aqara says the batteries should be good for up to five months. Other camera systems like Ring include a rechargeable battery, but with the Aqara doorbell, you'll need to keep standard AA batteries on hand. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you prefer standard batteries or a proprietary battery pack. To get to the batteries, you need to unscrew the backing from the side, which is an extra step during replacement that's inconvenient.


Setup requires connecting the Chime to the Aqara app, then following the steps to pair the doorbell. From there, it can be added to ‌HomeKit‌ through the Aqara app's settings. This is a ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ camera when linked to ‌HomeKit‌, so it respects those settings. You can choose different recording modes for when people are home and when people are away, turning off video recording entirely if you want. Facial recognition is also supported, and it can detect people who are stored in the People album of your Photo Library.

There's a Chime that is included with the G410, and that's the hub component. It needs to be plugged in all the time, and you need to supply your own power adapter. Unlike the accompanying chime from Ring, Aqara's model attaches to a surface using mounting tape that's included. The Chime and the G410 both play a sound when the doorbell is pressed, so you can position the Chime anywhere inside to be able to hear the doorbell.


The video feed is wide-angle with a 176 degree field of view that captures most of what's around it. It's 2K video, and it's fairly crisp in good lighting, but it's nothing outstanding. It's comparable to Ring video footage. When the doorbell is on and recording, the light on it turns red. When it's off, there's no light. The light can be turned off in the settings.

The button to sound the doorbell is satisfying to press, and it's larger and easier to press than buttons on Ring doorbell cameras. Volume and tone of the doorbell can be customized, and you can even upload your own MP3 sound.

There's a motion detection option that can be paired with other devices, as well as alarms that will sound if it's over or under operating temperature outside (-4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit). You can also set up automations with other ‌HomeKit‌ devices in the Home app, or in the Aqara app with Aqara devices. If you have an Aqara lock, for example, the doorbell camera can be set to start recording when the lock is accessed.

At night, there's an infrared night vision option. It's not the clearest video ever, but it's adequate to see what's going on around your home if someone is close. I appreciate that there are two versions of night vision, one that's the standard black and white and a second that turns on a light to capture color. Select areas can be excluded either in the Home app or the Aqara app, and audio recording can be turned off if desired.

Face detection, lingerer detection (for when someone is approaching), doorbell ringing, and tamper detection are all Aqara app settings that the doorbell can detect. Facial recognition is done on device with no data uploaded to Aqara or Apple, though there is an option to save recorded videos to the cloud when a face is detected. For when you don't want the doorbell to ring, there is a do not disturb option. If you're in an area that your doorbell is at risk of being stolen, there's a tamper alarm and a setting that prevents it from being reset without the Aqara app.

Aqara says there's a mmWave sensor that can better detect people while filtering out other movement, and I haven't seen it struggle, but my Ring cameras also don't have a problem with person detection so I'm not sure how to judge the sensor. There is a built-in microphone and sensor so you can converse with someone that comes to the door. There are also robot, clown, and anonymous voice options if you want to disguise your voice for some reason. Video recording seems to start when motion is detected, and the live view loads within a couple of seconds when you open up the app.

While Aqara supports cloud-based storage, both through ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ and through the Aqara HomeGuardian service, local storage is also an option. The doorbell takes a microSD card (up to 512GB) and video can be saved locally. The microSD card is in the Chime that's inside the house, so it can't be tampered with. Having Aqara's paid cloud service and ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ is confusing, but if you want to use the G410 with ‌HomeKit‌ and have a paid iCloud plan for ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌, you don't need HomeGuardian. If you don't use ‌HomeKit‌ or have ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌, you can only use local storage unless you pay for HomeGuardian.


Aqara provides a free 30-day trial, but it does cost $4.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 for multiple cameras, with yearly purchase options also available. With HomeGuardian, there's continuous recording and 90-day storage for footage, but that footage is stored on Aqara's servers rather than in ‌iCloud‌ or locally. I don't think HomeGuardian is absurdly priced or anything, but I do think it's confusing for consumers in conjunction with ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌. Aqara doesn't do much to explain ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ in the Aqara app, or how it can be used as an alternative to HomeGuardian.

Given that this is an Apple-focused site, most people here are probably going to want to use the G410 with ‌HomeKit‌ and the ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ functionality rather than Aqara's paid solution. Almost all ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ cameras have a wired connection, but the G410 can be battery operated, and as far as I know, there aren't many HSV cameras that are able to do that.

The timeline for events in the Aqara app is easy to use to find what you're looking for, with multiple view options and filters. It doesn't have alerts for animals, vehicles, or package deliveries, but ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ does that if you're looking for that functionality.

Bottom Line


Aqara's Camera Hub G410 is an affordable video doorbell, with an option to use ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ or local storage. If you have other Aqara products, want a ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ doorbell, or if you're just looking for a reasonably priced video doorbell, the G410 is worth considering.

How to Buy


The Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 in black or gray can be purchased from the Aqara website for $130 with a 1-month HomeGuardian plan included. There's also a G410 Select model that's available for $135, and it includes a 3-month HomeGuardian free trial. The Select model comes in black or white.
Tag: Aqara

This article, "Review: Aqara's G410 Doorbell Camera Brings HomeKit Support and Hub Features for $130" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

5 Reasons to Buy an iPhone 17 Air in September

We're just a couple months away from the launch of new iPhone models, and rumors are starting to really pick up. This year, we're expecting an all-new iPhone 17 Air, which will be the first notable redesign to the ‌iPhone‌'s form factor since the ‌iPhone‌ 12 launched.



  • It's super thin. As we saw in a video of a dummy model shared by Majin Bu, the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ looks sleek and modern. It's thinner than any ‌iPhone‌ that has come before it, and we're expecting it to be super light in the hand due to the thin design.

  • No frills. Since it's thin, Apple had to cut space. There's a 48-megapixel single-lens rear camera instead of multiple cameras to swap between, so if you like a straightforward setup, this is the ‌iPhone‌ for you. No fussing with Telephoto lenses or Ultra Wide lenses, but you do get Apple's best and most versatile lens. Plus a front-facing selfie camera, of course.

  • Price. Apple's fresh new design isn't going to be the most expensive ‌iPhone‌. It's going to be priced similarly to the iPhone 16 Plus that it's replacing, and it won't be as expensive as the iPhone 17 Pro models.

  • The A19 Pro chip. The latest rumors say it's going to get the same A19 Pro chip that Apple plans to use for the Pro models, but with one fewer GPU core. It should also have 12GB RAM, so it's going to be a super-capable thin device.

  • The colors. The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ could come in a very light blue shade that's almost silver, possibly like the M4 MacBook Air. It's also expected to be available in black, silver, and light gold, and if the black shade is similar to the dummy model in the video, it should look quite nice.


For more on what to expect from the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌, make sure to check out our iPhone 17 Air roundup.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17 Air
Related Forum: iPhone

This article, "5 Reasons to Buy an iPhone 17 Air in September" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

OWC Takes $100 Off Popular 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock During Prime Day-Like Sale

OWC kicked off a new sale this week, offering big Prime Day-like discounts on a variety of USB-C docks, memory cards, external drives and enclosures, and Mac accessories. Some of these deals won't be applied until you add the items to your cart, at which time an automatic coupon will be applied to your order.

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

There are a few notable deals in this sale, including $100 off the popular 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock for Mac, available for $179.99, which is the first time we've tracked a big discount on the dock all summer. If you purchase a qualifying new or used Mac at the same time as this dock, you can get an additional $20 off the accessory at checkout.

Docks and Hubs



Memory Cards



External Drives and Enclosures



Miscellaneous


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

This article, "OWC Takes $100 Off Popular 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock During Prime Day-Like Sale" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Add Custom Backgrounds to Messages in iOS 26

Apple's iOS 26 finally brings custom conversation backgrounds to the Messages app, letting you personalize your chats with photos, colors, or images generated by Image Playground. Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp have offered this kind of feature for years, so finally iPhone owners can now also add their own visual flair to text conversations in Apple's stock messaging app.


Custom backgrounds can help you organize conversations at a glance and add a personal touch to your most important chats. You might choose a sunset photo for family group chats, a solid color for work messages, or a fun AI-generated image for conversations with friends. Just note that when you change the background, everyone in the conversation will also see it.

Bear in mind that iOS 26 is currently in beta testing and will see a general release this fall.

How to Change a Messages Background


The following steps show you how to customize any conversation background in iOS 26:

  1. Open Messages on your iPhone, then tap the conversation you want to customize.

  2. Tap the contact name or group name at the top of the conversation, then tap Backgrounds.
    messages
  3. Choose from the available options: Photo (select an image from your photo library), Color (pick from preset solid colors), or Playground (describe an image for Image Playground to generate it). Alternatively, choose from Sky, Water, Aurora, or one of the Suggestions.

  4. Swipe left and right to preview the available Styles.

  5. Tap the top-right check button to apply your selection.
    messages

How to Reset to Default Background


If you want to return to the standard Messages background:

  1. Open the conversation with the custom background, then tap the contact name or group name at the top.

  2. Tap Backgrounds.

  3. Tap the None option, foremost in the selection screen, then tap the back arrow to confirm.


Tips for Better Backgrounds


Choose backgrounds that don't interfere with text readability. Dark photos work well with light text bubbles, while lighter backgrounds pair better with dark text. iOS 26 automatically adjusts text contrast, but some combinations work better than others.

messages
Custom backgrounds sync across all your devices signed in with the same Apple Account, so changes you make on your iPhone will appear on your iPad and Mac as well, provided they are updated to iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, respectively.
This article, "Add Custom Backgrounds to Messages in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Prime Day Deals Still Going Strong on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Although in previous years Amazon Prime Day would be finished by now, this year the event is in its third day. Prime Day 2025 is set to run through tomorrow, July 11, making it the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront and we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now.

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.

For our coverage, we're focusing on discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook Air, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases.



As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

Special for 2025, Amazon is also offering a free six month trial to Prime for Young Adults right now. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.

AirPods



Amazon has the USB-C AirPods Max on sale for $429.99, down from $549.00, and the AirPods Pro 2 for $149.00, down from $249.00. You'll also find an all-time low price on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day.





iPad



Amazon is taking up to $55 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $279.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a new all-time low price on this model.




iPad Mini



Amazon has record low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7 this week, starting at $379.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this sale.




iPad Air



Amazon this week has discounts across nearly the entire M3 iPad Air lineup, offering $100 off these tablets. Prices start at $479.00 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.



11-inch M3 iPad Air



13-inch M3 iPad Air




MacBook Air



Amazon today has low prices across nearly the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, with up to $175 off both 13-inch and 15-inch models.

Starting with the 13-inch models, Amazon has $150 off all three configurations of this notebook. Prices start at $849.00 for the 256GB model, then raise to $1,049.00 for the 16GB/512GB model and $1,249.00 for the 24GB/512GB model. All of these are solid second-best prices on the M4 MacBook Air.





Moving to the larger display models, Amazon has both 512GB versions of the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week, as well as the 256GB model. The 16GB/512GB model is available for $1,249.00 and the 24GB/512GB model is on sale for $1,427.14. Across the board, these are all second-best prices on the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air.





Apple Watch



Series 10


Amazon is offering numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10 devices during Prime Day, including both GPS and cellular models at $119 off original prices. Best Buy is matching these prices in many cases.




Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $279.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, 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.

SE


In addition to Series 10 deals, Amazon is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.00 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.



Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE for $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.



Apple Watch Ultra 2




Amazon has introduced a new all-time low price on the Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, available for $649.99, down from $799.00. This is the first time in a few weeks that we've tracked any notable discount on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.



Accessories








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

This article, "Prime Day Deals Still Going Strong on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple Updates Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More

Apple today updated its trade-in values for some iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models.


The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values for these devices in the United States, according to its website.

Many of the values decreased, but some others are unchanged, and iPhone 14 Pro Max and entry-level iPad values went up very slightly. In addition, Apple is no longer accepting 12-inch MacBook or Apple Watch Series 4 trade-ins.

iPhone



































iPhone Model New Values Old Values
iPhone 15 Pro MaxUp to $600Up to $630
iPhone 15 ProUp to $480Up to $500
iPhone 15 PlusUp to $430Up to $440
iPhone 15Up to $380Up to $400
iPhone 14 Pro MaxUp to $470Up to $455
iPhone 14 ProUp to $380Up to $380
iPhone 14 PlusUp to $290Up to $300
iPhone 14Up to $270Up to $290
iPhone SE (3rd generation)Up to $100Up to $100
iPhone 13 Pro MaxUp to $360Up to $370
iPhone 13 ProUp to $300Up to $300
iPhone 13Up to $230Up to $250
iPhone 13 miniUp to $200Up to $200
iPhone 12 Pro MaxUp to $280Up to $280
iPhone 12 ProUp to $210Up to $220
iPhone 12Up to $160Up to $170
iPhone 12 miniUp to $110Up to $120
iPhone SE (2nd generation)Up to $50Up to $50
iPhone 11 Pro MaxUp to $180Up to $180
iPhone 11 ProUp to $150Up to $150
iPhone 11Up to $120Up to $130
iPhone XS MaxUp to $110Up to $120
iPhone XSUp to $80Up to $90
iPhone XRUp to $90Up to $100
iPhone XUp to $60Up to $60
iPhone 8 PlusUp to $60Up to $60
iPhone 8Up to $45Up to $45

iPad











iPad Model New Values Old Values
iPad ProUp to $710Up to $710
iPad AirUp to $435Up to $450
iPadUp to $190Up to $185
iPad miniUp to $190Up to $190

Mac















Mac Model New Values Old Values
MacBook ProUp to $730Up to $770
MacBook AirUp to $345Up to $380
MacBookNo longer acceptedUp to $60
iMacUp to $290Up to $295
iMac ProUp to $360Up to $385
Mac miniUp to $195Up to $260
Mac StudioUp to $990Up to $1140
Mac ProUp to $530Up to $550

Apple Watch

















Apple Watch Model New Values Old Values
Apple Watch Ultra 2Up to $375Up to $385
Apple Watch Series 9Up to $150Up to $150
Apple Watch UltraUp to $285Up to $295
Apple Watch Series 8Up to $120Up to $120
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)Up to $75Up to $75
Apple Watch Series 7Up to $85Up to $85
Apple Watch Series 6Up to $70Up to $70
Apple Watch SE (1st generation)Up to $50Up to $50
Apple Watch Series 5Up to $40Up to $45
Apple Watch Series 4No longer acceptedUp to $30

Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. Visit the trade-in page on Apple's website to learn more.
This article, "Apple Updates Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

iPhone 17 Base Model Likely to Stick With 8GB RAM

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup could feature a notable RAM divide, with the base model potentially missing out on a rumored memory boost coming to the more high-end models.


According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 17 will stick with 8GB of RAM while the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will jump to 12GB. The leaker previously revealed the iPhone 16e name before its official announcement, lending some credibility to their claim.

For comparison, Samsung's latest Galaxy S25 models, which launched earlier this year, all come with 12GB of RAM. Google's Pixel 9 also comes with 12GB of RAM.

The leaker's information tallies with earlier predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested the same 12GB upgrade for the Air and Pro models. Kuo expressed uncertainty about the base iPhone 17's RAM configuration getting an upgrade due to potential supply constraints, and he has not provided an update on his thoughts since his original April prediction.

All current iPhone 16 models ship with 8GB of RAM, which meets Apple Intelligence's minimum requirement. The base iPhone 17 maintaining this amount would still support Apple's AI features, though the extra memory in higher-end models could enable more sophisticated processing and better gaming performance.

The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch around mid-September.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Related Forum: iPhone

This article, "iPhone 17 Base Model Likely to Stick With 8GB RAM" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Prime Day Beats Deals Include Powerbeats Pro 2 at $179.95, Beats Pill at $97.95, and More Best-Ever Prices

Amazon is discounting a collection of Beats headphones and speakers for Prime Day, including an all-time low price on the Powerbeats Pro 2. You can get this new 2025 model for $179.95 in three colors, down from $249.99. We've been tracking all of the best Apple-related accessories for Prime Day, including TVs, monitors, and more.

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.

This sale also includes major discounts on products like the Beats Pill, which has hit $97.95 on Amazon, down from $149.95. This discount is available in four colors of the Bluetooth speaker.



Additionally, Amazon has the Beats Studio Buds+ for $89.95, down from $169.95. These have up to 9 hours of playback (up to 36 hours with charging case), USB-C, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance.

You'll also find a few steep discounts on over-ear headphones, like the Beats Studio Pro at $169.95, down from $349.99. Many of these deals are matches for the record low price on each pair of headphones.



Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.



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

This article, "Prime Day Beats Deals Include Powerbeats Pro 2 at $179.95, Beats Pill at $97.95, and More Best-Ever Prices" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive.


If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models – as well as a rumored new premium iPhone model for 2026. Taken together, they may just give you pause for thought.

Under-Display Face ID


The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to feature under-display Face ID, placing the TrueDepth camera beneath the screen – though the front-facing camera will remain visible.

While The Information's Wayne Ma claims these models will ditch the Dynamic Island for a single pinhole cutout, other sources disagree. Display analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman both report that the Dynamic Island will still be present, just smaller, contradicting claims of its complete removal.

C2 Modem


Apple plans to include its next-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models, according to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu. The chip will succeed the C1 modem, which debuted in the lower-cost iPhone 16e as Apple's first in-house cellular modem. The C2 is expected to bring faster speeds, improved power efficiency, and support for mmWave 5G in the United States – a feature missing from the C1.

Apple's modem roadmap is part of a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on Qualcomm, which currently supplies 5G modems for the rest of the iPhone lineup. The company has been working on developing its own cellular chips for years, aiming for deeper integration and greater control over power management and performance.

A20 Chip


Apple's upcoming A20 Pro chip, set to power the iPhone 18 Pro models, will reportedly be built using TSMC's third-generation 3nm process – the same node expected for the A19 Pro chip in this year's iPhone 17 Pro, according to analyst Jeff Pu. This suggests that year-over-year performance gains between the A19 Pro and A20 Pro may be modest, at least in terms of raw CPU and GPU improvements.

However, Pu notes that the A20 Pro will feature a more advanced packaging method known as CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate). This technology enables tighter integration between the processor, unified memory, and the Neural Engine, which could potentially enhance performance in AI-related tasks. The shift could be part of Apple's broader push to support on-device Apple Intelligence features in future iPhones, as the company ramps up its machine learning capabilities.

New Camera Image Sensor


Samsung is working on a new three-layer stacked image sensor, reportedly intended for the iPhone 18. The sensor, referred to as PD-TR-Logic, integrates three layers of circuitry, which would improve camera responsiveness, reduce noise, and increase dynamic range. The leak comes from a source known as "Jukanlosreve," who claims the sensor is being developed specifically for Apple's 2026 iPhone lineup.

Sony has long been Apple's sole image sensor supplier, so Samsung's entry would be a big shift in the iPhone’s camera supply chain. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in 2024 said he expected Samsung to begin shipping 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera sensors to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, which is when the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be released.

2026 Foldable iPhone



Tired of the classic iPhone form factor? Multiple rumors suggest that Apple's first foldable iPhone will launch in the fall of 2026, with the device coming alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Rumors suggest that the foldable ‌iPhone‌ will feature a display that's around 5.5 inches when closed, and 7.8 inches when opened up. It will fold in half like a book, similar to the Galaxy Fold devices, rather than the Galaxy Flip.

The foldable ‌iPhone‌ could be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and 9 to 9.5mm when it's closed, which would make it incredibly thin when used in its full-screen mode. Apple put considerable effort into hinge design, and the device is expected to have almost no visible crease. It will use under-display cameras, though it may feature some kind of Touch ID authentication feature rather than Face ID due to space constraints. It will, of course, be expensive. In the past, Kuo has said he expects Apple to price the foldable ‌iPhone‌ at $2,000 to $2,500, and that was before Apple was facing steep tariffs in China.

With the iPhone 18 lineup, Apple is going to change the way that it releases new iPhones. The more expensive iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max iPhones will launch in the fall of 2026 as usual, alongside the new foldable iPhone, but the more affordable iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e models won't come out until spring 2027.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Related Forum: iPhone

This article, "5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

iPhone 17 Base Model Likely to Stick With 8GB RAM

Apple's iPhone 17 lineup could feature a notable RAM divide, with the base model potentially missing out on a rumored memory boost coming to the more high-end models.


According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 17 will stick with 8GB of RAM while the iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will jump to 12GB. The leaker previously revealed the iPhone 16e name before its official announcement, lending some credibility to their claim.

For comparison, Samsung's latest Galaxy S25 models, which launched earlier this year, all come with 12GB of RAM. Google's Pixel 9 also comes with 12GB of RAM.

The leaker's information tallies with earlier predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested the same 12GB upgrade for the Air and Pro models. Kuo expressed uncertainty about the base iPhone 17's RAM configuration getting an upgrade due to potential supply constraints, and he has not provided an update on his thoughts since his original April prediction.

All current iPhone 16 models ship with 8GB of RAM, which meets Apple Intelligence's minimum requirement. The base iPhone 17 maintaining this amount would still support Apple's AI features, though the extra memory in higher-end models could enable more sophisticated processing and better gaming performance.

The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to launch around mid-September.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Related Forum: iPhone

This article, "iPhone 17 Base Model Likely to Stick With 8GB RAM" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Aqara Debuts G410 Doorbell, G100 Camera, and H2 Dimmer With HomeKit Support

Smart home company Aqara's G410 video doorbell, which is Matter-compatible and supports Apple's HomeKit Secure Video, is now available to buy.


Announced in January, the Doorbell Camera Hub G410 introduces several notable upgrades, including a 2K resolution sensor for sharper video, a 175-degree field of view, and built-in mmWave presence detection to reduce false alerts.

The G410 also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Thread, and HomeKit Secure Video, as well as options for secure storage via iCloud, local microSD, or NAS. It's ready for both battery-powered and wired setups.

The Aqara G410 video doorbell can be purchased on the Aqara website for $129.99 or through on-line merchants such as Amazon. We'll have a full review of the product soon.

Aqara today also announced the global availability of the Camera G100 ($34.99) and availability in the U.S of the Dimmer Switch H2 ($54.99) with Thread and Zigbee support.


The Camera G100 is a compact indoor/outdoor security camera offering 2K video, IP65 weather resistance, and a built-in spotlight for colour night vision.

It supports 24/7 monitoring and integrates with Apple Home (HomeKit Secure Video), Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, and RTSP-compatible platforms. Footage can be stored locally via microSD or NAS, while Aqara's cloud storage is end-to-end encrypted.

Lastly, the H2 is a smart dimmer switch for traditional dimmable lighting, designed to work with or without a neutral wire for broader installation compatibility. It supports both Thread and Zigbee, and its Matter integration enables seamless use with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Homey.


Like Aqara's G410 video doorbell, the Camera G100 and H2 smart dimmer switch are available to buy directly from Aqara or other online merchants.
This article, "Aqara Debuts G410 Doorbell, G100 Camera, and H2 Dimmer With HomeKit Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Foldable iPhone Display Production Begins Ahead of Launch Next Year

Production of foldable OLED displays for Apple's first foldable iPhone have begun ahead of its expected launch next year, Korea's ETNews reports.


The first foldable ‌iPhone‌'s displays are being produced by Samsung Display, who are establishing a production line dedicated to the upcoming Apple device its A3 factory in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. The production line will make displays exclusively for the foldable ‌iPhone‌ and work on the facility is now believed to be in its final stage. It will be capable of producing 15 million 7-inch foldable OLED panels per year.

Apple's first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is expected to feature an inward-folding OLED display. It will likely sit alongside the other models in next year's ‌iPhone‌ lineup, including the iPhone 18, ‌iPhone 18‌ Air, ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max. It will be refreshed annually in the fall just like the other models.

Apple is apparently planning to produce six to eight million foldable iPhones in 2026. While Samsung's production capacity of 15 million displays per year far exceeds Apple's requirements for 2026, the supplier is said to be preparing for new models and increasing sales in subsequent years.

Samsung Display apparently has secured an agreement with provide Apple with foldable displays as the sole supplier for several years. While Apple usually prefers to diversify its supply chain where possible, Samsung has unique technological expertise in foldable OLED displays due to offering its own foldable smartphones, which it has been making commercially since 2019.

As a result, Samsung is likely to remain the exclusive supplier of Apple's foldable ‌iPhone‌ displays for some time and a least be a key supplier thereafter. Samsung Display similarly led Apple's transition from LCD to OLED with the ‌iPhone‌ X and ‌iPhone‌ XS.

Apple's first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is expected to feature a super-thin design at 4.5mm, a 4:3 iPad-style 7-inch inner display with no visible crease, a durable hinge, a dual rear camera system with wide and ultra wide options, the "A20" chip, and Touch ID instead of Face ID. It could cost over $2,000.
This article, "Foldable iPhone Display Production Begins Ahead of Launch Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Meta Offered Apple AI Executive Over $200 Million to Leave

Meta offered one of Apple's top artificial intelligence executives over $200 million to lure him away from the company, Bloomberg reports.


Ruoming Pang, who until recently led Apple's foundation models team, departed the company to join Meta's Superintelligence Labs, a newly established division tasked with building advanced AI systems capable of performing at or beyond human-level intelligence.

At Apple, he was in charge of a team with approximately 100 employees that work on Apple's large language models. Models developed by Pang's team are used for Apple Intelligence features like email summaries, Priority Notifications, and Genmoji.

People familiar with the matter speaking to Bloomberg said Meta's offer to Pang includes a substantial base salary, a signing bonus, and a large stock award that forms the majority of the compensation. The full payout is contingent upon performance milestones and continued employment over several years.

Apple apparently did not even attempt to match the offer. The proposed sum significantly exceeds the compensation of all Apple employees, other than that of CEO Tim Cook. Pang's compensation is among the highest ever offered in a corporate setting, rivaling packages for chief executives at major global banks.

In a podcast interview last month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said Meta had been offering signing bonuses as high as $100 million to attract top talent: "[Meta] started making these giant offers to a lot of people on our team. You know, like $100 million signing bonuses, more than that in compensation per year."

Apple has reportedly appointed Zhifeng Chen as the new head of its Foundation Models team and implemented more a distributed management structure, with responsibilities split among several senior engineers.

In addition to Pang, Meta's Superintelligence Labs now includes prominent figures such as former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, AI startup founder Daniel Gross, and Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang.
This article, "Meta Offered Apple AI Executive Over $200 Million to Leave" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Now Available Across Europe

Apple's annual Back to School offer for university students and educational staff is now available in many European countries, after initially launching in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Singapore, India, and the United Arab Emirates last month.


Apple's online educational store is now showing the limited-time promotional offer in a long list of countries. With the purchase of an iPad, MacBook, or iMac, students can receive an accessory such as the Apple Pencil Pro, AirPods 4, or ‌AirPods 4‌ with Active Noise Cancellation for free. Alternatively, for a fee, customers can upgrade to a pricier accessory while retaining their overall saving.

The available accessories, savings, and supplementary costs are as follows (UK pricing):

iPad


  • ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro (£119.00 savings)

  • ‌AirPods 4‌ (£129.00 savings)

  • ‌AirPods 4‌ with Active Noise Cancellation (£129.00 savings, after paying additional £50.00 fee)

  • AirPods Pro 2 (£129.00 savings, after paying additional £100.00 fee)

  • Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11-inch (£119.00 savings, after paying additional £130.00 fee)

  • Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ 13-inch (£119.00 savings, after paying additional £160.00 fee)

  • Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch (£119.00 savings, after paying additional £160.00 fee)

  • Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ 13-inch (£119.00 savings, after paying additional £210.00 fee)


MacBook



  • ‌AirPods 4‌ with Active Noise Cancellation (£179.00 savings)

  • ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 (£179.00 savings, after paying additional £50.00 fee)

  • Magic Mouse (£79.00–£99.00 savings)

  • Magic Trackpad (£129.00–£149.00 savings)

  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (£179.00–£199.00 savings)


iMac



  • ‌AirPods 4‌ with Active Noise Cancellation (£179.00 savings)

  • ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 (£179.00 savings, after paying additional £50.00 fee)


The offer is now live in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and a few other countries and territories in Europe, as well as in Türkiye.

The free accessory is included in addition to Apple's standard year-round 10% educational discount on select Mac and ‌iPad‌ models. In Europe, the promotion ends on October 21. In the U.S., it ends on September 30.
This article, "Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Now Available Across Europe" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple Now Accepting Three New Android Devices for Trade-In

Following the introduction of Samsung's latest foldables yesterday, Apple today began accepting three new flagship Android devices for trade-in.


The three devices are previous-generation flagship models. As indicated on Apple's trade-in webpage, their values are as follows:


  • Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Up to $405

  • Samsung Galaxy S24: Up to $290

  • Google Pixel 8 Pro: Up to $205



Prices for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S23, Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, and Google Pixel 7 Pro remain the same at up to $330, $180, $135, and $120, respectively.
This article, "Apple Now Accepting Three New Android Devices for Trade-In" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

OpenAI to Launch AI Web Browser

OpenAI is planning to introduce a web browser that would be available as an alternative to Safari and Google Chrome, reports Reuters. The AI-powered web browser is "close" to being ready to launch, and it will debut in the coming weeks.


The OpenAI browser will use artificial intelligence to change how consumers browse the web, and it will give OpenAI access to the very web search data that has allowed Google Chrome to remain the top browser option. OpenAI has asked for Google's search data to improve SearchGPT in the past, but Google refused.

Google parent company Alphabet uses information sourced from its Chrome browser to better target ads to customers, plus Chrome is a quick way to ensure that people use Google Search. OpenAI already has SearchGPT, so a browser that integrates its search product is a next logical step.

The browser that OpenAI is developing will keep some user interactions inside a ChatGPT-style interface rather than directing users to click through to websites. It could also include OpenAI's AI agent products like Operator, allowing the browser to complete tasks like making reservations or filling out forms at the direction of the user.

Back in April, an OpenAI executive said that the company would be interested in purchasing the Chrome browser if Google is forced to sell it as part of an antitrust remedy.
This article, "OpenAI to Launch AI Web Browser" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple Maps Suddenly Failing to Treat Highway 407 ETR in Toronto Area as Toll Road

Since at least July 4, Apple Maps has failed to treat the privately-owned Highway 407 ETR in the Toronto, Canada area as a toll road, according to complaints from affected users. This issue is not limited to any particular device or software version, with users experiencing the problem across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and web.


As a result of this issue, local Apple Maps users who have turned on the "Avoid Tolls" setting may still be routed onto the Highway 407 ETR when using turn-by-turn directions. This can prove to be a very costly mistake, as the highway is notoriously expensive, with rates of up to 85 cents (CAD) per kilometer traveled for passenger vehicles.

MacRumors was able to reproduce the issue, and alerted Apple to the matter shortly before publishing, so hopefully a fix is implemented soon.

As of June 1 this year, the Ontario government stopped collecting tolls on the provincially-owned segment of Highway 407, which runs immediately east of the privately-owned ETR segment, as one continuous highway. Apple likely updated its Maps app to reflect this change, but mistakenly treated the entire Highway 407 as a toll-free road.

With the issue now receiving media coverage, it should be in the rearview mirror soon enough.

Thanks, John Naismith!
This article, "Apple Maps Suddenly Failing to Treat Highway 407 ETR in Toronto Area as Toll Road" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple's 'Presto' Wireless Update Tech May Soon Reach the Mac

Apple is able to wirelessly update iPhones that are still in the box using a proprietary system called "Presto," and now 9to5Mac claims that the technology is going to be expanded to the Mac.


With Presto, Apple Store employees can place a sealed iPhone box on the Presto shelf. The ‌iPhone‌ then turns on, and the software the ‌iPhone‌ is running is updated to the latest available version. The process takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and it allows iPhones be updated to Apple's newest software before being sold to a customer.

There are hints of a similar Presto option for the Mac in the third beta of macOS Tahoe. As with the ‌iPhone‌, Macs could be updated to the newest software ahead of when they're sold, which would prevent customers from having to do day-one updates after purchasing a product.

It's not clear how a Presto for Mac feature would work, given that the ‌iPhone‌ version relies on NFC and Macs don't have an NFC chip inside, nor is it known when the functionality could roll out to Apple's retail stores.
This article, "Apple's 'Presto' Wireless Update Tech May Soon Reach the Mac" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 223 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

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


‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 223 includes fixes and updates for CSS, JavaScript, Rendering, SVG, Text, Web API, Web Extensions, and Web Inspector.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS that's set to launch this later this year.

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

Apple’s aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
This article, "Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 223 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple Remains in Trump's Crosshairs as Trade Advisor Again Criticizes China Reliance

U.S. trade director Peter Navarro took aim at Apple again today, causing the company's stock to briefly drop. In an interview with Fox Business, Navarro said that Apple thinks that it is "too big to tariff," suggesting that Apple might be expecting a tariff exemption that won't be coming.


Earlier this week, Navarro targeted Apple in a CNBC interview criticizing Tim Cook for failing to move Apple manufacturing from China to the United States. Navarro accused Cook of delaying the manufacturing shift, and called it "the longest-running soap opera in Silicon Valley." Navarro claimed that Cook is not moving fast enough to meet Trump's demands for U.S.-based manufacturing.

Navarro went on to say that it is "inconceivable" that Apple is not able to manufacture the iPhone elsewhere.
Going back to the first Trump term, Tim Cook has continually asked for more time in order to move his factories out of China. I mean, it's the longest running soap opera in Silicon Valley. And my problem with Tim Cook is he never takes the steps to actually do that. And with all these new advanced manufacturing techniques and the way things are moving with AI and things like that, it's inconceivable to me that Tim Cook could not produce his iPhones elsewhere around the world and in this country.

Apple is facing steep tariffs in China and other countries as the Trump administration renegotiates trade deals. This week, Trump has been announcing tariffs on various countries. The Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia are facing 25 percent tariffs, while tariffs in Indonesia are at 32 percent and tariffs in Thailand are at 36 percent. Vietnam tariffs are 20 percent. The tariffs announced this week are set to go into effect on August 1, a new extended deadline Trump implemented on Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said several times that Apple is capable of manufacturing its iPhones and other devices in the U.S., but industry experts suggest that it's next to impossible. Disregarding the expense of the move and the cost of building up new factories with advanced machinery, it would be unlikely that Apple and its suppliers would be able to find enough people with the necessary skillset to make iPhones. Cook maintains that Apple manufactures its devices in China because China has specialized expertise in advanced manufacturing.

Apple sources components from more than 50 countries around the world, and it gets rare earth minerals from 79 countries. There is no feasible way for Apple to source all of the ‌iPhone‌'s components from a single country. Even if Apple were only assembling the ‌iPhone‌ in the U.S., and it had the skilled employees available, the cost of living and wages in the U.S. would raise the price of the ‌iPhone‌ significantly.

Back in May, Trump threatened Apple with a 25 percent tariff if Apple does not manufacture and build iPhones sold in the United States in the U.S. Trump also complained that he has had a problem with Cook "building all over India," and he went as far as demanding that Apple stop expanding in India.
This article, "Apple Remains in Trump's Crosshairs as Trade Advisor Again Criticizes China Reliance" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Nvidia Beats Apple to $4 Trillion Market Value

Nvidia today became the first public company to hit a $4 trillion market value as shares briefly rose to $164. Stock has dropped back to around $163 per share, so the company is now hovering at the $3.9T mark.



Apple became the world's first $3 trillion company in January 2022, and it was at one point the
world's most valuable public company, but it has been unable to maintain that position with competition from Nvidia and Microsoft.

Nvidia first hit the $3 trillion mark in June 2024, and it's at the $4 trillion mark just over a year later. Nvidia is now the world's most valuable publicly traded company, with Microsoft taking second place and Apple coming in third.

Microsoft has a market value of $3.74T, while Apple has a $3.14T market value. Microsoft is expected to hit the $4T mark ahead of Apple. Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta have market values of $2.36T, $2.15T, and $1.84, respectively.

Nvidia's value has soared over the last few years due to demand for its AI server chips.
This article, "Nvidia Beats Apple to $4 Trillion Market Value" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

Apple's Promised RCS Upgrade Still Not Implemented in iOS 26 Beta

In March, Apple said that it planned to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates, and we are still waiting for that to happen. As of the third developer beta of iOS 26 released this week, the upgrade has yet to be implemented on iPhones.


End-to-end encryption for RCS was announced in March, as part of version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profile, a global standard for RCS features and specifications. This means that Apple has indirectly confirmed that it will support RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which includes not only end-to-end encryption for RCS, but several other iMessage-like enhancements for RCS that were originally introduced in RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.7.

Apple has to wait on carriers to implement RCS Universal Profile 3.0 too, so it is understandable why the process is taking time.

Here are five new capabilities to expect for RCS conversations on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, once Apple rolls out support for RCS Universal Profile 3.0:
  • End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices, as has always been the case with iMessage

  • In-line replies

  • Edit messages

  • Unsend messages

  • Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, with no special workarounds
RCS support as a whole was added to the iPhone with iOS 18, which supports ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.4. It is effectively a modernized version of the SMS standard, which remains available as a fallback option for text messages over a cellular network.

RCS will be playing catch up with iMessage in many ways. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have already supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. In addition, iMessage has supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16.

It seems likely that Apple will roll out these RCS upgrades at some point during the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 software cycle.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tags: Messages, RCS
Related Forum: iOS 26

This article, "Apple's Promised RCS Upgrade Still Not Implemented in iOS 26 Beta" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •  

OpenAI Finalizes Deal for Jony Ive's 'io' AI Hardware Company

OpenAI has completed its acquisition of Jony Ive's AI startup io Products, OpenAI said today in a letter from CEO Sam Altman and Ive.


The io Products team has now officially merged with OpenAI, though Jony Ive and his LoveFrom design firm remain independent. Ive and LoveFrom have taken over "deep design and creative responsibilities" at OpenAI. OpenAI paid an estimated $6.5 billion for io.

OpenAI first announced plans to purchase Jony Ive's startup back in May, and at the time, the two shared a video on their future plans. Ive and Altman are creating a new family of AI devices. "The products that we're using to deliver and connect us to unimaginable technology, they're decades old," said Jony Ive in the acquisition announcement. "It's just common sense to at least think surely there's something beyond these legacy products."

Ive will design the AI device that OpenAI will eventually launch, and several former Apple design employees who co-founded io with Ive are also moving to OpenAI. While Ive provides design, OpenAI will handle the AI expertise.

Recent information indicates that Ive and Altman's first device won't be an in-ear device or wearable, and will instead sit in a pocket or on a desk alongside a Mac and an iPhone. Other rumors suggest that the pocket-sized product will be contextually aware of the wearer's surroundings and life, providing insight screen-free.
This article, "OpenAI Finalizes Deal for Jony Ive's 'io' AI Hardware Company" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

  •