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Today we're tracking a pair of deals, one on the Apple Pencil 2 and one on the 2020 M1 MacBook Air. These sales include the current best price online for the Apple Pencil 2, and an all-time low price on the MacBook Air.

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.

Apple Pencil 2
Firstly, Woot has the Apple Pencil 2 for $109.99, down from $129.00. This sale isn't the lowest price we've ever tracked on this accessory, as it's been down to $99.00 in previous sales earlier this year, but it's still a solid second-best deal if you're looking to purchase an Apple Pencil 2 this week.


$19 OFFApple Pencil 2 for $109.99

The Apple Pencil 2 is compatible with the new iPad mini 6, but not the new 10.2-inch iPad. For that tablet, only the original Apple Pencil is supported.

MacBook Air
Amazon today has the 512GB M1 MacBook Air for $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on this model of the 2020 MacBook Air, and it's available in Space Gray and Silver.



You'll see this sale price reflected on the checkout screen, once an automatic coupon is applied to your order. While the Gold option won't be available until around October 1, you can still purchase a Gold MacBook Air today at this discounted price ahead of the delayed shipping date.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

The 256GB model is on sale as well, available for $849.99, down from $999.00. All three colors are discounted for this model, but none are in stock today. This is still the lowest price we've ever tracked for the 256GB MacBook Air, so if you're willing to wait a few weeks, it's worth locking in this price while it's available.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Deals: Get the Apple Pencil 2 for $109.99 ($19 Off) and 512GB M1 MacBook Air for $1,099.99 ($149 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon today is offering the 512GB M1 MacBook Air for $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on this model of the 2020 MacBook Air, and it's available in Gold and Silver.

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.

You'll see this sale price reflected on the checkout screen, once an automatic coupon is applied to your order. Only the Gold color is available to ship today, while the Silver option won't be available until around September 21. You can still purchase a Silver MacBook Air today at this discounted price ahead of the delayed shipping date.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

The 256GB model is on sale as well, available for $849.99, down from $999.00. All three colors are discounted for this model, but none are in stock today. This is still the lowest price we've ever tracked for the 256GB MacBook Air, so if you're willing to wait a few weeks, it's worth locking in this price while it's available.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Deals: Amazon Takes $149 Off 2020 MacBook Air Models, Starting at $849.99 for 256GB" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon today introduced new low prices on the M1 MacBook Air for both 256GB and 512GB storage options. To start, you can get the 256GB model for $849.99, down from an original price of $999.00.

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.

Only Silver and Gold are available at this price on Amazon. This sale marks a new all-time low price for Apple's 2020 M1 MacBook Air, providing the cheapest entry price into the lineup since it debuted last year.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (256GB) for $849.99

Likewise, the 512GB version of the M1 MacBook Air is seeing a notable discount to $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a record low price for the notebook, and it's available in all colors.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Deals: Amazon Drops Price of 256GB M1 MacBook Air to New Low of $849.99 ($149 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon this week has the M1 MacBook Pro on sale in both 256GB and 512GB configurations, including a return to record low prices for both models. Prices start at $1,099.99 for the 256GB MacBook Pro, down from $1,299.00. You'll see the discount after an automatic coupon worth $49.01 is applied at the checkout screen on Amazon.

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 price is a match of the previous all-time low price on the 256GB M1 MacBook Pro. This model of Apple's notebook line includes the same aluminum body with large Force Touch trackpad as previous generations, speakers at the side of the keyboard, and a 13.3-inch display with slim black bezels. Both colors are on sale and available to ship out today.

$199 OFF256GB M1 MacBook Pro for $1,099.99

Secondly, Amazon has the 512GB MacBook Pro for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. This sale price is available in both Silver and Space Gray, and it's sold directly from Amazon.

$199 OFF512GB M1 MacBook Pro for $1,299.99

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple DealsRelated Forum: MacBook Pro
This article, "Deals: All-Time Low Prices Return to Apple's M1 MacBook Pro, Starting at $1,099.99 for 256GB" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Best Buy and Amazon are both offering great deals on numerous models of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air today, including a handful of record low deals on the latest Apple notebooks.

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.

13-Inch M1 MacBook Air
Starting with the 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Air, you'll find the 256GB notebook for $899.00 at Amazon and $899.99 at Best Buy, down from $999.00. Amazon stock has dwindled and will "ship soon," but Best Buy has plenty of stock in all three colors.

Additionally, both retailers have the 512GB M1 MacBook Air at $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. While this is a record low price on the 512GB notebook, the 256GB model's discount is a second-best price.

• M1 MacBook Air, 256GB - $899.99, down from $999.00 at Best Buy / Amazon


• M1 MacBook Air, 512GB - $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00 at Best Buy / Amazon

13-Inch M1 MacBook Pro
For the newest MacBook Pro models, Best Buy and Amazon have lowest ever prices on the new 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Pro. You can get the 256GB notebook for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00, in both Silver and Space Gray.

For more storage, the 512GB M1 MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. This model is also available in both Silver and Space Gray at this price.

• M1 MacBook Pro, 256GB - $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00 at Best Buy / Amazon


• M1 MacBook Pro, 512GB - $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00 at Best Buy / Amazon

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Deals: Take Up to $199 Off Apple's M1 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air at Best Buy and Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A record low discount has returned to Apple's 512GB M1 Mac mini today on Amazon. You can get this model for $799.00, down from its original price of $899.00.

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 matches the previous all-time low price on the 512GB M1 Mac mini seen on Amazon, and it's available to ship out today. You'll find a matching sale over at B&H Photo, which offers free expedited shipping for orders placed in the United States.

$100 OFFM1 Mac mini (512GB) for $799.99

At this time, the 256GB M1 Mac mini is not seeing a steep discount at any retailer, with Amazon offering the lowest price at $659.00, down from $699.00. The best price on this model has been $599.00, so we recommend waiting for a better deal.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Neutral)Related Forum: Mac mini
This article, "Deals: Get Apple's 512GB M1 Mac Mini for Record Low of $799 on Amazon ($100 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lineup is seeing all-time low discounts across the board today, including the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro, 2020 13-inch MacBook Air, and 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro.

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

13-Inch M1 MacBook Air
Starting with the 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Air, Amazon has the 256GB notebook for $899.00, down from $999.00. This price is available in all three colors of Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, but stock is dwindling on the latter two options.

$100 OFF13-inch MacBook Air (256GB) for $899.00

Additionally, Amazon is also selling the 512GB M1 MacBook Air at $1,099.00, down from $1,249.00. Both of these discounts represent all-time low prices, and they're shipped and sold directly from Amazon.

$150 OFF13-inch MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.00

13-Inch M1 MacBook Pro
For the newest MacBook Pro models, Amazon has lowest ever prices on the new 2020 M1 13-inch MacBook Pro. You can get the 256GB notebook for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00, in both Silver and Space Gray.

$199 OFF13-inch MacBook Pro (256GB) for $1,099.99

For more storage, the 512GB M1 MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. This model is also available in both Silver and Space Gray at this price.

$199 OFF13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.99

16-Inch MacBook Pro
Moving to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, we're tracking record low prices on both storage options for this 2019 notebook. You can get the 512GB model for $1,999.99, down from $2,399.00. This sale is available in both Silver and Space Gray color options.

$399 OFF16-inch MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,999.99

The 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,299.99, down from $2,799.00. Like the other model, this is an all-time low price, but it's only available in Silver. Both notebooks are sold by Amazon and are ready to ship today.

$499 OFF16-inch MacBook Pro (1TB) for $2,299.99

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, MacBook Pro, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution), 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
This article, "Deals: Shop Record Low Prices Across Apple's Full MacBook Pro and MacBook Air Lineup (Up to $499 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today we're tracking a pair of deals on the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro from late 2020, with Amazon matching previous record low prices on both storage options for this model.

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 256GB 13-inch MacBook Pro, you can get this model for $1,099.99 in Space Gray on Amazon, down from $1,299.00. At the time of writing, the Silver model is out of stock for this sale.

$199 OFFM1 MacBook Pro (256GB) for $1,099.99

You can also get the 512GB 13-inch MacBook Pro on sale today, priced at $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. Both Silver and Space Gray colors are available for this model, and they're shipped and sold by Amazon.

$199 OFFM1 MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.99

Both of these discounts found today on Amazon match the previous all-time low prices on these M1 MacBook Pro models, making them the best sales online this week. You won't need any coupon code or have to wait for a discount at checkout, as both sales have been directly applied already by Amazon.

You can find the best monthly deals on all new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks in our "Best Deals" guide. Be sure to visit the guide and bookmark it if you're on the hunt for a new Apple notebook; we'll be updating it weekly as we discover new MacBook offers across the web.Related Roundup: Apple DealsRelated Forum: MacBook Pro
This article, "Deals: Find All-Time Low Prices on M1 MacBook Pro Models in Amazon's Newest Sales ($199 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon, B&H Photo, and Adorama today are discounting the M1 MacBook Air to match previous record low prices for both 256GB and 512GB storage options. To start, you can get the 256GB model for $899.00 today on Adorama, down from an original price of $999.00.

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.

Only Silver and Space Gray are available at this price on Adorama. You can also find this sale on Amazon, with a $50 automatic coupon applied at checkout on the Gold and Silver colors. Gold is available to ship in one to two business days, and Silver will be in stock soon, according to Amazon.

$100 OFFM1 MacBook Air (256GB) for $899.00

Likewise, the 512GB version of the M1 MacBook Air is seeing a notable discount to $1,099.00, down from $1,249.00. This is a record low price for the notebook, and it's available in all colors. For Silver and Space Gray, you'll find an automatic coupon that will be applied to your order at the checkout screen. The same sale can be found at B&H Photo on the Gold model.

$150 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.00

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook Air
This article, "Deals: Get the M1 MacBook Air for Up to $150 Off, Starting at $899 for 256GB" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon today is offering the 512GB M1 MacBook Air for $1,099.00, down from $1,249.00. This is beating the previous sale price by about $50, and represents a new low price for this model of the 2020 MacBook Air.

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.

You can get the M1 MacBook Air at this price in both Gold and Silver. For the latter color option, you'll see the price reflected at the checkout screen once a $50 coupon is automatically applied.

$150 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.00

The 256GB model is on sale as well, available for $899.00, down from $999.00. This is a sale price that we've been tracking for most of the summer, so it remains a solid deal if you are shopping for the entry level model of the MacBook Air.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook Air
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Amazon this week has a sale on Apple's new 24-inch M1 iMac in two configurations. Sales start with the 7-core GPU with 256GB, priced at $1,249.99, down from $1,299.00. This sale is available in Blue and Silver.

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 is a match of the previous record low price on this version of the M1 iMac. No other retailers are matching the sale as of writing, so you'll only find this deal on Amazon.

$49 OFFM1 iMac (7-Core GPU, 256GB) for $1,249.99

In another new sale, Amazon is also offering $49 off the M1 iMac with the 8-core GPU and 256GB of storage, priced at $1,449.99, down from $1,499.00. These iMacs are sold directly from Amazon and both are available to ship today.

$49 OFFM1 iMac (8-Core GPU, 256GB) for $1,449.99

You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)Related Forum: iMac
This article, "Deals: Get $49 Off Apple's New M1 iMacs, Starting at $1,249.99 for 7-Core 256GB" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In the wake of Prime Day, Amazon is still discounting the M1 MacBook Air to record low prices in both 256GB and 512GB storage options. To start, you can get the 256GB model for $899.99 today on Amazon, down from an original price of $999.00.

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.

As of writing, all colors are in stock and ready to ship from Amazon. The sale has also been applied automatically so you won't need to wait until the checkout screen to see the discount price.

$99 OFFM1 MacBook Air (256GB) for $899.99

Likewise, the 512GB version of the M1 MacBook Air is seeing a notable discount to $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a record low price for the notebook, and you'll see this price at the checkout screen once a coupon worth $50 is applied.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Deals: Amazon Continuing to Discount M1 MacBook Air Models to All-Time Low Prices (Save Up to $149)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's 512GB M1 MacBook Air has returned to its all-time low price of $1,149.00, down from $1,249.00. This sale is available on Amazon, and only for the Gold color option. Stock appears to be low, although Amazon sometimes has more in stock than is reflected on the website.

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.

Apple updated the MacBook Air in November 2020 with the new Apple M1 chip, which has an 8-core CPU, a 7- or 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning. These updates brought about improved performance, better battery life, and more. There's also a 256GB model, but we aren't seeing any notable discounts this week.

$100 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,149.00

You can find the best monthly deals on all new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks in our new "Best Deals" guide. Be sure to visit the guide and bookmark it if you're on the hunt for a new Apple notebook; we'll be updating it weekly as we discover new MacBook offers across the web.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook Air
This article, "Deals: Amazon Discounts 512GB M1 MacBook Air to Match Record Low Price of $1,149 ($100 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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At Amazon today you can get Apple's 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00 on Amazon. You'll see this price at the checkout screen after an automatic coupon worth $50 is applied.

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 is available in both Silver and Space Gray color options, and it's in stock and ready to ship. At a total of $199 off the original price, this is a match of the previous low price on this model of the MacBook Pro.

$199 OFFM1 MacBook Pro (512GB) for $1,299.99

If anyone's on the hunt for the entry level version of the M1 MacBook Pro, Amazon does have the 256GB model at its typical sale price of $1,149.99, down from $1,299.00. There's no checkout coupon for this one, and it's also being discounted in both colors.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundup: Apple DealsRelated Forum: MacBook Pro
This article, "Deals: Apple's 512GB M1 MacBook Pro Hits $1,299.99 on Amazon ($199 Off, Lowest Price)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon today is taking $49 off Apple's new 24-inch M1 iMac in two configurations. Sales start with the 7-core GPU with 256GB, priced at $1,249.99, down from $1,299.00. This sale is available in Blue and Silver.

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.

Amazon previously was discounting this model down to around $1,258.99, making today's sale a new all-time low on this model of the M1 iMac. No other retailers are matching the sale as of writing, so you'll only find this deal on Amazon.

$49 OFFM1 iMac (7-Core GPU, 256GB) for $1,249.99

In another new sale, Amazon is also offering $49 off the M1 iMac with the 8-core GPU and 256GB of storage, priced at $1,449.99, down from $1,499.00. These iMacs are sold directly from Amazon and both are available to ship today.

$49 OFFM1 iMac (8-Core GPU, 256GB) for $1,449.99

You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Record low discounts have returned to Apple's 2020 M1 Mac mini on Amazon today, in both 256GB and 512GB storage options. For the 256GB model, you won't see the sale price until you reach the checkout screen and receive an automatic coupon on your order.

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.

Starting with the 256GB M1 Mac mini, you can get this version for $599.99, down from $699.00. This is beating the previous Amazon low price of $639.00, and it's in stock and ready to ship today.

$99 OFFM1 Mac mini (256GB) for $599.99

You can also save $100 on the 512GB M1 Mac mini, available for $799.00, down from $899.00. This is another all-time low price on the M1 Mac mini, beating the previous record low of $829.00 on Amazon and other retailers.

$100 OFFM1 Mac mini (512GB) for $799.99

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, Mac miniBuyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Neutral)Related Forum: Mac mini
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Amazon today has introduced another discount on Apple's 512GB 27-inch 5K iMac with 6-core CPU. We've been tracking a discount down to $1,699.99 over the past few weeks, and now you can get this 2020 model for $1,599.99, down from $1,999.00, after an automatic coupon worth $299.01 is applied at checkout.

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 is now the best price we've ever tracked for this model of the 27-inch iMac across all retailers. The iMac is ready to ship today with Amazon's typical free shipping for all Prime members.

$399 OFF27-inch iMac (512GB SSD) for $1,599.99

Additionally, the 256GB 27-inch 5K iMac is on sale for $1,499.99, down from $1,699.00. This model hasn't seen a discount in a few weeks, and now Amazon has introduced a sale alongside the 512GB model. You'll see the markdown at checkout after a $199.01 discount is automatically applied.

$299 OFF27-inch iMac (256GB SSD) for $1,499.99

You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)Related Forum: iMac
This article, "Deals: Amazon Introduces Pair of Record Low Prices on Apple's 27-Inch iMacs (Save Up to $399)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today we're tracking an ongoing record low price on Apple's 512GB 27-inch 5K iMac with 6-core CPU from 2020. You can get this model for $1,699.99 on Amazon, down from $1,999.00, after an automatic coupon worth $199.01 is applied at checkout.

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 was introduced last month on Amazon and it remains the best discount we've ever tracked for this model of the 27-inch Intel iMac. Amazon's discount is so steep it's pricing the 512GB model down to the same level as the 256GB 27-inch iMac.

$299 OFF27-inch iMac (512GB SSD) for $1,699.99

The iMac is in stock and sold by Amazon, ready to ship today with Amazon's typical free shipping for all Prime members. You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide.

There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)Related Forum: iMac
This article, "Deals: Amazon Discounts 512GB 27-Inch iMac to Lowest Price of $1,699.99 ($299 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon this week is still hosting a record low deal on Apple's 512GB 27-inch 5K iMac with 6-core CPU. You can get this 2020 model for $1,699.99, down from $1,999.00, after an automatic coupon worth $199.01 is applied at checkout.

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 is particularly notable because it knocks down the 512GB 27-inch iMac to the same price level as the 256GB model. It's also the best price we've ever tracked across all of the major Apple resellers online. The iMac is ready to ship today with Amazon's typical free shipping for all Prime members.

$299 OFF27-inch iMac (512GB SSD) for $1,699.99

You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, iMacBuyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)Related Forum: iMac
This article, "Deals: Get Apple's 512GB 27-Inch iMac for Lowest Price of $1,699.99 ($299 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's M1 MacBook Air with a 256GB SSD has returned to its all-time low price of $899.99 today on Amazon, down from an original price of $999.00. This sale will be seen after an automatic coupon worth $50 is applied at checkout.

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.

As of writing, only the Gold color option is in stock and ready to ship from Amazon. Silver is delayed by over a month, but Space Gray will be "in stock soon" according to Amazon's stock estimation.

$99 OFFM1 MacBook Air (256GB) for $899.99

Likewise, the 512GB version of the M1 MacBook Air is seeing a notable discount to $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a record low price for the notebook, and it's only available at this price in Gold.

$149 OFFM1 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.Related Roundups: Apple Deals, MacBook AirBuyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Neutral)Related Forum: MacBook Air
This article, "Deals: Amazon Discounting M1 MacBook Air Models By Up to $149, Starting at $899.99 for 256GB" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple News & Mac Rumors Breaking All Day

Apple is rolling out a watchOS 26.0.1 build that appears to be specific to the . Here’s what’s new.

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Today, Apple rolled out an update to its Final Cut apps, with full support for the new camera features of the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro. Here’s what’s new

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac.

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Let the teardowns begin. Following yesterday’s peek at the , the first teardown of the new iPhone 17 Pro is already up, and it reveals some interesting tidbits about its internal architecture. Watch it below.

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Eugene Levy’s “The Reluctant Traveler” is back for its third season, with an entertaining twist and plenty of special guests. Here’s what to expect.

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As it does in most years, Apple is taking a cue from the pre-order week to align its production orders with actual iPhone demand across the lineup. Here are the details.

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Apple released iOS 26 for iPhone this week, introducing the world to its new Liquid Glass design language. If you’re looking for fun third-party apps that take advantage of the new Liquid Glass design, here are over 30 recommendations.

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Apple Wallet, like every other iOS 26 app, has gotten some Liquid Glass UI changes this year. But iOS 26 is also an especially packed update for new features coming to Apple Wallet. Here’s what’s new.

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iPhone Air has arrived, and our full, in-depth review is here. But I’ve only had Apple’s ultra-thin model for half a day now, and my first impressions are clear: this feels like the new normal.

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I love being able to control my smart home from the Home app, Control Center (my most used right now), or by asking Siri via a HomePod, but sometimes you just can’t beat a physical product for things. For my Matter enabled shades, I use the remote as much as I control them with the Home app. There are moments when pressing a button or turning a dial is easier than pulling out your iPhone. That’s exactly why the is an awesome product, and it’s something I want Apple to copy with the “HomePad”.

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Apple is about to kick off what’s arguably its first serious push into smart home products, starting with two launches very soon but ramping up in 2026. And Samsung just provided users another great reason to wait for Apple’s products.

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iPhone 17 and iPhone Air launch day has arrived and we are starting today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break off with some case deals. We have a series of exclusive offers you can only get with our codes found below from brand’s like Nomad (this one is for today only), SANDMARC, Burton Goods, Matter, and more. On top of that, we also have M4 Pro Mac mini configs at $200 off, M4 Mac mini from $499, M3 iPad Air starting at $449, and a super rare deal on Apple’s official all-black Ocean Band. Those offers join discounts on AirPods Pro 2 at $99 off and an ongoing deal on Apple’s new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger. Everything awaits down below. 

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Apple’s last MacBook Pro redesign was in 2021, and rumors indicate the next all-new design is coming in late 2026 with touch support and a whole lot more. Here’s why I’m more excited than ever for Apple’s forthcoming MacBook Pro upgrade.

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Apple TV+ has a strong lineup of fall film debuts on the way, but a new report indicates the streamer is about to land one of its biggest movies yet: a new Martin Scorsese film with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence starring.

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Apple’s lineup of new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods is now available around the world. Apple is celebrating the launch by sharing a bunch of images from Apple Stores everywhere on its website.

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A few months ago, OpenAI teamed up with Jony Ive to build the next generation of AI-powered hardware, under the brand io.

Now, according to The Information, they are working with the same supply chain partners that Apple relies on for its own products. Here are the details.

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It’s iPhone 17 release day, and that means the internet is ready to start the next drama about the redesigned phones. One early concern is about the superficial durability of the iPhone 17 Pro aluminum chassis, especially on the darker color Deep Blue model. If this worries you, it’s a .

Because anodized aluminum still has the raw silver metal color underneath, any light nicks or scratches are much more visible to the eye, compared to similar wear and tear to the iPhone 16 Pro’s titanium sides or back glass. Bloomberg reported that some buyers were finding visible scuffs and imperfections on the iPhone 17 Pro demo units when they went into Apple retail stores today.

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Apple Watch Ultra 3 is here (full review), arriving two years after Ultra 2 first hit the market. But what changes has that two-year gap brought for potential upgraders? Here’s everything new in the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2.

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tvOS 26 launched earlier this week with a variety of new features for Apple TV 4K users, and one of the highlights for me is a screen saver feature that I’ve always wanted.

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If you’re among the thousands planning to trade in a current phone for a new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, or iPhone 17 Pro, remembering to turn off this setting will save you an entire hour at the Apple Store.

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We have a Nomad promo code that will deliver deals on all of its new iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air cases. You can now use code 9to517 at checkout to knock the prices down across the brand’s entire collection of new cases – this is the only way to score a deal on these cases and the best prices they have been offered for anywhere. 

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While I am almost certainly the least-prolific videographer on the planet, I am finally starting a long-planned series of interviews on my fledgling YouTube channel. The first of these went live this week, and I’m aiming for roughly one a month from now on.

I use a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K rig as my primary video camera, but my iPhones have long been my camera of choice for B-roll footage …

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Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup has gone up for pre-order, is already starting to land in customer’s hands, and we have rounded up the best cases from our favorite brands. The most notable iPhone 17 cases are almost certain to come from the brands we have been testing out for years, and just about all of them have now debuted new 2025 collections. These include the through to third-party brands we have been using ourselves for many years, some ultra-affordable options, and some with early exclusive discounts courtesy of the 9to5Toys squad. Scope out all of the best iPhone 17 cases you can grab right now down below.

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac.

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During the teardown of the , iFixIt observed that Apple might have resorted to a clever solution to streamline production. Here are the details.

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Apple has brought big changes to the Battery screen inside iOS 26’s Settings app, including a feature that can help prevent excessive iPhone drains.

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The first iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3 pre-orders are now arriving to customers in New Zealand and Australia

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After Apple announced a sweeping set of changes to its App Store rules, the European Commission began confidentially gathering feedback from developers and businesses to assess Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act. They have until Monday to respond.

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It’s been a busy week in the Apple world, between reviews of new iPhones and the release of iOS 26.

One of the highlights of new iOS season every year is Federico Viticci’s in-depth review at MacStories. Given the vast nature of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this year, I was even more excited than usual to read his review.

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This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: touch is finally coming to the Mac with next year’s M6 MacBook Pro, plus iPhone 18 design changes and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

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Apple’s new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineups debut tomorrow. Apple is preparing for the festivities with special displays at its retail store, including a stunning design at Apple BKC in Mumbai, India.

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Apple has major new products arriving in users’ hands tomorrow, and it seems several of them will have new software updates ready to install at launch. Shortly after shipping a special build of iOS 26 for iPhone 17 Pro, Apple has now released a firmware update for AirPods Pro 3.

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Apple has released a new version of iOS 26 that’s exclusive to its new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max arriving in users’ hands tomorrow. Here’s what you should know.

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Gemini in Chrome for Mac and Windows will no longer require an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription, while Google today also announced a number of upgrades.

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Chance got review units of all the new phones, so we take the opportunity to talk about his hands-on experiences with iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air and the new AirPods Pro 3. Just how good is Apple’s new lineup? Also, Benjamin has eSIM woes in preparation of his iPhone Air delivery. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we react to the initial impressions of iOS 26 now that the redesigned OS is available to a wider audience for the first time. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

• Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac.
• Sponsored by Caldera Lab: High performance men’s skincare. Get 20% off your first order at CalderaLab.com/HAPPYHOUR

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Travel photographer Austin Mann always publishes a fun review of the latest iPhone camera advancements, and this year is no exception: here’s Mann’s latest review of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras, including write-ups on every tentpole new feature.

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Apple released iOS 26 to the general public this week with its new Liquid Glass design and a ton of other new features and changes. Now, the company is working on its first bug fix for this year’s software: iOS 26.0.1.

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One of the flagship new features of Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 (review here) is hypertension notifications. But in a welcome surprise, watchOS 26 brings the new hypertension feature to select older Apple Watch models too. Here’s how to set it up, and which models are compatible.

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While we have already rounded up a Apple Watch Ultra 3/, there are some other more rare standout offers to discuss in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break. Firstly let’s start off with MacBook – we spotted a very rare deal on the 12-/16-Core 24GB model (the most affordable 24GB/1TB M4 Pro you can buy) at $300 off as well as another option for a 32GB M4 MacBook Air at $200 off the list price. Those offers also join a now even lower price Apple’s new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger at nearly 30% off and a Amazon Renewed Premium discount on the most most affordable iPhone 15 Pro at $430 less than iPhone 17. All of that sits alongside ongoing offers on Beats USB-C cables, Mac mini, and more down below. 

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iOS 26 is here, bringing a Liquid Glass redesign and lots of new features for popular apps. The Maps app got some big updates last year, but even more changes have just arrived. Here are the new Apple Maps features available in iOS 26.

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iPhone 18 Pro rumors have already started, including one that says Apple may be changing the most polarizing design element of iPhone 17 Pro: the glass cutout on the back of the device.

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The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone Air all arrive in stores tomorrow, September 19. Now, Apple has begun notifying the first pre-order customers for the new iPhones that their devices have shipped.

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Pre-orders for iPhone 17 are about to come to a close ahead of delivery day tomorrow, alongside pre-sale listings on the new , Apple Watch Ultra 3, and , but there are a ton of notable deals live right now across the Apple lineup. From M4 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models through to M4 Mac mini, we are also tracking solid price drops across the M3 iPad Air and iPad mini lineups, not to mention some notable accessory offers – Apple’s new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger, and more. Everything has been collected for you down below.

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Apple TV+ has a huge fall lineup ahead, including the return of one of its best shows next week. Over the coming weeks, Apple TV+ has several brand new crime thriller series debuting, and one of them—The Last Frontier—just got its first trailer.

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A slew of people are reporting that the Starbucks app is completely broken. With too-perfect irony, the thing that is breaking it is an app satisfaction survey …

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Mobile carriers are very slowly getting better at detecting and blocking scam texts, but it seems the fraudsters may still be staying ahead of the game.

Scammers are now using a technology known as SMS blasters, backpack-sized devices that can trick smartphones into thinking they are cell towers …

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The Apple Watch Hermès has always seemed to serve as nothing more than a way for Apple to separate fashionistas from their money. But the Series 11 model comes with the ultimate new feature for longtime Apple enthusiasts …

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The new iOS 26 software update for iPhone introduces a new full-screen preview experience when taking a screenshot. This includes some new visual lookup functionality, but it also can be a bit annoying if you just want to capture something for later and get on with what are you doing.

iOS 18 and earlier would simply show a small unobtrusive thumbnail of the screenshot in the corner of the screen. Thankfully, this behavior is still possible on iOS 26 as well. Here’s how to change it back.

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Apple runs literally thousands of tests while validating, tuning, and refining AirPods in a facility which includes mini recording studios with real instruments.

One tech writer got a rare tour of the facility, which is even home to a large vintage hi-fi setup donated to an earlier generation of Apple audio engineers by Steve Jobs …

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Your and AirPods Pro are getting even better with iOS 26. As well as new features like camera remote and sleep detection to pause media, Apple is also improving the charging experience.

With the new update, your iPhone can automatically remind you when your AirPods are running out of juice. These alerts can show even when your AirPods are not currently in your ears, but stored in their case, that is running low on battery. This is perhaps relevant for the , which have a smaller case battery size than the previous generation.

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Following a very well-timed video leak earlier this week, Meta announced tonight its new lineup of smart glasses, including the Meta Ray-Ban Display. Here are the details.

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In a new video shot entirely on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, photographer Tyler Stalman takes an in-depth look at the cameras on the new iPhone 17 lineup, with a special focus on the Pro models. Here’s what he found.

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With iOS 18, Apple introduced a “Slow Charger” warning for iPhone users looking to diagnose or improve the charging speed of their iPhones. Now, the same warning is coming to watchOS 26. Here’s how to find it.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook was among multiple high-profile guests at a state dinner at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, joining King Charles III and Donald Trump. Here are the details.

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Apple TV+ is staying in the Ben Stiller business. After reeling in the success of Severance, which Stiller was intimately involved with in the first two seasons, the streamer has managed to sign up Stiller in a rare acting capacity. He will star, alongside Jessica Chastain, in a new eight-part limited series called “The Off Weeks”.

The series follows a writing professor (Stiller) who is going through a messy divorce, and engages in a romance with the mysterious Stella West (Chastain). For her part, Chastain is just about to premiere her first TV+ project, The Savant, debuting September 26.

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A few weeks ago, WhatsApp started testing a feature that would let users set reminders for incoming messages. This feature is now live. Here’s how it works.

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Following multiple years of rumors, this was the year that Apple’s Pro iPhones finally got a vapor chamber to help dissipate heat. If you’ve never really looked into or understood how this component works, the video below will tell you everything you need to know.

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Apple is apparently preparing its supply chain for an uptick in new iPhone sales next year, according to a new report by Nikkei. The company has apparently targeted sales of about 95 million iPhone 18 models in 2026, noting that the new lineup won’t arrive until the fall.

While the new foldable model will draw interest, Apple is expecting sales to be up across all iPhone 18 models. The company seems to be indicating that it expects a halo effect, where people are enticed into upgrading based on the flashiness of the shiny new folding iPhone, but some will ultimately opt to upgrade to a traditional slab iPhone 18 regardless.

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My friend Henry Casey at CNN Underscored published his iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max review this afternoon, and he noticed an odd imaging problem with the camera. Apple says a fix is coming in a future software update.

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iOS 26 is the latest major iPhone update, packing big changes for Apple Wallet, CarPlay, Apple Music, and a variety of new features for the Messages app too. Here’s what’s new in the Messages app with iOS 26.

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We’ve got our first battery life shootout results for the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air lineup, courtesy of The Tech Chap. At least in this test comprising continuous streaming YouTube video playback on Wi-Fi and cellular, all the new iPhone models perform well, and are a lot closer together in terms of longevity than you might expect.

The benchmark comparison is the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which achieved 7 hours and 29 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro Max now takes the crown, lasting 7 hours 58 minutes. But even the smaller iPhone 17 Pro beat the 16 Pro Max, showing the tangible year-over-year gains in the Pro models …

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Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro: what does a two-year upgrade get you? iPhone 17 Pro is a bold update that goes even more ‘pro,’ but if you’re considering an upgrade from the iPhone 15 Pro, here are the key differences to know.

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Slow Horses season 5 premieres next week, and reviews for the new season just dropped. Here’s what critics say to expect from the return of one of the best shows on Apple TV+.

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are set to launch in just two days, and they’re a rather notable upgrade – even if you’re coming from the previous-generation AirPods Pro 2. But, if you skipped that upgrade – AirPods Pro 3 are a massive leap for a plethora of reasons. Here’s exactly what you gain after 6 years of upgrades.

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Apple’s F1 movie is still playing in some theaters, but it’s moving ever closer to its eventual Apple TV+ debut. If you prefer to own your movies in physical formats, however, the F1: The Movie Blu-ray just got its release date and pre-orders are open, including for a limited edition steelbook.

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Apple Intelligence is entering its second year, and iOS 26 adds many new and improved AI features. But despite everything new, there’s surprisingly good news for iPhone storage requirements in the new update.

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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is now ready to roll with notable discounts on iPad, MacBook, and Mac mini, among some accessory offers. Alongside the ongoing pre-orders on the new , Apple Watch Ultra 3, and , we have once again spotted a chance to save $100 on the absolute most affordable M4 Mac mini with 24GB of RAM alongside the entry-level model at $499. Next up, we are highlighting the Space Gray M3 MacBook Air at $400 under the list price on the comparable M4 joined by $200 price drops on the latest models, a new all-time low on this M3 iPad Air at $208 off, and the very first deal on Apple’s brand new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger. All of that joins offers on iPhone 17 cases, this Find My SmartLock, and more down below. 

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac.

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If you want a Mac with built-in cellular, Apple hopefully has a solution coming soon. In the meantime though, macOS Tahoe has an upgrade that makes connecting to your iPhone via hotspot easier than ever.

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iOS 26 might be best remembered for its Liquid Glass design, but among many other new features and changes, the update also adds two brand new apps to your iPhone’s Home Screen. Here’s what’s new.

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When T-Mobile launched its T-Satellite service back in July, iPhone users were limited to text messaging via satellite – but the company promised that support for selected additional apps would follow.

With the launch of iOS 26, the company has started to make good on that promise, with support for six apps so far. Notably, you don’t need to choose T-Mobile as your carrier in order to subscribe to the service …

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At the start of the summer during WWDC, Apple announced that car keys in the Wallet app would soon be offered by 13 new vehicle brands. Now, it looks like the first three new brands might almost be here.

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Ming-Ching Kuo today suggested that we can expect a touchscreen MacBook Pro to go into production in late 2026. This is the latest in a years-long string of rumors that Apple is working on such a device.

The company has been testing prototypes since at least 2008, but has consistently dismissed the idea of launching one. However, I do tend to believe the latest report …

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Every so often, Apple makes a design decision that draws a line in the sand. One that feels like a delineation between one era and the next. The iPhone Air is that kind of device. It’s strikingly thin and sets a new standard for how an iPhone should feel in your hand.

The iPhone Air is also an example of the compromises that come with pushing the design boundaries of a form factor. The question is whether it correctly strikes that balance. I’ve been using the iPhone Air since it was announced last week to find out.

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When Apple announced the iPhone 17 Pro last week, it touted that the addition of the iPhone Air in the lineup allowed it to take the Pro models “to an entirely new level of performance and capabilities.”

I’ve been testing the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max for the last week to find out just how far Apple has pushed those limits.

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The new AirPods Pro 3 comes with silicone foam ear tips which differ from those used in previous models, and 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller said in his review that they offer “a noticeable improvement in fit.”

Apple has now offered its advice on getting the best fit with the new ear tips, applying both subjective and objective tests …

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Sure, the iPhone 17 lineup hasn’t even shipped yet, but that doesn’t stop the news cycle rolling on. A new report details the chipset we can expect to find inside the iPhone Fold and the iPhone 18 Pro models.

This will of course include the A20 chip, the first to be made using a 2-nanometer process, but the report suggests we can expect mobile data speeds to be faster thanks to a new Apple modem chip …

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Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today reported that Apple’s plans for touch screen Macs are advancing in the supply chain. He expects that the OLED MacBook Pro, due to go into production in late 2026, will also feature a touch screen panel.

This schedule was first predicted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman two years ago. It is currently unclear whether the OLED MacBook Pro will ship in 2026, or whether it will be an early 2027 release.

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A longstanding limitation of was that it did not offer support for vision prescriptions with a prism value. With visionOS 26, however, you can now enter the prism values from your prescription and visionOS will adapt through software.

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Tonight has been a good night for “The Morning Show” fans. Not only is the first episode of season 4 now streaming, but Apple has also officially announced a season 5 renewal. Here’s what to expect.

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9to5Mac is brought to you by BenQ. Check out the BenQ PD2730S 5K designer monitor

If you are in the market for a new 5K monitor that is built to work with your Mac or even your iPad, then you know the struggle. In a world where everything seems to be moving and innovating at lightning speeds, finding a true 5K monitor that delivers Retina-level clarity, Mac-optimized color accuracy, and reliable connectivity is still surprisingly rare in 2025. Then, when you do find it, there always seems to be some sort of trade-off you need to make.

So, I wanted to create a 5K monitor buying guide to help you navigate the market and ultimately make an educated purchasing decision. There are no cheap 5K monitors out there. So whether you’re a creative professional, a power user, or someone who just wants that ultra-sharp Retina experience on a larger screen, these are the top options worth your time and money.

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by iMazing: iMazing lets you back up, transfer, and manage your iPhone and iPad data like never before — including messages, photos, music, WhatsApp, voicemails, battery health, and more. No cloud required. Use code 9to5mac-20off to get 20% off, exclusively for 9to5Mac listeners. Visit iMazing.com/9to5mac.

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A few weeks ago, a frustrated Elon Musk sued Apple, claiming that the company’s pro-OpenAI bias made it impossible for other AI companies to rise to the top of the App Store. This week, Google Gemini became the latest app to contradict his claims.

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Apple’s Wallet app is getting one step closer to actually replacing your physical wallet, thanks to a new iOS 26 feature that’s available for all saved credit and debit cards.

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Since pre-orders opened last Friday, most iPhones have slipped to a 2–3 or 3–4 week delivery forecast, except for the iPhone Air, which remains available on launch day in every configuration but one.

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Ahead of its formal debut in the near future, Xiaomi is showing off the new Xiaomi 17 Pro, which has an iPhone-like camera bar on the back, but uses that real estate for a rear display.

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iOS 26 launched this week alongside companion updates for Apple’s other platforms. There are so many new features in each update, it can be easy to miss some of the changes. Fortunately, Apple has published new comprehensive documents outlining every new feature in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe.

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iOS 26 is packed with major changes for the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass design. But if you’re not a fan of the fresh design, here’s how to make iOS 26 look and feel more like iOS 18 again.

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iPhone 17 is officially here, and Mophie is launching four new MagSafe batteries to give you more power. The lineup includes both slim and high-capacity options with and without kickstands. Not upgrading to iPhone 17? Mophie’s Qi2 Powerstation Wireless Batteries can upgrade your existing iPhone experience too.

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iOS 26 shipped to all users yesterday, but it came with a build number that was different than the RC previously available to beta testers. Now, one day later, Apple has released that public version for beta testers too.

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Alongside the ongoing pre-orders for the new , Apple Watch Ultra 3, and , our 9to5Toys Lunch Break has some notable deals to scope out today elsewhere. Firstly, we are tracking the first chance to save and new all-time lows on the Beats woven USB-C cables at $13 Prime shipped alongside a collection of iPhone 17/Air screen protectors from $3 a pop. On the more substantial side of things, Apple’s 24GB M4 MacBook Air models are now $200 off while $300 price drops await on the most affordable M4 MacBook Pro models, and the upgraded 512GB Mac mini is at $110 off. We also have deals on iPhone 16 Pro Max, M3 iPad Air, and an ongoing 25% off sitewide at Satechi. Everything awaits below. 

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iOS 26 is now available for all users, but beta testers who have had the update for months may now wonder when Apple plans to debut the first iOS 26.1 beta. Here’s when to expect the next beta update.

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Over the last several years, CarPlay’s new features have been rare and few. But between CarPlay Ultra’s launch and everything new in iOS 26 for standard CarPlay, things have quickly changed. Here’s what’s new in iOS 26, CarPlay’s biggest update in years.

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One of the promises of the smart home is that it, in theory, should intelligently adapt and respond to your needs. iOS 26 provides a key upgrade in that department with new Adaptive Temperature features in the Home app to automate your thermostat.

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Siri hasn’t had the best year, largely owing to major feature delays amid ever-stronger AI competition. While the big Siri upgrades we’ve been waiting for are reportedly coming next spring, Apple has five surprise new features available now in iOS 26.

more…

Both US and Chinese officials are stating that an agreement has been reached for an American TikTok spin-off to be sold to American investors.

It’s not the first time the Trump administration has claimed that a deal has been agreed, but it is the first time that China is backing the claim, albeit in somewhat more muted terms …

more…

AirPods Pro 3 will ship to users this Friday, September 19. And while they should prove a fantastic upgrade for everyone (read our full review here), it seems one new feature will be exclusive to iPhone 17 and iPhone Air owners.

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If you’ve just installed iOS 26, the first thing you will, of course, have noticed is the new Liquid Glass user interface. This has proved a somewhat polarizing feature, with some developers arguing it’s not yet ready for primetime.

It certainly takes some getting used to, but overall I’m a fan, and I particularly like some of the small but notable changes …

more…

When Apple Watch arrived in 2015, there was no way to send or receive data without an iPhone or wifi. Now these things can talk to space. It’s wild.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the first version to include satellite connectivity, a feature introduced with iPhone 14 just three years ago. It comes standard in every Ultra 3 and enables the ability to contact emergency services without a cellular connection.

Over the last few days, we’ve been testing and Apple Watch Series 11. Check out our early impressions below.

more…

The Apple Sports app has seen a number of great updates over the year, and the latest of these is support for widgets on your Home Screen.

These can be customized to show live scores and schedules for your favorite teams and leagues, Including Live Activities on your Lock Screen. Apple has also rolled out the app to eight new countries …

more…

AppleInsider News Feed

China's subsidy program is fueling iPhone 17 demand, giving Apple more momentum at the low end than it historically sees in September.


iPhone 17
In September 2025, Apple reportedly told suppliers to raise output of the $799 iPhone 17 by up to 40% after pre-orders exceeded forecasts. That's significant because Apple's first two months of iPhone sales are usually driven by iPhone 17 Pro models.

The core iPhone 17 typically doesn't become the sales engine until after January.


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ByteDance thanked Presidents Xi and Trump on Friday, signaling that TikTok will soon spin off a U.S. version. Here's who's said to be involved in the deal, and how much of the venture will still be controlled by China.


ByteDance statement alludes to creation of TikTok U.S.
On Friday, a spokesperson for ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, issued a short public statement.

We thank President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump for their efforts to preserve TikTok in the United States. ByteDance will work in accordance with applicable laws to ensure TikTok remains available to American users through TikTok U.S.

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Alongside the iPhone 17 release, and as promised, Apple on Friday rolled out major updates to Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Camera adding new features, genlock support, and more.


iPhone 17 Pro
The updates expand Apple's video ecosystem at a time when Adobe and Blackmagic are pushing hard into mobile-first tools. Apple wants iPhones and iPads to feel like real options for serious filmmakers, not just YouTubers with nice lighting.

The biggest changes come with Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.3. Editors can now fully work with ProRes RAW footage from supported iPhones, adjusting exposure, color temperature, tint, and demosaicing.


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The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max units on display at retail are showing scratches and dents within 24 hours, sparking a round of "scratchgate" discussion online.


The iPhone 17 Pro lineup isn't quite as durable as Apple claims | Image Credit: Apple
Apple always trends on the day its new lineup of iPhones is released to the general public. However, this time it's not trending for a particularly good reason.

Thousands of customers are taking to social media to highlight how quickly iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max demo units are showing signs of wear and tear. The models have been available in the U.S. for less than 24 hours at the time of publication, and they aren't looking good.


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So far, other than some Liquid Glass controversy, macOS Tahoe isn't causing as many operational problems as previous versions did. Are you having problems with apps?


Reports of macOS Tahoe crashing apps are greatly exaggerated
Having problems with applications in a new macOS version has been evergreen. Perhaps not in fall 2025, though.

At this point in 2024, the then-new macOS Sequoia was causing problems for third-party apps. And the year before that, and the year before that.


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A new teardown confirms Apple killed the SIM tray in the iPhone 17 lineup, using the space to pack in bigger batteries.


iPhone 17 Pro
The shift shows Apple squeezing every bit of space out of its devices while pushing more people into an eSIM-only future. Teardowns confirm it's not cosmetic.

Earlier U.S. models had a plastic filler where the slot used to be. Now, Apple uses that space for extra battery cells.


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Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio could reunite on Apple TV+, as the streamer negotiates for rights to a "quietly unsettling" horror film.


L-R: Apple's Eddy Cue, Martin Scorsese, Apple's Jamie Erlicht, and Zack Van Amburg at the Los Angeles premiere of Apple Original Films' "Killers of the Flower Moon" in the Dolby Theatre.
Legendary director Martin Scorsese is lining up his next project, set to star Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The film has piqued Apple Original Films' interest, according to Deadline, with the company negotiating to finance and produce it.

The film, tentatively titled "What Happens at Night," is based on Peter Cameron's 2020 novel of the same name. Cameron, who has written several books, has seen three of his other works adapted for film.


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Jony Ive's OpenAI is poaching some of Apple's best people and hitting up iPhone component manufacturers, betting it can succeed at hardware where others have flopped.


Apple Intelligence
OpenAI is aggressively poaching Apple talent with $1M+ stock offers. It promises less bureaucracy to lure veterans in design, manufacturing, and supply chain.

The exodus is being steered by Tang Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer and a 25-year Apple veteran. Tan once reported to John Ternus, Apple's hardware chief, and was known for turning Jony Ive's sketches into mass-manufactured products.


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Apple's all-new iPhone 17 has finally arrived. Here's how the specs stack up, compared to the predecessor, the iPhone 16.


iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: The iPhone 16 [left] and iPhone 17 [right] may look similar, but there are a few key differences.
At its "Awe Dropping" event on Tuesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 range. Although the ultra-thin iPhone Air was undoubtedly the star of the show, the base model iPhone also received a few noteworthy upgrades.

Compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 17 boasts a larger 6.3-inch display with ProMotion. It also has a more powerful A19 chip with Neural Accelerators, an 18MP Center Stage front-facing camera, and additional features.


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The iPhone 17 and the rest of the lineup is officially available. I won't be buying one, despite having the perfect excuse to do just that.


iPhone 17 Pro in orange
I write about Apple every day, often all day. Longer than anyone probably should.

I also have an iPhone 15 Pro Max right now, having skipped the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.


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If you're considering the iPhone 17 Pro, then get one on T-Mobile with a trade-in of any condition, plus get access to T-Satellite and other Apple ecosystem enhancements thanks to Magenta Status.


T-Mobile is offering an iPhone 17 Pro on them. Image source: T-Mobile
Buying the latest iPhone doesn't have to be a complicated process. T-Mobile makes it easy for new and existing customers to get the latest iPhone, plenty of perks, and continued benefits as long as you're a customer.

Switch to T-Mobile and activate a line with a trade-in, in any condition, and you'll get an iPhone 17 Pro on T-Mobile. There's also the 4 for $25 deal that gets four lines of unlimited and four iPhone 17 models for $100 per month.


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Apple's latest cases haven't lived up to users' expectations, so Torras made the Ostand Q3 Silicone case for iPhone 17 Pro Max, which includes its signature MagSafe ring stand.


Torras Ostand Q3 brings premium protection and style to iPhone 17 Pro Max
There's no reason a silicone iPhone case can't offer military-grade protection, premium-feeling materials, and increased functionality in a good-looking package. Too many cases, including Apple's, sacrifice one aspect or another while still charging an incredible premium.

Torras has found the perfect balance with its Ostand Q3 Silicone case for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. It comes packed with the innovative Ostand ring that's compatible with MagSafe accessories and includes protective features like airbags.


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Apple CEO Tim Cook celebrating the iPhone 17 launch with crowds of buyers at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York, comparing it to the Super Bowl, calling it Apple's most important day of the year — and insisting tariffs played no part in price rises.


Tim Cook at Apple Fifth Avenue — image credit: CNBC
Following the reports of huge crowds at Apple Stores across Australia and China, the first US stores have now opened to sell the iPhone 17 range, new Apple Watches, and AirPods Pro 3. CNBC reporter Steve Kovach at Apple Fifth Avenue says that "the energy here is like 10 times what it was this time last year."

"I can barely hear myself speak," he continued. "There's singing, there's dancing... it's actually pretty wild [and] I haven't seen an iPhone launch like this in the last several years."


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Wireless carriers are competing for your business with incentives offering up to $1,100 off when you order the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.


Save up to $1,100 on the iPhone 17 line - Image credit: Apple
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is making its way into the hands of consumers, and wireless carriers are already offering up to $1,100 off via incentives across the 2025 iPhone range in an effort to earn your business.


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As the new iPhones start to arrive in buyers' hands, we examine what we've learned about them and that iPhone Air MagSafe battery, plus how Meta thinks it's got the Apple Vision Pro beat, all on the AppleInsider Podcast.


The new iPhones — and iOS 26 — are here
As this episode was recorded, the curious MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone Air had already arrived at the home of one of your hosts, while it seemed as if the very air was full of iPhone parcels. Possibly as a displacement activity while we waited for the iPhones to ship, we get really detailed about that MagSafe battery.

But there's a sense that this year's launch is unusually successful, certainly in China, and there is a huge amount to talk about. Such as whether Apple has been very clever with how it positioned each of the four new iPhone models.


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Protect your new iPhone 17 Pro or your new iPhone 17 Pro Max from scuffs, scratches, and drops with our favorite cases available for purchase now.


Best cases for iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
If you want to ensure your brand-new iPhone is well-protected, we have compiled a comprehensive list of iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max cases. You can rest easy knowing your smartphone will be safeguarded from damage while looking great.


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The iPhone 17 lineup is now officially on sale, but some photographers got theirs early. Now, a New York exhibition shows the gorgeous photos they were able to create.


Think LOVE by Inez and Vinoodh. Image credit: Apple
Wallpaper reports that artists Inez & Vinoodh, Mickalene Thomas, and Trunk Xu were given an iPhone 17 Pro Max and asked to create images based on the theme of "joy".

Each took five photos which are now on full display for the "Joy in 3 Parts" exhibition in New York.


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The iPhone 17 is here, and with a larger-than-usual slate of upgrades, it's a solid choice for those who are in the market for a new phone but trying to stay on a budget.


iPhone 17 review: The new budget phone on the block
In the current lineup, the iPhone 17 is geared towards your average user. It's not as bare as the iPhone 16e that came out in early 2025 but lacks some of the flash as the iPhone Air or iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as it didn't see any price increase this time around.


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As the iPhone 17 range plus new Apple Watches and AirPods Pro 3 arrive in stores, customers around the globe have been buying in droves.


A Shanghai Apple Store so busy that this is the queue just to get in — image credit: Apple
It's the stuff of dreams for managers of the old Microsoft Stores, but at the very least a normal annual event for Apple Stores. Starting with Australia, Apple Stores around the planet have been seeing crowds queuing up to buy the new devices on their first day of in-store availability.

Apple will be releasing more images as stores around the US open, but for now it's spotlighting the crowds at first Sydney and then Shanghai.


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The iOS 26 update doesn't make it easy to add custom ringtones, but with a few tools and some patience, you can still do it for free.


What you need for iOS 26 ringtones
Apple loads iPhones with dozens of tones out of the box. They range from the famously piercing "Radar" to more subtle chimes.

For many, though, personalization is part of owning a phone, and nothing feels more personal than hearing your favorite song or sound when someone calls. The catch is Apple has never made custom ringtones a smooth experience, and iOS 26 hasn't changed that .


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Unless you've gone looking in System Settings, you may not be aware that the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 can be set to do other functions besides set up and take a picture. Here's how to change it.


The Camera Control button is currently unique to the iPhone 16 and 17 lineups.
By default, pressing the Camera Control button launches the Camera app on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models. Once open, pressing the button again will take a picture, or pressing and holding will shoot video.

A light press on the Camera Control button once the Camera app is open gives users a haptic click and the ability to adjust settings like zoom level or exposure. It operates sort of like the dials or on-screen controls in DSLR cameras.


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Flashforge has an excellent 3D printer that produces high-quality objects and makes multi-color printing simple, but there are tradeoffs at this price.


Flashforge AD5X 3D printer review: easy multi-color
Let's get this out of the way at the top — I've never owned a 3D printer before. I researched other products and went through trial and error trying to make my initial builds, and the Flashforge AD5X made the process pretty frictionless.

If you're like me and were always curious about 3D printing but never knew where to start, I can say this is as good a place as any. I didn't need to know anything about nozzle size, plate temperatures, or filament types to go from zero to a cute Bulbasaur planter.


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The MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone Air features a battery with the same capacity and design as the one in the iPhone Air itself, judging by a new video teardown.


Apple's redesigned MagSafe Battery Pack seemingly uses the same battery as the iPhone Air.
While Apple said the iPhone Air offers "all-day battery life," the company announced the phone alongside a specially designed MagSafe Battery Pack. This accessory allows for 40 hours of video playback, but only on the iPhone Air, as the new MagSafe Battery doesn't really fit any other iPhone.

As for why the battery is so thin and practically unusable with most iPhones, a recent iFixit teardown of Apple's redesigned MagSafe battery offers some clues.


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Meta showed off its new smart glasses with a built-in display, and while everyone is rushing to say these beat Apple to the punch or compete with visionOS, neither assertion is accurate.


Meta Ray-Ban Display. Image source: Meta
Apple Vision Pro debuted during WWDC 2023 as a mixed reality device, something Apple dubbed "spatial computing." It projects software into your environment by feeding multiple camera feeds into two tiny displays.

Eventually, Apple Vision Pro and visionOS will give way to Apple Glasses with transparent lenses — true AR. What Meta revealed on Wednesday isn't that.


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The earliest iPhone 17, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro 3 preorders are now arriving in Australia and New Zealand, with stores getting limited stock too.


Apple's new iPhones are starting to arrive with buyers worldwide — image credit: Apple
Following record-breaking preorders for the iPhone 17 range, all of Apple's latest releases are now shipping. At least the base configurations of each device are also now available to buy immediately from physical Apple Stores.

Apple always reserves stock for its stores. So while the iPhone 17 Pro Max in particular went on backorder almost instantly, there will now be supplies in stock at retail.


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Apple will put its next-generation R2 chip based on TSMC's 2nm process inside a future Apple Vision Pro, making the headset the showcase for its most advanced silicon.


Apple Vision Pro
The company is expanding its chip strategy from phones and laptops to headsets. The Apple Vision Pro, an expensive niche device, will get the new R2 chip built on TSMC's 2nm process.

That move signals Apple's intent to make mixed reality a proving ground for cutting-edge silicon. The same supply chain reports point to the iPhone 18 Pro and the MacBook M6 also adopting 2nm chips, but the Apple Vision Pro will be the boldest test.


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B&H is throwing an Apple sale — and the 1TB M4 Pro MacBook Pro is eligible for a limited-time $300 price cut.


Save up to $500 on MacBook Pros at B&H this week.
There are plenty of MacBook Pro deals in effect this week, but one that is especially enticing is the 1TB M4 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro that's marked down to $1,899.

Save $300 on 1TB M4 Pro MacBook Pro


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If you've bought an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple will have a first-day iOS 26 patch waiting for you.


iOS 26 update arrives for iPhone 17 Pro models | Image credit: Apple
On Thursday, Apple released a new iOS 26 build, only three days after the initial version. This update, however, is limited to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Monday's build launched with the build number 23A341. Thursday's release carries the build number 23A345.


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Apple TV+ is taking viewers to the Alaskan wilderness with a new thriller that looks more like a survivalist nightmare than a standard streaming drama.


Snapshot of "The Last Frontier."
Apple on September 18 unveiled the trailer for The Last Frontier, a 10-episode series created by Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D'Ovidio, and starring Jason Clarke.

The show premieres worldwide on Apple TV+ October 10, 2025, with two episodes released on day one, then weekly installments through December 5.


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Apple's secretive labs use sci-fi-like chambers to make sure your Apple Watch can stay connected anywhere on Earth — and even in space.


Inside Apple's secret Apple Watch testing labs | Image Credit: Apple
At a dedicated facility near Apple's headquarters, the company rigorously tests its flagship wearable. Inside custom-built chambers teeming with specialized equipment, every aspect of the Apple Watch's connectivity is analyzed and refined.

CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana recently visited the site to learn the rigorous methods Apple employs during these tests. What she found was a trio of rooms dedicated to ensuring the Apple Watch works in nearly any scenario.


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Meta's new smart glasses are twice the price of the last pair, still look ugly, and Zuckerberg can't stop himself promoting what they don't do yet. But they are also definitely ahead of Apple in wearable glasses.


Well, they're less noticeable than Apple Vision Pro — image credit: Meta
Having cancelled its competitor to Apple Vision Pro back in September 2024, Facebook parent company Meta is continuing to focus on an equivalent to the long-rumored Apple Glass. Its latest step is the announcement of Meta Ray Ban Display at this year's Meta Connect conference.

That conference opened with a very long and remarkably tedious sequence of CEO Mark Zuckerberg walking from a trailer and eventually stepping out in front of the audience. It was all shown, though, from the perspective of his Meta Ray Ban Display, which overlaid various congratulatory and fist-pumpingly enthused messages in his view.


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During WWDC, Apple gave some creators the chance to see how Apple has turned its audio labs into engineer playgrounds where they try to chase the illusion of perfect sound.


AirPods Pro 3
The company likes to make AirPods look effortless — they connect fast, sound clear, and disappear into your daily routine. That illusion comes from years of work in labs most people will never see.

Inside Cupertino buildings, Apple has set up a maze of test rooms and studios designed to make earbuds sound like professional gear. In September 2025, reporters from Engadget were given a rare tour.


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Apple has made it clear how the new hypertension feature of the Apple Watch works — and, importantly, what it does not do.


While it's an Apple Watch feature, hypertension alerts have to first be enabled on an iPhone
If Apple is right, about 1 million people in the next 12 months will get a scary notification on their Apple Watch. It's a notification of "Possible Hypertension," and Apple has been at pains to explain what this does and does not mean.

Now it's published a support document specifically detailing what prompts this notification, as well as what steps an Apple Watch user should take if they see it.


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Apple has reportedly told suppliers to prepare for 10% more orders for the iPhone 18 range, as it expects the iPhone Fold to see high demand.




What the iPhone Fold could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider
The new iPhone 17 range is selling well — and breaking records in China — plus the range has been highly praised by critics. Yet a new report claims that Apple is expecting considerably better from its 2026 launch, particularly the expected iPhone Fol.


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The Boox Tab X C wants to be your eReader, notebook, and laptop all at once — but it's not quite pulling it off.


Boox Tab X C ePaper tablet
At this point, I think I may just be AppleInsider's resident Boox expert. I've reviewed a lot of Boox's lineup, from the tiny little Palma to the Note Air 3 and everything in between.

And I really appreciate what Boox is trying to do. As a person who routinely gives herself migraines from staring at her computer too long, I understand the allure of an ePaper display.


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You've long been able to customize folders in the Mac's Finder, but only with a lot of non-obvious fiddling. Now with macOS Tahoe, Apple has made it a lot simpler.


You can now customize the color and look of folders much more easily than before
Maybe you have been using the Mac long enough to remember when third-party firms sold utilities that changed your folders into 3D. Or perhaps you've never given a folder a passing through beyond wondering where you saved it.

Whichever folder customizing camp you're in, do take a moment to see what Apple has added — and how it can benefit you.


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Ben Stiller is taking a break from directing "Severance" to get back to his acting roots with "The Off Weeks," a drama about a divorced father dealing with managing split custody and a new love life.


Ben Stiller and the 'Severance' crew. Image source: Apple
Apple TV+ keeps pumping out popular dramas, with The Morning Show now renewed for season 5 and Severance doing well at the Emmys. Its next bet is a Ben Stiller vehicle that's a rare return to acting for the aging comedian.

According to a press release, The Off Weeks is a new drama starring Ben Stiller and Jessica Chastain. It'll be directed by Michael Showalter and showrun by Alissa Nutting.


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The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro will receive a software update that resolves an apparent camera-related issue, Apple has confirmed.


Apple will release a camera-related software update for the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro.
Though the iPhone 17 range is set to launch on September 19, early reviews of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro have already provided key insights about the devices' features and flaws.

Many praised the long battery life and vibrant color options of the iPhone 17 Pro, and highlighted the ultra-thin design of the iPhone Air. Still, one such review outlined a camera-related issue present with Apple's 2025 iPhone lineup.


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The iPhone 18 Pro could feature a noticeably different glass section on the rear, according to an early, but sketchy rumor.


The iPhone 18 Pro could ship with transparent back glass.
Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro at its "Awe Dropping" event on September 9, but we already have new claims about its successor. The iPhone 18 Pro, set to debut in 2026, is expected to resemble the design of the current iPhone 17 Pro, albeit with one notable exception if a new rumor is correct.

We'll likely see the same 6.3-inch display size, rectangular camera plateau, and triangular camera alignment on the rear of the device. However, leaker Digital Chat Station, writing in Chinese, on Weibo, says that the iPhone 18 Pro back glass will have a "slightly transparent design."


Rumor Score: 🙄 Unlikely


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United States President Donald Trump continues to keep Apple CEO Tim Cook busy with various dinners and events that seek to increase government relationships with Silicon Valley, this time in the UK.


UK House of Parliament
It is no secret that world leaders, company heads, and other people of import want to stay on the United States President's good side. It's enough of a concern that Apple CEO Tim Cook has a playbook for keeping government interference with the company to a minimum.

It was useful during Donald Trump's first presidential term, but it seems even more crucial in the controversial second term. According to a report from Bloomberg, Cook attended the UK State Dinner, which was held in the hopes of improving relations with the United States.


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Baseus's latest lineup of MagSafe battery packs are an excellent alternative to Apple's oddly exclusive iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, and there are three to choose from all at a fraction of the cost.


Baseus has better MagSafe battery options for your new iPhone
It's no secret that I'm a fan of Apple's products and design, but sometimes the company does miss the mark. When Baseus sent me these battery packs, I didn't realize I'd be writing about them alongside Apple's latest iPhone lineup, but I'm glad I am.

Apple's iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is an oddity that thankfully has been widely addressed by third-party device makers. I've written about Baseus accessories before, and generally enjoy what they have to offer.


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Apple's high-end Mac Studio with M3 Ultra Apple Silicon will download macOS Tahoe, but it won't install, leaving users stuck on the older system version.


Apple's Mac Studio - Image credit AppleInsider.com
When Apple rolled out macOS Tahoe worldwide on September 15, 2025, most devices updated without a hitch. MacBooks, iPads, and even older Intel machines took the upgrade in stride.

The story has been very different for the Mac Studio with M3 Ultra. Owners of Apple's $4,000 desktop powerhouse, inside Apple's community forums, are finding that the update looks like it's working until the very last minute.


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Prime Big Deal Days runs October 7-8, but there are plenty of bargains in effect now on iPads, Macs, AirPods, Apple Watches, and more that can score you some of the lowest prices of the year.


Save up to $450 on Apple ahead of Amazon fall Prime Day - Image credit: Apple, Amazon
Save up to 43% ahead of Prime Big Deal Days: Amazon's early discounts deliver up to $405 off Apple products.


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Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple's lower-cost MacBook, based on an iPhone processor, will start to be manufactured by the end of 2025.


Apple could be looking to bring out a successor to its lower cost MacBook
It was Ming-Chi Kuo who in June 2025 first seriously claimed that Apple was designing a lower-cost MacBook, which would use an iPhone-style A-series processor. Prior to that, there were regular comparisons between the A-series and the Mac's M-series, but Kuo said a MacBook was planned with an A18 Pro processor.

He also slated manufacturing as being expected either at the end of 2025 or early in 2026. Now writing on Twitter, he's updated this estimate to say that mass production would begin during the fourth quarter of 2025.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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While far from everyone can see this, a number of people are reporting that iPhone app icons on iOS 26 are appearing slanted, making some even feel dizzy.


Despite how it may look, that app icon is not really slanted.
It's not one of the features of Liquid Glass that Apple promotes, but nonetheless it is real for some users. As first spotted on Reddit, turning on dark mode in iOS 26 can make it appear as if app icons are strangely slanted.

This is entirely an optical illusion. Take the following side-by-side comparison of the same app icon — where the right one has grid lines superimposed.


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Apple's AirPods Pro 3 now have heart monitoring, the same feature as the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Here's how the two ear-based fitness trackers size up.


AirPods Pro 3 [left], Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 [right]
The AirPods Pro 3 arrive with a number of improvements, but there are two big introductions that got the biggest reaction from commentators. Live translations and heart rate tracking.

While Live translations will be an all-new experience, heart rate tracking in an audio product is something Apple has done before.


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A teardown of Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter shows how Apple manages to squeeze a massive 60W charging capacity while also maintaining safety by monitoring the temperature.


Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter, disassembled - Image Credit: ChargerLab/YouTube
Apple is known for its innovative designs that even impacts accessories like its chargers. In a teardown of the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, Apple works hard to put as much charging performance into a unit that wouldn't look out of place against its other chargers.

The appeal of the 40W Dynamic Power Adapter is that it can deliver in excess of that headline figure. In fact, it is capable of outputting at up to 60W when needed by an iPhone 17 or a MacBook Pro.


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The first reviews of the iPhone 17 are now coming out, and every one of them says the same thing — the 2025 base model is excellent.


The new iPhone 17 — image credit: Apple
The top of the range iPhone 17 Pro Max is certainly getting a lot of love, and the brand-new iPhone Air is at least getting a lot of attention. But the base iPhone 17 is the phone most people should get, according to every review so far.




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The first reviews of Apple's flagship iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are in, and all of of them praise the battery life, and vibrant colors.


The new iPhone 17 Pro Max — image credit: Apple
With the iPhone 17 Pro Max going backordered almost instantly as preorders opened — and Chinese buyers breaking records for it — it doesn't seem like a lot of people are waiting for reviews. But as the first ones come in, they are mostly all validating the hype.

The Verge is about the only one that shrugs, calling it "a bold redesign but a basic upgrade." It also recommends that "most people should buy the regular iPhone 17."


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The initial reviews of the iPhone Air are in, and the slimline smartphone is being praised for its design but criticized for feature compromises.


The rear of the iPhone Air
The first reviews of the new iPhone variant, the iPhone Air, are starting to roll in. The initial impressions cover the considerable thinness of the model and its striking design versus other versions, as well as the compromises Apple had to make.

Those compromises also mean it has the dubious honor of being an iPhone release with a made-for-model accessory. The revival of the MagSafe battery is made specifically with the iPhone Air in mind, and it won't fit some other models.


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I’m Marco Arment, creator of Overcast, technology podcaster and writer, and coffee enthusiast.

Ten years ago, Apple’s Phil Schiller surprised Apple enthusiasts and developers by walking out on stage at John Gruber’s The Talk Show Live WWDC event and giving an open, human, honest interview to a somewhat jaded community.

I wrote this in response:

Both Apple and Phil Schiller himself took a huge risk in doing this. That they agreed at all is a noteworthy gift to this community of long-time enthusiasts, many of whom have felt under-appreciated as the company has grown.

[…]

Phil’s appearance on the show was warm, genuine, informative, and entertaining.

It was human.

And humanizing the company and its decisions, especially to developers — remember, developer relations is all under Phil — might be worth the PR risk.

This started a ten-year run of interviews by Apple executives on The Talk Show every year at WWDC that proved to be great, surprisingly safe PR for Apple.

No executive ever said something they shouldn’t have (they’re pros), no sensational or negative news stories ever resulted from them, and Apple’s enthusiastic fans and developers felt seen, heard, and appreciated.

*     *     *

For unspecified reasons, Apple has declined to participate this year, ending what had become a beloved tradition in our community — and I can’t help but suspect that it won’t come back. (A lot has changed in the meantime.)

Maybe Apple has good reasons. Maybe not. We’ll see what their WWDC PR strategy looks like in a couple of weeks.

In the absence of any other information, it’s easy to assume that Apple no longer wants its executives to be interviewed in a human, unscripted, unedited context that may contain hard questions, and that Apple no longer feels it necessary to show their appreciation to our community and developers in this way.

I hope that’s either not the case, or it doesn’t stay the case for long.

This will be the first WWDC I’m not attending since 2009 (excluding the remote 2020 one, of course). Given my realizations about my relationship with Apple and how they view developers, I’ve decided that it’s best for me to take a break this year, gain some perspective, and decide what my future relationship should look like.

Maybe Apple’s leaders are doing that, too.

Today, on the tenth anniversary of Overcast 1.0, I’m happy to launch a complete rewrite and redesign of most of the iOS app, built to carry Overcast into the next decade — and hopefully beyond.

Like podcasts better than blog posts? Listen to ATP #596 for more!

What’s new

• Much faster, more responsive, more reliable, and more accessible.
• Modern design, optimized for easily-reached controls on today’s phone sizes.
• Improvements throughout, such as undoing large seeks, new playlist-priority options, easier navigation, and more.

What’s not

• Most features. Overcast is still Overcast!
• The audio engine. It’s the best part of Overcast, and still leads the industry in sound quality, silence skipping, and volume normalization. (More soon!)
• The business. I’m still a one-person operation, with no funding or external ownership, serving only my customers.
• My principles. I always want to make the best podcast app, and I’ll never disrespect your time, attention, or privacy.

What’s gone

Streaming. Most big podcasts now use dynamic ad insertion, which causes bugs and problems for streaming playback.¹ Downloading episodes completely before they begin playback is much more reliable.

Tapping a non-downloaded episode will now open the playback screen, download it, then start playback. It works similarly to the way streaming did before, but playback begins after the download completes, not after a portion of it is buffered.

On today’s fast networks, this usually only takes a few extra seconds.

And in the near future, I’ll be adding smarter options and more control over selective downloading of episodes to further improve the experience for people who don’t automatically download every episode.

What’s next

• The last few missing features from the old app, such as Shortcuts support, storage management, and OPML. These are absent now, but will return soon.
• More options for downloading and deleting episodes.
• Upgrading the Apple Watch app to the new, faster sync engine. (The Watch app is currently unchanged from the previous one.)

And, of course, more features, including some of your most-requested features over the last decade.

Getting this rewrite out the door was a monumental task. Thank you for your patience as I work through this list!

Why?

Most of Overcast’s core code was 10 years old, which made it cumbersome or impossible to easily move with the times, adopt new iOS functionality, or add new features, especially as one person.

That’s why there haven’t been many new features or changes in years.

You saw it, and I saw it. I wasn’t able to serve my customers as well as I wanted.

For Overcast to have a future, it needed a modern foundation for its second decade. I’ve spent the past 18 months rebuilding most of the app with Swift, SwiftUI, Blackbird, and modern Swift concurrency.

Now, development is rapidly accelerating. I’m more responsive, iterating more quickly, and ultimately making the app much better.

Thank you all so much for the first decade of Overcast.

Here’s to the next one.

1. Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) splices ads into each download, and no two downloads are guaranteed to have the same number or duration of ads. So, for example, if the first half of an episode downloads, then the download fails, and it downloads the second half with another request, the combined audio may jump forward or back at the halfway mark, losing or repeating content. ↩︎

Overcast’s latest update (2022.2) brings the largest redesign in its nearly-eight-year history, plus many of the most frequently requested features and lots of under-the-hood improvements. I’m pretty proud of this one.

For this first and largest phase of the redesign, I focused on the home screen, playlist screen, typography, and spacing. (I plan to revamp the now-playing and individual-podcast screens in a later update.)

The home screen is radically different:

Home screen, before (left) and after (right).

• Playlists now have strong visual identities for nicer and easier navigation. Each playlist has a customizable color, and a custom icon can be selected from over 3,000 SF Symbols to match modern iOS design and the other icons within Overcast.

  And playlists can be manually reordered with drag-and-drop.

• Recently played and newly published episodes can now be displayed on the home screen for quick access, much like the widget and CarPlay experience.

• Podcasts can now be pinned to the top of the home-screen list.

  Pinned podcasts can also be manually reordered with drag-and-drop.

I’ve also rethought the old stacked “Podcasts” and “Played Podcasts” sections to better match people’s needs and expectations. Now, the toggle atop the podcast list switches between three modes: podcasts with current episodes, all followed podcasts, and inactive podcasts (those that you don’t follow and therefore won’t get any more episodes from, or haven’t posted a new episode in a long time).

The playlist screen’s structure remains mostly the same, while refining the design for the modern era:

Playlist screen, before (left) and after (right).

Here, it’s more apparent that I’ve replaced the system San Francisco font with an alternate variant, San Francisco Rounded, to increase legibility and better match the personality of the app.

I’ve also added highly demanded features:

• By far, Overcast’s most-requested feature is a Mark as Played feature. That’s now available as a checkmark button on episode rows, as well as a left-side swipe action.
• The second-most-requested feature is a way to view all starred episodes. Special playlists for Starred, Downloaded, and In Progress can now be created.

The light and dark themes now each have a customizable tint color from the modern iOS UI-color palette, including these favorites from beta testers:

And throughout the app, I’ve made tons of tweaks and bug fixes, including:

• Notifications and background downloads are now much more reliable.
• Episode downloads can now be individually deleted or re-downloaded.
• Links can now be opened in Safari. (under Nitpicky Details)
• Performance is now significantly better with very large playlists and collections.
• Fixed bugs with episode-duration detection, CarPlay lists, Mac-app sharing, and much more. So much is better in this update that I can’t even remember it all.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me beta-test this massive update.

As always, Overcast is free in the App Store. Go get it!

Losing Steve affected me more than it probably should have, given that I never met him or had any correspondence with him.

But losing him was devastating — not just to my world, but the world.

He was a sort of virtual father figure: I was always hoping that maybe Steve would notice something I did.

We all wanted his attention and approval, and that drove us to do better work — even those of us who never worked at Apple.

Nobody replaced him in this role. Nobody can.

But as an outsider who had no personal relationship with him to mourn, it has been most depressing to consider how much of his work the world missed out on.

He wasn’t taken from us after a long, complete life — he was taken in his prime.

He had so much more to offer the world.

After the dust settles from the developer class-action settlement, the South Korean law, the JFTC announcement, and the Apple v. Epic decision, I think the most likely long-term outcome isn’t very different from the status quo — and that’s a good thing.

Allowing external purchases

Here’s what I think we’ll end up with:

• Apple will still require apps to use their IAP system for any qualifying purchases that occur in the apps themselves.
• All app types will be allowed to link out to a browser for other purchase methods.

• Most apps will be required to also offer IAP side-by-side with any external methods.¹

  Only “Reader apps” will be exempt from this requirement.²

• Apple will have many rules regarding the display, descriptions, and behavior of external purchases, many of which will be unpublished and ever-changing. App Review will be extremely harsh, inconsistent, capricious, petty, and punitive with their enforcement.³
• Apple won’t require price-matching between IAP and external purchases.

These few but important corrections reduce Apple’s worst behavior and should relieve most regulatory pressure.

The result won’t look much different than the status quo:

Most big media apps (qualifying as “reader” apps) won’t offer IAP, but will finally be allowed to link to their websites from their apps and offer purchases there.

Many games will offer both IAP and external purchases, with the external choice offering a discount, bonus gems, extra loot boxes, or other manipulative tricks to optimize the profitability of casino games for children (commissions from which have been the largest portion of Apple’s “services revenue” to date).

Most importantly, many products, services, and business models will become possible that previously weren’t, leading to more apps, more competition, and more money going to more places.

External purchase methods will evolve to be almost as convenient as IAP (especially if Apple Pay is permitted in this context), and payment processors will reduce the burden of manual credit-card entry with shared credentials available across multiple apps.

The payment-fraud doomsday scenarios argued by Apple and many fans mostly won’t happen, in part because App Review will prevent most obvious cases, but also because parents don’t typically offer their credit cards to untrustworthy children; and for buyers of all ages, most credit cards themselves provide stronger fraud prevention and easier recourse from unwanted charges than the App Store ever has.

No side-loading

I don’t expect side-loading or alternative app stores to become possible, and I’m relieved, because that is not a future I want for iOS.

When evaluating such ideas, I merely ask myself:

“What would Facebook do?”

Facebook owns four of the top ten apps in the world. If side-loading became possible, Facebook could remove Instagram, WhatsApp, the Facebook app, and Messenger from Apple’s App Store, requiring customers to install these extremely popular apps directly from Facebook via side-loading.

And everyone would.

Most people use a Facebook-owned app not because it’s a good app, but because it’s a means to an important end in their life. Social pressure, family pressure, and network lock-in prevent most users from seeking meaningful alternatives. People would jump through a few hoops if they had to.

Facebook would soon have apps that bypassed App Review installed on the majority of iPhones in the world.

Technical limitations of the OS would prevent the most egregious abuses, but there’s a lot they could still do. We don’t need to do much imagining — they already have attempted multiple hacks, workarounds, privacy invasions, and other unscrupulous and technically invasive behavior with their apps over time to surveil user behavior outside of their app and stay running longer in the background than users intend or expect.

The OS could evolve over time to reduce some of these vulnerabilities, but technical measures alone cannot address all of them.

Without the threat of App Review to keep them in check, Facebook’s apps would become even more monstrous than they already are.

As a user and a fan of iOS, I don’t want any part of that.

No alternative app stores

Alternative app stores would be even worse. Rather than offering individual apps via side-loading, Facebook could offer just one:

The Facebook App Store.

Instagram, WhatsApp, the Facebook app, and Messenger could all be available exclusively there.

The majority of iOS users in the world would soon install it, and Facebook would start using leverage in other areas — apps’ social accounts, stats packages, app-install ads, ad-attribution requirements — to heavily incentivize (and likely strong-arm) a huge number of developers to offer their apps in the Facebook App Store, likely in addition to Apple’s.

Maybe I’d be required to add the Facebook SDK to my app in order to be in their store, which they would then use to surveil my users.

Maybe I’d need to buy app-install ads to show up in search there at all.

Maybe I’d need to pay Facebook to “promote” each app update to reach more than a tiny percentage of my existing customers.

And Facebook wouldn’t even be the only app store likely to become a large player on iOS.

Amazon would almost certainly bring their garbage “Appstore” to iOS, but at least that one probably wouldn’t go anywhere.

Maybe Google would bring the Play Store to iOS and offer a unified SDK to develop a single codebase for iOS and Android, effectively making every app feel like an Android app and further marginalizing native apps when they’re already hurting.

Media conglomerates that own many big-name properties, like Disney, might each have their own app stores for their high-profile apps. Running your own store means you can promote all of your own apps as much as you want. What giant corporation would resist?

Don’t forget games! Epic and Steam would come to iOS with their own game stores. Maybe Microsoft and Nintendo, too.

Maybe you’d need to install seven different app stores on your iPhone just to get the apps and games you already use — and all without App Review to keep them in check.

Most developers would probably need to start submitting our apps to multiple app stores, each with its own rules, metadata, technical requirements, capabilities, approval delays, payment processing, stats, crash reports, ads, promotion methods, and user reviews.

As a user, a multiple-app-store world sounds like an annoying mess; as a developer, it terrifies me.

Apple’s App Store is the devil we know. The most viable alternatives that would crop up would be far worse.

Course correction

The way Apple runs its business isn’t perfect, but it’s also not a democracy.

I loved this part of Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ decision in Apple v. Epic, as quoted by Ben Thompson’s excellent article that you should read:

Apple has not offered any justification for the actions other than to argue entitlement. Where its actions harm competition and result in supracompetitive pricing and profits, Apple is wrong.

I interpret “entitlement” without a negative connotation here — Apple is entitled to run their platform mostly as they wish, with governmental interference only warranted to fix market-scale issues that harm large segments of commerce or society.

As a developer, I’d love to see more changes to Apple’s control over iOS. But it’s hard to make larger changes without potentially harming much of what makes iOS great for both users and developers.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers got it right: we needed a minor course correction to address the most egregiously anticompetitive behavior, but most of the way Apple runs iOS is best left to Apple.

1. If the South Korean law holds, IAP may not be required — but only in South Korea. With this exception, I expect the rest of these rules to be enforced the same way globally. ↩︎

2. Apple defines “reader” apps as “[allowing] a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video).”

   This includes many apps that Apple’s services compete with, such as Netflix, Spotify, and Kindle, that raise anticompetitive concerns among regulators and legislators when forced to give Apple 30%. ↩︎

3. App Review has higher-level queues for managerial review of controversial rules or edge cases, typically identifiable from the outside by an app stuck with “In Review” status for days or weeks, and often ending in a phone call from “Bill”.

   I’d expect any app offering external purchases to have a very high chance of being escalated to a slower, more pain-in-the-ass review process, possibly causing it not to be worthwhile for most small developers to deal with.

   I have no plans to add external purchases to Overcast for multiple reasons, including this — but mostly because, for my purposes, I’m satisfied with Apple’s IAP system. ↩︎

Apple’s leaders continue to deny developers of two obvious truths:

• That our apps provide substantial value to iOS beyond the purchase commissions collected by Apple.
• That any portion of our customers came to our apps from our own marketing or reputation, rather than the App Store.

For Apple to continue to deny these is dishonest, factually wrong, and extremely insulting — not only to our efforts, but to the intelligence of all Apple developers and customers.

This isn’t about the 30%, or the 15%, or the prohibition of other payment systems, or the rules against telling our customers about our websites, or Apple’s many other restrictions. (Not today, at least.)

It’s about what Apple’s leadership thinks of us and our work.

*     *     *

It isn’t the App Store’s responsibility to the rest of Apple to “pay its way” by leveraging hefty fees on certain types of transactions. Modern society has come to rely so heavily on mobile apps that any phone manufacturer must ensure that such a healthy ecosystem exists as table stakes for anyone to buy their phones.

Without our apps, the iPhone has little value to most of its customers today.

If Apple wishes to continue advancing bizarre corporate-accounting arguments, the massive profits from the hardware business are what therefore truly “pay the way” of the App Store, public APIs, developer tools, and other app-development resources, just as the hardware profits must fund the development of Apple’s own hardware, software, and services that make the iPhone appeal to customers.

The forced App Store commissions, annual developer fees, and App Store Search Ads income are all just gravy. The “way” is already paid by the hardware — but Apple uses their position of power to double-dip.

And that’s just business. Apple’s a lot of things, and “generous” isn’t one.

But to bully and gaslight developers into thinking that we need to be kissing Apple’s feet for permitting us to add billions of dollars of value to their platform is not only greedy, stingy, and morally reprehensible, but deeply insulting.

*     *     *

Apple further extends the value argument, and defends their justification for forced commissions, by claiming responsibility for and ownership of the customer relationship between all iOS users and each app they choose to use.

This argument only makes sense — and even then, only somewhat — when apps are installed by a customer browsing the App Store, finding an app they hadn’t previously heard of, and choosing to install it based on App Store influence alone.

But in the common case — and for most app installations, the much more common case — of searching for a specific app by name or following a link or ad based on its developer’s own marketing or reputation, Apple has served no meaningful role in the customer acquisition and “deserves” nothing more from the transaction than what a CDN and commodity credit-card processor would charge.

The idea that the App Store is responsible for most customers of any reasonably well-known app is a fantasy.

It isn’t the App Store that has enabled all of the commerce on iOS — it’s the entire world of computing and modern society, created by a symbiotic ecosystem in which Apple played one part alongside many others. The world was already moving in this direction, and had Apple not played its part, someone else would’ve. The App Store is merely one platform’s forced distribution gateway, “facilitating” the commerce no more and no less than a web browser, an ISP or cellular carrier, a server-hosting company, or a credit-card processor.

For Apple to continue to claim otherwise is beyond insulting, and borders on delusion.

*     *     *

At WWDC next week, these same people are going to try to tell us a different story.

They’re going to tell us how amazing we are, how important our work is, and how much they value us. And for thousands of Apple employees who’ve made the great products and platforms that we love, including the hundreds of engineers presenting the sessions and working the labs, it’ll be genuine and true.

But the leaders have already shown us who they really are, what they really think of us, and how much they value our work.

Please forgive some sloppiness in my metaphors or phrasing — my writing skills are pretty rusty — and I’ll return the favor to anyone who responds.

A summary of today’s changes to 3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods:

Your app must use Apple’s in-app-purchase (IAP) system for all purchases made in the app.

Unless they’re purchases for goods or services that are consumed outside the app, in which case you are prohibited from using IAP.

Unless those goods or services consumed outside the app are magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video, in which case, you are required to use IAP.

But if your app only “reads” previously purchased magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video, and doesn’t mention the possibility of purchases anywhere in the app, you don’t need to use IAP.

Unless you offer account creation, in which case, you are required to use IAP.

Unless you only offer free account creation, in which case, you don’t need to use IAP.

But if you offer paid upgrades from free accounts within the app, you are required to use IAP.

Except for accounts that were created outside the app, which can offer paid account upgrades and don’t need to use IAP.

If you’re selling “experiences” between people, you don’t need to use IAP.

Unless those “experiences” include three or more people, or aren’t consumed live, in which case, you are required to use only IAP.

If your purchase is for services, features, or game items, you are required to use only IAP.

Unless you operate on multiple platforms, in which case, you can also offer purchasing outside the app. But you can’t tell anyone about it.

Unless you get their contact info somewhere else, in which case, you can tell them about it, but not in the app.

You are required to use IAP even if you sell your app or service directly to other people.

Unless you only sell it to businesses or groups for their employees or students to use, in which case, you still must use IAP, but you can include your own payment method as well.

Unless those groups are families, or unless those employees or students are somehow “consumers”, in which case, you must only use IAP.

Do I have that right?

*     *     *

How about an alternative that’s clear, fair, reasonable, and consistently enforceable?

Apps may offer other payment mechanisms in their app, as long as terms are clear and customers aren’t misled, and may or may not choose to implement in-app purchase based on its merits.

In one stroke, antitrust and regulatory pressure disappear, developer relations are significantly repaired, and Apple can go back to spending its time, resources, PR, and political capital on making their products better and customers happier.

The latest update to Overcast includes a feature that I’m especially proud of that took over a year to build.

Voice Boost 2 is an all-new audio engine that includes professional-grade, mastering-quality loudness normalization.

When I first introduced Overcast in 2014, Voice Boost was one of its headlining features:

Voice Boost is a combination of dynamic compression and equalization that can make many shows more listenable and normalize volume across all shows. This makes amateur-produced podcasts (including many of my favorites) more listenable in loud environments, like cars, where you’d otherwise need to crank the volume so loudly to hear the quiet parts that you’d blow your ears out when the loudest person spoke.

Voice Boost 2 achieves the same goal as the original Voice Boost, but with dramatically more sophisticated methods, leading to more consistent results and much better sound quality.

Goals

When I wrote the original Voice Boost with only a rudimentary understanding of audio processing, it was a single configuration of Apple’s AudioUnits that applied a fixed set of parameters to all podcasts, regardless of their audio characteristics. It was an effective but blunt tool, relying on aggressive level compression and a strong EQ to make the compression less noticeable.

Since then, I’ve edited over 500 podcasts, learned a lot more about how to master them properly, and developed a much better understanding of audio signal processing.

I set out to develop a better, smarter, and more refined Voice Boost that took advantage of everything I’d learned, with these audio goals:

• The effect should be much more subtle: mostly just consistent volume, plus slightly smoother tone.
• It should analyze the input audio and apply just enough processing to achieve a consistent volume level, modifying already-good audio as little as possible.
• It should sound good, and consistent, regardless of the volume dynamics of its input.
• Quality should be so good that I can even play high-quality music through it¹ and not notice any artifacts.

And these technical goals:

• Like Smart Speed and the original Voice Boost, it had to work as a streaming process, easily toggled on and off at will, without needing to scan the entire file first or look very far ahead.
• The code had to be pure C, with highly optimized and vectorized code, so it wouldn’t be a major power drain on older phones and could potentially run on much lower-power devices as well.
• I had to write every component from scratch, without using AudioUnits, because I wanted to understand and control everything, ensure the highest performance and sound quality, and avoid Apple’s platform-specific API limits.²
• It had to be modular and easily customizable, like a channel strip in an audio editor, so I could adjust the processing during development and testing, offer user customization down the road, and use the same engine to build myself a modular podcast-preproduction tool to save time in my weekly workflow (which I’ve been using for over a year).³

Live LUFS normalization

Since Voice Boost is mostly about high-quality volume analysis and loudness normalization, I went straight to the top, implementing the ITU BS.1770–4 standard that gives us the LUFS measurement seen in high-end audio editors.

Overcast now measures and adjusts podcast levels using this broadcast-standard perceptual loudness algorithm, at full quality, with no preprocessing.

Voice Boost 2 normalizes all podcasts to –14 LUFS — a level I chose because it closely matches the volume of Siri and most iOS turn-by-turn navigation voices, so when you’re listening to a podcast while driving, navigation interruptions are less jarring.

Most professionally produced podcasts are already mastered to similar volume levels, so Voice Boost 2 won’t overcompress them with aggressive processing — it’ll only apply as much correction as necessary to make them all the same volume.

A brief tutorial on clipping and distortion

This is about to get nerdier, but bear with me. (Yes, nerdier than ITU broadcast-loudness standards.)

Given a loudness measurement for the incoming audio, quieter podcasts need to be amplified to reach the target. But perceived loudness isn’t the peak of the incoming audio stream — it’s more of an average. Quiet-sounding audio can still have brief moments of loud peaks.

When increasing the volume of digital audio, the biggest challenge is not “clipping” during the peaks — not having any part of the signal pass above the volume ceiling of 0 dB. (It’s a negative scale. This is also why the LUFS value above, which is closely related to the decibel scale used here, is negative.)

Here’s the highest the signal should go, showing the individual audio samples (green dots) that can be processed by a podcast app before the DAC transforms them into audio (smooth green line):

It’ll sound right as long as the audio doesn’t cross above that top line (0 dB). Increase the volume even slightly too far, and some of the samples just slam into it and stay there, losing the tops of their smooth curves:

And that sounds terrible.

But I can’t just cap all the samples right below the limit and call it a day — that’s called a brickwall limiter — because then the shape of the audio line will actually represent different frequencies, telling the DAC to add noise that wasn’t really there.

Here, the bottom of each image shows the frequency breakdown:

The unclipped signal (left) shows only its original frequency of about 2100 Hz, but a basic brickwall limiter (right) results in the unwanted introduction of a bunch of extra frequencies.

That’s distortion. (If this is interesting to you, learn more about audio sampling theory here.)

Lookahead limiter

Avoiding audible distortion requires a lookahead limiter, which looks… ahead (😎) at the audio coming down the pipeline, and smoothly ramps the volume amplification down as a loud peak is approaching, then back up again afterward, just enough to avoid clipping and audible distortion, but so quickly that you don’t notice.⁴

After Voice Boost 2’s complete 32-bit audio processing pipeline, the last stage is a lookahead limiter, configured such that it can’t clip, no matter what audio comes through.

This gives vast flexibility in volume processing without sacrificing quality.

Voice Boost 2 also incorporates a dynamics compressor, but over time, I’ve kept reducing its strength as I’ve found it less necessary. Proper LUFS processing with a great lookahead limiter provides excellent volume normalization with almost no compression needed afterward.

True-peak detection

There’s one more way to introduce clipping that needs to be guarded against.

Digital audio is represented by samples that represent a point in time (green dots, again) on a sound wave (green line). But the sampled points don’t always land at the exact peaks of those waves:

The most common way to measure the peak of a waveform is to find the greatest absolute sample value. By this method, the top waveform peaks here would measure about –6 dB and –1.5 dB, respectively.

But the actual peak amplitudes of these waves is –1 dB! A simple limiter could still output clipped audio because it’s not seeing the true peaks.

Voice Boost 2’s limiter performs true-peak detection, rather than simply measuring sample peaks, to avoid this type of clipping and further reduce distortion.

Mastering-quality processing for everyone

Voice Boost 2 is a mastering-quality audio-processing pipeline that applies broadcast-standard loudness normalization, light compression and EQ, and a true-peak lookahead limiter to your podcasts, in real time, without sacrificing quality or battery life.

And it runs at less than 1% CPU usage on an iPhone SE.⁵

I intend to expose some of its customizability to customers in future updates, but I wanted to develop and ship the best default settings first to keep the app simple and usable to everyone. Now that it’s available to everyone, I may still subtly tweak the defaults in response to feedback. But as I’ve refined the settings during the beta period to be more universal, less customization has been necessary.⁶

Having achieved its goals of being more consistent and less aggressive, Voice Boost 2 is intentionally transparent. It’s not promoted more in the app or even labeled “Voice Boost 2”. It’s still Voice Boost — just better now.

If I did my job well, you’ll hardly notice it at all. You’ll have no idea that your podcasts are being remastered in your pocket.

But I’ll know. And the handful of you who really care will know. And that’s enough for me.

Voice Boost 2 is in today’s update (2020.1), along with these new features:

• AirPlay 2: Overcast can now play to HomePods and other AirPlay 2 devices much more responsively, with full-blown Smart Speed and Voice Boost, on iOS 13.1 and above.⁷
• Skip intros/outros: There’s a new per-podcast setting to skip a given number of seconds from the start and/or end of its episodes.
• Clip-sharing from private feeds. In retrospect, this restriction was unnecessary, so I lifted it.
• Restored iOS 12 compatibility. Going 13-only so soon was a mistake. Hear why on Under The Radar 181 and 183.

As usual, all of this is free for everyone in Overcast.

1. Those awesome Trey Anastasio acoustic shows are pretty quiet. ↩︎

2. Apple doesn’t make all of their audio APIs available on all platforms: some are Mac-only and never came to iOS, and watchOS has an even smaller subset than iOS. The more I can accomplish in my own code, the less I depend on Apple’s choices for which APIs they make available to developers. ↩︎

3. It’s just a command-line tool for now. You don’t want it. (But if you do… someday, maybe.) ↩︎

4. This all happens in milliseconds. ↩︎

5. At 1X, with Smart Speed enabled.

   Smart Speed was actually entirely rewritten as part of Voice Boost 2, but it’s less interesting. It performs the same job as before, but much more efficiently, and taking advantage of the measured loudness when Voice Boost is also enabled. ↩︎

6. For instance, I also built a de-esser into Voice Boost 2, but it slowly became unnecessary as I improved the other processing, so it’s not currently enabled. ↩︎

7. Smart Speed is a big deal here, I think — I’m not aware of any other podcast apps with silence-skipping over AirPlay 2.

   (Or LUFS normalization, or true-peak lookahead limiters.) ↩︎

In light of today’s rumor that a Pro Mode may be coming that seems to offer benefits in the opposite direction,¹ I wanted to re-make the case for a Low Power Mode on macOS — and explain why now is the time.

Modern hardware constantly pushes thermal and power limits, trying to strike a balance that minimizes noise and heat while maximizing performance and battery life.

Software also plays a role, trying to keep everything background-updated, content-indexed, and photo-analyzed so it’s ready for us when we want it, but not so aggressively that we notice any cost to performance or battery life.

Apple’s customers don’t usually have control over these balances, and they’re usually fixed at design time with little opportunity to adapt to changing circumstances or customer priorities.

The sole exception, Low Power Mode on iOS, seems to be a huge hit: by offering a single toggle that chooses a different balance, people are able to greatly extend their battery life when they know they’ll need it.²

Mac laptops need Low Power Mode, too. I believe so strongly in its potential because I’ve been using it on my laptops (in a way) for years, and it’s fantastic.

I’ve been disabling Intel Turbo Boost on my laptops with Turbo Boost Switcher Pro most of the time since 2015.

In 2018, I first argued for Low Power Mode on macOS with a list of possible tweaks, concluding that disabling Turbo Boost was still the best bang-for-the-buck tweak to improve battery life without a noticeable performance cost in most tasks.³

Recently, as Intel has crammed more cores and higher clocks into smaller form factors and pushed thermal limits to new extremes, the gains have become even more significant. Here’s some thermal testing from my 8-core 16-inch MacBook Pro:

16-inch MacBook Pro (Late 2019, 2.4 GHz 8-core i9)   Power Temp. Geekbench 5 single/multi xcodebuild Normal 82W 90°C 1260/7386 39 sec. No Turbo 31W−62% 65°C 669/5206−46/29% 62 sec.+59%

With Turbo Boost disabled, peak CPU power consumption drops by 62%, with a correspondingly huge reduction in temperature. This has two massive benefits:

• The fans never audibly spin up. When Turbo Boost is enabled, the fans annoyingly spin up every time the system is under a heavy sustained load. Disable it, and it’s almost impossible to get them to be audible.
• It runs significantly cooler. Turbo Boost lets laptops get too hot to comfortably hold in your lap, and so much heat radiates out that it can make hands sweaty. Disable it, and the laptop only gets moderately warm, not hot, and hands stay comfortably dry.

I haven’t done formal battery testing on the 16-inch, since it’s so difficult and time-consuming to do in a controlled way that’s actually useful to people, but anecdotally, I’m seeing similar battery gains by disabling Turbo Boost that I’ve seen with previous laptops: significantly longer battery life that I’d estimate to be between 30–50%.

This comes at a cost to performance, but:

• It’s not noticeable on most workloads.
• Parallel workloads are affected far less than single-threaded tasks, and most modern heavy workloads are parallelized.

• This is an 8-core laptop that’s competitive with my iMac Pro! It’s much faster than most people need (myself included) most of the time, so I can spare some performance to get other benefits.

  A fast laptop isn’t very useful if your hands are too sweaty to type, the battery dies in the middle of a flight, or the loud fans ruin your audio recording.

• When I really want to maximize performance, Turbo Boost Switcher Pro lets me quickly toggle it in the menu bar, so switching between modes is easy.

The vast majority of the time I’m using it, the 16-inch MacBook Pro is a much better laptop with Turbo Boost disabled.

It’s still fast enough to do everything I need (including significant development with Xcode), while remaining silent and cool, with incredible battery life.

But soon, I bet I won’t be able to do this anymore.

Turbo Boost Switcher Pro relies on a kernel extension that’s grandfathered into Apple’s latest security requirements, but it can never be updated — and when macOS Catalina loads it for the first time, it warns that it’ll be “incompatible with a future version of macOS.” I suspect that this is the last year I’ll get to run the latest OS and be able to turn off Turbo Boost at will, making all of my future laptop usage significantly worse.

Please, Apple, make this feature official: give us a Low Power Mode for macOS that disables Turbo Boost to keep our laptops cool, quiet, and long-lasting at times when those are more important to us than speed.

1. My guess is that “Pro Mode” doesn’t raise the peak performance, but instead raises the fan speeds to allow longer sustained operation at high Turbo Boost speeds. ↩︎

2. Low Power Mode has been so successful on iOS that Apple also thought it worthwhile to add a Low Data Mode to iOS 13, offering similar control over data usage. (Mac owners can get similar functionality with the excellent TripMode.) ↩︎

3. As I wrote back then, disabling discrete GPUs and Photos analysis are other obvious contributors to a good Mac Low Power Mode. ↩︎

After my first day with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, I’m very optimistic about it.

🎧  Hear more on today’s Accidental Tech Podcast!

Two years ago, I wrote a wishlist to fix the MacBook Pro, and the 16-inch doesn’t actually deliver most of it. But time and technological progress are slowly getting Apple off the hook:

• The ports are unchanged. We’ll still need dongles. But USB-C is gradually becoming more common, and dongles are slowly — very slowly — getting less shitty.
• The Touch Bar isn’t optional. But a new hardware Esc key removes one of its biggest drawbacks, and accidental input should be reduced by the increased spacing between the Touch Bar and the top row of keys.
• The power brick still lacks its previous conveniences. There’s still no cable management, safety breakaway, or charging LED. But third parties are slowly filling some of these gaps.
• The headphone jack is still on the right (wrong) side, despite most single-sided headphone cables entering the left earcup. But the need for wired headphones is decreasing over time.

Addressing those would be nice, but as I wrote then, they paled in comparison to one huge issue: the butterfly keyboard.

The MacBook Pro must return to scissor keyswitches. If Apple only changes one thing about the next MacBook Pro, it should be this. It’s far more important than anything else on this list. […]

The Magic Keyboard’s scissor switches feel similar, but with a bit more travel, and all of the reliability and resilience of previous keyboard generations. […]

The Magic Keyboard only needs one change to be perfect for the MacBook Pro: returning to the “inverted-T” arrow-key arrangement by making the left- and right-arrow keys half-height again. This arrangement is much more natural and less error-prone because we can align our fingers by feeling the “T” shape, a crucial affordance for such frequently used keys that are so far from the home row.

That’s exactly what they’ve done, and I couldn’t be happier.

The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is a great computer in most other ways, but so were the MacBook Pros from the last few years. They were fast, powerful, capable workstations… but the butterfly keyboard took away from it all.

Not anymore.

I’m on cloud nine. Look at this glorious keyboard! An Esc key! Inverted-T arrow keys! A millimeter of key travel! Enough spacing between the keys for our fingers to accurately orient themselves! And keystrokes will probably work, 100% of the time, for years!

Five years ago, nobody would’ve considered any of these noteworthy, and readers would’ve suspected you weren’t of sound mind if you included them in a review.

Five years ago, laptop keyboards were fine. Everyone was pretty much satisfied with the ones they had, they worked, and we never had to talk or think about them.

Today, finally, we begin heading back to that world.

The butterfly keyboard was an anomaly — it was a huge departure from everything else we’d ever used, mostly not in good ways.

The new keyboard is very similar to the recent desktop Magic Keyboard, and I expect it to have a wide appeal, just as the Magic Keyboard does. It has slightly less travel and spacing, but the overall feeling is very similar — and it’s nothing at all like the butterfly keyboard.

I absolutely love it — not because it’s the most amazing keyboard in the world, but because it’s completely forgettable in the best possible way. It just feels normal again.

There’s a lot more to love about the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The screen and battery are bigger, but the size and weight barely increased. It’s almost as fast as my iMac Pro, and the new thermals can sustain higher performance. The speakers and microphone got huge, unexpected improvements.

And I didn’t get everything I wanted. But many of my wishlist items fall outside of what Apple is likely to ever do, and all of them are much less important than making the computer’s primary input device functional, acceptable, and reliable. Now we have the luxury of being able to complain about less-urgent wishes.

The biggest change is that I finally don’t feel like it’s constantly fighting me. Its design doesn’t feel spiteful. It’s a computer that doesn’t seem to hate being a computer. I’m not afraid to use it in the world, and I’m not avoiding using it because it’s unpleasant. The butterfly keyboard was the opposite, it never got better, I never got used to it, and good riddance to it.

Following in the footsteps of the fantastic iMac Pro, updated Mac Mini, and upcoming Mac Pro, the release of the 16-inch MacBook Pro ends a painful chapter of neglect and hubristic design of the Mac. Apple has finally turned the ship around.

We haven’t had long enough to fully test it yet. There may be flaws or shortcomings discovered over time — there usually are (and always have been). But frankly, it could catch fire twice a week and it would still be my favorite laptop Apple has made since 2015. Fortunately, upon initial usage, nothing bad really jumps out.

The new MacBook Pro has no massive asterisks or qualifications. It’s a great computer, period, and it feels so good to be able to say that again.

For the first time in years, without any major exceptions, we can see that Apple loves computers as much as we do.

🎧  Much more detail and discussion in the podcast!

Today’s Overcast update (2019.6) brings some great new features.

But first, I need to set low expectations for iOS 13, watchOS 6, and macOS Catalina updates this fall. Halfway through the summer, I’ve made much less progress than expected, having been overwhelmed by the required OS changes, my own technical and design debts, and unusually rough betas.

Rather than shipping a big iOS update, a standalone Watch app, and a Mac app on day one, these will probably come incrementally over the next year.

Fortunately, I haven’t stopped improving the app in the meantime.

Per-podcast customization, longer clips

You can now set download-vs.-stream and auto-delete behavior per podcast, one of the most frequently requested features over the last few years. (Sorry it took so long — it required a lot of server-side work for uninteresting reasons.)

I’ve also raised the clip-sharing length limit to 90 seconds. When I debuted this feature, I had to guess how it would be used and received, and 60 seconds seemed like a good limit. In practice, that’s sometimes a bit too short to capture a complete thought. 90 seconds should be better — most clips won’t need to be that long, but it’ll be nice to have the headroom when you need it.

“Suggestions for You” replacing Twitter

Overcast has had a Twitter-powered social-recommendations feature since version 1.0 in 2014, which made sense at the time: I didn’t have any popularity data to generate recommendations from, and social networks were nicer places to be than they are today.

But after five years, only 10% of active users have connected a Twitter account in Overcast, and only 0.2% of new podcast subscriptions have actually been added via Twitter recommendations.

Not only was the feature not providing much value to the 10% of people who enabled it, but the other 90% of Overcast’s customers haven’t been getting personalized recommendations at all.

In the meantime, I’ve accumulated five years of popularity data, so I tried writing my own recommendation engine. It worked — and it’s better.

Overcast now offers its own data-driven recommendation engine, and I’ve removed Twitter integration entirely.

Podcasts in the new “Suggestions for You” section of the Add Podcast screen are based on the shows you subscribe to, and what else their subscribers subscribe to, which gives much better recommendations without involving any social networks.

Most importantly, it works for all of Overcast’s customers.

*     *     *

As always, Overcast is free in the App Store. Give it a try.

Something big changed at Apple around the beginning of 2017.

They had encountered significant turbulence in the product line over the preceding years, especially Macs. It was a rough time to be a pro Mac user.

The “trash can” 2013 Mac Pro addressed only a fraction of the needs solved by the previous “cheese grater” towers, aged quickly without critical upgrade paths, and suffered from high GPU-failure rates from its cooling solution — all because its design prioritized size and appearance over performance and versatility in the one Mac model that should never make that tradeoff.

Over the next few years, it became clear that the Mac Pro was an embarrassing, outdated flop that Apple seemed to have little intention of ever updating, leaving its customers feeling unheard and abandoned. I think Apple learned a small lesson from it, but they learned a much bigger one a few years later.

The current MacBook Pro generation launched in late 2016, and I think Apple was truly caught completely by surprise when the new Touch Bar, sparse USB-C-only port offerings, high prices, and highly polarizing butterfly keyboard were met with harsh criticism, mixed reviews, and high failure rates. This one really hurt: while the Mac Pro is a niche machine for the highest-end and most-specialized needs, the popular MacBook Pro is the lifeblood of the Mac.

By the end of 2016, in addition to the generally buggy, neglected state macOS seemed to be perpetually stuck in, Apple had replaced its entire “pro” Mac lineup with controversial, limiting products that seemed optimized to flex Apple’s industrial-design muscles rather than actually addressing their customers’ needs.

The only company that can make computers for our OS seemed incapable of making good computers anymore. Each update threatened to remove or break things we needed or loved. Their newest designs felt punitive, rather than feeling like a celebration of computing.

Then, in April 2017, out of nowhere, Apple held a Mac Pro roundtable discussion with the press to announce that they were in the early stages of completely redesigning the Mac Pro.¹

The follow-up briefing a year later promised that the new Mac Pro would be released in 2019, and publicized the existence of a “Pro Workflow Team” of real pro users working inside Apple to inform the direction of their pro hardware and software.

It sounded like they’d gone from not listening to their customers at all to an institutionalized process of listening. And the newly designed Macs released since then have been great.²

The late-2017 iMac Pro, which I’m using to write this, is the best Mac I’ve ever owned by far. It’s versatile, incredibly powerful, beautiful, and silent. It’s so good that I’ll probably never really need a Mac Pro again,³ and if this was the only new “Mac Pro”, I’d be mostly fine with that.

The late-2018 Mac Mini replaced a pitiful, punitive, neglected relic with a practical, powerful mini-Mac-Pro. Apple could’ve let it die, or replaced it with a tiny, no-port marvel of uselessness, but instead, they made a computer so good that I started and ended a YouTube mini-career just to review it.

And the 2019 Mac Pro, finally unveiled last week, looks to be absolutely killer — it’s the first true successor to the tower Mac Pro, which saw its last real update almost a decade ago in 2010.⁴ It’s big, bulky, ludicrously fast, and almost obscenely upgradeable — exactly what a Mac Pro needs to be, and far better than any of us expected.

The new Mac Pro is, truly, a celebration of computing.

Even more importantly than any hardware releases, macOS itself has also seen massive engineering effort recently. For the first time in a decade, the Mac was a major focus of WWDC, with great new APIs poised to usher in a huge wave of fresh software.

To be fair, this story hasn’t ended yet. The Mac Pro isn’t actually out yet (and will be very expensive), they still need to resolve the problematic MacBook Pro with its next generation (rumors are promising), and the lack of standalone Apple displays under six thousand dollars really hurts the Mac Pro story.⁵

But I’m optimistic for the first time in years.

It’s hard to tell when Apple is listening. They speak concisely, infrequently, and only when they’re ready, saying absolutely nothing in the meantime, even when we’re all screaming about a product line as if it’s on fire. They make great progress, but often with courageous losses that never get reversed, so an extended silence because we’re stuck with a change forever is indistinguishable from an extended silence because the fix isn’t ready yet.

But there has clearly been a major shift in direction for the better since early 2017, and they couldn’t be more clear now:

Apple is listening again, they’ve still got it, and the Mac is back.

1. Based on what we’ve learned since, they had likely started the project a very short time before holding the roundtable. ↩︎

2. I’m excluding the 2018 MacBook Air because it feels like a stopgap that wasn’t originally planned to exist — the no-Touch-Bar 13” MacBook “Escape” seemed intended to replace it — that was rushed into the 2016-era generation mid-cycle, rather than being the first of a new design. Even so, with the large exception of the butterfly keyboard, it’s quite good. ↩︎

3. This doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t buy one. ↩︎

4. The 2010/“2012” Mac Pro was so good, and so upgradeable, that it’s still in surprisingly widespread use today for needs that weren’t possible or compelling on the “trashcan” successor. ↩︎

5. And the MacBook Pro. A very common setup for developers — Apple’s largest identified segment of pro users — is a 15” MacBook Pro connected to an external monitor, for which a good solution no longer exists. Developers would be much better served by a $1,500-ish standalone version of the iMac’s 5K display than a $6,000 XDR reference monitor for professional video colorists. ↩︎

Sharing podcasts has never been easy, but I’ve always tried to lead the way with Overcast, with publicly shareable episode links and optional recommendations from your Twitter friends since version 1.0 in 2014.

Podcast sharing has been limited to audio and links, but today’s social networks are more reliant on images and video, especially Instagram. Podcasts need video clips to be shared more easily today.

I’ve seen some video clips from tools specific to certain podcast networks or hosts, but they were never available to everyone, or for every show. So people mostly just haven’t shared podcast clips, understandably, because it has been too hard.

Not anymore.

▶️ ↩️

This remark on Unco by Stephen Hackett inspired me to finally solve this problem in a way that worked easily, for all podcasts, for both podcasters and listeners to use.

With today’s 2019.4 update¹, you can now share audio or video clips, up to a minute each, from any public podcast. Simply tap the share button in the upper-right corner.

You can generate an audio clip, or portrait, landscape, or square video, using your current Overcast theme setting.

In order to help spread podcasts further, I didn’t want to be heavy-handed in the Overcast branding — not everyone wants to advertise for one specific podcast app when promoting their shows. So the “Shared with Overcast” badge is optional, and if you’d like, you can also add an Apple Podcasts badge.

Finally, I wanted to extend the same app-agnosticism to Overcast’s share links. While this design still needs a lot of modernization, I’ve done a small refresh:

Now, for non-logged-in visitors, Overcast’s public sharing pages display badges for other podcast apps and the RSS feed for any podcast listed in Apple Podcasts.

It’s important for me to promote other apps like this, and to make it easy even for other people’s customers to benefit from Overcast’s sharing features, because there are much bigger threats than letting other open-ecosystem podcast apps get a few more users.

For podcasting to remain open and free, we must not leave major shortcomings for proprietary, locked-down services to exploit.² Conversely, the more we strengthen the open podcast ecosystem with content, functionality, and ease of use, the larger the barrier becomes that any walled garden must overcome to be compelling.

One of the most common shortcomings we hear is that podcasts are hard to share. Hopefully, Overcast’s new clip-sharing feature changes that, and other apps build similar features soon.

So go get Overcast and start sharing your favorite moments. It’ll help me, of course, but more importantly, it’ll help your favorite shows gain listeners, and it’ll strengthen the amazing, open, standards-based world of podcasting.

1. Like Slopes and Castro, I’ve changed to a date-based version-numbering scheme — 2019.4 is the fourth update released in 2019, the next version will be 2019.5, and so on — partly because version numbers don’t really matter anymore, but mostly because I no longer wanted to delay completed features until a major-version change or worry that I didn’t do enough to justify a certain number. ↩︎

2. YouTube was able to dominate video because it made everything easy in a medium that (at the time) was very hard to do elsewhere. If a proprietary service takes a very hard aspect of podcasting and makes it very easy, it may rapidly rise to prominence.

   Other major shortcomings I’m concerned about: the difficulty of getting sponsorships for small shows (“AdSense for podcasts”), and the complexity of creation and publishing (“Tumblr for podcasts”). This is probably why Spotify bought Anchor. ↩︎

▶️

The first thing someone does in a podcast app is add some podcasts, and most active Overcast users add at least two new podcasts each month.

Over 80% of podcasts are added to Overcast by searching, with the vast majority as searches for a specific podcast by name (rather than searching for generic keywords, such as “business”).

Good search is a critical, differentiating feature of any podcast app.

I’m not satisfied if the podcast you’re looking for is somewhere in the middle of a long list — I want it to be the first one, displayed quickly, after typing the fewest characters possible. I’ve been building toward this by analyzing years of popularity statistics and anonymous search data.

Instant Search is the next step in Overcast’s search evolution. It combines a small local cache with a highly optimized search service to give the most relevant results immediately as you type, even after only a single letter.¹

It’s a dramatic, delightful improvement to a critical, frequently used feature. This was a lot of fun to build, and I’m proud of it.

See for yourself! Overcast is free on the App Store.

1. If Instant Search isn’t instant right after you update, the cache hasn’t fully downloaded yet. It’s downloaded weekly, only on Wi-Fi, and is less than 5 MB. ↩︎

Watch my video review of the new iPad Pro in both sizes.

Rather than try to be comprehensive, I focused on what matters most to me: size choice between the 11” and 12.9”, the Smart Keyboard Folio from my perspective as a frequent 10.5” Smart Keyboard user, the new Pencil, and why “getting work done” isn’t important to me.

Watch the video review

I hardly ever think about my Mac Mini, but it serves a vital role for my family as our home-theater mixer, Plex server, ScanSnap server, Apple Photos backup, and Backblaze host for our NAS.¹ Almost every port on the back is in use, and it runs 24/7, reliably, in total silence.

Until last week, I thought it would be the last Mac Mini that Apple ever made.

And when rumors started swirling about an imminent Mac Mini update, I assumed the worst: if it came at all, it would be a tiny box with a slow, ultra-low-power processor and almost zero ports, optimizing for small size instead of versatility.

I don’t think this was an unreasonable fear after the 2014 Mac Mini update, which made many key aspects much worse without making anything much better. It seemed clear then, and for the following four years that it went without an update, that Apple held the Mac Mini and its customers in very low regard.

Not anymore.

The 2018 Mac Mini is real, and it’s spectacular.

It makes almost nothing worse and almost everything better, finally bringing the Mac Mini into the modern age.

Ports! Glorious ports!

Number one — and this is a big one these days, especially for this product — is that it’s not any less useful or versatile than the outgoing Mac Mini, including the generous assortment of ports. If the previous one served a role for you, the new one can probably do it just as well, and probably better and faster, with minimal donglage.²

It’s the same size as the old one, which is the right tradeoff. I know zero Mac Mini owners who really need it to get smaller, and many who don’t want it to get fewer ports or worse performance.

The point of the Mac Mini is to be as versatile as possible, addressing lots of diverse and edge-case needs that the other Macs can’t with their vastly different form factors and more opinionated designs. The Mac Mini needs to be a utility product, not a design statement. (Although, even as someone tired of space-gray everything, I have to admit that the Mini looks fantastic in its new color.)

The base price has increased to $800, and that’s not great. It’s partly justifiable because it’s much higher-end than before — the processors are much better, the architecture is higher-end and includes big advances like the T2, and all-SSD is standard — but it’s still an expensive product in absolute terms.

Apple lent me a high-end configuration for review — 6-core i7, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD — which would cost $2499 (much of which is the SSD). This would’ve sounded crazy to spend on a Mac Mini a few years ago, but when it’s specced up like this, it’s targeting a much higher-end market than the previous model could. Compared to similarly specced iMacs and MacBook Pros, the pricing is generally reasonable.

And this can truly be a pro desktop, with just one exception.

Benchmarks

The big story to me is how incredibly fast this thing is. Granted, I’m testing the fastest CPU offered, but damn.

Geekbench results are very strong. The i7 Mac Mini scored better on single-core performance than every other Mac today (!) at 5912, and its multi-core score of nearly 24,740 beats every Mac to date except the iMac Pro and the old 12-core 2013 Mac Pro.

“Performance-competitive with pro Macs” was not high on my prediction list for a Mac Mini update, but here we are.

As the rate of CPU advancement has slowed dramatically over the last few years, Apple has found other ways to improve performance. The T2 is great for lots of security reasons — I wouldn’t buy a new Mac these days without it — but what you’re seeing here is its strength as a ridiculously fast SSD controller.

This Mac Mini builds my app, Overcast, much faster than my maxed-out 13-inch MacBook Pro, and about as quickly as my 10-core iMac Pro! Obviously, to achieve this result with only 6 cores, it’s not maxing out the CPU 100% of the time — it hits it in bursts while juggling a lot between the SSD and memory — but the result is that it’s incredibly fast as a development machine.

The Blackmagick Disk Speed Test shows that the raw SSD performance is effectively identical to the other T2 Macs shipped to date, and a huge improvement over the four-year-old Mac Mini.

A lot of people use Mac Minis as media or Plex servers, so I ran an H.265 transcoding test with ffmpeg. This maxes out all CPU cores, so the results predictably scale with the core count: the 6-core Mac Mini was much faster than the 4-core MacBook Pro, but the 10-core iMac Pro beat them both.

But if an app supports the T2’s hardware HEVC encoder,³ it can go much faster. And since every T2 so far performs identically, all T2 machines — from the 2018 MacBook Air to the iMac Pro — encode HEVC this way at the same speed, and all in complete silence because they’re barely touching the CPU.

I wasn’t able to notice any quality differences between the videos encoded with x265 and the T2’s hardware acceleration.

The only spec that lets it down is the Intel GPU. It’s fast enough for common tasks, but if your workload benefits from a strong GPU, you’re better off going for an iMac or a 15-inch MacBook Pro, or considering an eGPU setup.

Many Mac lines rely on Intel’s integrated GPUs to fit their physical and thermal needs, and Intel has been incredibly inconsistent over the last few years in delivering updated CPU-GPU combinations that would be suitable for many Macs.

We often blame Intel’s CPU roadmap (or Apple’s seeming indifference) for the lack of updates to certain Mac lines, but Intel’s GPU offerings are often the bigger issue. This is Intel’s fault, but it’s Apple’s problem — and Apple passes that problem right along to its customers.

But that’s it — aside from price, that’s the only downside. The GPU sucks. Everything else is awesome.

If you don’t need a strong GPU — and honestly, most Mac Mini use-cases don’t — this is a solid pick for a general-purpose Mac, even at the base-level configuration. Spec it up, and it’s more like a mini-Mac Pro.

A few assorted notes, with apologies for stealing Gruber’s format:

• It’s silent at idle. The i7’s fan noise does become clearly audible when it’s under heavy load: it’s in the ballpark of a modern MacBook Pro, but quieter.

  Interestingly, I disabled Turbo Boost to simulate the base i3 model’s thermals, and couldn’t get the fan to spin up audibly, no matter what I did. Those who prioritize silence under heavy loads should probably stick with the i3.

• This is the first non-iMac desktop Mac that lets you plug in a 5K display, at full quality, without dual cables or other unreliable hacks. We finally have 5K Retina Mac options beyond the iMac! Unfortunately, we still don’t have any great standalone 5K displays. (The LG UltraFine isn’t.)

• You can upgrade the RAM again! I never would’ve guessed this was coming, and I believe it’s the first time in a long time that an Apple product’s direct successor became more upgradeable and serviceable.

  I still recommend getting it with the right amount of RAM from Apple if possible, since third-party RAM has historically been a mess of unreliability and finger-pointing, but if you need that, it’s back. (The security screws inside — TR6? — still need some iFixit tools to get past.)

I Can’t Believe The Mac Mini Is This Awesome, I Can’t Even Say “Again” Because It Never Was

A new Mac Mini could’ve been so much worse. At many times in its past, it has seemed unloved, neglected, and downright punitive — a similar pattern to Apple’s other headless desktop, the Mac Pro. It seemed for a while that Apple lacked any interest in making Macs anymore, especially desktops.

Last year, with the introduction of the absolutely stellar iMac Pro, Apple showed us a glimpse of a potential new direction. It was downright perfect — a love letter to the Mac and its pro desktop users, and a clear turnaround in the way the company views the Mac for the better.

We didn’t know until now whether the iMac Pro’s greatness was a fluke. But now we have another data point: the last two desktops out of Apple have been incredible. After this, I have faith that they’re going to do the new Mac Pro justice when it finally ships next year.

The new Mac Mini is a great update, out of nowhere, to a product we thought would never be updated again.

Of course, with Apple’s track record on the Mac Mini, it may never be updated after this. This is either the first in a series of regular updates with which Apple proves that they care about the Mac Mini again, or it’s the last Mac Mini that will ever exist and we’ll all be hoarding them in a few years. We can’t know yet.

But today, this is a great update, a wonderful all-arounder for lots of potential needs, and just a fantastic little computer.

1. I do this via iSCSI, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It breaks and requires a new $200+ iSCSI initiator with almost every macOS update — which is why my Mac Mini still runs Sierra. In the near future, I’ll just directly attach some giant external hard drives to the Mac Mini and stop using the NAS. ↩︎

2. Unless you used optical audio, audio input, or the SD-card reader. (Shit, I use optical in and out.) ↩︎

3. ffmpeg can do it by specifying -c:v hevc_videotoolbox instead of -c:v x265. I also needed -vtag hvc1 for the output MP4s with either codec to be playable on macOS.

   Compressor uses the T2’s HEVC acceleration when encoding 8-bit HEVC, but not 10-bit. ↩︎

Quick, what time is it?

If that took you a bit longer than usual to tell the time on the Apple Watch’s new default Infograph face, you’re not alone:

• John Gruber finds it “far too busy”
• Jason Snell finds it “pretty and packed with features”, but misses hour numerals
• Zac Hall removes almost everything to improve legibility
• David Smith wrote his own complications (!) to improve contrast

I’ve configured mine acceptably, but Utility is still far more legible for telling the time at a quick glance:

Infograph, Utility

Infograph suffers from two major issues:

• The center complications reduce the contrast between the dial and hands, often making the hands hard to locate. This is avoidable with customization, although the defaults should be much more conservative.
• It takes too much cognitive effort (and therefore time) to distinguish the current hour. This is simply a flawed design.

It’s faster and easier to read analog time with the 1–12 numerals displayed on a watch, but many people prefer the cleaner look of a watch that uses lines, dots, or other shapes as hour markers instead. (Watch people call these “indices”.)

And it’s absolutely possible to design a highly legible dial with hour indices in many different styles. Here are some classics and modern takes:¹

Across a wide variety of brands, styles, and price points, a few key design principles are clear:

• The hour markers for 12 (and often 3/6/9) are more prominent.
• The hour indices are much larger than the minute markings.
• The hour hands nearly touch the hour indices.

These all improve legibility by making it as fast and easy as possible to know which hour is being indicated (and minimize the chance of an off-by-one error), first by orienting your eyes to the current rotation with the 12 marker, then by minimizing the distance between the hour hand and the indices it’s between.

Apple Watch’s analog faces all fail to achieve these principles:²

Color, Simple, Explorer

Color, Simple, and Explorer have easily distinguished hour markers, but Explorer’s are a bit too far from its hour hand.

None of them have distinguished 12 markers to aid in orientation.

While Explorer omits minute markings altogether, Simple bafflingly uses 30-second markings in place of its minute track, making time-telling even harder. I’ve never seen another watch with sub-minute markings identical to its minute markings.

Activity Analog, Utility, and Infograph without most complications

Activity Analog’s hour markers are faint and far from its hour hand, and the central activity rings quickly eliminate the hands’ contrast against the dial as they progress.

Utility (when configured without numbers) improves legibility slightly with its bold hour indices, but they’re still too small and too far from its hour hand, and there’s no differentiation for the 12 index.

Infograph is similar, but even worse: its hour indices are more faint, it uses 30-second markings instead of minute markings, and its default Calendar display wipes out the top three indices. (At least you can tell which way is up.)

Even with almost no complications, the basic essence of the Infograph dial has poor time legibility.

When it’s being used as Apple seems to intend, time-telling at a glance is so difficult that many people have actually suggested setting the digital time as the center complication, at which point the hands are just a nuisance and we should stop pretending it’s an analog face.

It’s great for Apple to offer a wide variety of Apple Watch faces, but most of them are short-lived novelties at best. We’re three years and four generations into the Apple Watch, and almost every Watch owner I know still uses the same handful of “good” faces.

If you want digital time with a good deal of complications, Modular is your only good choice (or Infograph Modular on the Series 4).³ If you want analog time with numerals, Utility is the only good option. If you want indices instead of numerals — probably the most popular analog watch style in the world — I don’t think there is a good option.

By now, we’ve seen Apple’s design range that they’re willing to ship as Watch faces, and while it seems broad at first glance, it’s actually pretty narrow.

And we’re restricted to the handful of good watch faces that Apple makes, because other developers aren’t allowed to make custom Watch faces.

The Apple Watch is an amazing feat of technology. It’s a computer. It can display anything. With no mechanical or physical limitations to hold us back, any watch-face design from anyone could plausibly be built, enabling a range of creativity, style, and usefulness that no single company could ever design on its own.

But they won’t let us. In a time when personal expression and innovation in watch fashion should be booming, they’re instead being eroded, as everyone in the room is increasingly wearing the same watch with the same two faces.

Open this door, Apple.

1. You can even see which model the Apple Watch’s hand shape comes from, which is not a coincidence. ↩︎

2. For Apple Watch faces offering multiple hour/minute styles, I selected the best one that didn’t have hour numerals, and most complications were disabled. ↩︎

3. Special shout-out to my favorite digital face, Solar. ↩︎

I apologize for the low battery level. Busy day.

It all started with the watchOS volume widget.

You see, Overcast’s previous Apple Watch app really sucked. I did my best with the capabilities of watchOS 1–4, but I couldn’t give people what they really wanted:

1. Standalone podcast playback on the Apple Watch without an iPhone. I briefly offered it through some bad hacks, but had to remove it.
2. Volume control on the Watch, which is increasingly important with the popularity of AirPods.

That’s why I nearly jumped for joy during the watchOS 5 announcement in June, when Apple unveiled most of my list of watchOS changes needed to make good podcast apps.

After a very busy summer, standalone Apple Watch playback is back in Overcast, and it’s actually good this time!

It’s not perfect:

• No cellular. Apple hasn’t released a good way to do cellular audio streaming in watchOS, and the bad ways wouldn’t be very useful.
• Sending podcasts to the Watch is slow. Overcast shrinks them to reduce the transfer time, but when (and how quickly) podcasts transfer is tightly controlled by watchOS to preserve battery life. Transfers still sometimes wait forever or silently fail.

Programmers like me can’t accept that something is just slow, so I’ve decided to make transfer speed irrelevant. Nobody cares how slowly podcasts transfer if it happens while they’re asleep!

Auto-Sync to Watch automatically tries to send your most recent podcasts to your Apple Watch whenever it gets a chance.¹ You can still send episodes manually from the queue button on an episode (≡⁺), but in my testing, I never needed to. Just pick up your Watch and go, and it’ll already have plenty of podcasts for your outing, all without having to manually sync anything or wait for slow transfers.

The Overcast 5.0.1 update, due out in a few days, makes Watch transfers even more reliable. (Sorry. Found a better way after 5.0 was approved.)

And Watch-crown volume control! Finally, the best way to use Overcast from your Apple Watch isn’t to delete it, letting the Now Playing app show up instead.

That’s where the other half of my summer workload began.

The watchOS volume widget offers minimal customization: just the color of the circle. I couldn’t make the line width a little narrower to match the rest of Overcast’s thin-line aesthetic. But that iOS 7-era thin-line aesthetic looked dated, and I’d wanted a design refresh for a while.

I decided to start modernizing the app’s design, screen by screen. I couldn’t do it all in one summer, so I started with the screen that needed the most help: Now Playing.

The previous Now Playing screen in Overcast 4.

The biggest problem of the previous design was the center artwork area, a scrollable set of “pages” that had speed and effects controls offscreen to the left, and the episode notes offscreen to the right.

Nobody ever found them. I’ve been getting emails almost every day from people asking where the speed controls were because they set them once and couldn’t find them again, or saying how they’d really like my app more if it offered speed controls. The only indication in the interface was three “page dots” below the scrollable area, but that wasn’t enough.

The new design maintains the same scrollable pages, but now as obvious, tactile cards. In my testing, everyone figured these out immediately.

Put differently, it’s like you’re navigating this through a phone-shaped window in the middle:

This design is not only more discoverable, but it allows me to fit more controls on screen, and in more reachable areas. Unlike the previous design, I can also fit the same controls on all devices, from the iPhone SE to the iPad Pro.

Designing a good Now Playing screen for a music or podcast app that’s nice, clean, and highly discoverable is incredibly difficult. I think I’ve finally found a good balance.

I’ve given chapters (when present) their own card with durations and inline progress bars. I’ve also finally revamped the sleep timer to ditch the ugly alert sheet, give it a proper UI for fast input, and show the remaining time in more useful ways:

There are lots of other improvements throughout the app as well. Some of the highlights:

• Search your podcasts and current episodes from the main screen, or go into a podcast’s screen to search its entire archive.
• Refreshed the podcast screen a little. (More to come.)
• Siri Shortcuts support, of course.

Plus smaller fixes and improvements:

• CarPlay performance is much better, especially for people with large collections.
• Podcasts now display their estimated release frequency (daily, weekly, etc.) if it can be inferred.
• Tap-to-load on images now loads all images from the same domain at once.
• Tons of bug fixes and performance improvements.

Overcast 5 requires iOS 12 and watchOS 5, and as always, it’s free.

Update your devices, then go get Overcast!

1. Up to 20 episodes are auto-synced today. This number will change as I refine the balance of resource usage. Auto-Sync to Watch is on by default and can be turned off in Nitpicky Details. ↩︎

Laptop battery life is decreasingly relevant to me as more airplanes offer power outlets. But sometimes you lose that lottery, as I did on my latest 8-hour daytime flight.

Apple’s “Up to 10 hours” claim doesn’t apply to my work,¹ which is usually a mix of Xcode, web browsing, and social time-wasting, so I knew I’d have to seriously conserve power.

Sometimes, you just need Low Power Mode: the switch added to iOS a few years ago to conserve battery life when you need it, at the expense of full performance and background tasks.

There’s no such feature on Mac laptops, but there should be. It could:

• Disable the discrete GPU on 15-inch models unless required for hardware reasons²
• Pause Photos syncing and analysis
• Pause Spotlight indexing
• Reduce the frequency of Time Machine backups
• Don’t download or install software updates
• Don’t download new content in iTunes
• Auto-dim the screen after a shorter time
• Let third-party apps detect Low Power Mode and reduce their background operations to only essential work

And the big one:

• Reduce the processor’s maximum wattage or disable Turbo Boost

Back in 2015, I experimented with disabling Turbo Boost and discovered that it reduced performance by about a third, but also boosted battery life by almost as much. Since then, I’ve been running Turbo Boost Switcher Pro to automatically disable Turbo Boost when I’m running on battery power, and it has been wonderful: I made it through that 8-hour flight only because Turbo Boost was off.

Over the last few days, I’ve run battery tests on my 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro with the (awesome) 2.7 GHz i7 and my 2015 2.2 GHz 15-inch³ to see how far I could push the battery life using Volta, which can disable Turbo Boost and/or set wattage limits on the CPU.

My test was based on the “Heavy” script from last time, but using xcodebuild every few minutes with Overcast’s current codebase (which is larger and includes some Swift). Improvements are in green and performance reductions are in red:

15-inch 2015 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz quad-core i7)   Battery life Geekbench single/multi xcodebuild Normal 3:36 3963/13864 43.9s No Turbo 5:06+42% 2796/9917−29/28% 63.4s+44% 13-inch 2018 MacBook Pro (2.7 GHz quad-core i7)   Battery life Geekbench single/multi xcodebuild Normal 3:09 5412/18983 34.3s 28W 3:28+10% 5401/16326−0/14% 37.4s+9% 18W 4:05+29% 5248/14133−3/26% 43.5s+27% 12W 4:44+50% 4818/11835−11/38% 48.2s+41% No Turbo 5:05+61% 3624/13324−33/30% 48.9s+43% 6W 6:24+103% 4065/7596−25/60% 76.1s+121%

It’s impressive how much faster this new 13-inch model is than the best laptop ever made due to significant CPU and SSD improvements.

Dropping the wattage to 6W, the thermal limit of the fanless 12-inch MacBook, interestingly (but not surprisingly) makes it perform effectively identically to the best 12-inch MacBook in Geekbench. This is an extreme option, but one I’d occasionally take if offered. It roughly doubles compilation times, but also doubles the battery life.

This ratio holds for most other configurations: the gain in battery life is about as large as the loss in heavy-workload performance. That’s a trade-off I’d gladly make when I need to maximize runtime.

The best bang-for-the-buck option is still to just disable Turbo Boost. Single-threaded performance hurts more than with wattage-limiting, but it’s able to maintain better multi-threaded performance and more consistent thermals, and gets a larger battery gain relative to its performance loss.

And Volta, which offers both wattage limits and Turbo disabling, requires disabling System Integrity Protection to install an unsigned kernel extension, which I really don’t recommend. Turbo Boost Switcher, which doesn’t offer wattage control, works with SIP using a signed extension and its Pro version has more convenient features for automatic toggling.

For now, I’m going to continue to happily run Turbo Boost Switcher Pro to selectively give myself better battery life, and I recommend it for anyone else with the same need.

But what I ultimately want is for a true Low Power Mode built into macOS that could provide this sort of CPU throttling and software changes, which would ultimately achieve even greater gains.

1. Whose work does get 10 hours out of a MacBook Pro? None of the use-cases on the marketing page — Photography, Coding, Video Editing, 3D Graphics, and Gaming — are likely to achieve even half of that in practice. ↩︎

2. I’ve heard that 15-inch models are wired such that the discrete GPU is required when external displays are connected. Otherwise, whether it’s used or not is a software decision, and gfxCardStatus can override it in certain conditions. ↩︎

3. It’s not brand new, so it’s not a perfect comparison, but the battery only had 90 cycles before this test. ↩︎

Overcast 4.2 is out now. It enhances privacy in two major areas:

Anonymous sync by default

Overcast has offered anonymous sync accounts since 2014. They’re fully functional, but they lack email addresses or passwords, so they can’t log into the website. A login token is stored in iCloud so the account can be accessed after a restore or upgrade, or from other devices you own.

Previously, the login screen pushed email logins. But with four years of perspective, feedback, and usage data, I now think that’s the wrong move. Only a single-digit percentage of customers use the website, and the iCloud token-sync method solves cross-device logins for almost everyone.

Your personal data isn’t my business — it’s a liability. I want as little as possible. I don’t even log IP addresses anymore.

If I don’t need your email address, I really don’t want it.

68% of Overcast accounts have email addresses today. To reduce that as much as possible, I’ve made major changes to account handling:

The previous login screen (left) and the new one.

In Overcast 4.2, the login screen now prominently encourages anonymous accounts by default.

If you already have an account in iCloud, it’ll pop up a dialog box over this screen asking if you want to use it.

And the first time you launch 4.2, people with email-based accounts will be encouraged to migrate them to anonymous accounts:

The migration prompt that shows on the first run.

Finally, you can now change your account between email-based and anonymous whenever you want.

Blocking ad-tracking images

In most podcast apps, podcasts are downloaded automatically in the background. The only data sent to a podcast’s publisher about you or your behavior is your IP address and the app’s name. The IP address lets them derive your approximate region, but not much else.

They don’t know exactly who you are, whether you listened, when you listened, how far you listened, or whether you skipped certain parts.

Some large podcast producers are trying very hard to change that.

I’m not.

Big data ruined the web, and I’m not going to help bring it to podcasts. Publishers already get enough from Apple to inform ad rates and make content decisions — they don’t need more data from my customers. Podcasting has thrived, grown, and made tons of money for tons of people under the current model for over a decade. We already have all the data we need.

One of the ways publishers try to get around the limitations of the current model is by embedding remote images or invisible “tracking pixels” in each episode’s HTML show notes. When displayed in most apps, the images are automatically loaded from an analytics server, which can then record and track more information about you.

In Overcast 4.2, much like Mail (and for the same reason), remote images don’t load by default. A tappable placeholder shows you where each image will load from, and you can decide whether to load it or not.

I believe I’ve done this in the most secure way possible — I’m actually displaying the show notes using a strict Content Security Policy — and I would love to hear from anyone who finds a way to inject auto-loading remote images or execute arbitrary JavaScript in show notes.

Bug fixes

Overcast 4.2 also includes a bunch of minor fixes, and two big ones:

• Fixed the major slowdowns and high battery usage that resulted from extremely large podcast artwork.
• Password-protected episodes are now supported on password-protected feeds.

Get it now in the App Store!

On Friday, September 19, Apple debuted its latest lineup of products at Apple Store locations across the world.

Today, Apple Sports — the free app for iPhone — is making it even easier for fans to stay on top of the action with the launch of widgets for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Apple today released exciting new features and capabilities across each of its software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

Apple today released new Apple Intelligence features that elevate the user experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro.

Apple’s new and expanded features to help parents protect kids and teens online are now available across Apple devices.

Last night, Apple TV+ scored a record-breaking 22 wins at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series for The Studio.

Apple fans can pre-order and upgrade to the groundbreaking iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max starting Friday, September 12.

Apple today introduced iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max with a striking new design that delivers a dramatic leap in performance.

Apple today debuted the all-new iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever made, with pro performance.

Apple today announced iPhone 17, featuring the new Center Stage front camera, a 48MP Fusion Main camera, and a new 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera.

Apple today introduced Apple Watch Series 11, offering the most comprehensive set of health features yet.

Apple announces Final Cut Camera 2.0, introducing game-changing support for ProRes RAW and genlock on the all-new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Apple introduced Apple Watch Ultra 3 — the most advanced Apple Watch — now offering even more health, fitness, safety, and connectivity features.

Apple today introduced Apple Watch SE 3, offering advanced health capabilities, an Always-On display, fast charging, and more.

Apple today announced AirPods Pro 3, taking the most popular headphones in the world to an entirely new level.

Apple today previewed Apple Koregaon Park, its first retail store in Pune and its fourth in India.

Apple today previewed its newest store in India, Apple Hebbal, located in the technology capital of Bengaluru.

Apple will introduce a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users.

On September 4, NFL Retro Bowl ’26 is launching exclusively on Apple Arcade, and Jeopardy! Daily and My Talking Tom Friends+ also join the service.

Apple announced a new $100 billion commitment to America, a significant acceleration of its U.S. commitment that now totals $600 billion over four years.

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watchOS 26 is a more modest update with one headlining new feature, Workout Buddy — on top of 15 other new tweaks.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

macOS 26 Tahoe is a milestone update with a dramatic new look, new power tools for pro users — and over 40 new features.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

iOS 26 is a major new update that brings the biggest visual redesign in 12 years — on top of over 70 new features.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

An analyst estimates weekend preorder demand for the iPhone 17 family has surpassed last year’s iPhone 16, with the Pro Max leading the pack.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

On September 14, 2010, the "Steve Jobs ninja stars" story erupted over an alleged incident at Japan's Kansai International Airport.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

The iPhone 17 Pro Max seems to be the favorite of those rushing to grab a new Apple device. iPhone Air demand appears more tepid.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

September isn’t the end of new Apple 2025 products. Here’s what rumors tell us about a possible Apple October event.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

iPhone 17 Pro packs a better display, battery and camera. But is it worth upgrading? Here’s the iPhone 17 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro breakdown.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Apple's next big software updates, iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, drop September 15. Here’s when they’ll hit your device.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Grab Apple's small yet powerful desktop computer with this Mac mini deal, which offers discounts on M4 and M4 Pro versions.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

“Highest 2 Lowest,“ a Spike Lee crime drama staring Denzel Washington, is the most popular movie on streaming.

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After Apple’s truly Awe Dropping event, we’re picking up the pieces and discussing iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and the rest of the new hardware. Also on The CultCast: Apple built iPhone 17 Pro like a tool for professionals. But is the cosmic orange color undeniably vibrant? The […]

(via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Making Sense of Technology

Dave got a chance to try out the translation feature on iOS this week. It's an app I've used many times during my travels to other countries. Apple did well again in this yeqar's Emmy Awards, and we talk about my favorite new product, the AirPods Pro. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Private Internet Access: Go to https://www.piavpn.com/dalrymple to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! Show Notes:

• Apple and the Emmys
• The back of Britt Lower’s acceptance speec
• Some Tahoe new shiny
• Your Mac Can Auto-Join an iPhone Hotspot in macOS Tahoe
• New Recovery Assistant
• AirPods Pro 3 First Look
• AirPods Pro 3 Use Acoustic Seal Test for Optimizing Sound Quality and ANC
• iOS 26 can notify you when your AirPods case is running out of battery

Shows and movies we're watching

• Hostage, Netflix
• ER, 30 YEARS later

Dave got a chance to try out the translation feature on iOS this week. It’s an app I’ve used many times during my travels to other countries. Apple did well again in this yeqar’s Emmy Awards, and we talk about my favorite new product, the AirPods Pro. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Private Internet Access: Go to https://www.piavpn.com/dalrymple to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! Show Notes: Apple and the Emmys The back of Britt Lower’s acceptance speec Some Tahoe new shiny Your Mac Can Auto-Join an iPhone Hotspot in macOS Tahoe New Recovery Assistant AirPods Pro 3 First Look AirPods Pro 3 Use Acoustic Seal Test for Optimizing Sound Quality and ANC iOS 26 can notify you when your AirPods case is running out of battery Shows and movies we’re watching Hostage, Netflix ER, 30 YEARS later

It was Apple's annual iPhone event this week where the company unvieled new AirPods Pro, Apple Watches, and a new line of iPhones. Dave and I talk about the product and give our thoughts on each one of them. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: Post your job for free at https://linkedin.com/dalrymple to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/TheDalrympleReport Show Notes:

• Design Is How It Works
• AirPods Pro 3
• Apple Watch Series 11
• Apple Watch Ultra 3
• iPhone 17
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17 Pro

Shows and movies we're watching

• 1923, Paramount+
• Godless, Netflix

It was Apple’s annual iPhone event this week where the company unvieled new AirPods Pro, Apple Watches, and a new line of iPhones. Dave and I talk about the product and give our thoughts on each one of them. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: Post your job for free at https://linkedin.com/dalrymple to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/TheDalrympleReport Show Notes: Design Is How It Works AirPods Pro 3 Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch Ultra 3 iPhone 17 iPhone Air iPhone 17 Pro Shows and movies we’re watching 1923, Paramount+ Godless, Netflix

Apple has announced its September iPhone event. Dave and I talk about all of the products we expect to see and which ones we'd buy. Meta is using a lot of books to train its AI dataset, but it doesn't have permission to use them all. It seems the company is using books, including 15 that Dave wrote, without permission. Android is taking a page from Apple's app playbook and will soon require all apps to be registered by verified developers. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Meta's AI dataset
• Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Awe Dropping'
• Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event
• Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers

Shows and movies we're watching

• Yellowstone, Peacock
• Kpop Demon Hunters, Netflix
• Rewatch of The Last of Us, HBO

Apple has announced its September iPhone event. Dave and I talk about all of the products we expect to see and which ones we’d buy. Meta is using a lot of books to train its AI dataset, but it doesn’t have permission to use them all. It seems the company is using books, including 15 that Dave wrote, without permission. Android is taking a page from Apple’s app playbook and will soon require all apps to be registered by verified developers. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Meta’s AI dataset Apple Event Announced for September 9: ‘Awe Dropping’ Five Things to Expect From Apple’s ‘Awe Dropping’ September 9 Event Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers Shows and movies we’re watching Yellowstone, Peacock Kpop Demon Hunters, Netflix Rewatch of The Last of Us, HBO

This week, Dave and I discuss the value of getting a new, but previous generation of MacBook instead of a brand new one. We also talk about Steve Wosniak and his views on wealth. Samsung is gaining market share from Apple in the U.S.—could this have anything to do with foldable phones? Follow this podcast Brought to you by: CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/TheDalrympleReport Show Notes:

• The 15" M3 MacBook Air is on sale for $1199
• Woz
• Highest-grossing sports film of all time
• Morgan Stanley says Apple stock could be ‘turning the corner’
• Samsung taking market share from Apple in U.S. as foldable phones gain momentum
• Apple Wallet app just made Amazon returns easy

Shows and movies we're watching

• Patience, PBS
• Superman
• Black Doves, Netflix

This week, Dave and I discuss the value of getting a new, but previous generation of MacBook instead of a brand new one. We also talk about Steve Wosniak and his views on wealth. Samsung is gaining market share from Apple in the U.S.—could this have anything to do with foldable phones? Follow this podcast Brought to you by: CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/TheDalrympleReport Show Notes: The 15″ M3 MacBook Air is on sale for $1199 Woz Highest-grossing sports film of all time Morgan Stanley says Apple stock could be ‘turning the corner’ Samsung taking market share from Apple in U.S. as foldable phones gain momentum Apple Wallet app just made Amazon returns easy Shows and movies we’re watching Patience, PBS Superman Black Doves, Netflix

We've heard about Apple looking at releasing an AI robot in the past. The rumors are back and they also include Apple's foray into home security and smart displays. Apple's rumored revamped Siri will supposedly allow users to take action within an app using only Siri voice commands. MacRumors has a list of Apple's upcoming products that Dave and I talk about. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Private Internet Access: Go to https://www.piavpn.com/dalrymple to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! LinkedIn Jobs: Post your job for free at https://linkedin.com/dalrymple to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes:

• Apple Plots Expansion Into AI Robots, Home Security and Smart Displays
• Apple Testing Revamped Siri With Apps Like Uber and YouTube
• Leaks: Apple’s coming products
• Apple Reportedly Planning to Offer In-Store iPad Repairs
• Amazon announces same day groceries, free for prime members

Shows and movies we're watching

• Dope Thief, Apple TV+
• Titans: The Rise of Hollywood, Netflix
• Sunday Best, Netflix, Ed Sullivan documentary

We’ve heard about Apple looking at releasing an AI robot in the past. The rumors are back and they also include Apple’s foray into home security and smart displays. Apple’s rumored revamped Siri will supposedly allow users to take action within an app using only Siri voice commands. MacRumors has a list of Apple’s upcoming products that Dave and I talk about. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Private Internet Access: Go to https://www.piavpn.com/dalrymple to get 83% off Private Internet Access with 4 months free! LinkedIn Jobs: Post your job for free at https://linkedin.com/dalrymple to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes: Apple Plots Expansion Into AI Robots, Home Security and Smart Displays Apple Testing Revamped Siri With Apps Like Uber and YouTube Leaks: Apple’s coming products Apple Reportedly Planning to Offer In-Store iPad Repairs Amazon announces same day groceries, free for prime members Shows and movies we’re watching Dope Thief, Apple TV+ Titans: The Rise of Hollywood, Netflix Sunday Best, Netflix, Ed Sullivan documentary

Dave's Apple Pencil died, so he replaced it with a new one. He gives us his thoughts on using it. Apple has committed more money to the U.S. as they partner with Corning to make glass for iPhone and Apple Watch in this country. ESPN is launching a new streaming service, but Dave and I are having trouble understanding how it's going to work for them. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Apple increases U.S. commitment to $600 billion, announces American Manufacturing Program
• Apple and Corning partner to manufacture 100 percent of iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in Kentucky
• Apple’s new $100B US commitment got it a 100% chip tariff exemption
• Apple chipmaker TSMC says it too is exempt from US tariffs
• ESPN flagship streaming service to launch August 21

Shows and movies we're watching

• The One that Got Away, Acorn TV
• HBO gets some BritBox

Dave’s Apple Pencil died, so he replaced it with a new one. He gives us his thoughts on using it. Apple has committed more money to the U.S. as they partner with Corning to make glass for iPhone and Apple Watch in this country. ESPN is launching a new streaming service, but Dave and I are having trouble understanding how it’s going to work for them. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Apple increases U.S. commitment to $600 billion, announces American Manufacturing Program Apple and Corning partner to manufacture 100 percent of iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in Kentucky Apple’s new $100B US commitment got it a 100% chip tariff exemption Apple chipmaker TSMC says it too is exempt from US tariffs ESPN flagship streaming service to launch August 21 Shows and movies we’re watching The One that Got Away, Acorn TV HBO gets some BritBox

Apple rarely has sales, but Amazon does. They are offering $200 off a new M4 MacBook Air—Dave and I look through the options of other models and see what the best deal is. Apple Music has a new feature in iOS 26 allowing users to pin items to the top of the page. Apple is starting its Manufacturing Academy in Detroit beginning in August. We look at some of the details of that initiative. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Amazon Is Selling M4 MacBook Airs for $200 Off
• Apple Manufacturing Academy opens in Detroit on August 19
• iOS 26: How to Use the New Music Pins Feature
• Apple stuff, signed by Steve Jobs, Woz, even Tim Cook

Shows and movies we're watching

• After The Flood, BritBox
• Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Paramount+
• Anora, Hulu

Apple rarely has sales, but Amazon does. They are offering $200 off a new M4 MacBook Air—Dave and I look through the options of other models and see what the best deal is. Apple Music has a new feature in iOS 26 allowing users to pin items to the top of the page. Apple is starting its Manufacturing Academy in Detroit beginning in August. We look at some of the details of that initiative. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Amazon Is Selling M4 MacBook Airs for $200 Off Apple Manufacturing Academy opens in Detroit on August 19 iOS 26: How to Use the New Music Pins Feature Apple stuff, signed by Steve Jobs, Woz, even Tim Cook Shows and movies we’re watching After The Flood, BritBox Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Paramount+ Anora, Hulu

It was a sad week for me and many other music fans around the world, as we learned that Ozzy Osbourne died. Ozzy meant a lot to me and my music. I'll miss him. Dave and I talk about using captions while watching TV, and we take a look at AppleCare One, Apple's new device insurance subscription. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• RIP, Ozzy
• Peter Cohen and Jim at Ozzfest
• Apple TV Captions
• Apple introduces AppleCare One
• Messages on iOS 26 will make it harder to fall for phishing scams

Shows and movies we're watching

• Tucci in Italy, Disney+
• The Bear, Season 4, Hulu
• Billy Joel: And so it goes, HBO

It was a sad week for me and many other music fans around the world, as we learned that Ozzy Osbourne died. Ozzy meant a lot to me and my music. I’ll miss him. Dave and I talk about using captions while watching TV, and we take a look at AppleCare One, Apple’s new device insurance subscription. Follow this podcast Show Notes: RIP, Ozzy Peter Cohen and Jim at Ozzfest Apple TV Captions Apple introduces AppleCare One Messages on iOS 26 will make it harder to fall for phishing scams Shows and movies we’re watching Tucci in Italy, Disney+ The Bear, Season 4, Hulu Billy Joel: And so it goes, HBO

Dave installed the latest beta of watchOS and found a new gesture that he really likes. I have one that I use a lot as well, so I'm not sure I'll change. Apple TV+ shows recieved an incredible amount of nominations for this year's Emmy Awards. The new tvOS now allows users to switch the keyboard to a grid, which is a welcome change. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Cal Raleigh, man of the people, The Big Dumper, wins Home Run Derby
• watchOS 26. Flick it
• Apple gets an astonishing 81 Emmy nominations
• Apple TV lets you change your search keyboard from linear (one line, across the screen) to a grid
• ChatGPT and other AI services are basically killing @Iconfactory

Shows and movies we're watching

• Mobland, Paramount+
• Ballard, Prime Video, from the Bosch universe
• Ya Never Know, Tom Selleck autobiography

Dave installed the latest beta of watchOS and found a new gesture that he really likes. I have one that I use a lot as well, so I’m not sure I’ll change. Apple TV+ shows recieved an incredible amount of nominations for this year’s Emmy Awards. The new tvOS now allows users to switch the keyboard to a grid, which is a welcome change. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Cal Raleigh, man of the people, The Big Dumper, wins Home Run Derby watchOS 26. Flick it Apple gets an astonishing 81 Emmy nominations Apple TV lets you change your search keyboard from linear (one line, across the screen) to a grid ChatGPT and other AI services are basically killing @Iconfactory Shows and movies we’re watching Mobland, Paramount+ Ballard, Prime Video, from the Bosch universe Ya Never Know, Tom Selleck autobiography

The turmoil at Apple is not new, but what is new is how some of the companies top AI engineers are leaving the company. The latest was lured away by Meta, who have just invested $3.5 billion in its artificial intelligence projects. Apple's longtime Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, has announced he's retiring. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes:

• Apple faces AI talent turmoil as senior Siri researcher departs
• Apple announces chief operating officer transition
• Apple Loses Key AI Executive to Meta's Multimillion-Dollar Hiring Spree
• Meta Invests $3.5 Billion in World’s Largest Eye-Wear Maker

Shows and movies we're watching

• Black Snow, AMC+
• Kleo, Netflix
• MurderBot, Apple TV+

The turmoil at Apple is not new, but what is new is how some of the companies top AI engineers are leaving the company. The latest was lured away by Meta, who have just invested $3.5 billion in its artificial intelligence projects. Apple’s longtime Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, has announced he’s retiring. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes: Apple faces AI talent turmoil as senior Siri researcher departs Apple announces chief operating officer transition Apple Loses Key AI Executive to Meta’s Multimillion-Dollar Hiring Spree Meta Invests $3.5 Billion in World’s Largest Eye-Wear Maker Shows and movies we’re watching Black Snow, AMC+ Kleo, Netflix MurderBot, Apple TV+

Dave got a new speaker assistant for his home... and it's powered by Alexa. We talk about how much better Alexa is than Siri and even throw in some comments about Gemini, Google's AI assistant (spoiler, it's better than Siri too). We also talk about charging one device off of anotherfor instance, charging your AirPods using your phone. And we look at some of the new features of Apple's new OSes. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Charge AirPods (or Even an iPhone) With Your iPhone
• iOS 26 Brings New Functionality to HomePod
• A few iOS 26 Best and Hidden Features
• iPhone Users Upset About Apple Promoting F1 Movie With Wallet App Notification

Shows and movies we're watching

• Anatomy of a Scandal, Netflix
• Sally, Disney+

Dave got a new speaker assistant for his home… and it’s powered by Alexa. We talk about how much better Alexa is than Siri and even throw in some comments about Gemini, Google’s AI assistant (spoiler, it’s better than Siri too). We also talk about charging one device off of anotherfor instance, charging your AirPods using your phone. And we look at some of the new features of Apple’s new OSes. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Charge AirPods (or Even an iPhone) With Your iPhone iOS 26 Brings New Functionality to HomePod A few iOS 26 Best and Hidden Features iPhone Users Upset About Apple Promoting F1 Movie With Wallet App Notification Shows and movies we’re watching Anatomy of a Scandal, Netflix Sally, Disney+

Have you ever shared your ETA with someone? Most of us have. Dave has a suggestion for how ETA should work in the future. We talk about the Apple's new design, Liquid Glass, and what drove the company to move in that direction for its OSes. We also talk about a new lawsuit that Apple faces over iCloud storage. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes:

• WWDC: The Bento Boxes
• On AR being the driver for Apple's Liquid Glass
• Apple must face consumer lawsuit over iCloud storage, US judge rules
• YouTube's Latest Move Against Ad Blockers: Video Delays

Shows and movies we're watching

• Anatomy of a Scandal, Netflix
• Trailer to upcoming Springsteen biopic

Have you ever shared your ETA with someone? Most of us have. Dave has a suggestion for how ETA should work in the future. We talk about the Apple’s new design, Liquid Glass, and what drove the company to move in that direction for its OSes. We also talk about a new lawsuit that Apple faces over iCloud storage. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes: WWDC: The Bento Boxes On AR being the driver for Apple’s Liquid Glass Apple must face consumer lawsuit over iCloud storage, US judge rules YouTube’s Latest Move Against Ad Blockers: Video Delays Shows and movies we’re watching Anatomy of a Scandal, Netflix Trailer to upcoming Springsteen biopic

Apple's annual WWDC was this week and there is a lot to unpack. We look at reactions from the keynote and dive into some of the announcements, like the new Liquid Glass interface, and of course, all of the new OS releases. There are some other featues that were announced as well, like AirPods translation that we'll talk about, as well. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• MGSeigler on WWDC
• Apple supercharges its tools
• AirPods are more versatile than ever with studio-quality audio recording and camera remote
• visionOS 26
• iPadOS 26
• Apple Intelligence gets even more powerful
• macOS Tahoe 26
• watchOS 26
• iOS 26
• Joanna Stern interviews Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak

Shows and movies we're watching

• Dept. Q, Netflix
• Secrets We Keep, Netflix
• Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself, Hulu

Apple’s annual WWDC was this week and there is a lot to unpack. We look at reactions from the keynote and dive into some of the announcements, like the new Liquid Glass interface, and of course, all of the new OS releases. There are some other featues that were announced as well, like AirPods translation that we’ll talk about, as well. Follow this podcast Show Notes: MGSeigler on WWDC Apple supercharges its tools AirPods are more versatile than ever with studio-quality audio recording and camera remote visionOS 26 iPadOS 26 Apple Intelligence gets even more powerful macOS Tahoe 26 watchOS 26 iOS 26 Joanna Stern interviews Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak Shows and movies we’re watching Dept. Q, Netflix Secrets We Keep, Netflix Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself, Hulu

The podcast takes a little twist this week as Dave and I talk about our love of popcorn and Dave's new gadget to help him get the perfect batch every time. We also talk about some of the rumors surrounding WWDC and what we should expect from the keynote on Monday. One of the things that is supposedly changing is the numbering of all the OSes begining with this year's releases. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Popcorn Gadget
• Apple Denied
• WWDC: What to expect
• Sky
• Apple OS numbering rebrand
• Apple, says nah

Shows and movies we're watching

• Dept. Q, Netflix
• Stick, Apple TV+
• Fountain of youth, Apple TV+

The podcast takes a little twist this week as Dave and I talk about our love of popcorn and Dave’s new gadget to help him get the perfect batch every time. We also talk about some of the rumors surrounding WWDC and what we should expect from the keynote on Monday. One of the things that is supposedly changing is the numbering of all the OSes begining with this year’s releases. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Popcorn Gadget Apple Denied WWDC: What to expect Sky Apple OS numbering rebrand Apple, says nah Shows and movies we’re watching Dept. Q, Netflix Stick, Apple TV+ Fountain of youth, Apple TV+

The biggest news this week was the purchase of Jony Ive's company, io, by OpenAI for $6.5 billion dollars. According to the reports, I've's company is a device startup. Sam Altman said he is “excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers.” Epic Games and Apple are continuing to spare, although it seems like the battle is coming to an end. Follow this podcast LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Insta360 X5 Camera: Insta360 X5 Camera. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "dalrymple", available for the first 30 standard package purchases only. Show Notes:

• Epic Games v. Apple: the fight for the future of the App Store
• Jony Ive to lead OpenAI’s design work following $6.5B acquisition of his company
• Check out the video of OpenAI's Sam Altman and Jony Ive
• What would you do if Steve Jobs quoted something you wrote?

Shows and movies we're watching

• Better, Hulu
• Netflix saves Sesame Street

The biggest news this week was the purchase of Jony Ive’s company, io, by OpenAI for $6.5 billion dollars. According to the reports, I’ve’s company is a device startup. Sam Altman said he is “excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers.” Epic Games and Apple are continuing to spare, although it seems like the battle is coming to an end. Follow this podcast LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Insta360 X5 Camera: Insta360 X5 Camera. To bag a free invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code “dalrymple”, available for the first 30 standard package purchases only. Show Notes: Epic Games v. Apple: the fight for the future of the App Store Jony Ive to lead OpenAI’s design work following $6.5B acquisition of his company Check out the video of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Jony Ive What would you do if Steve Jobs quoted something you wrote? Shows and movies we’re watching Better, Hulu Netflix saves Sesame Street

Apple has introduced some new features in Apple Maps including a Detailed City Experience for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco. Maps also now has insights, ratings, and reviews from expert sources, most notably the Michelin Guide. Did you know Pope Leo has his own trading card? Not only that, it set a new sales record, topping LeBron James. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Pete Rose reinstated
• Pope Leo XIV trading card sets Topps Now sales record, exceeds LeBron and Wemby milestone cards
• Apple Maps brings a custom Detailed City Experience to the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco
• Apple brings insights, ratings, and reviews from expert sources to Apple Maps
• CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out
• Universal Music Group and Apple Music announce Sound Therapy

Shows and movies we're watching

• Bad Sisters, Apple TV+
• It’s not TV. It’s HBO. Max.
• Conan O’Brien the Kennedy Center, Mark Twain prize for American humor, Netflix

Apple has introduced some new features in Apple Maps including a Detailed City Experience for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco. Maps also now has insights, ratings, and reviews from expert sources, most notably the Michelin Guide. Did you know Pope Leo has his own trading card? Not only that, it set a new sales record, topping LeBron James. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Pete Rose reinstated Pope Leo XIV trading card sets Topps Now sales record, exceeds LeBron and Wemby milestone cards Apple Maps brings a custom Detailed City Experience to the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco Apple brings insights, ratings, and reviews from expert sources to Apple Maps CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out Universal Music Group and Apple Music announce Sound Therapy Shows and movies we’re watching Bad Sisters, Apple TV+ It’s not TV. It’s HBO. Max. Conan O’Brien the Kennedy Center, Mark Twain prize for American humor, Netflix

Some people have never used a cassette tape to listen to music, my kids being among them. This week Dave takes a little side route into one of his thoughts on listening to cassettes. We have spent a lot of time talking about things that Apple has done wrong this past year in regards to AI and Siri, so this week we change things up and talk about the things we love about Apple and what they have done right. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Dan Moren (Six Colors, Host of Inconceivable podcast) was on Jeopardy last night!
• Meta is reportedly working on facial recognition for its AI glasses
• Apple files appeal
• Is LLM memory going to Become the New iMessage Lock-in?
• Apple's new "Hands on with Apple Intelligence" video
• Apple, Google, and possible Gemini deal

Shows and movies we're watching

• Murder is Easy, BritBox
• Black Bag, Peacock

Some people have never used a cassette tape to listen to music, my kids being among them. This week Dave takes a little side route into one of his thoughts on listening to cassettes. We have spent a lot of time talking about things that Apple has done wrong this past year in regards to AI and Siri, so this week we change things up and talk about the things we love about Apple and what they have done right. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Dan Moren (Six Colors, Host of Inconceivable podcast) was on Jeopardy last night! Meta is reportedly working on facial recognition for its AI glasses Apple files appeal Is LLM memory going to Become the New iMessage Lock-in? Apple’s new “Hands on with Apple Intelligence” video Apple, Google, and possible Gemini deal Shows and movies we’re watching Murder is Easy, BritBox Black Bag, Peacock

I'm heading off to Miami this weekend to see the Formula 1 Grand Prix and take a tour of the pit lane. Dave tells us about his Formula 1 experience and his trip to Texas. We also talk about the rumored deal between Apple and Google to have Apple use Gemini in Apple Intelligence—this is probably the best news ever for Apple's AI efforts. If you haven't tried Gemini yet, you should—it's incredible. Apple is being forced to allow developers to get payment for their apps from outside the App Store, which means Apple doesn't get its 30% cut. Follow this podcast Show Notes:

• Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix
• Bono immersive movie
• Apple launches ‘Snapshot,’ a new way to discover artists, actors, and athletes
• Apple forced to give developers (almost) free reign to link out and avoid paying Apple’s 30% cut
• Apple Music Gets New Co-Heads in Latest Leadership Shuffle
• Apple, Google, and possible Gemini deal

Shows and movies we're watching

• The Lorenskog Disappearance, Netflix
• Conclave, Prime Video

I’m heading off to Miami this weekend to see the Formula 1 Grand Prix and take a tour of the pit lane. Dave tells us about his Formula 1 experience and his trip to Texas. We also talk about the rumored deal between Apple and Google to have Apple use Gemini in Apple Intelligence—this is probably the best news ever for Apple’s AI efforts. If you haven’t tried Gemini yet, you should—it’s incredible. Apple is being forced to allow developers to get payment for their apps from outside the App Store, which means Apple doesn’t get its 30% cut. Follow this podcast Show Notes: Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix Bono immersive movie Apple launches ‘Snapshot,’ a new way to discover artists, actors, and athletes Apple forced to give developers (almost) free reign to link out and avoid paying Apple’s 30% cut Apple Music Gets New Co-Heads in Latest Leadership Shuffle Apple, Google, and possible Gemini deal Shows and movies we’re watching The Lorenskog Disappearance, Netflix Conclave, Prime Video

Dave has a few questions for our listeners about the difference in inexpensive dash cams compared to the more expensive models. Apple dropped the "Available Now" tagline from its Apple Intelligence page because... well, it's not available. A new survey suggests that people would be willing to pay up to $10 a month for Apple Intelligence. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Insta360 X5: To get a free 45-inch [114cm] invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code "dalrymple", available for the first 30 purchases only. Show Notes:

• Dash cam progress
• Apple drops ‘available now’ from Apple Intelligence page
• 1 in 2 Surveyed Willing to Pay at Least $10/Month for Apple Intelligence
• Siri and iOS 19
• YouTube’s 20th birthday
• Max Cracking Down on Password Sharing With New 'Extra Member' Feature

Shows and movies we're watching

• The Breakthrough, Netflix
• Will Trent, Hulu
• Conclave, Prime Video

Dave has a few questions for our listeners about the difference in inexpensive dash cams compared to the more expensive models. Apple dropped the “Available Now” tagline from its Apple Intelligence page because… well, it’s not available. A new survey suggests that people would be willing to pay up to $10 a month for Apple Intelligence. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: Insta360 X5: To get a free 45-inch [114cm] invisible selfie stick worth US$24.99 with your Insta360 X5 purchase, head to store.insta360.com and use the promo code “dalrymple”, available for the first 30 purchases only. Show Notes: Dash cam progress Apple drops ‘available now’ from Apple Intelligence page 1 in 2 Surveyed Willing to Pay at Least $10/Month for Apple Intelligence Siri and iOS 19 YouTube’s 20th birthday Max Cracking Down on Password Sharing With New ‘Extra Member’ Feature Shows and movies we’re watching The Breakthrough, Netflix Will Trent, Hulu Conclave, Prime Video

Kind of a special episode this week—it's Dave's birthday! This week Dave and I talk about Apple's abrupt changes to its marketing for Apple Intelligence, effectively downplaying the nonexistent technology. We also look at a story describing the internal turmoil of Siri and how badly Apple exectives mismanaged the entire AI revolution. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes:

• Life on other planets
• Apple Abruptly Changes Product Marketing Materials Amid Apple Intelligence Controversy
• Siri turmoil
• CVE security program used by Apple and others has funding removed
• AI generated music flooding online platforms
• Close your rings, get a physical pin

Shows and movies we're watching

• The Snow Girl, Netflix
• Mythic Quest cancelled
• The Residence, Netflix

Kind of a special episode this week—it’s Dave’s birthday! This week Dave and I talk about Apple’s abrupt changes to its marketing for Apple Intelligence, effectively downplaying the nonexistent technology. We also look at a story describing the internal turmoil of Siri and how badly Apple exectives mismanaged the entire AI revolution. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: LinkedIn Jobs: LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Did you know every week, nearly 40 million job seekers visit LinkedIn? Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/DALRYMPLE. Terms and conditions apply. Show Notes: Life on other planets Apple Abruptly Changes Product Marketing Materials Amid Apple Intelligence Controversy Siri turmoil CVE security program used by Apple and others has funding removed AI generated music flooding online platforms Close your rings, get a physical pin Shows and movies we’re watching The Snow Girl, Netflix Mythic Quest cancelled The Residence, Netflix

Apple news, app reviews, and stories by Federico Viticci and friends.

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone https://youtu.be/n1Xcb7tdpqQVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Comfort Zone, Episode 67: All of Comfort Zone Agrees (https://youtu.be/n1Xcb7tdpqQ) Matt brings a new phone (but it’s not what you thiiiink), Chris finally got the iPadOS update of his dreams, and Niléane oversees the PopSockets challenge, […]

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone https://youtu.be/n1Xcb7tdpqQ Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Comfort Zone, Episode 67: All of Comfort Zone Agrees (https://youtu.be/n1Xcb7tdpqQ) Matt brings a new phone (but it’s not what you thiiiink), Chris finally got the iPadOS update of his dreams, and Niléane oversees the PopSockets challenge, which ends up being an all-time Comfort Zone disaster. On Cozy Zone, the gang shares their top five video games. MacStories Unwind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCU-f9pChY4 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: The Aftermath of Review Season | MacStories Unwind (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCU-f9pChY4) This week, Federico and John reflect on the toll of the review process and the annual recovery process before Federico follows up on a TV series and John recommends a pair of albums. Plus, we have a great Marvel movie bundle deal for listeners. Magic Rays of Light Sigmund and Devon highlight The Morning Show’s return, share their thoughts on tvOS 26 and visionOS 26, and look back on the third season of Foundation. Comfort Zone, Episode 67, ‘All of Comfort Zone Agrees’ Show Notes Main Topics Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra iPadOS 26 Other Stuff We Talked About Relay St. Jude Fundraiser Canon C50 cinema camera Cozy Zone For even more from the Comfort Zone crew, you can subscribe to Cozy Zone. Cozy Zone is a weekly bonus episode of Comfort Zone where Matt, Niléane, and Chris invite listeners to join them in the Cozy Zone where they’ll cover extra topics, invent wilder challenges and games, and share all their great (and not so great) takes on tech. You can subscribe to Cozy Zone for $5 per month here or $50 per year here. MacStories Unwind, ‘The Aftermath of Review Season: Recovery and Reflection’ Show Notes The Aftermath of Review Season iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review macOS 26 Tahoe: The MacStories Review CarPlay in iOS 26: The MacStories Review visionOS 26: The MacStories Review watchOS 26: The MacStories Review Picks Federico’s Pick: Hacks, Seasons 1-4 on HBO Max John’s Picks: Tunnel Vision by Beach Bunny I Quit by HAIM Unwind Deal 🔨 Thor – 3-Movie Bundle for $19.99 MacStories Unwind+ We deliver MacStories Unwind+ to Club MacStories subscribers ad-free and early with high bitrate audio every week. To learn more about the benefits of a Club MacStories subscription, visit our Plans page. Magic Rays of Light, Episode 184, ‘tvOS 26 and visionOS 26, The Morning Show, and Foundation’ Show Notes Pre-Roll September 2025 Event Hub | MacStories Highlight The Morning Show tvOS 26 and visionOS 26 visionOS 26: The MacStories Review Trailer Talk Slow Horses — Season 5 The Sisters Grimm Releases The Lost Bus The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy Extras Emmy Celebration 2025 — Official Portrait Studio Chief of War — Behind the Scenes Look at Building Kingdoms Foundation — Demerzel: Behind the Scenes with Laura Birn Highest 2 Lowest — Spike Lee and Denzel Washington in Conversation Slow Horses — Seasons 1-4 Recap Slow Horses — No Brainer Pitch from the Cast Platonic — Seth Rogen & Rose Byrne Play the “Stuff It” Challenge Platonic — Behind the Jeopardy Scene in Season 2 Recap Foundation The Watchlist STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie Causeway Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me Palmer Americana Relay Ne Zha II Secret Mall Apartment Superman Up Next The Paper First, Last, Everything The Works of Robert Redford MacStories launched its first podcast in 2017 with AppStories. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a family of weekly shows that also includes MacStories Unwind, Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything that collectively, cover a broad range of the modern media world from Apple’s streaming service and videogame hardware to apps for a growing audience that appreciates our thoughtful, in-depth approach to media. If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

When CarPlay Ultra was announced… checks notes… three years ago, it was a bold vision for the future of in-car displays. There was as much drooling over the new designs as there was skepticism over whether any car manufacturer would agree to such an extensive display overhaul. Underneath all that, there were also some concerns […]

When CarPlay Ultra was announced… checks notes… three years ago, it was a bold vision for the future of in-car displays. There was as much drooling over the new designs as there was skepticism over whether any car manufacturer would agree to such an extensive display overhaul. Underneath all that, there were also some concerns about where this left regular, vanilla CarPlay. The kind that many people had fallen in love with, and which was often a prerequisite when buying a new car. Was this going away, or would it just be left to wither on the vine? Thankfully, with iOS 26, the answer seems to be a firm “no” as Apple brings much more customization to our in-car displays, mainly by letting the much heralded features of CarPlay Ultra trickle down to regular CarPlay. There’s more than you’d think, so let’s take a look. Design Liquid Glass is across CarPlay and it looks great. Firstly, CarPlay has taken on the visual qualities of Liquid Glass. Since CarPlay is essentially a mirror for your iPhone, this is to be expected, but it’s been done in a way that hasn’t created any legibility issues. You’ll notice the new design in areas like the more rounded corners of app windows, the dock, and toggle switches in Settings. It’s nice, and it brings a fresh, gentle new look to your car. All the different icon options available. You can also change the icons on the Home Screen just as you can on your iPhone. So if you want all clear icons, now you can. Dark icons are also an option, which have come along for the ride (pun intended) with a new dark mode (which can be automatic based on lighting, or forced). I’ve been running dark mode in CarPlay on my VW iD3 all summer, and it’s been an incredible upgrade for legibility and ease of use. The combination of darker backgrounds and crisp white text makes things easier to glance at. Something increasingly important as our in-car entertainment systems become more feature-rich and distracting. More on that in a minute. You can increase the text size. But it might get a bit cramped. Legibility issues can be further improved with a new Large Text option. Quite simply, it makes text larger system-wide in 100, 110, 120, and 135% increments. While this is good to have, what’s stopped me from increasing my text size is that very implementation: system-wide. In some places, such as the Now Playing screen, it’s great, making it much easier to glance at the screen and see what track is playing. However, in other areas, it makes the content more cramped and harder to read. So while it’s a welcome addition, a per-app option would be better. Display Zoom has mixed results for different people. Lastly, Smart Display Zoom aims to resize elements of the UI to better fit your car’s screen. It’s unclear how it determines this, and I’ve seen as many people have their UI reduced as have their UI increased in size, which is what happened to me. Unfortunately, this made apps like Maps difficult to use, so I turned it off. It’s certainly worth checking out, but as with mine, you might not get the result you want. Live Activities A Live Activity in CarPlay. Source: Apple. iOS 26 brings Live Activities to CarPlay. This means that any Live Activity showing on your iPhone will now show up when you are in multi-view mode, along with any maps and music playback. This could be useful, for instance, for tracking how far through a flight a family member you’re picking up is, using Flighty. Still, it’s the start of a worrying trend through CarPlay where there are more detailed distractions on screen that promise to take your attention away from the road, where it should be. A Flighty Live Activity might be helpful, but other Live Activities could be terrible. Take, for instance, Sports Alerts, an excellent live sports scores app. On iOS, they have great Live Activities. However, when transferred to the CarPlay interface, the details become difficult to read without staring intently at them. Before you know it, you’ve had your eyes off the road for more than the recommended two seconds maximum. Additionally, Live Activities seem unreliable in their presence, at least for me. So much so that I haven’t been able to get any to show up since the public release of iOS 26. Hopefully, this is just a minor bug that needs fixing. Widgets Probably the headline feature for CarPlay on iOS 26, widgets are something that has trickled down from CarPlay Ultra. CarPlay has created a new screen that you can access by swiping right from the multi-view layout. On this screen, you can have either one or two stacks of widgets (depending on your screen size). An easy way to set up your widgets in CarPlay. Thankfully, you arrange and add to these stacks from Settings > General > CarPlay > (Your Car) > Widgets on your iPhone, which offers a much better experience than it would have been on the car’s screen. (While we’re here, can we have this approach for organising Standby widgets, please?) You can add up to 5 small widgets from any app on your iPhone that offers them. This is both good news and bad news. The good news is that you can add a widget for a third-party app and not be tied to Apple’s versions of Calendar, Weather, and others. These do nothing. Zilch. The bad news is, literally any widget can be added. This means interactive widgets that use an area of the widget to jump into a specific place in an app are rendered useless. I tried to get ChatGPT to enter voice mode by tapping the button in the widget, but it didn’t respond. Instead, it opened the app when I unlocked my iPhone 10 minutes later. Don’t try this at home. This slapdash approach of just adding every widget is both frustrating and possibly dangerous. An app called Dynamic Lyrics offers a fun widget for your iPhone that displays live lyrics for the currently playing song. Unfortunately, this is now available on CarPlay, meaning that, if you were thoughtless enough, you could have lyrics scrolling up your CarPlay screen while you drive. I’m sure the fine readers of MacStories are not going to be so reckless as to do such a thing, but someone will. And that makes the road less safe for others. Widgets can be very functional in CarPlay. Yet there are some great uses for widgets in CarPlay. Adding a Home Widget with a big chunky button for closing your garage door is a great use case. Alternatively, the Apple Music widget allows you to hit play without navigating to the Music app. The widgets screen can thus become a much more calming default. I don’t have the need to put on some music or have a visible map every time I drive my car, so having a nice analog clock widget paired with a weather widget is so much nicer than my default VW Home Screen or CarPlay app screen. My calming default screen. On the whole, widgets in CarPlay are a win if you’re selective about how you use them, but Apple really needs to rein in the free-for-all access that every app on your iPhone has. Messages Pinned Messages. Source: Apple. Messages in CarPlay now supports your pinned conversations, which is great for the groups you frequent the most and helps reduce the need for scrolling to access them. This is a step forward in reducing interactions while driving, but what pinned conversations give, tapbacks take away. Yes, Tapbacks are now available on CarPlay, and it’s as bad as you can imagine. Tapbacks in CarPlay. Don’t try this at home either. Source: Apple. When receiving a message in the Messages app, after Siri reads it, you will get the option to Tapback alongside the usual Reply and Call buttons. Tapping on this will surface the usual heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, haha, exclamation mark, and question mark, where you can tap on your choice. They are tiny. When Apple announced this, I was honestly shocked. Asking drivers to interact with their display more and further distract them from the road is quite reckless, and I’d advise against using these altogether. Additional Tidbits An incoming phone call is now very non-intrusive. Incoming calls now appear as a pop-up notification instead of taking over the whole screen. This is especially welcome when you’re following a map route and someone calls. When your iPhone is paired to your car and you take a screenshot, by default, you will not get a screenshot of your CarPlay screen. You can turn this option back on in your car’s CarPlay settings. If you have it turned on, Sound Recognition will now alert you if it detects the sound of a baby crying. An excellent feature that those with hearing issues will, I’m sure, welcome while driving with an infant. You can clear any Live Activities or Calendar events that appear in the grid view. Useful for freeing up space, but you can also keep private events off your screen that you might not want passengers to see. If you have a screen that supports it, Maps now has multitouch, allowing you to pinch to zoom to your heart’s delight. CarPlay on iOS 26 brings some new wallpapers, and you can even turn them off completely. Although I don’t think many cars support this feature, if you have the required hardware, you can now AirPlay video content to your car’s screen. Thankfully, this option is only available when your vehicle is parked. Conclusion CarPlay on iOS 26 is a sizable update, with some really great enhancements that make it easier, quicker, and clearer to use. Unfortunately, these updates are hindered by new additions that encourage more interaction and attention while driving. When Apple launched CarPlay and enabled third-party apps to join in, they made sure – and still do – that inappropriate content like video apps was not allowed. Apple’s recent update to its Sports app does not allow its lovely new widget on CarPlay, so it would seem Apple is still thinking deeply about safety in cars. That makes it all the more baffling and frustrating that any app can add seemingly any widget to a CarPlay interface. That, on top of the frankly dangerous addition of Tapbacks in Messages, puts Apple’s claim that CarPlay is “the smarter, safer way to use iPhone while driving” on shaky ground. There is a real need to make car infotainment systems safer to use, and Apple has the technology and influence to build a platform that helps achieve that goal, while still allowing users to be very connected to their iPhone and media. However, they seem to be fumbling the play, which is disappointing to say the least. Nevertheless, if you are aware of these flaws by ignoring Tapbacks and using appropriate widgets, CarPlay for iOS 26 is an excellent update that, thankfully, shows Apple is not moving all its focus to CarPlay Ultra. iOS 26 is available as a free update now. Check out Federico’s full review for everything else you can expect. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLXeFWLWlAVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26: The MacStories Reviews | AppStories | Episode 452 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLXeFWLWlA) This week, Federico and John discuss their annual OS reviews. Federico digs into the details of iOS and iPadOS 26, while John considers […]

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLXeFWLWlA Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26: The MacStories Reviews | AppStories | Episode 452 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLXeFWLWlA) This week, Federico and John discuss their annual OS reviews. Federico digs into the details of iOS and iPadOS 26, while John considers what macOS 26 Tahoe means for users. On AppStories+, John updates listeners on what he bought after last week’s Apple event and why. This episode is sponsored by: Widgetsmith: Make your phone your own with custom widgets and wallpapers. Ready for Liquid Glass in iOS 26. Use our link for a free month of Widgetsmith Premium. Steamclock: We make great apps. Design and development, from demos to details. NPC: Next Portable Console https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUjnyutEdj4 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Steam Emulation on Android Gets Real | NPC: Next Portable Console | Episode 48 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUjnyutEdj4) This week, Brendon emerges from a Silksong fog, Genki settles a lawsuit and sends Federico accessories for the Switch, and Federico and John try emulating Windows on Android handhelds. This week on NPC XL, Federico rebrands with a new bleeding edge project: emulating Windows on Android. First, Last, Everything https://youtu.be/UDmNCvVqt24?si=IA0fZhgICY3Z1LbF Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Michael Flarup | First Last Everything | Episode 2 (https://youtu.be/UDmNCvVqt24?si=IA0fZhgICY3Z1LbF) This time, we’re talking with Michael Flarup. Michael is many things: the head of a game studio, a speaker at Adobe Max, an author, and more. But most of all, Michael is a designer. He’s most well-known for his decades of work as an icon designer on some of the most beloved apps on iOS and macOS under his Pixel Resort banner. He’s released two books on the history of the art form: first around iOS, then focusing on macOS. Now, he runs a game studio, Northplay, where they’re hard at work on their next game, Dinolords! AppStories, Episode 452, ‘iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26: The MacStories Reviews’ Show Notes iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26: The MacStories Reviews iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review by Federico Viticci macOS 26: The MacStories Review by John Voorhees Review week perks for Club MacStories members: iOS and iPadOS 26 Review Extras eBooks, Drafts Actions, Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, and a Special Edition of MacStories Weekly Join Club MacStories by visiting plus.club Apps mentioned Chronicling CARROT Weather Drafts Activas: Intelligent Wellness Drafts ScreenFloat AppStories+ Post-Show 512 GB iPhone 17 Pro Max in Deep Blue AirPods Pro 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 NPC, Episode 48, ‘Steam Emulation on Android Gets Real’ Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Switch 2 Genki Lawsuit Settlement Genki Attack Vector Genki Energy Pack Emulating Windows on Android Game Native Gamehub 5.0 Also, Gamehub 5.0 Launches With Steam Cloud Saves Winlator Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here. First, Last Everything, Episode 2, ‘Michael Flarup’ Show Notes This Episode’s Links Pixel Resort Northplay Buy The iOS Icon Book and The macOS Icon Book Sign up for Michael’s newsletter Buy Michael’s design tools and icons Michael on Dribble Michael on YouTube Michael on Instagram Michael on LinkedIn Michael on X Michael on Mastodon Download Conduct This! Dinolords website Wishlist Dinolords on Steam Michael’s Picks Michael’s ‘First’ pick: Amiga 2000 Michael’s ‘Last’ pick: Apple Vision Pro Michael’s ‘Everything’ pick: Adobe Photoshop on Wikipedia Something ‘The First Digital Camera Was the Size of a Toaster’ – IEEE Spectrum Interview with creator Steve Sasson: Linda Hall Library on YouTube MacStories launched its first podcast in 2017 with AppStories. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a family of weekly shows that also includes MacStories Unwind, Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything that collectively, cover a broad range of the modern media world from Apple’s streaming service and videogame hardware to apps for a growing audience that appreciates our thoughtful, in-depth approach to media. If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Just look at all those great third-party controls. As I explained in my macOS Tahoe review, one of the biggest disappointments was how few third-party Control Center controls I had access to at launch. That was surprising to me given how many developers support Control Center on the iPhone and iPad. So, I spent a […]

Just look at all those great third-party controls. As I explained in my macOS Tahoe review, one of the biggest disappointments was how few third-party Control Center controls I had access to at launch. That was surprising to me given how many developers support Control Center on the iPhone and iPad. So, I spent a lot of time investigating the issue without reaching a satisfactory answer until yesterday. The short story is it’s a bug, and there’s a workaround until it can be fixed by Apple, but here’s the rest of the back-story that didn’t make it into my macOS Tahoe review and how to sidestep it. Before the public beta of Tahoe was ever released, I saw controls for Sequel and MusicHarbor in Control Center. That set my expectations that over the course of the summer I’d see more. During the Tahoe betas it was slim pickings when it came to third-party controls. Instead, those controls disappeared with the release of the Tahoe public beta. It’s not unheard of for Apple to pull a feature in advance of a public beta that needs more work, so I made a mental note to check in periodically to see if third-party controls had reappeared. September rolled around and third-party controls were still nowhere to be seen. I started asking around, checking in with other reviewers and developers. It was around this time that I finally saw Drafts controls appear, and then several days later, ScreenFloat. I also heard from some of the developers I’d contacted that they were struggling with implementing controls. It looked to me as though few developers were supporting controls and of those that wanted to, at least some were struggling with their implementation. The key to unlocking Control Center is Widgets. Of course? Then yesterday I heard privately from a developer who’d been keeping in touch as they tried to implement controls. They told me their code was substantively the same as Drafts’ code, but their controls wouldn’t show up until they tried something that I’d never thought of doing myself: they opened the widgets gallery. Widgets didn’t change in Tahoe, and I have a set I use and like that haven’t changed in months. As a result, I never went into the widget gallery while testing Tahoe, which seems to force a refresh of the Control Center gallery. In retrospect, it sort of makes sense because the underlying technology they use is the same, but it’s still a bug. Game Tracker is one of more than 25 third-party apps now available in my Control Center setup. I wish I’d figured this out before publishing my Tahoe review, but if you’re having trouble with Control Center, just open up the widget gallery by right-clicking on your Desktop and selecting “Edit Widgets…” It’s not clear to me if you need to add a widget to your Desktop for the refresh to happen, but that’s what I did, and now my Control Center gallery has more than 25 third-party controls. My hope is that Apple will fix this bug quickly. If I didn’t discover a workaround for months and after contacting several people, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect anyone else to find it. At least now, though, MacStories readers know the secret incantation to make third-party controls work. Please spread the word. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

As Apple’s newest and most cutting-edge platform, visionOS is also the hardest to nail down. Vision Pro as a product is still so nascent that people don’t quite know what to make of it. Is it a VR headset for gaming and watching movies? Is it a specialized tool for designers and doctors? Or could […]

As Apple’s newest and most cutting-edge platform, visionOS is also the hardest to nail down. Vision Pro as a product is still so nascent that people don’t quite know what to make of it. Is it a VR headset for gaming and watching movies? Is it a specialized tool for designers and doctors? Or could it be a computer that everyday people might one day be interested in using for both work and play? The jury is still out. Although the Vision Pro is very much a product you can buy right now and visionOS is an operating system that users run every day, there’s still an intangible element surrounding the whole ordeal. Most people who aren’t enthusiasts or early adopters have no firsthand experience of what the platform is like. The current form factor limits the potential user base for visionOS to those willing to wear a bulky headset regularly. It’s simply not a platform that just anyone can easily pick up and try for themselves. But for those who do take the plunge, there’s something about visionOS that’s undeniably compelling on a fundamental level. It just feels cool to see windows and objects within your real space and then be able to move them around freely using your eyes and hands. It’s an interaction model that’s long been dreamed about and speculated on, and it’s available in the here and now. For some, the form factor tradeoffs and software limitations of the Vision Pro are enough to outweigh the novelty and magic of it all. But there are others who can’t get enough of visionOS as it stands today and can see its potential to be even more in the future. For them – well, I guess I should say for us – the Vision Pro feels like the future. Based on the ways Apple is moving the platform forward this year, it seems that the company is listening to feedback from both parties. visionOS 26 includes flashy new features for Vision Pro superfans who want to get the most out of the platform’s unique immersive experiences, but it also packs in a bunch of quality-of-life improvements to bring it closer in line with Apple’s other platforms and make the system more approachable to everyday users. And at the same time, the platform is pushing further into areas of interest like gaming and collaboration where it can offer something truly unique from anything else in Apple’s lineup. When I reviewed visionOS 2 last year, I was amazed at the progress that the platform’s development team had made in such a short time. That pace of growth has not let up over the past year, with enhancements like Apple Intelligence and a remade Guest User mode coming in the middle of the visionOS 2 cycle. And visionOS 26 keeps that rapid development going with a ton of new features, improvements, and capabilities that make Vision Pro even more powerful and enjoyable to use. Let’s get into it. Exclusive Extras & Support MacStories eBooks, Making-Of, Drafts Actions, and Apple Intelligence Shortcuts As we do every year, we’ve put together some fun extras to make this week extra special for Club MacStories members who want to dive deeper into this year’s OS updates and reviews. And for Club MacStories Plus and Premier members, we’ve got even more in store to help you improve your automations and workflows using techniques from Federico’s review, as well as exclusive ways to experience our other OS reviews. Today, Club MacStories members can download a complete, interactive eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review to read on their favorite device or app. And this Saturday, Club Members will receive a special edition of our MacStories Weekly newsletter featuring a behind-the-scenes making-of story with details on how Federico researched, wrote, and compiled his review of iOS and iPadOS 26, including his use of Drafts, Notion, LLMs, and more. If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below: Join Annual$50/yearJoin Monthly$5/month Apple Intelligence shortcuts will be released next week. Club MacStories Plus and Premier members get even more perks. Throughout the week, members will receive a set of eBook editions of the macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 reviews from the MacStories team to read however they like. And next week, Federico will publish two special stories exclusively for Club Plus and Premier members: a collection of Drafts actions he used to make his review and a new lesson in the Automation Academy centered on Apple Intelligence shortcuts, showcasing the new ‘Use Model’ action and teaching members how to take advantage of it themselves. To unlock all of these additional perks, use the buttons below to join Club MacStories Plus: Join Annual$100/yearJoin Monthly$10/month Or join Club Premier: Join Annual$120/yearJoin Monthly$12/month The support of our Club members throughout the year means the world to us and helps make it possible for the MacStories team to do what we do. In addition to the exclusive content we publish for Club members year-round, we look forward to offering extra perks like these alongside each fall’s reviews. If you enjoy reading the reviews and want to support our work, consider signing up for Club MacStories and unlocking all of these perks and more. For more details on Club MacStories and this year’s extras, you can read our full breakdown here. [table_of_contents] Widgets visionOS 26 brings widgets to spatial computing. Before the Vision Pro was announced – back when we still thought Apple’s mixed reality software was going to be called xrOS – a lot of the excitement and concept work centered around ways that the technology could be used to surface ambient information in the user’s environment. Basically, the question was, “What will widgets look like in a world where they could appear anywhere?” Ideas ranged from tiles on walls and desktops to realistic-looking 3D objects like clocks and books showing data from their respective apps. Apple’s answer, at least its initial one, is that widgets on visionOS look a lot like the widgets we’ve come to know and love on our other devices, especially the iPad. They’re boxes of varying shapes and sizes that present information from their apps in simplified UIs that can be viewed even when the app itself is closed. While the company has tweaked the implementation a bit to make widgets fit more nicely into a user’s environment, the basic concept is the same as on Apple’s other platforms. Widgets on visionOS look a lot like the widgets we’ve come to know and love on our other devices. That familiarity is a major benefit to visionOS users who already take advantage of widgets on their other devices, like their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. They already know the basics of how these elements work right out of the gate. It’s also helpful for developers, who can take the work they’ve already put into widgets on other platforms and carry it over to visionOS. In fact, this is actually a strange instance where iPad apps running in compatibility mode have an advantage over native visionOS apps: if an iPad app offers widgets on iPadOS, those widgets are automatically available on visionOS as well. Much of my testing over the summer involved trying widgets from iPad apps while visionOS developers were working on their visionOS 26 updates. But given the way widgets have been embraced by developers across Apple’s other platforms, I have no doubt that visionOS apps will be adopting the technology in no time as well. Regardless of whether they’re offered by visionOS apps or iPad apps, widgets add a lot to the visionOS experience day to day, allowing users to enhance their real-world spaces with attractive, data-rich portals into their favorite apps. The Widgets app. Apple’s implementation of widgets on visionOS starts with the new Widgets app. Because widgets on Vision Pro aren’t limited to particular spaces like they are on other platforms, there isn’t a simple way to surface the Widget Gallery anytime the user might want to access it.1 Instead, the Widgets app lives permanently in the Home View and can also be opened via Siri or Spotlight. It offers a gallery-like view of all available widgets, each with an ‘Add Widget’ button to bring the selected option into your physical space. The Widgets app does a great job of offering an experience users will instantly recognize while solving the unique visionOS problem of making widget creation available everywhere. In the gallery, Widgets are grouped by app in an alphabetically sorted list. Apple offers a range of first-party widgets for its own apps, including Clock, Music, Notes, and Photos. The company’s iPad widgets are included, too, like those for News and Calendar. Every app that offers widgets – whether it be from Apple or a third-party developer, visionOS-native or in iPad compatibility mode – is included in the list, with a search bar and a Suggested section at the top. Like they do on Apple’s other platforms, widgets come in a variety of sizes, including small, medium, large, and extra-large. There’s a new vertical extra-large size that’s exclusive to visionOS and meant to give the impression of wall art. Although it wouldn’t work very well on, say, an iPhone screen, it’s a great shape that I hope developers will take advantage of, because the widgets I’ve tried so far in this size look very nice, especially Apple’s Music Poster. While widgets can be placed throughout a user’s space, they can’t be left just anywhere. Widgets need to snap to a surface, either a vertical one (such as a wall) or a horizontal one (such as a table or desk). When placed on a horizontal surface, widgets are angled slightly toward the user to make them easier to view from above. When placed on a vertical surface, widgets sit flush with the surface they’re attached to, as if they’re being physically hung on a wall. Widgets can be inset into walls, adding the impression of depth. Vertically snapped widgets also have a special ability horizontal ones don’t: they can optionally be inset slightly into their surfaces. This creates a window-like depth effect, giving the impression that the widget is nestled within an indentation in the wall. It’s stunning how realistic this inset effect looks even when viewed up-close. I could never afford to have artwork actually inset into my walls at home, but seeing widgets digitally rendered this way makes me wish I could. It’s a really nice look. It’s remarkable just how persistent these little widgets are. The only way any of this works, though, is if widgets actually blend into your environment in a way that makes you forget they aren’t real. For that to happen, the snapping has to be perfect, and positioning must remain intact even as you move around the room. I’m happy to report that this is the case under most conditions. Once I place a widget on my wall or desk, it stays there without any sort of wavering or stuttering. This remains true as I walk around the room, if I leave the room and come back, and even after I restart my Vision Pro. It’s remarkable just how persistent these little widgets are. The only time I’ve ever seen widgets struggle a bit with placement is in low light. My office at work is considered by visionOS to be a dimly lit environment.2 At times, I can see the widgets stutter or move in conjunction with my head movement, but if the system is given enough light, its surface and room detection can keep widgets in place without issue. Speaking of room detection, widgets are anchored to the room they’re placed in. If you leave the room and look in its direction, widgets will not be visible through walls the way regular visionOS windows are. Once you reenter the room, the widgets will reappear – again, in the exact same place you left them. Widgets are even occluded by objects in the room, which means that if there’s something (such as a piece of furniture) between you and the spot where the widget is placed, its digital appearance will be cut off to give the impression that the object is blocking it. In keeping with the idea that they are a part of the room they’re placed in, widgets are also occluded by immersive environments. The way that widgets are so anchored to the real-world environment is impressive and lends to their ability to fade into the background when they aren’t needed. After all, a widget isn’t meant to be the center of attention the way a window is; it’s meant to be there to check when you need it. If you’re placing multiple widgets on the same surface, they will automatically align with one another in an invisible grid that keeps them looking tidy. Without this small addition, I would spend way too much time trying to get my widgets lined up perfectly with one another, so I greatly appreciate this. Widgets can be resized to a degree. Once a widget is created, it cannot be transformed to a different size class like on other platforms. However, widgets in visionOS do have a slight bit of resizability. If you long-press on a widget, you can access its editing mode, where you’re able to use a corner grabber to adjust how big it is between 75% and 125% of its original size. It’s a limited range that ensures widgets remain legible while still not taking up too much room or attention in a space. I tend to max out the sizes of my widgets because I like that little bit of extra real estate to keep things readable from a distance. Long-pressing a widget also reveals its window bar for moving it to another location as well as a customization button. Developers can offer users the same widget customization options on visionOS as on other platforms, such as the ability to disable certain elements. But the system itself adds some universal options as well. Widgets can be tinted with one of seven color options – each available in both light and dark versions – to fit the space’s aesthetic. And the border around each widget, which is added by default, can be made thicker or set to a different color as well. This level of customization makes it easy to fit any widget into any space, and I think users of Apple’s other devices are going to be asking for access to these tinting options themselves before long. Widgets in visionOS are dynamic and interactive, just like they are on other platforms. They’re updated automatically to reflect the latest information from their apps, and they can be used to perform actions in apps (such as playing or pausing a podcast) and to launch apps into particular views. Widgets can show more detail as you approach them. In addition to the new vertical extra-large size and customization options, Apple has added a couple of other unique touches to visionOS widgets that are worth mentioning. Developers can optionally change the density of the information in their widgets based on the user’s proximity. When the user is a couple of meters away or more, a widget can show basic information like an album’s name and artist. But when the user steps closer, the widget can automatically add more information, such as a track list, in response. This dual approach – glanceability from a distance combined with detail when a user is close enough to perceive it – makes for some intriguing possibilities enabled by the way widgets function like actual objects in a room. Additionally, visionOS widgets can adopt a special paper appearance that makes them look less digital and more like real-world artwork, dynamically responding to light around them. Apple’s solution for bringing widgets to visionOS might seem simple on the surface. It’s basically a replication of the feature from the company’s other platforms, which makes it more approachable for both users and developers. At the same time, the visionOS team has put an incredible amount of effort into making sure that widgets are tailored perfectly for the unique challenges they face in mixed reality: placement, persistence, matching the environment, and more. The construction of these spatial elements on top of the firm foundation of what people love about widgets on their other devices is a genius move, and one that pays off so well for users. Even an action as simple as checking the time is made so much easier with the help of widgets. When the Vision Pro originally launched, the default way to find out the time was to open Control Center. visionOS 2 brought the time to the status bar, just a quick hand flip away. But with widgets, I can place a clock – digital or analog, in any number of styles, in the shade of my choosing – literally anywhere in my room and check it when I need to without moving my hands at all. That’s a big win for glanceability. Then there are photos. Who doesn’t love having a picture of loved ones on their wall or desk that they can glance at from time to time? Thanks to widgets, that photo frame can now be a dynamically changing rotation of your most cherished photos, or even a spatial window into some of your favorite memories or locations. Attaching the Podcasts widget to my wall means I no longer need to launch an app in order to start a new episode. Having my day planner sitting on my desk at all times makes it easier to keep my schedule on track. I can instantly launch my six or seven most-visited websites instantly at any time. The list of examples could go on and on. I adore widgets on my Vision Pro. As a fan of widgets on Apple’s other platforms, I was predisposed to like them on visionOS. But even I couldn’t predict how excellent this implementation would be. I adore widgets on my Vision Pro. They give me access to the information I need with a quick glance – not at a device, but simply at a particular location in my space that I can always rely on. Widgets blend the power of instantly available, always up-to-date digital data with the timeless practicality of decorating physical spaces, and they are a smashing success. Photo and Video Spatial Scenes Viewing a spatial scene from different angles. When visionOS 2 introduced the ability to turn regular photos into spatial ones, I couldn’t say enough good things about the feature. I was obsessed with experiencing my favorite memories in this new way. Spatialized photos were – and continue to be – enchanting, adding a whole new dimension to the photo-viewing experience in a way only the Vision Pro can. This year, Apple has taken the concept of spatializing photos even further and expanded it beyond visionOS. Across its platforms, the company is introducing what it calls spatial scenes. Like spatialized photos, these enhanced versions of your pictures intelligently separate layers based on depth; what makes them spatial scenes, though, is that the system then uses a new AI algorithm to generatively fill in the gaps between layers, giving you the ability to view your photos from different perspectives. On iOS, this feature enables 3D lock screen photos that dynamically shift as you move your device around, as well as a similar effect in photo widgets. But of course, spatial scenes are the most impactful on Vision Pro, where you can fully experience the 3D depth effect that’s added to your photos. Spatial scenes can be viewed in Photos, Spatial Gallery, and Safari, though curiously, not in photo widgets, which display spatial photos instead of spatial scenes. Creating a spatial scene from your own photo follows the exact same process as spatializing a photo did last year: open the picture in the Photos app and select the shape icon – now a hexagon instead of a cube – in the upper-right corner of the preview. Even the animation for creating a spatial scene is the same as the one used for creating spatial photos last year. After a couple of seconds, the app will present you with your new spatial scene. Viewing a spatial scene gives the impression of looking through a window into the world of your image. Whereas elements in spatial photos can seem like they’re coming towards you out of the photo’s frame, spatial scenes are contained behind the plane of the photo window. Like spatial photos, they have an added layer of depth that makes them feel more immersive than regular photos. The immersion only deepens when you start to move around while looking at a spatial scene, and it’s this experience that really sets the feature apart from what came before. If you move your head or even walk around while viewing a spatial scene, the image does not shift around in response to your changing perspective. Instead, the image stays in place, allowing you to see different aspects of the scene from different angles while moving around. It’s hard to describe in words, but it’s a truly stunning experience. Imagine holding a printed photo in your hand. That’s what 2D images are like: flat. Now, imagine cutting the subject and various objects within that image out, separating them from the background, and pasting them on a horizontal surface with space between them to represent depth. That’s what a spatial photo is like: you can see the relationship between different layers, but the details are still the same. Now, imagine taking a photo and recreating its elements as lifelike 3D objects in a diorama, allowing you to not only experience depth but different perspectives on the same image. That’s what spatial scenes are like. When I look straight on at a picture I’ve converted to a spatial scene, I can see exactly what I’d expect to: the subject separated from the background with a sense of depth added in. But when I start to move around, I can get a different perspective on the image, seeing people and objects from various angles and even catching glimpses of details that are initially hidden from view. These scenes make you feel more like you’re experiencing a memory than a photo. These scenes offer even more of what I loved about spatialized photos in visionOS 2. The added depth and perspective go further to make you feel more like you’re experiencing a memory than a photo. When the effect works and you’re immersed in it, the emotional impact of viewing photos in this way is quite powerful. It’s as close to actually revisiting a beloved moment as I’ve ever come. You will notice that I added the caveat “when the effect works.” Because it doesn’t always. Spatial scenes rely even more heavily on artificial intelligence than spatialized photos do, going so far as to generate content that doesn’t appear in the original photo itself. Done sparingly in the right context, this can work really well. But there are some photos that simply don’t mesh with this approach. Like spatialized photos, spatial scenes struggle when there isn’t a clear distinction between the subject of a photo and the background, or when there are multiple subjects at varying distances from one another.3 Aspects like lighting conditions, motion, and resolution have a great impact on the final result of spatial scenes, which really need a high-quality original to work from. And there are times when the AI model filling in the gaps in photos gets things wrong, adding in blurry swaths of color that distract from images rather than adding to them. For some pictures, the old spatial photo approach is still the best one, which is why I’m thankful Apple chose to keep that functionality available in the Photos app, now within a photo’s menu. Spatialized photos also offer a larger viewing area in panoramic mode than spatial scenes, which can make the viewing experience more enjoyable when the added perspective isn’t needed. That said, I do think spatial scenes are an exciting step forward for immersive photos, and I find myself converting my pictures into spatial scenes more and more. I don’t want AI generating images for me or changing details in my favorite photos, but when it can be used to make the experience of revisiting pictures I love more fun and rewarding, I’m all for it. Consider me a fan of spatial scenes. New Video Formats Playing a 360-degree video from Files. The Vision Pro’s unique video capabilities are some of its most beloved features. Who would have thought that watching 3D films at home would be something people want to do in 2025? And yet, here we are, with new 3D titles coming to the TV app every week. iPhones can shoot spatial videos with nice depth effects, and Apple Immersive Video continues to showcase the best of what video on visionOS can offer, taking viewers on emotional and thrilling immersive journeys across the world. But these types of videos aren’t the only ones that offer unique experiences in mixed reality, and visionOS is expanding its video capabilities substantially this year. Apple has teamed up with Insta360, GoPro, and Canon to add native support for the companies’ 360-degree, 180-degree, and wide field-of-view videos using a new standard called Apple Projected Media Profile (APMP). These videos can be played from the Files app via Quick Look or streamed in Safari, and developers can add support for the formats to their apps, too. Watching these videos on Vision Pro feels as natural as watching any other. They can be viewed in a regular video window on visionOS or any other platform, but when opened in fullscreen view on visionOS, they expand around the user along an invisible spherical grid, taking up more of the field of view based on how wide the video’s angle is. 360-degree video fully surrounds you, allowing you to look up and down and even turn around to see more content. 180-degree video fills out in front of you but not behind you, and wide field-of-view takes up less space. Watching videos in any of these formats is impressive, though. And there’s never been a device more fit for these types of videos than Vision Pro. Other platforms let you look around within these videos using touch or a cursor, but in visionOS, you can just look around with your eyes to experience the scale and detail of the videos naturally. It’s another opportunity to be immersed in the content you’re watching, and it’s quite effective. Apple’s media profile uses metadata from each video to precisely map it out in front of the user and avoid any distortion, giving these videos the massive, awe-inspiring stage they deserve. There’s never been a device more fit for these types of videos than Vision Pro. Capturing these types of videos is much more approachable than a standard like Apple Immersive Video. While there are some filmmakers trying their hand at the format now with Blackmagic’s URSA Cine Immersive camera, there are many more people out there with action cameras capable of recording wide field-of-video and beyond. Now, they can watch and share their videos on visionOS, whether they be extreme sports clips, walkthroughs of beautiful places around the world, Dungeons and Dragon campaigns, or home videos captured in a fun, different way. Insta360 kindly sent me one of their action cameras, the X5, so I could try capturing and playing back my own 360-degree videos. Though my videography skills might leave something to be desired, the process couldn’t have been more simple. I captured a video on the camera, transferred it to my phone via the Insta360 app, and synced it over iCloud to my Vision Pro. From the Files app, I was able to preview the video in a standard player view, and then, when I hit the fullscreen button, it suddenly appeared all around me, encompassing me in my very own home video footage. Basically, capturing and viewing a 360-degree video was as simple as taking a video from any other camera. But the payoff of watching the video was much more rewarding. These formats offer even further opportunities to step back into moments we love with levels of detail and immersion that were previously impossible. I can watch a video filmed in my living room and literally look all around it, taking in every aspect. How precious is that video going to be in ten years when, at the very least, the room is going to look vastly different than it does now, covered in toys for my toddler and my dog? I’m not even in Insta360’s core demo because I don’t participate in extreme activities that make for great action shots. But even just for simple home videos, a wide field of view adds a great deal of richness that I know I’ll get value from as I revisit videos over the years. And it’s the way visionOS has implemented these formats that makes them so easily accessible. 360-degree, 180-degree, and wide field-of-view video are great additions to an already impressive lineup of video offerings on visionOS. Teaming up with the camera manufacturers to ensure not only compatibility but the highest quality experience was a smart way to move into this space, and I hope that other providers of this content such as YouTube will adopt APMP as well. Spatial Web Browsing Reading an article in spatial browsing mode. While visionOS offers wildly novel experiences when it comes to photos, videos, 3D objects, and more, one area where the platform has been very traditional up to this point is web browsing. In visionOS 2, Safari looked very similar to its counterparts on Apple’s other platforms and offered a similar experience as well. Apple’s hoping to start to change that this year with the introduction of what the company refers to as the spatial web. It’s the Internet we know and (mostly) love, but with the added capabilities of mixed reality. It starts with spatial browsing, Apple’s take on Reader mode in an immersive context. Spatial browsing is available on any website that’s compatible with Reader mode, and Safari will remind you of that fact with a blue banner across the URL bar anytime you load a supported webpage. Tapping that banner or the spatial symbol on the right side of the URL bar will take you into the spatial browsing experience. When viewing a webpage in this mode, Safari will spawn an immersive environment that hides all other windows and centers the content of the webpage in your view. The environment is composed of a colored haze with a hue that’s automatically selected to complement the content you’re viewing. If you’re reading an article, the text of the page is set against this hazy backdrop in a focused reading view, with images automatically converted to spatial scenes as you scroll. (Spatial scenes themselves can also be embedded in websites.) To the right of the content, there’s a small window that displays the page’s title and details, as well as a button to summarize the page if you wish. Spatial browsing includes a special view for videos. Spatial browsing also works on video sites, centering the video in the environment free of window chrome with details and suggestions in the accessory window to the right side. And you can load regular, non-supported pages in the spatial browsing view as well. They’ll appear in a simplified version of the regular browser window with the environmental glow behind them, and the window will switch to the more spatial view when you navigate to a supported site. Personally, I find spatial browsing best when I use it sparingly for specific websites. For the most part, I use my web browser as part of a bigger workflow and don’t want to be siphoned off into a single window. But when I’m catching up on my reading list or checking out a video, it is great to have the option to block out everything else and focus just on the content in front of me. Plus, it does feel cool to experience the sites I visit in a more immersive way. Spatial browsing is Apple’s first attempt at applying Visions Pro’s unique capabilities to the everyday web experience, and it has its benefits. I just wouldn’t leave it on all the time in its current iteration. Interacting with a 3D model embedded on a webpage. There’s more to the spatial web than just spatial browsing, though. Safari now supports viewing and interacting with 3D models embedded directly in webpages. Website owners can add these objects using the <model> HTML element, and the implementation has been really well thought out. Models are rendered behind the surface of the window so they don’t jut out into the user’s view unwelcomed. Model views can be styled with CSS and lit with custom IBL image files to give them a particular look. They can also be animated to show off different angles and attributes of the item being represented. And to make sure webpages are still accessible to users on platforms other than visionOS, web developers can include fallback elements like images and 2D renders for non-spatial browsers to present in lieu of 3D models. This is another example where Vision Pro takes a concept we’ve been approximating on 2D screens forever and makes it literal. Turning over a 360-degree render of a product I’m shopping for with touch on my iPhone is great, but you know what’s even better? Actually seeing the model rendered in 3D space. Not only can models be interacted with on websites, but they can be dragged out of the browser window and placed within the user’s environment as well. There’s no need to scan your room with your phone’s camera and peer at a tiny AR model of the couch you’re shopping for on the screen when you can just place the model in your space and see it at 1:1 scale instead. Viewing and interacting with 3D models is one of the most fun and interesting things one can do on Vision Pro. Bringing that capability to the web makes so much sense, and as AR devices become more popular, these elements will become more and more common across the Internet. This capability has the potential to be really powerful for e-commerce sellers, artists showing off their work, and so many more people who publish on the web. An immersive environment offered by a website in Safari. Websites can also now offer visitors immersive environments to hang out in while they browse. If a site includes an immersive environment, an option to enable it will appear in the Page menu accessed via the icon on the left side of the URL bar, though Safari doesn’t offer any special indicator to let you know an environment is available. As a fan of immersive environments, I wish I had access to many more options, so Apple lowering the bar for publishing them from the App Store to the web at large is a big win in my book. I guess the question we need to answer now is, “What would a MacStories immersive environment look like?” The final puzzle piece in the spatial web, at least for now, is video. Apple Immersive Video, spatial video, and 360-degree, 180-degree, and wide field-of-view video can all be streamed within Safari in visionOS 26. Videos appear normally when played in the embedded video player but expand to their full size and immersion level when played in fullscreen. The basic building blocks for the spatial web are now in place. It’s great to see all of these elements I appreciate about native experiences on visionOS come to the web. I imagine it will be some time before the spatial web grows to a point that we can see its full potential, but the basic building blocks are now in place, and they’ve been implemented in a way that’s accessible for web developers, inclusive of non-spatial platforms, and a meaningful addition to the experience for Vision Pro users. Spatial web? I say bring it on. Personas and SharePlay Persona Improvements A profile view adds more to Personas than you might think. I’m not sure that there’s a visionOS feature that’s come as far in the platform’s short history as personas.4 What started as a noble first attempt to climb out of the depths of the uncanny valley has turned into an incredibly impressive representation of human appearance, expression, and presence that I continue to be blown away by. Apple’s approach to personas has been bold from the start. They’re meant to be realistic avatars that accurately portray the real-world looks and facial expressions of the user. The company could have gone with something more simple like Memoji or even started with facial scans and layered on a bunch of customization options, but that’s not what they did. The Vision Pro takes a few scans of your face at different angles and then, within a minute, generates an entire 3D representation of your likeness to use in video calls and remote spatial experiences. The audacity of such a tactic with zero backup plan is amazing. Apple thinks spatial personas are ready for primetime, and I can’t help but agree. And yet, the visionOS team has proven that they are up to the task. Personas have consistently improved, adding detail and depth with each new iteration, and with visionOS 26, spatial persons are officially exiting beta. Apple thinks these they’re ready for primetime, and I can’t help but agree. When describing these improved personas, the company cites improvements to sharpness, complexion, hair, and eyelashes, and all of those changes are real and impactful – especially sharpness, which helps personas feel more grounded and less otherworldly. But for me, the biggest enhancement to personas this year is the addition of side profiles. Before, the range of movement for personas was quite limited, mostly to a straight-on view. Now, when you turn your head, your persona can mimic that movement while staying in focus, and the side view still looks remarkably realistic. The first time I set up my new persona,5 I was struck by the portrayal of the side of my head. I literally said out loud, “Those are my ears!” with an excitement like I’d never seen them before. The added detail and range of motion make personas feel much more natural and, well, alive. The benefit of personas over any other type of digital avatar is that they have the ability to give the impression of presence in a way that no other type of likeness can. Because a person’s persona looks just like them, when you see them, it feels like you’re actually seeing them. Combine that representation with the way visionOS places personas in space for shared experiences, and you’ve got the best method for getting together remotely with friends and family that I’ve ever seen. If you’re looking to spend quality time with people you care about over a long distance by playing, watching, and just chatting together, you’d be hard pressed to find a better solution than what personas offer. Personas have been adept at mimicking eye and mouth movements from the start, and now, their appearances have caught up with their expressive capabilities. When you put it all together, personas make for incredibly life-like and compelling digital avatars. I’m no longer embarrassed to use mine in video calls with people who aren’t also Vision Pro users. I genuinely like the way my persona represents me in the digital world, and I still find it hard to believe that we’re already to this point so early in the Vision Pro’s development. It was a really hard problem to solve, but the team did it, and they ought to be extremely proud of themselves for what they’ve accomplished with personas. Shared In-Person Experiences The new Share menu for sharing windows locally and via FaceTime. From the start, visionOS has included elements of real-time collaboration and sharing, which makes sense because they are areas where spatial computing can make a huge difference in how we work and interact with others. But up to this point, those features have been focused on remote sharing and collaboration based on the assumption that Vision Pro users are in separate locations and connecting via FaceTime. visionOS 26 removes that assumption and brings in-person shared experiences to the platform for the first time. Vision Pro users can now watch videos, view presentations, collaborate on projects, explore 3D objects, and more together in the same space. Windows, objects, and even environments appear in the same place for all users involved, allowing them to interact with the objects and each other as if the items are physically in the room with them, and media stays perfectly in sync between devices. Remote users can get in on the action via FaceTime, too, and see each user in the shared experience as well as the content being viewed. If all of this sounds a lot like SharePlay, that’s because it is. In fact, in-person shared experiences are based on SharePlay technology, so any app that’s already implemented remote sharing gets in-person sharing for free. Apple is also providing developers with APIs to intelligently place windows and objects based on users’ positions and to display personas for remote participants in locations that make sense given the participants involved and what’s being shared. To make it easy to kick off these shared experiences, Apple has added a Share menu accessible via a new button next to the window bar in supported apps. This menu lists nearby Vision Pro users you can share content with and includes an option to share a window via FaceTime instead. The new Window Sharing toggle in Control Center allows you to choose whether you’d like to be listed as an available participant in the Share menu on nearby users’ Vision Pros. The Share menu’s ‘Find More’ option also gives users the ability to start a shared experience via a private code instead of broadcasting their availability publicly. It’s interesting that these in-person features are coming to visionOS now. The fact that they didn’t ship in visionOS 1 or 2 could be due to the fact that other areas of development simply took priority, or it could be an indication that the platform needed time to become ubiquitous enough for these features to even be necessary. Vision Pro is still a niche product, so the scenarios in which multiple people who have one would find themselves in the same room aren’t that common. I don’t personally know anyone in my area who owns a Vision Pro, so I’ve not yet even had a chance to try these experiences myself, which I think is indicative of where this feature stands for everyday users. At the same time, for companies and friend groups who are invested in Vision Pro and excited about its potential for enhancing in-person experiences, these capabilities likely feel right on time. One of the most common criticisms of the Vision Pro is that it can be isolating. While Apple has taken measures to keep users connected to the world around them while they’re wearing the device, many of its best experiences like watching films on a huge screen have been limited to individual and remote sessions. Now, people in the same room can enjoy these experiences together, not just in real time but while actually looking at the same content in the same location. There’s something to be said for our innate desire to share experiences with the people around us – not just seeing the same thing but looking at it together, side by side, with our attention pointed in the same direction. It might seem arbitrary, but that shared focus serves as a baseline for human connection, and visionOS can now facilitate that in whole new ways. Shared in-person experiences set the stage for a visionOS-powered future. Right now, the Vision Pro user base is small enough that shared in-person experiences won’t be daily occurrences (or possibly even accessible at all) for many users. But as the hardware gets more diversified, affordable, and appealing to a wider audience of users who aren’t early adopters, the technology will already be prepared to make movies nights, planning sessions, and plenty of other shared experiences even better with the unique capabilities of spatial computing. Like so many other features in this release, shared in-person sessions have been thoroughly considered to make the user experience as simple and enriching as possible and to set the stage for a visionOS-powered future. Apps Aside from the new Widgets app and the additions to Safari and Photos previously mentioned, most of the new app features in visionOS 26 are shared with Apple’s other platforms, especially iPadOS and iOS. Here are some of the most notable changes, many of which you can read more about in Federico’s iOS and iPadOS 26 review. List view in the Files app now includes customizable columns. Files: List view has been overhauled with the ability to show and hide columns for various metadata as well as resize columns. Folder icons can be customized with color tinting and symbols, including SF Symbols and emoji. And you can set the default app for a particular file type, which is a welcome and long overdue addition. These enhancements bring Files more in line with the Mac’s Finder and improve the experience of managing files on visionOS greatly. Shortcuts: The new Apple Intelligence ‘Use Model’ action makes Apple’s Foundation models accessible to all users, just as they’re now accessible to third-party developers. AI tools like text summarization and image generation can also be added to automation workflows. The Info panel in Messages now organizes data into tabs. Messages: The detail view that appears when you tap on a contact or group photo at the top of a conversation has been redesigned with tabs to separate out photos, links, documents, and more. You can now set photos and other images as backgrounds for your chats in iMessage. These backgrounds sync across devices and include a spatial depth layer on visionOS. And if backgrounds don’t add enough fun to your group chats, you can now create polls for your friends to take part in, too. Speaking of group chats, typing indicators now show which group members are typing at any given time. Reminders: When you share content to Reminders via the share sheet, Apple Intelligence can now suggest reminders for you to create based on what you share. Task categorization is expanding beyond grocery lists to any list, too, giving you the ability to use AI to organize tasks for work projects, packing, and anything else you use Reminders for. Notes: Markdown support is finally coming to Notes! Well, partially. The app can now import Markdown files, converting them to rich text, and export notes to Markdown format, though Markdown syntax isn’t supported in the Notes app itself. Maps: The Maps app can now log locations you visit in case you want to track where you’ve been or look up information on a place you stopped by a few days ago. While your iPhone is probably the primary source for this data, it does sync via iCloud and is available in the Maps app on visionOS. The TV app now features poster-style artwork for titles. TV: The TV app has a refreshed look with vertical posters representing films and shows in lieu of widescreen tiles. The Continue Watching row continues to employ the wider tiles but now displays show artwork instead of preview frames from individual episodes, which is a downgrade in my opinion. The Library tab now features a small cell appended to the bottom of posters showing the runtime of films and number of episodes in a series. visionOS 26 also introduces the ability for video apps to dynamically mask videos to perfectly match aspect ratios even when they change mid-video, a technology I haven’t yet seen in action but think will make for some epic viewing experiences. Music: AutoMix intelligently transitions between songs, using beat matching and time stretching to seamlessly move from one song to the next. This feature is really cool when it works properly, but it can be quite distracting if it ever goes wrong. I have it turned off most of the time, but when I put on a playlist that I think could benefit from it, I enable it on the Now Playing screen. The Music app now offers Lyrics Translations for select songs as well. Podcasts: Playback speed options have been expanded to allow for listening at 0.8x, 1x, 1.3x, 1.5x, 1.8x, and 2x speeds, though the app doesn’t include the full fine-grained speed control offered on iOS. It’s worth noting that no first-party apps have been converted from iPad compatibility mode to native visionOS apps this year. Calendar, Reminders, Books, Podcasts, Shortcuts and many more system apps continue to remain non-native to Apple’s newest platform over a year and a half after its release. Last year, one of my hopes for the next visionOS cycle was to see all of Apple’s apps debut visionOS versions, and the fact that none of them have done so is concerning. I appreciate the ability to run iPad apps on my Vision Pro and rely on that capability every day, but I wish Apple would step out and really lead the way in visionOS app development because the native app experience is so much better than running apps meant for a different form factor in compatibility mode. There are also a number of apps that debuted on other platforms this year but haven’t made their way to visionOS: Games Preview (now on iOS and iPadOS) Phone (now on iPadOS and macOS) Journal (now on iPadOS and macOS) Meanwhile, visionOS is also the only Apple platform without the Contacts, FaceTime, Find My, or Calculator apps.6 I don’t know of a compelling reason why all of these apps shouldn’t be available on visionOS. At the very least, they run on the iPad and thus should be capable of running on Vision Pro in compatibility mode. The lack of these apps on the platform puts it out of step with the rest of Apple’s ecosystem, undercutting one of the big themes of this OS release. I would really like to see these apps, especially Journal, come sooner rather than later – and I’d love to see what a visionOS-specific version of each of them could look like. System-Level Changes Design The new Control Center. The design section of this review is going to be significantly shorter than that of any other OS review this year because despite the fact that visionOS partially inspired this year’s Liquid Glass redesign on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, the platform itself didn’t get the Liquid Glass treatment aside from some updated icons on the Home View. Instead, window chrome continues to employ a frosted glass look with navigation and toolbars remaining static rather than shrinking and growing as needed. Being such a young platform, it makes sense that visionOS isn’t quite due for a redesign, but this decision does leave some elements of the UI out of step with Apple’s other OSes. For example, context menus on visionOS now look outdated with their lower information density and placement of icons on the right side instead of the left. The circular cursor, which was borrowed from iPadOS, hasn’t been updated to the triangular one that’s debuting in iPadOS 26. Wasn’t a more cohesive experience across devices part of the purpose of Liquid Glass? There are traces of Liquid Glass in iPad apps on visionOS, such as the transparent Now Playing bar in Podcasts. This mishmash of designs is a bit confusing and accentuates the fact that – as was previously mentioned – many of the system apps on visionOS aren’t native to the platform. I’d like to see Liquid Glass come to visionOS in time, but the need for more native system apps on the platform is an even more pressing concern. One area of the system that has gotten a redesign this year is Control Center. It’s been simultaneously simplified and expanded to make the most commonly used settings and controls easy to access. Gone is the miniature version of Control Center that used to appear when you pinched on the status widget. Instead, you’re immediately presented with the full version of the panel from the get-go, which I think is the right approach. The previous version put Control Center three layers deep, and I could never remember what all the symbols meant along the way to getting there. The redesigned Control Center includes all the same controls as before, but now in a simple unified layout. Above the box full of controls, you can see the time, date, battery status, network status, and current Focus mode, with shortcuts to Notification Center and Spotlight off to the right. Along the top-left side are controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and AirPlane Mode. Beneath those are the system volume slider and the Now Playing widget, which can be expanded with a pinch. Finally on the left side, you’ve got your immersive environment control, which can also be expanded to show options to adjust the immersion level and volume. The right side of Control Center is a scrolling list of controls to activate a variety of features, including Mac Virtual Display, screen mirroring, Guest User, Window Sharing, Focus, Travel Mode, and Screen Recording. In the Settings app, you can optionally add other controls to this list like Accessibility Shortcuts, Guided Access, Hearing, Print Center, Sound Recognition, and Text Size. The new Control Center design is a winner. I love the look of the new Control Center. It accomplishes everything it needs to in a UI that’s familiar yet unique to visionOS. While there’s been a lot of change to the way Control Center looks and is accessed over the past year and a half, I think the current design is a winner and one that’s worth sticking with for the long haul – unless Apple wants to bring full customizability and third-party controls over from its other platforms, of course. Quality-of-Life Improvements After major changes to the way visionOS is controlled via gestures last year, this year’s update includes a smaller collection of quality-of-life improvements, but they are nonetheless impactful. Apps can now be organized into custom folders in the Home View. Home View customization continues to expand, this time with the option to create custom folders. Until now, the only folder available was the Compatible Apps folder that iPad apps were stashed away in. Now, every app is added directly to the Home View when downloaded and can be organized any way you like. The process is very similar to creating folders of apps on the iPhone’s Home Screen. You start by pinching and holding on an app icon and then dragging it on top of another icon to create a new folder containing both apps. Then, you can drag as many apps as you like into the folder. Folders can contain multiple pages of up to seven apps, which appear in a fun hexagonal honeycomb shape. You can mix and match visionOS and iPad apps within folders and rename a folder by opening it, entering jiggle mode, and pinching on its name. This is a nice development for the Home View after visionOS 2 gave us the ability to rearrange apps last year. It’s helped me reign in the chaos that I had allowed to reign beyond the second page of my Home View and group apps by category, like Games, Video, and Productivity. Creating folders is easy and satisfying, though I do sometimes run into the classic issue where I’m trying to add an app to a folder only for the folder to move out from underneath my app icon at the last second. It takes some precision to get the dropping gesture just right. As much as I appreciate this new way of organizing apps in the Home View, I can’t help but feel like I’m just manually replicating a solution that’s already available on iOS and iPadOS: the App Library. For years, I haven’t had to worry about where I’m going to place an app icon after downloading it to my phone because the system takes care of organizing it for me unless I explicitly decide to add it to a Home Screen. I’d like that same flexibly on my Vision Pro because I’m happy accessing most of my apps via Siri or Spotlight, but I don’t like the idea of leaving a disorganized mess at the end of my Home View all the time. My fingers are crossed for the Home View to take the next logical step – incorporating the App Library – next year. Scrolling an article hands-free thanks to Look to Scroll. Look to Scroll is a new system-wide feature that allows you to scroll the content of apps without lifting your hands. Simply direct your eyes towards the edge of the screen – top, bottom, left or right – and the app will automatically scroll its contents in the corresponding direction. This is meant to eliminate the need for a constant flicking motion, especially when reading longer articles. I will say that when I’m reading, Look to Scroll feels like magic. It’s so natural that I mostly just forget about it. I can read at whatever pace I like, and when I get close to the bottom of the page, it starts to show new content, but at a gentle enough speed that I never have to stop reading. The experience is smooth and seamless, and my hands definitely appreciate the break. In a nice touch, Look to Scroll deactivates when you’re editing a document. I appreciate this consideration because as much as I enjoy the feature, I definitely don’t want text moving around without my input when I’m working on show notes for Magic Rays of Light. And if Look to Scroll moves too quickly or slowly for your taste, you can adjust its speed in Settings. The feature is available for visionOS developers to implement in their own apps, too. So far, I’ve used it the most in Safari (especially when spatial browsing) and Notes, but I look forward to being able to use it across more of my workflows soon. The app where I miss Look to Scroll most is Books, which is a iPad app and thus doesn’t incorporate the feature. Switching back and forth between manual scrolling and Look to Scroll isn’t too jarring, though, because I’m naturally inclined to scroll with my hand if the page doesn’t start to move for me. Maybe someday, scrolling on visionOS will be a thing of the past, but for now, I’ll take Look to Scroll wherever I can access it. Locking a window to the wall. Window locking is a new option in visionOS 26 that allows you to pin a window to a vertical surface (or a volume to a horizontal one). You lock a window in place by pushing it up against the surface you’d like it to adhere to and waiting for the lock animation to appear. Locked windows do not display the grabber bar for relocation, and they do not recenter in view alongside other windows when you press and hold the Digital Crown. Most windows on my Vision Pro are temporary. I open them, do what I need to do with them, and then close them when I’m done so my workplace stays tidy. But there are times when I want a window to stick around out of the way so I can reference it or keep an eye on a particular message thread. This is when window locking comes in handy, and it’s as rock solid as widget placement in my experience. Like widgets, locked windows are tied to the room they’re placed in, so they disappear when you leave the room and reappear when you return. I’d honestly prefer it if regular windows behaved the same way rather than appearing as outlines through walls, but that’s one of the differentiators between regular and locked windows. When you’re ready to move or close a locked window, you can grab its lock icon and pull it away from its surface to turn it back into a normal window. Low-light performance continues to improve in visionOS 26. If you’re working under circumstances where you can’t see your hands, the system will now replicate them onscreen faintly with a white, ethereal, semi-transparent glow. It’s a nice way of helping you see where your hands are in space without distracting you from your content. I use this feature nearly every night when I’m in bed writing and need to orient my hands in relation to my keyboard. As someone who’s become a night owl and doesn’t want to disturb his family, I appreciate any improvements to using Vision Pro in dark spaces, and this is a nice addition. Jupiter Environment The Jupiter environment is the first to include interactive time controls. One of the most mesmerizing and impactful applications of the Vision Pro’s technology is its immersive environments. With the push of a button, you can be transported from your office or living room to a beautiful beach, to the top of a mountain, or even to space. Whether you’re looking to focus or relax, immersive environments surround you with realistic, high-resolution visuals, movement, and sound that make you feel like you’re somewhere else entirely. Third-party apps can and do offer these immersive environments, and of course, they’re coming to the web this year. But Apple offers a set of first-party environments that can be invoked from the Home View and viewed while working in any app or multiple apps, unlike other environments that are limited to particular apps. So when Apple adds an environment, it’s a big deal; it doesn’t happen very often. visionOS 26 brings the new Jupiter environment, and it’s unique in many ways. Whereas Apple’s other environments mostly leave the space in front of you open to leave room for windows, with elements like water, sand, and clouds that fade as they get further away, Jupiter does the opposite. Right at the center of view is the massive orange planet itself, being viewed from one of its moons, Amalthea. Rather than fade away, this environment draws your attention from the very start. There’s plenty more to look at in this environment, too. From the ice on the ground around you to the stars and other moons floating around in space as you turn around the 360-degree view, the entire thing is just so expansive and fascinating. It’s a view none of us have ever had a chance to see firsthand before, and it leaves quite an impression. But that’s not all Jupiter has to offer, because it’s also Apple’s first interactive immersive environment. Other environments come in light and dark versions that you can toggle manually or set to alternate automatically based on the time of day. Jupiter is a constantly shifting environment, with the sun slowly washing the planet in light, revealing swirls of movement as storms migrate across the planet’s surface. Then, the sun fades, and the entire environment goes dark as Jupiter enters night. You can control the playback of Jupiter’s day by opening Control Center and choosing the new Explore button within the environment’s tile. This will open up a small window that includes a few details about the environment, a slider to manually fast forward and rewind the timeline, and buttons to jump to different points during Jupiter’s day. In the top-left corner of the window, there’s a menu to control the speed of the environment with three options: Pause, Regular, and Faster. I found the motion of the Jupiter environment soothing and helpful for my focus. After playing around with the controls for a little bit, I ended up leaving the Jupiter environment running in Faster mode as I was working on this review. The movement behind my windows, along with the shifting light on the moon around me as the day passed, offered the perfect amount of novelty and motion without being too distracting. It felt like having an animated wallpaper running, except it was all around me instead of just on a computer monitor. Even though there was motion on all sides, I actually found it soothing and helpful for my focus. The Jupiter environment is downright impressive, and I’m happy that I have the chance to work and hang out there as often as I like. Its dynamic nature is so refreshing and fun, and I hope to see Apple bring the concept of customization to more of the built-in environments. Hopefully, Jupiter is a preview of what we can expect from more epic environments to come. Accessories visionOS 26 includes support for a couple of new spatial accessories that will give the system added capabilities and open up new categories of apps on the platform. The first is support for spatial controllers, starting with the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. These offer six degrees of freedom, haptic feedback, and more precise position and rotation input than hand tracking for VR gaming. Apple has touted Resolution Games’ upcoming pickleball training app Pickle Pro as an example of what’s possible with spatial controllers in visionOS, and I imagine more spatial and VR games will become available on the platform due to this integration alone. Games even have the ability to require spatial controllers, meaning developers don’t have to use hand tracking as a fallback if they don’t want to. You can navigate the entire visionOS system using spatial controllers in place of hand tracking if you like as well. The other new accessory supported in visionOS 26 is the Logitech Muse, a spatial stylus that can be used for drawing, annotating, sculpting, and more. It features tracking in six degrees of freedom and button input. Apple Pencil fans have asked for stylus support in visionOS since its launch, and it’s now part of the system. I have not been able to try either of these accessories myself yet, but I can’t wait to get my hands on them when they’re available for purchase.7 In the meantime, the APIs are available for developers to include in their visionOS 26 apps in anticipation of a wider release. I can’t wait to see what new apps become possible on visionOS because of these integrations. Another Vision Pro accessory that continues to gain more and more capabilities is the Developer Strap. The $300 contraption adds a USB port to the device to aid developers in connecting to their Macs, testing code, and capturing high-quality screen captures. In visionOS 26, the Developer Strap is learning a couple of new tricks. First up is the ability to connect to wired networks over Ethernet, offering a more stable alternative to Wi-Fi connections that can come in handy for gaming, video production, and more. The second capability isn’t a new one per se, but it will be new for most users. The Developer Strap has been capable of receiving USB Video over UVC for some time, but the feature was locked behind an enterprise entitlement most developers couldn’t access. Now, that limitation has been removed, paving the way for apps like UVSee and, soon, Portal to accept and display UVC inputs. I tested this capability by wiring my iPad Pro to my Vision Pro using a USB-C to HDMI cable and a capture card, and it worked seamlessly. While I could always mirror my iPad wirelessly via AirPlay, this enabled me to use my Vision Pro as a secondary display alongside my iPad’s built-in screen. It’s important to note that the implementation only supports video, not audio, but this opens up the Vision Pro to be used to monitor cameras, play games from external devices, and more. I/O on the Vision Pro can be quite useful when enabled. My hope for the Developer Strap’s next new upgrade is the ability to transfer data to and from USB drives. It’s not something I do often, but it is a capability I need from time to time, and I think it’s something a spatial computer should be able to do. In the long run, I would love to see all of these features incorporated into the USB port on the battery pack of a future Vision Pro so all users can take advantage of them, not just developers. Regardless, it’s great to see the Developer Strap continue to add new capabilities, proving that I/O on the Vision Pro can be quite useful when enabled. iPhone Integration 99% of the time when I’m wearing my Vision Pro, I also have my phone close by. There are certain apps on my phone that aren’t available on Vision Pro, and there are some tasks that I just prefer to do on my phone. Apple is making the two devices work more seamlessly together, and it makes for a much smoother experience when I do need to pick up my phone while wearing the Vision Pro. Unlocking my iPhone while wearing Vision Pro is so much easier now. Face ID doesn’t work when you’re wearing a headset that blocks part of your face, so you have to unlock your phone another way. In the past, I’ve either unlocked the phone with my Apple Watch or entered my passcode manually, but neither of those solutions is ideal. With visionOS 26 and iOS 26, you can now enable the Vision Pro as a trusted device that can unlock your iPhone for you when it’s nearby and unlocked with Optic ID. This option is available in the Face ID & Passcode settings on the iPhone, and since I enabled it, I’ve been able to simply pick up my phone and unlock it without any extra effort while wearing my Vision Pro. The iPhone screen is now visible through immersive content. Viewing the iPhone screen while wearing the Vision Pro can be tricky, too. Until now, visionOS windows and environments would block your iPhone’s screen from view. Now, visionOS will automatically recognize your phone’s screen and allow it to break through UI, similar to the way your hands and physical keyboards do. (This also works with supported game controllers in visionOS 26). This breakthrough is instant and feels natural, making it much easier to see your phone’s screen without needing to hold it in a particular way or close your visionOS windows. Although the Vision Pro does not have a Phone app, it can now display and accept forwarded calls from your iPhone when nearby. This feature has been available on the iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch for some time now, and it is both convenient and dependable. Apple has spoiled me on the ability to answer (or reject) a phone call from any of my devices, so when my phone rings, I naturally try to address the call on whichever device I’m using. The Vision Pro can handle that task now, too. You can also now choose to record audio calls. Finally, the iPhone and Vision Pro are working together to make switching between devices even better this year. You can now save your eye and hand data, vision prescription, and accessibility settings from your Vision Pro in iCloud, allowing you to later recall that data from your iPhone when setting up another Vision Pro. Having been through the eye- and hand-tracking setup process many times, I appreciate any opportunity to make sharing or setting up a new Vision Pro speedier. Taken together, all of these seemingly minor connections between the iPhone and Vision Pro make using both devices in conjunction easier and smoother. They also firmly embed the Vision Pro within the Apple ecosystem, which is a win for those who are invested in and comfortable with the features Apple offers across its platforms. These enhancements have removed a bunch of small annoyances in my daily use of the Vision Pro, something I appreciate greatly as I use my device every day, and I imagine other Vision Pro users who also have iPhones will feel the same way when they see these integrations in action. Conclusion Trying to sum up visionOS 26 is difficult because it’s doing a lot of different things at once. It’s elevating the day-to-day experience of using Vision Pro with quality-of-life improvements. It’s adopting features Apple fans already love like widgets and making the system work more seamlessly with the company’s other devices. It’s introducing new ways to enjoy photos and videos with more immersion than ever. And it’s taking big swings and setting the stage for the future with features like spatial browsing, in-person experience sharing, and spatial accessory integration. There’s a lot happening in this release. Now in its third major version, visionOS still feels like a platform that’s just getting started. It’s growing by leaps and bounds year over year, it has a ton of momentum behind it, and there’s still so much more ground left for it to cover. It’s still very much early days for spatial computing, and it’s an exciting time. visionOS still feels like a platform that’s just getting started. This update does offer us some hints about where Apple sees the platform currently and the direction that it’s headed in. visionOS 26 includes several new enterprise APIs that aren’t relevant for everyday users but make Vision Pro even more appealing to companies, many of which are adopting the device to improve how their employees collaborate and get work done. Features like shared in-person experiences and the easy transfer of user setup data from one Vision Pro to another feel custom-made for corporations issuing fleets of Vision Pros to their workforces. There’s a lot of interest in spatial computing coming from the enterprise world, and Apple is working to meet those special needs and grow the platform’s base in that area. Gaming, obviously, is another realm that the company is trying to push visionOS further into with the addition of spatial controllers. It will be interesting to see how the gaming landscape changes on the platform over the next year. Will developers of popular AR and VR games port their titles over to visionOS now that it has a more standard input mechanism? Will there be a significant audience for those games that depend on an accessory that doesn’t come included with the device? Could gaming on visionOS become a significant source of revenue for developers and Apple alike the way iOS gaming has been for a very long time? We’ll have to wait and see. The expansion of video formats that can be enjoyed on the device is also telling. Rather than insisting on spatial and immersive video being the only way forward, Apple has chosen to collaborate with existing players in the wide field-of-view market to the benefit of users and creatives alike. There are so many interesting ways to tell stories in emerging video formats now, using equipment that’s more accessible to up-and-coming filmmakers than ever, and the Vision Pro has the potential to be the go-to place to see all of it. I think we’ll see Apple continue to push these unique video experiences as a key part of the visionOS experience, and I hope the company will keep working on partnerships to make these videos even easier to access and create. And then there’s the computing part of spatial computing. Vision Pro is about more than just entertainment, after all; it’s a tool for learning, expressing creativity, and getting work done. Platform features like widgets and new web standards that push the Internet into the spatial age are important progressions on this front, but there’s still more work to be done. There are a lot of apps missing on Vision Pro, not only first-party apps that need to come over from Apple’s other platforms, but third-party tools that developers have yet to bring over themselves. For visionOS to thrive, it needs a healthy third-party app ecosystem not just for spatial experiences but also for productivity, utility, and creativity. Apple is always taking steps to introduce new tools that empower developers – this year including enhancements to make volumes more flexible and the ability to project Remote Immersive Spaces from macOS apps – but the company must also continue to do the work of getting developers onboard with and excited for the, well, vision of spatial computing and all it can be. On the user experience front, the Control Center redesign is an excellent improvement, and there are other areas of the operating system that I’d like to see revisited in the same way. Multitasking is still more difficult than it needs to be, with no way to save groups of windows for future use or quickly access frequently-used apps without invoking the Home View. The notification system needs an overhaul to make notifications more informative and actionable. And where are Focus filters on visionOS? If there’s one device I have that lends itself towards total focus, it’s my Vision Pro (in the Jupiter environment, of course); I should be able to contextually limit interruptions on the device the same way I can on my phone, tablet, and laptop. There’s plenty of time to solve all of these problems, though. visionOS is by no means finished; in fact, it feels like it’s just beginning. The team behind the platform has done an incredible job of further defining what spatial computing is and moving it forward in so many ways this year, and I fully trust that they have more wonderful things in the works to show us soon. A really interesting change in Apple’s software marketing strategy this year is that everything announced for visionOS at WWDC is shipping in version 26.0. That means we have almost no idea what’s in store for its mid-cycle updates between now and next June, which makes me very excited. As it starts its third major cycle, visionOS is in a great place. It’s come so far from where it started just a year and a half ago, and it’s still chock full of potential and hope for what spatial computing could be. It’s no secret that I’m a believer, and with every improvement, every additional link to the broader ecosystem, and every new unique experience that’s offered, the platform only expands its appeal further and further. We haven’t reached a point where spatial computing is something everyday users are ready to embrace yet, but we’re moving in that direction. And in the meantime, I’m having a ton of fun seeing this new way of computing take shape before my very eyes. Special Thanks This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of writing a visionOS review for MacStories, and it still feels unreal. I am tremendously thankful to share this story with such an enthusiastic, generous audience. I’d like to thank a few people who had a hand in making this project happen: My wife Katherine, for her endless support of my passions, even when they involve wearing a headset around the house. My son Noah, who inspires me each and every day. Federico Viticci, for building something incredible in MacStories and letting me be a part of it. John Voorhees, for so many things, but especially his patience and guidance. Sigmund Judge, a true friend and someone I’d chat with about tech for hours a week even if we didn’t make a podcast together. The entire MacStories team, whom I consider it an honor to work alongside. The Vision Pro user community at large, for their passion and creativity that’s taking the platform to new heights. The Vision Pro team at Apple, who are doing groundbreaking work that’s benefitting many people, and will continue to for years to come. Magic Rays of Light listeners. Club MacStories members. And thank you for reading. The MacStories community is an amazing group of people, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. You are what makes covering these stories so enjoyable. Can you imagine jiggle mode, but for your physical environment? ↩︎ What can I say? I'm not a fan of overhead fluorescent lighting. ↩︎ When a spatial scene grossly miscalculates the distance between objects, it can create some hilarious results. ↩︎ The only other feature I can think of that comes remotely close is Guest User mode. ↩︎ The only downside to constant persona improvements is the need to go through the setup process again each time. ↩︎ Remember when that was a huge complaint about iPadOS? Simpler times. ↩︎ I need them for my work! ↩︎ Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. 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Last year was my first covering the watchOS beat with version 11. It turned out to be a trial by fire, with the annual software update for the world’s most popular smartwatch proving to be both sizable and significant. While controversy reigned over iOS, iPadOS, and macOS regarding new Apple Intelligence features, watchOS took an […]

Last year was my first covering the watchOS beat with version 11. It turned out to be a trial by fire, with the annual software update for the world’s most popular smartwatch proving to be both sizable and significant. While controversy reigned over iOS, iPadOS, and macOS regarding new Apple Intelligence features, watchOS took an exit off of that highway to a more peaceful, focused road that contained real, tangible updates. There were long-requested customizations to Activity Rings, as well as added power and functionality in the Smart Stack. Brand new features like Training Load and the Vitals app started to hint that Apple was maybe, finally, getting serious about, well, serious athletes. If I’m being honest, I expected more of the same this year. The watchOS team seemed to be on a roll. Unfortunately, that hasn’t come to pass with watchOS 26, which – unlike watchOS 11 with Apple Intelligence – has been brought along for the ride with this year’s big controversy: Liquid Glass. Can watchOS 26 handle this big UI overhaul and still deliver some tangible additions in this, the year of the Apple Watch’s tenth anniversary? Let’s take a look. Exclusive Extras & Support MacStories eBooks, Making-Of, Drafts Actions, and Apple Intelligence Shortcuts As we do every year, we’ve put together some fun extras to make this week extra special for Club MacStories members who want to dive deeper into this year’s OS updates and reviews. And for Club MacStories Plus and Premier members, we’ve got even more in store to help you improve your automations and workflows using techniques from Federico’s review, as well as exclusive ways to experience our other OS reviews. Today, Club MacStories members can download a complete, interactive eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review to read on their favorite device or app. And this Saturday, Club Members will receive a special edition of our MacStories Weekly newsletter featuring a behind-the-scenes making-of story with details on how Federico researched, wrote, and compiled his review of iOS and iPadOS 26, including his use of Drafts, Notion, LLMs, and more. If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below: Join Annual$50/yearJoin Monthly$5/month Apple Intelligence shortcuts will be released next week. Club MacStories Plus and Premier members get even more perks. Throughout the week, members will receive a set of eBook editions of the macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 reviews from the MacStories team to read however they like. And next week, Federico will publish two special stories exclusively for Club Plus and Premier members: a collection of Drafts actions he used to make his review and a new lesson in the Automation Academy centered on Apple Intelligence shortcuts, showcasing the new ‘Use Model’ action and teaching members how to take advantage of it themselves. To unlock all of these additional perks, use the buttons below to join Club MacStories Plus: Join Annual$100/yearJoin Monthly$10/month Or join Club Premier: Join Annual$120/yearJoin Monthly$12/month The support of our Club members throughout the year means the world to us and helps make it possible for the MacStories team to do what we do. In addition to the exclusive content we publish for Club members year-round, we look forward to offering extra perks like these alongside each fall’s reviews. If you enjoy reading the reviews and want to support our work, consider signing up for Club MacStories and unlocking all of these perks and more. For more details on Club MacStories and this year’s extras, you can read our full breakdown here. [table_of_contents] Design UI design on watchOS has largely remained the same in recent years. Even when we receive a notable change like what we saw in watchOS 10, it’s been more evolution than revolution, and the look and feel have always felt familiar. This year was a massive one for design on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and the question was whether we would see any significant alterations to Apple’s smallest OS. For the most part, the answer is no, but not without a few twists in that tale. Liquid Glass On iOS, I fall into the camp of those who like the physicality of Liquid Glass but really dislike the legibility compromises. I find the pared-back UI attractive and occasionally functional; still, I struggle to support a design system that makes text and icons significantly less readable and, on occasion, illegible. Liquid Glass takes a brief skim over most of the UI. You’d be forgiven if you forgot it was there. In watchOS 26, Liquid Glass amounts to not much more than a re-skinning of the system, with buttons, widgets, and the like taking on shiny, reflective edges. There are none of the animations present on the other platforms, and the position of buttons, checkboxes, and other elements remains the same as on watchOS 11. This seems like a wise decision. It was only two years ago, with watchOS 10, that Apple introduced a significant new design system for the Apple Watch. Going through another big revision this year would have been jarring, to say the least. Liquid Glass on the Apple Watch is fine. It’s not adding anything useful, nor is it taking anything away. It also strikes me that one of the key pitches of Liquid Glass – the idea that the UI vanishes into the background so you can focus on your content – is the exact antithesis of what the watchOS UI needs to be. The size of the Apple Watch necessitates a UI that is both clear and intuitive, with considerable areas of interactivity. For the most part, Liquid Glass on the Apple Watch is fine. It’s not adding anything useful, nor is it taking anything away, and there are few transparency issues since the watchOS UI rarely sits on top of any content. It’s a visual change all the way down. The new design is not without a couple of bad implementations. One of the few exceptions is the passcode screen, and the result is, unfortunately, emblematic of the flaws with the whole Liquid Glass concept. The numbered buttons appear in all their translucent, Liquid Glass glory, and the numbers are white, which means that if you have a dark watch face, you should have no problem at all. The issue arises when you have a very light and detailed watch face, such as a bright image on the Photos watch face. In this situation, the numbers start to disappear into the background. The same can be said for notifications. Again, if you have a dark watch face or if you’re using a dark app when you invoke Notification Center, you should be fine. However, if you’re using a bright watch face or app, then you run into a bit of trouble. Is this a massive issue in the grand scheme of things? No, not really. If you type your passcode daily, you likely have so much muscle memory for this action that you no longer need the numbers. Notifications are still readable; it’s just not that pleasant to do so. In the end, it’s a failure in UI design and accessibility, but it occurs in so few places that it doesn’t affect regular usage all that much. Watch Faces Despite still refusing to give us what we want – nay, deserve – in the form of third-party watch faces, Apple continues its yearly tradition of introducing new designs to accompany the latest Apple Watch releases. This year, there are two new faces called Exactograph and Flow. Exactograph is pretty nuts. In a good way. Exactograph is made up of concentric circles, each displaying either the hours, minutes, or seconds. In this regular form, the design looks quite similar to the Solar Dial, Lunar, and Chronograph Pro watch faces, and I’m sure many people will enjoy it. However, if you change the face’s style setting, you can make the two outermost dials (the ones for seconds and minutes) zoom outwards so that they are many times larger than the watch face itself. As the seconds and minutes pass, these dials rotate around the center axis of the watch face. That is honestly the best way I can describe it, and it still doesn’t give the proper impression. You can have a look at the example images above, but to truly appreciate this design, you will have to try it for yourself. And of course, you can customize it to your heart’s content with different colors. I’m not sure that a lot of people will keep this face in its expanded form, but I suspect many will enjoy the collapsed version. Either way, it’s a pretty funky bit of design, and I was slightly hypnotized the first time I tried it. Can you read the time on the left? Somewhat predictably, there is also a Liquid Glass watch face, though for some reason, Apple has decided to christen it Flow. The background features a glowing heat map-style shape with the time displayed in big, bold numbers in front of it. These numbers refract the light, just like Liquid Glass does, which, regrettably, renders them slightly harder to read. You can use the simple SF Rounded font for the numbers, but there is an alternative font that’s honestly quite bad. If you look at the image above, you will see a selection of screenshots I took at various times of the day. Can you work out what time it is on the far left example in under a few seconds? If you can, you have better vision than I do. Despite the option of having a black background and solid numbers, the Flow watch face is, unfortunately, a hard fail. Liquid Glass is also prominent in the updated Photos watch face. This face works almost exactly as it did in watchOS 11: you specify the different categories (people, pets, nature, and cities) you want to see photos of, and the numerical time will poke out from behind various key elements of each picture. The Photos face with Liquid Glass numbers is very hit or miss. The twist in watchOS 26 is that the time will take on the translucent Liquid Glass effect. This works with varying degrees of success. If your background is an image of a mountain with a clear blue sky, the Liquid Glass effect works well. If you have a complex photo with an overly detailed background, the numerals become harder to read. Is it illegible? No. But the whole idea of the time on a watch face is that it should be easily glanceable. If you have to spend a few extra seconds adjusting your eyes to read the time, it reduces the face’s utility. The good news is that you can turn off the Liquid Glass effect on the Photos watch face, returning it to watchOS 11 levels of legibility. The great new Waypoint and Hermès watch faces. Source: Apple. If you’re an Apple Watch Ultra user, you now have access to a brand new watch face called Waypoint, and it’s a doozy. At first glance, it seems like another chronograph-style face, but there are two big features that scream “outdoors”. The first is a circular dial just inside the compass that runs around the outside. This dial features points of interest that change position based on the direction you are facing. They include the following items, which you can filter: Waypoints Map pins Map places Map routes Map guides Trailheads Beaches Parked cars You can further refine what is displayed on the dial by limiting the radial distance of objects that will be included. For example, if you want to know the way back to your waypoint but not to your car, which you parked further away at the camp, you could adjust this setting to not show the vehicle. The second prominent feature of the Waypoint face is an extra-large custom complication that can be located in the bottom-right or bottom-left corner. This can show any app complication as well as one of five specialized data points: Compass Elevation Level Last Viewed Waypoint Parked Car Waypoint I don’t have an Apple Watch Ultra to try this out on, but this seems like it would be a very popular watch face for those who go on long, complex hikes or follow intricate trails. It looks very cool to say the least. Finally, for those of us with a bit of extra cash to spend on a Hermès watch band, you can enjoy the exclusive Hermès Faubourg Party watch face. The design features some animated pixel art reminiscent of early Apple Macintosh days, even including an old “paint can” fill icon. There’s a flying horse, a weird, rapidly growing vine, and more. Honestly, it looks nuts and makes me, for a fraction of a fraction of a second, want to get an Hermès watch to have this. As Meatloaf almost sang: three out of five great new watch faces ain’t bad. Health & Activity After an initial false start where they heavily targeted the device as a fashion accessory, Apple has increasingly promoted the Apple Watch as a product to keep you healthy. The company is now pretty happy with saying, with no hyperbole, that the Apple Watch can and will save your life. Those life-saving functions, however, are thankfully rarely needed by most of us. So Apple also continues to focus on new features and enhancements to watchOS that will help us improve our fitness, stay in shape, and generally feel better about our health. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Workout app. Workout Buddy The Workout app has a big new feature: Workout Buddy. It’s an AI-generated voice that provides you with periodic updates on your workout, along with motivational phrases such as, “Let’s get to it”, or, “You’re crushing it”. It’s important to focus on that name, Workout Buddy, because the word buddy is key in differentiating the feature from a workout coach. This is not a personal trainer, nor is it going to give you workout-specific tips. What Workout Buddy is here to do is provide you with motivation and running statistics. The three voices you can choose from are all trained on voice data from Fitness+ trainers, although none of the trainers specifically recorded audio for the feature. If you’ve used Fitness+ before, the voices will seem very familiar. The cadence and manner of speaking are similar to Fitness+ trainers in a weird, I-can’t-quite-put-my-finger-on-it way. Workout Buddy doesn’t just quote stats and encourage you; it also references what you are listening to by saying things like, “Enjoy listening to First, Last, Everything”, (shameless plug) or, “Let’s get things going with your workout playlist”. It does this by accessing the title, artist, and genre of the content you’re currently listening to. The big question is, “Will people like it?” The answer, I believe, will be very split. I know many people who have already tried Workout Buddy in the watchOS betas and love it. I also know many who don’t. I, unfortunately, fall into the latter camp. I love Fitness+ and its trainers (shout-out to Kim from Hackney!), but their enthusiastic brand of training is always particular to the workout I’m doing. When they motivate me, it’s usually in reference to the all-out cycle interval I’m doing or the last rep of a strength workout. Workout Buddy suffers from being built as a top-line statistics announcer, lacking the specificity that would be useful. Workout Buddy feels too cheesy, too forced, and not natural (which is literally the case). Just the other day, I recorded a 15-minute walk to the shops because my Apple Watch prompted me to. After I got there and ended the workout, Workout Buddy declared it to be “great work”, adding, “Well done for getting out there and crushing your goals!” – which, for going to the shop to get a loaf of bread, seemed a bit excessive. Workout Buddy suffers from being built as a top-line statistics announcer, lacking the specificity that would be useful. Everything that it says is about something in the past: your last mile pace, the distance you’ve walked this month, the progress you’ve made on your rings. I can already get a lot of these statistics from Siri. There is one final flaw in Workout Buddy, and that is the requirement of a connected iPhone to function. You see, all the LLM work occurs on that device, not the Apple Watch. So if you want to go out for a run with Workout Buddy, you’ll have to take your iPhone with you. Nevertheless, as I mentioned, some people seem to really like Workout Buddy. Not all features can be for all people, and this is a prime example of that. If you’re someone who can get value out of Workout Buddy, I’m confident you’ll know within the first couple of days using it. For the rest of us, there’s always Fitness+ or a motivational playlist with heart rate, time, and split alerts turned on. Workout App Despite Apple’s fanfare over Workout Buddy, the big news is really in the Workout app itself, with a clever design overhaul that allows endless customization of your workout preferences. The first thing you’ll notice is the change in layout. Gone are the scrolling lists of cards containing different workouts, and in their place is a full-screen layout for each workout type with buttons in each corner. The new Workout app design is a fantastic upgrade. You can swipe or scroll with the Digital Crown to move to a different workout. However, this motion tends to be quite sensitive, so scrolling from one workout to the next can sometimes be akin to performing heart surgery, such is the gentle accuracy you need to maintain. The big news is really in the Workout app itself. Going from the top-left corner of the screen clockwise, the new buttons are: Metrics and Views Goals and Targets Workout Buddy and Alerts Media Each of these categories allows you to customize the default settings for each type of workout, except for Goals and Targets, which lets you kick off a custom version of that workout type. Metrics and Views There are lots of different statistics you can show on screen while you are working out, such as average pace, distance, heart rate, active calories, and more. The Workout app offers a range of customizable templates, allowing you to tailor your workout experience – per workout type – to your preferences and display the statistics that matter most to you. You define what you want to see here. Goals and Targets Like the Metrics and View section, this is essentially unchanged from watchOS 11. Goal-based workouts for this workout type, as well as custom workouts and race routes, are displayed for easy access. You can create your custom workouts here, too. Workout Buddy and Alerts In this section, you can turn Workout Buddy on or off and choose the voice for it. You can also turn on alerts for heart rate zones, time splits, and distance splits. If Workout Buddy is disabled when you turn these alerts on, Siri’s voice will deliver them instead. Media You can choose any audio you want to play automatically upon starting a workout. This section contains a new feature called Autoplay Media. With this enabled, your Apple Watch will automatically play media through paired headphones when you start a workout, unless you are already listening to something. You can choose what media to play by selecting a playlist from Apple Music or a podcast from Apple Podcasts. Third-party apps can also be used as sources here, but they need to adopt the InPlayMediaIntent API to be shown as an option. If you’d prefer to mix things up with your workout music, you can select ‘Picked for You’. Then, Apple Music will choose one of its own playlists, such as ‘Energy’, ‘Motivated’, or ‘Chill Music’, depending on the type of workout you are doing. Customization is catnip to nerds, but this way of specifying so many settings that can differ from one workout to another is fantastic. If you regularly partake in many different types of workouts, you could easily spend half an hour or so adjusting each one to your liking. It’s the level of customization that not just computer nerds like, but fitness nerds too, and it leads us nicely into some big news for Custom Workouts. Custom Workouts Apple announced custom workouts for the Apple Watch back in watchOS 10, giving users the ability to create custom intervals of the same workout type with targets like time, distance, pace, and more. It was great, but my goodness, it was so fiddly. Now, you can create these custom workouts in the Fitness app on your iPhone with iOS 26. There is a spark for this change, but it also has an interesting knock-on effect. The spark is quite clearly the new AirPods Pro 3, which feature a heart rate sensor to track workouts whether the user is wearing an Apple Watch or not. The Fitness app on iOS now contains an additional tab that allows you to start a workout using AirPods Pro, Apple Watch, or – interestingly – any other Bluetooth-enabled heart rate monitor, such as a chest strap. Workouts are now on your iPhone, and they’re just as customizable as on the Apple Watch. One huge benefit to having custom workouts available on your iPhone is that they’re much easier to create, customize, and manage on the larger screen. They also sync with your Apple Watch, so any previously created workouts on your watch appear on your phone and vice versa. An Apple Watch feature coming to another Apple device years later is very rare, and it’s even rarer for the company to make it immediately compatible with third-party products. It’s an intriguing development to say the least. In the app, the different types of workouts appear in a list, with buttons to start a workout or adjust settings for media and Workout Buddy, just like on the watch. (And yes, these settings sync back to the watch too.) To create a workout, tap the Goals and Targets icon for the desired workout type. In the next screen, you’ll see a list of default workout variables to start, as well as any race routes you’ve saved or frequently followed. Custom workouts can now be created on iOS, a much easier experience than making them on watchOS. If you scroll down to the bottom of the list, you can tap the ‘+’ symbol to create a custom workout. The creation process works the same as on the Apple Watch, allowing you to specify warm-up, cooldown, and work intervals, as well as repeat values and custom names for each one. You can also share these workouts with other people, a feature that is currently somewhat hidden but should be more prominent. This makes the Fitness app on iOS an even more compelling workout app that’s also totally free for users. In this single app, you can now track daily fitness goals, take part in a workout with a professional trainer, create your own customizable workouts, and see how your friends are doing with their Activity rings and workouts. That’s not as feature-rich as several of the paid fitness apps out there, but it’s getting closer and closer, and for most people, it’s more than enough. Sleep Score Last year, with watchOS 11, Apple introduced the new Vitals app to track your average values for heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen, and sleep duration overnight. Every morning, you can check if any data points were outside their normal range and use that information to guide your day. For instance, if your wrist temperature is a bit high, it could be a sign that you are coming down with something, so you might then approach the day more carefully, ensuring that you take care of yourself, avoid stress, and maybe take more rest. You are provided with an extremely limited amount of context for your sleep score. Although it’s not as informative as it could be, the Vitals app is helpful in spotting when I might be getting run down. It’s no surprise to see Apple expand on the feature this year with sleep scores. The problem is, once I dug into how this new feature works, I was disappointed to find that it’s not really much of an extension of the Vitals app at all. After a night of sleep wearing your Apple Watch, you’re given a sleep score ranging from 1–100. That figure is calculated as a total of the following three pieces of data: 0–50 points for sleep duration and how much of that time is spent in deep sleep and REM. 0–30 points for the time you go to bed and how consistent it is with your normal bedtime. 0–20 points for the number of times you wake up during the night. As you can see, only one of these data points comes from the Vitals app: sleep duration. The combination of these three pieces of data to calculate a sleep score is not uncommon. Still, when there are other products out there like Whoop and even third-party apps such as Sleep++ and Athlytic using data like Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Resting Heart Rate (RHR) data points to inform their sleep scores, it’s very disappointing to see such a generic approach from Apple. One good aspect of this feature is that you don’t need to wear an Apple Watch to take advantage of it. If you use a Garmin watch or any other device that can input sleep data into the Health app, you will get a sleep score based on that information. Despite having graphs, sleep score in the Health app isn’t much better than on the watch. Sleep scores are also retrospective, so you can look back at your sleep score data for any night’s sleep in the past where you were wearing your Apple Watch or other device. I’m not sure why you would want to do this, but it’s nice to have. However, the lack of context or follow-up advice is another frustration I have with this feature. If you receive a poor sleep score, the Health app doesn’t provide guidance on how to improve it; you’re left to figure that out on your own. Overall, the feature is passable. There’s a growing trend of devices offering users sleep scores, and now the Apple Watch also does it. So sure, why not? The disappointment is that with data points such as HRV and RHR right there for Apple to take advantage of (as the aforementioned Sleep++ and Athlytic do), this take on a sleep score feels very undercooked. Hypertension Notifications An example of a hypertension notification. Source: Apple. Hypertension is a form of chronic high blood pressure that often leads to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease if left undiagnosed. The World Health Organization says this disease affects over 1.3 billion people worldwide. The problem with detecting hypertension is that there are rarely any visible symptoms, and about half of adults worldwide who have it are unaware. The only way to detect hypertension is to take multiple blood pressure (BP) readings over a period of time. The difficulty with this kind of diagnosis is that to take accurate BP readings, you need a proper cuff and monitor that you wrap around your upper arm. You could buy your own BP monitor and take readings every day, but that’s just impractical for most of us. The new hypertension notifications feature in watchOS 26 aims to aid in hypertension diagnosis. Using data from the heart sensor on your Apple Watch, a machine learning algorithm works in the background to determine how your blood vessels responded to your heartbeats over the last 30 days. If the algorithm detects signs of hypertension, your Apple Watch and the Health app on iOS will alert you. The onboarding for hypertension notifications is very smooth. Setup is simple, involving a few steps to acknowledge you are over 22, don’t have a history of hypertension, and are not pregnant. Then it’s good to go. Because these are not actual blood pressure readings, the alert will encourage you to use a proper blood pressure cuff to take readings over the course of seven days (the health app even has a BP logging feature) and then talk to your doctor. This approach is similar to the way the device handles AFib notifications, where the Apple Watch doesn’t actually diagnose you with an illness; instead, it prompts you to investigate further. These hypertension notifications could well prove to be another life-saving feature. This new feature was born out of multiple medical studies involving over 100,000 participants and validated with a decentralized clinical study. During the study, over half of the participants who had hypertension received notifications, and the percentage was even higher among those with the higher-risk stage of hypertension. Interestingly, just over 95% of people in the study who were notified had elevated blood pressure, whether or not they ended up being diagnosed with hypertension. While these hypertension notifications could well prove to be another life-saving feature, that last figure really stood out to me. The possibility of your Apple Watch being able to detect high blood pressure is a fascinating development, even if it’s not official and comes via a false positive hypertension notification. At the very least, it might prompt someone to consider their lifestyle, should they receive that notification but not turn out to have hypertension. Hypertension notifications are available on the Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and 11, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and 3. Interactivity The Apple Watch is arguably the most active piece of hardware you own because it measures your vitals so often. It’s also the one you probably interact with least, and when you do, it’s only for short bursts of time. As such, the Apple Watch needs to surface information promptly and make interactions quick and easy. Apple has refined watchOS’ approach to this constantly since the Apple Watch debuted, but it’s been in the last two to three years – with additions like the Smart Stack, Live Activities, and the double tap gesture – that the system has made significant advancements. Health features lead the way in every Apple Watch update, but the progressions in interactivity show no signs of slowing down. Smart Stack The Smart Stack continues to receive the most attention of all the Apple Watch’s non-health interactions. The addition of Live Activities was a big step forward last year, and it led me to reach for my iPhone a lot less to check on food deliveries, Citymapper routes, and sports scores. They were all just a wrist-turn away on my watch. Now, the Smart Stack is gaining even more utility in the form of Smart Stack hints, which appear as small icons at the bottom of your watch face. Though they might seem totally new, they’re really an evolution of widget suggestions. Using a new on-device relevancy algorithm, watchOS leverages data such as location, date, time, sleep schedule, and more to enable the Smart Stack to make more ephemeral widget suggestions. The icon itself is merely, as the name suggests, a hint to the user that a widget suggestion has been added. You still need to tap on the hint or open the Smart Stack to view the widget; alternatively, you can swipe down to dismiss it. The Smart Stack hint for the Camera Remote is easily triggered and very useful. The easiest way to check this feature out is by triggering the Camera Remote hint. When you open the native Camera app on your iPhone, a small camera icon will appear at the bottom of your watch face. Tap it, and the Smart Stack will open, revealing a widget for opening the Camera Remote app. Other Smart Stack hints include activating Do Not Disturb when a meeting is detected in your calendar and starting a frequently used workout type when you arrive at your gym. And third-party app developers can even leverage this new algorithm to create their own hints. Imagine being prompted to start a timer in Timery at the beginning of a meeting, or to start a stretching routine in Bend at bedtime. This feature has a lot of potential. While the ability to quickly launch Camera Remote when setting up a big family picture is beneficial to me, after an initial flurry of hints early on in the beta period, they largely stopped appearing on my watch. I have no idea why this could be, and I may be just missing them. But perhaps this is a sign that the feature isn’t as effective as it could be. Smart Stack hints have a lot of potential. Smart Stack hints are subtle and appear silently on your Apple Watch without any notification or haptic feedback. Given how deeply you can customize widget suggestions, I’d like to see the option to enable haptic feedback to prompt me to check out a hint. If that were possible, I might notice Smart Stack hints more often than I currently do. Additionally, it strikes me that it would be more efficient to let the hint icon actually launch its own app in some cases. For instance, when interacting with the Camera Control hint, I still have to tap again on the widget in the Smart Stack to open the app. If I’m tapping on the hint in the first place, I obviously want to launch Camera Control. Being able to do so with just one tap would be a welcome reduction in friction. Widgets can now be individually customized, like this one from the Weather app. One other change to the Smart Stack is the ability to configure widgets. This is essentially identical to the existing option to configure a single, solitary widget in the Smart Stack with three complications of your choosing. Any app can now offer these configurable widgets, allowing users to customize them with any complication-style data or action relevant to them. watchOS 26 itself already provides a configurable widget for the Weather app, and I hope to see many developers do the same with their apps. After all, this means that apps don’t have to offer endless variations of widgets; they can offer up just one and let users decide what to show side by side. Control Center Development of Control Center has remained stagnant for eight years now, but this year sees the feature’s first meaningful enhancement. It has long been the place for single-action buttons. You can toggle Wi-Fi on and off, activate a sound on your iPhone to help you find it, turn the screen into a flashlight, and more. But these have always been basic system controls. Now, in watchOS 26, you can add more controls for built-in apps to Control Center, as well as – crucially – third-party controls. Any Apple Watch app can offer controls to interact with or control the app. You can also add many single-action controls that make their way over from Control Center on the iPhone. The types of controls you can add to Control Center fall into three categories: Launching a watchOS app, optionally to a specific place in the app. Triggering a specific action within a watchOS app – for instance, starting a HomeKit scene or kicking off a shortcut. Triggering a control available on your iPhone, almost as if your watch is opening your iPhone and tapping the control in Control Center for you. You can add a lot more controls to Control Center. Triggering a HomeKit scene has proved particularly useful for me as I sit down to watch a movie. I have the control placed near the top of my Control Center, so when I’m about to start watching, I simply press the side button to bring up Control Center and tap it. It’s a straightforward two-tap process, and although it takes two or three seconds to activate (as HomeKit actions on the Apple Watch tend to do), I really love the convenience. There are endless controls you can add for apps on your iPhone, and I found an excellent use for the ExpressVPN control, which allows me to activate the VPN on my iPhone directly from my wrist. Additionally, a new update to µBrowser enables me to launch directly into my bookmark for The Verge to take a glance at the day’s headlines without pulling my iPhone out of my pocket. While it’s not the much-needed rethink Control Center deserves, these new capabilities do provide it with more utility, which I’m grateful for. They grant users much better access to actions that would typically take up space on the watch face as complications. The most obvious example is HomeKit scenes. Being able to trigger these directly from your watch is very convenient. Gestures I am a massive fan of the double tap gesture introduced with the Apple Watch Series 9, and I’ve been keenly waiting for Apple to expand on it with others. It may have taken two years to see another one, but the wrist flick gesture has been worth the wait. The new wrist flick gesture replaces your other hand in many cases. Source: Apple. The easiest way to explain the wrist flick gesture is that it acts like pressing the Digital Crown. That might sound simple, but the range of situations where this comes in handy is wide and varied. When a notification comes in, you can flick your wrist away from you to dismiss it. When you are in any app, you can flick your wrist to return to your app list or watch face (depending on where you were last). You can even open your Smart Stack using double tap, scroll through it with subsequent double taps, and then flick your wrist to return to the watch face. No tapping of the screen needed – just gestures. The wrist flick gesture has been worth the wait. Apple’s demonstration of this feature was quite limited: dismissing a notification or an alarm. But the better way to think of it is as a replacement for the many times you have to bring your opposite hand all the way over to your watch in order to press the Digital Crown or cover the screen. Honestly, this gesture has completely changed the way I interact with my Apple Watch. Although it took some time to adjust my muscle memory, I now use wrist flick extensively. I would love for Apple to enable this gesture to do more, like bringing down Notification Center from the watch face. Still, for now, it’s a great example of the innovative thinking that goes into the watchOS platform with real benefit for everyday users. Notes App watchOS 26 finally sees the arrival of the Notes app on Apple Watch. Its productivity sibling, Reminders, has been available on the platform since 2016 with watchOS 3, so it’s astounding that it’s taken almost 10 years for Notes to make the leap. It also makes it all the more frustrating to see how much Apple has kneecapped the app on watchOS. All you can do in the Notes app is on these four screens. This will by far be the shortest chapter in this review, as the “features” of the Notes app can be laid out very quickly. First, you can view a list of all your notes, synced via iCloud with your other devices, with pinned notes at the top. Second, you can open a note, but you cannot edit or interact with it in any way except to check off items in a checklist that you will need to create on another device. Third, you can delete any note. Could we have gotten a better experience? The only additional feature is the ability to create a new note from scratch; however, this is also severely restricted. There are two ways to add text (you cannot add links, pictures, or lists on the Apple Watch): typing and dictation. I don’t anticipate many people using the former due to its slow speed. Dictation seems more promising, but it’s hampered by the watchOS dictation limit – two minutes for on-device languages, one minute for languages not on-device. Two minutes might seem like a long time, but in testing, I found that time passed very quickly, and it restricted what I could say. All of this coalesces into the Notes app being useful for two things: Viewing your notes. Dictating a short note. You cannot style text or add headings, so once you’ve created a new note, it takes the form of a single block of text, locked until you open it on another device. Did you get a word wrong, did you forget to mention something, or did your Apple Watch misunderstand you? Too bad; you have to redo it all in a new note. I understand how the Apple Watch’s small interface might limit one’s ability to edit a note, but the idea that it isn’t even practical to let someone append text to the end of an existing note seems quite silly. I guess we should be grateful that we can now view notes on our Apple Watches, but boy, could we have gotten a better experience? Additional Tidbits The Messages app has taken on most of the changes in its counterparts on Apple’s other platforms. This includes message backgrounds, polls, Live Translation, and smart actions. Smart actions are prompts based on the context of the message you receive. For instance, if your friend asks where you are, Messages will surface a button to share your location. It’s great to see Messages on watchOS keeping lock step with the other OSes. Likewise, the Phone app has done the same, gaining new features like Call Screening and Hold Assist that have been released this year for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Apple has thankfully rectified a big flaw in watch face refresh rates. Last year, when the Series 10 screen brought a 1Hz refresh rate to the Apple Watch for the first time, it was an exciting possibility to have the Always-On screen update every second, displaying the seconds on certain watch faces. Unfortunately, only the new faces that debuted alongside the Series 10 supported that capability. Now, thankfully, that restriction is no more: all watch faces that need to update every second can do so whether the screen is active or the Always-On mode is enabled. This feature, of course, only works on the Series 10, Series 11, and Ultra 3 models. A small change in buttons (left and center) and a new look for the watch face gallery (right). The only other place where a shift in watchOS’ UI design is apparent is when swiping on list items. You can see this in the Timers app when you have multiple timers. Where most people will notice it, though, is in the Smart Stack. When you swipe to clear a suggested widget, the buttons are no longer squares with corner radii that match the widget; they are now circles. I like this change because, while the radius of the Apple Watch’s corners has increased, giving it a more curved look, these kinds of buttons have remained quite square, reminiscent of older models. The Face Gallery has undergone a redesign, too, though it’s more of a reorganization than a new look. Each watch face is now placed under a big tab for a specific genre like ‘Health & Fitness’ or ‘Data Rich’. It’s nothing groundbreaking, but to some extent, it does help you find the watch face you want. In some bad news for Pixar fans, the Toy Story watch face is no more. The reason for this removal has not been announced, and while I don’t use this face, I’m disappointed to see it go. After all, if we can have fun with Snoopy on our watch faces, why can’t we see Buzz, Woody, and Co. when we check the time? Finally, as I covered earlier in the year, watchOS gains Live Listen controls and other accessibility features such as Live Captions. With the latter feature, you can place your iPhone near someone who is speaking and see the readout of what they are saying directly on your Apple Watch, which is very cool. Conclusion Going into this review, I had my conclusion solidified quite nicely in my head. watchOS 26 wasn’t a massive update, which made it easier to identify where the strong spots were, as well as the missteps – that was, until late last week when I discovered a new, unannounced feature that put a big twist in the tale of this year’s release. More on that shortly. watchOS 26 is, in the end, a bit of a mixed bag. The trend of maximum customization on the platform, led in recent years by the Smart Stack, spreads to the Workout app, creating a great user experience. A small but clever feature, Smart Stack hints are a nice addition – when they work. The Control Center enhancements are also good, and I love the new wrist flick gesture. Heck, even the watch faces include three excellent new designs. It remains to be seen, but hypertension notifications could prove to be an incredible new health benefit for Apple Watch users, saving even more lives. Even if it saves just one person, it’s hard to argue that the feature wasn’t worth it. Unfortunately, on the other end of the spectrum, there are letdowns. The Notes app, it’s fair to say, now exists on the Apple Watch – except, it does little more than that in a weak debut that could have and should have been better. Liquid Glass isn’t a disaster on watchOS, but the few legibility issues are enough to be slightly annoying. Sleep score is half-baked and frustrating, considering how much better it could have been, and Workout Buddy feels like Apple trying to replace a human with an AI, but with all the limitations of doing so. You’ll notice this rundown is all over the place in terms of the narrative of watchOS 26, and maybe that’s part of the problem. While adding features across the platform isn’t an issue per se, when some of those features – Notes, sleep score, Workout Buddy – feel incomplete, you have to wonder whether a more focused approach in two or three areas would have been better. Then again, all of the missteps this year haven’t damaged any existing experiences, while the successes have boosted already solid areas such as the Workout app and Smart Stack. If it sounds as though I’m struggling to reach a clear conclusion, that’s because I don’t think there is one, which matches the mixed experience of using watchOS 26. When three headline features don’t pass the smell test, it’s hard not to be disappointed. Nevertheless, the successes outweigh the failures, and when everyone gets their hands on this update, I think those successes will be what they notice most. The Twist Late last week, I discovered not only that all custom workouts were coming to the Fitness app on the iPhone (something that Apple didn’t talk openly about at the event on September 9), but also that it seems you can use them with any Bluetooth heart rate tracker. I may be off base here, but I previously saw this as a significant line in the sand that Apple wouldn’t want to cross. While you could do workouts in the watchOS Workout app with a chest strap, you always had to pair it to an Apple Watch. Using AirPods Pro instead of an Apple Watch seemed like a logical expansion of that process for Apple. “A device with a heart rate tracker” in the Fitness app is quite a step forward for Apple. However, the Fitness app’s ability not only to create full, custom workouts and use race routes, but also to connect to third-party devices (such as chest straps), marks the first time the company has let non-Apple products cross that line in the sand and be used in an Apple workout without the Apple Watch. Part of me wonders whether this is the first sign of Apple opening up its Fitness offerings to be truly cross-platform rather than an ecosystem lock-in. Or maybe it’s just one little concession, and Apple will continue to keep users tied to the ever-powerful Apple Watch world. Either way, I’m going to be keeping an eye on this. Well, I’m off to further tweak the settings for all my different workout types. You should, too. Special Thanks It’s been a less intense year for watchOS, but I couldn’t have written this review without these awesome humans (and two felines): L&L, my girls. You’re the best people ever. Thanks for the love, support, and cuddles. Nina and Ella, thanks for the most needy cuddles two cats could give. My family, and in particular my parents, for always supporting and encouraging me. I said it last year, but thanks, Dad, for introducing me to a Macintosh 30 years ago. Federico and John, for your patience and support in not just my writing, but also my podcast (second shameless plug!). Devon, you’re the nicest person I know online and the best editor a guy could want. Cheers! Niléane, my MacStories teammate! All the app developers for doing awesome work, and in particular those who sent me betas to test. Everyone on the Apple Watch team at Apple. You’re some smart people! Every Club MacStories member for supporting everything we do here. Our amazing Discord members; the friendliest bunch of people on the Internet. And of course, you, dear reader. As we all know, the credits are the best part. Since you’ve made it this far, here’s an Apple gift card. 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I’m going to cut to the chase – I like macOS 26 Tahoe a lot. No, it’s not perfect, and yes, I wish Apple had done even more, but that’s the case every year. What I love about Tahoe is its balance. It’s not the sort of thing you can draw up a set of […]

I’m going to cut to the chase – I like macOS 26 Tahoe a lot. No, it’s not perfect, and yes, I wish Apple had done even more, but that’s the case every year. What I love about Tahoe is its balance. It’s not the sort of thing you can draw up a set of specs or a table of pros and cons for. It just feels right. The heart of why Tahoe works is that it meets users where they are better than the typical annual release. If you’ve been using macOS for years and prefer to follow a beaten path through its features, you can. You may stumble across a new feature now and then, and you’ll notice visual differences thanks to Liquid Glass, but I’ve been moving between macOS Sequoia and Tahoe all summer long, and when I’m not seeking out what’s new, everything simply feels familiar and comfortable. That’s a good thing for an OS that’s relied upon by millions of people to get their work done. But you’re probably wondering how I can say that given the Liquid Glass design and online drama surrounding it over the summer. The thing is, whether you’re a Liquid Glass fan or foe, it’s just not as big of a deal on the Mac as it is elsewhere. I’ll explain what I like about Liquid Glass and what I don’t, but it hasn’t moved the needle at all when it comes to my daily work. [Tahoe is] a release that walks a careful line between the familiar and the new. What has moved the needle are the new features available in Tahoe. They won’t get in the way of your existing workflows, but if you’re interested in exploring new and better ways of getting things done, there’s a lot to like about this update. That’s why I’m such a big fan of macOS 26: it’s a release that walks a careful line between the familiar and the new. There’s no adjustment period, but there are plenty of new features to explore that I think will make a big difference in the way MacStories readers use their Macs. So join me for a tour off the beaten path to explore what you can expect to discover in macOS 26 Tahoe. Exclusive Extras & Support MacStories eBooks, Making-Of, Drafts Actions, and Apple Intelligence Shortcuts As we do every year, we’ve put together some fun extras to make this week extra special for Club MacStories members who want to dive deeper into this year’s OS updates and reviews. And for Club MacStories Plus and Premier members, we’ve got even more in store to help you improve your automations and workflows using techniques from Federico’s review, as well as exclusive ways to experience our other OS reviews. Today, Club MacStories members can download a complete, interactive eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review to read on their favorite device or app. And this Saturday, Club Members will receive a special edition of our MacStories Weekly newsletter featuring a behind-the-scenes making-of story with details on how Federico researched, wrote, and compiled his review of iOS and iPadOS 26, including his use of Drafts, Notion, LLMs, and more. If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below: Join Annual$50/yearJoin Monthly$5/month Apple Intelligence shortcuts will be released next week. Club MacStories Plus and Premier members get even more perks. Throughout the week, members will receive a set of eBook editions of the macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 reviews from the MacStories team to read however they like. And next week, Federico will publish two special stories exclusively for Club Plus and Premier members: a collection of Drafts actions he used to make his review and a new lesson in the Automation Academy centered on Apple Intelligence shortcuts, showcasing the new ‘Use Model’ action and teaching members how to take advantage of it themselves. To unlock all of these additional perks, use the buttons below to join Club MacStories Plus: Join Annual$100/yearJoin Monthly$10/month Or join Club Premier: Join Annual$120/yearJoin Monthly$12/month The support of our Club members throughout the year means the world to us and helps make it possible for the MacStories team to do what we do. In addition to the exclusive content we publish for Club members year-round, we look forward to offering extra perks like these alongside each fall’s reviews. If you enjoy reading the reviews and want to support our work, consider signing up for Club MacStories and unlocking all of these perks and more. For more details on Club MacStories and this year’s extras, you can read our full breakdown here. [table_of_contents] Liquid Glass Two very different Liquid Glass implementations. Before getting to the new features Tahoe has to offer, I think it’s worth examining the OS’s design changes. Liquid Glass, the marketing term Apple uses to describe a collection of visual changes to its OSes, was revealed with great fanfare at WWDC. https://youtu.be/jGztGfRujSE?feature=shared Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Introducing Liquid Glass | Apple (https://youtu.be/jGztGfRujSE?feature=shared) If you were paying attention at all over the summer, you probably came across your fair share of hot takes for and against Liquid Glass. There were a lot of opinions, and most were as reductive in their substance as Apple’s marketing term for the design language is itself. Liquid Glass isn’t like an Instagram filter that’s been applied across the Mac’s UI. Instead, it’s a collection of changes big and small that differ in their look across every Apple platform. Liquid Glass also employs different elements depending on the context and app. However, it isn’t always clear why one treatment is used in one context and not another. That makes Liquid Glass a little hard to evaluate. But, “Beta Summer” is over, and Tahoe has been released, so let’s dig in and examine it more closely to see what works, what doesn’t, and what the future may hold. Windows, Sidebars, and Toolbars The Finder’s new Liquid Glass look. I want to start with the Finder because everyone spends a lot of time there, making it an app that Apple’s designers need to get right. Here’s an example from Sequoia of my Recents folder running against the backdrop of one of Apple’s built-in wallpapers. The Finder in macOS Sequoia. You can see that the sidebar and toolbar both take on some of the colors of the wallpaper, but they’re more opaque than not. For example, the video and WAV file icons in the top row don’t show through the Finder’s toolbar. Now, let’s look at a similar screenshot from macOS Tahoe using one of its built-in wallpapers. The Finder in macOS Tahoe. Like the last screenshot, this one has no windows behind it. You can see that the wallpaper shines through the sidebar and toolbar more than it does on Sequoia. This is a folder of screenshots, and you can clearly make out each rectangle sitting behind the sidebar and extending into the toolbar. However, they don’t obscure the buttons in the toolbar because those aren’t nearly as translucent as the empty spaces surrounding them. Close-up of the Finder’s toolbar button groupings. There are other differences, too. Button groupings are always visible in Tahoe, whereas they only appear on hover in Sequoia. The preview panel also displays more metadata for some file types in Tahoe. Plus, the corners of Tahoe’s windows are rounder than Sequoia’s. The two Finder windows certainly look different, but I wouldn’t say the Finder is worse because of the changes. Both are perfectly readable to my eye. I also appreciate the depth effect that the distinct layers offer. They form clear boundaries between each element, making items like buttons easier to distinguish from their surrounding labels, chrome, and content. The Finder in list view. The Finder in icon view. However, Finder comes with an asterisk. I use it with the tab bar visible most of the time, whether I’m using tabs or not. I also almost always use a list view in Finder. What I discovered when I turned off the tab bar and switched to an icon grid view was that the Finder toolbar and buttons became far more transparent. Dark file icons are more noticeable beneath the toolbar, and text becomes more of a distraction. I wouldn’t say the difference makes the Finder unusable, but it does strike me as an inconsistent design approach. I can’t think of any reason why icons and their labels should shine through the toolbar and its buttons more than a list view or any view with tabs enables, but here we are. Hopefully, Apple harmonizes these views in a future update. Safari on Sequoia. Safari on Tahoe. I’m not going to walk you through every system app because the patterns are pretty clear, but I do have a couple more examples to share. The first is Safari. Like in the Finder, Tahoe’s toolbar and sidebar are more translucent, and the corners of the window are rounder. With Safari though, the utility of the always-visible button groupings is even more apparent. Sequoia’s Safari extension buttons were just a collection of random toolbar icons that took on a button shape when you hovered over them. With Tahoe, the extension buttons are grouped, providing a more cohesive look to the toolbar that I like a lot. As with the Finder, the more opaque button backgrounds make them easy to read, and the layering of buttons and the sidebar sets both off from the webpage you’re viewing. Another design change that distinguishes Safari in Tahoe from Sequoia relates to tabs. Tahoe’s browser tabs have been rounded so they look more like sunken pills in a slot above the browser content than tabs of paper folders. It looks great, separating the tabs from the browser content better than before and doing a good job of distinguishing the active tab from others. Now, let’s take a look at an app that I think Tahoe makes look worse: Music. One of the stated goals of Liquid Glass is to unify the styles of each of Apple’s OSes. Music shows what happens when that goal isn’t balanced with the unique characteristics of the hardware on which an OS runs. Here’s Music on Sequoia and Tahoe: Music on Sequoia. Music on Tahoe. The big difference, besides the common stylistic changes to window elements, is that the playback controls have been moved to the bottom and placed in a pill-shaped rectangle that is much more transparent than the Finder and Safari toolbars that I showed off above. This raises more questions than it answers. Why move the controls to the bottom? That may be the natural place for playback controls on iOS and iPadOS, but not macOS, especially when it means overlaying them against the constantly changing and visually busy backdrop of the Apple Music catalog. Another good example of this problem is Photos, which has very transparent buttons that fight with the background for your attention. Like Music, controls in Photos often get lost in your sea of images. Also, why aren’t the backgrounds of the controls more opaque like they are in the toolbars of the Finder and Sequoia? I like the separation that those toolbars create from the files and web content I’m browsing in those apps; in contrast, Music not only moves the controls where they don’t need to be, but it makes them much harder to read. A good example of an app that overlays controls directly on content and does a much better job is Maps, which has buttons on the right side of the window that conform more closely to the style of the Finder and Safari examples above. Maps uses a better way to overlay buttons on content. Reminders also handles transparency better than Music. As you scroll your lists, you’ll see a task’s text behind the toolbar and very subtly behind buttons and text fields, but the reduced transparency of those elements makes the text far less disruptive than in Music. Reminders’ translucent toolbar in Tahoe. Music raises a larger question. There are other apps with Liquid Glass implementations like Music and Photos, such as FaceTime, Home, and Podcasts, but most system apps follow the Finder/Safari design pattern. Does that make apps like Music outliers, or are they the start of a trend that will spread in future iterations of macOS? Only Apple knows the answer for certain. What I hope, though, is that Apple’s design team reconsiders Music and the other transparency-heavy apps in Tahoe. I like Liquid Glass’ pronounced transparency on the iPhone and iPad better than on the Mac. Perhaps it’s because I sit farther away from my Mac’s screen than I typically hold the screens of my iPhone and iPad, but if I had a vote at the design meeting, I’d push for moving more in the direction of the Finder and Safari style than Music. The Dock, App Switcher, and Icons The Tahoe Dock. The Tahoe App Switcher. Two places where I think maximum transparency works better are the Dock and App Switcher. In both cases, the content underneath shines through, and although I expect some people will find it distracting, I don’t. The icons are large enough and opaque, which makes a big difference. Speaking of icons, Apple has redesigned its system app icons so they all fit neatly in a squircle. The glyphs have been modified, and you’ll notice light reflecting off the edges of the icons, which are generally more abstract than the versions that came before them. Some are better than others, but I don’t feel strongly about them one way or the other. Pixelmator Pro in the icon “shame box.” However, you’ll also notice that some of your third-party apps, and even some Apple apps such as Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator Pro, have had their icons shrunken to fit against the backdrop of a gray squircle. As a means of coercing developers to adopt the new format, I’m sure this tactic will work, but I don’t like it. It’s heavy-handed and makes the user experience worse. I only have a few apps in my Dock that are living in what Jason Snell calls the icon “shame box,” and I expect that number to dwindle rapidly now that Tahoe has been released, but I do wish Apple had chosen a different route for moving icon design to where the company wants it to go. Another place you’ll find more iconography is in app menus. Apple has included iconography in some menus in past iterations of the OS, such as Messages’ View menu, but there are a lot more icons now. Just compare Preview running on macOS Sequoia, which has no menu iconography: Preview’s File menu in macOS Sequoia. to Preview on macOS Tahoe: Preview’s File menu in macOS Tahoe. The glyphs can be a little small depending on your display resolution settings, but I like the added visual cues they provide. Thanks to Apple’s years of work on SF Symbols, the glyphs fit in nicely with macOS’ system-wide typeface, too. Menu Bar and Control Center The transparent menu bar is readable with all of Apple’s built-in wallpapers. By default, the menu bar is now transparent. Early in the beta cycle, Apple added the option to change it back to the semi-transparent style found in Sequoia. If you’re worried about what a busy wallpaper might do to the legibility of your menu bar icons, you may be pleasantly surprised to find the gradient behind the menu bar that dims your wallpaper at the top of the screen is enough to make it legible. If not, you can always switch back to the old style. I’m glad there’s an option to turn on the Sequoia-like look, but I’m more glad that the transparent menu bar stuck, because it looks great. User Customization and Personalization That’s a lot of purple. The changes to the look of macOS Tahoe don’t end with Apple’s standard screen elements because, more than ever before, users can adjust their Macs’ UI to their liking. For example, you could go all in on purple like I did above, tinting system controls, folders, and even app icons to match your wallpaper. The possibilities are vast. You can even customize your Tahoe Lock Screen with alternative fonts similar to the options on the iPhone and iPad. Icons can be displayed in their default colors, or with dark, clear, or tinted looks. There are nine theme colors, nine text highlight colors, and eight folder color options, plus a choose-your-own option for highlights and folders if the built-in options aren’t enough. Folder color follows your theme color by default, but they can be overridden, and all the other customization settings can be set independently of one another. You can even change the Lock Screen font and pick from 15 new screensavers that can be used as wallpapers, too. So go wild if you want. It’s fun to experiment with, even if you like the Mac’s default color scheme. Who knows? Maybe you’ll stumble on the next big macOS aesthetic trend and blow up on TikTok. System Features macOS Tahoe comes with a wide array of new and improved system features and apps. I want to kick things off with system-level features because that’s where the most exciting action is this year. The Menu Bar and Control Center Control Center (and the menu bar) are highly customizable with loads of system controls. In the previous section, I covered the changes to how the menu bar looks. It’s transparent by default, which I like, but there are a bunch of other changes that affect it and Control Center that I expect a lot of readers will enjoy. First of all, Control Center controls have been greatly expanded and can occupy multiple spots along the menu bar. There are controls to set timers, run shortcuts, tile your windows, create notes in the Notes app, record voice memos, and much more. To manage the changes, there’s a new Control Center gallery that can be accessed by clicking on the Control Center icon in the menu bar and then ‘Edit Controls’. That opens a UI that looks a lot like the widget gallery. There’s a sidebar on the left for searching for controls and browsing by app. The remainder of the window displays the available controls grouped by app. When you hover over a control, a green ‘+’ button appears that will add it to Control Center when clicked. Alternatively, you can drag a control and place it wherever you’d like in your current Control Center panel or drag it to the menu bar, which will add it as a standalone menu bar item. I created a separate HomeKit Control Center panel for HomeKit accessories and scenes. If you’d prefer to create multiple Control Center panels containing a variety of controls, you can do that, too. The Control Center gallery also displays a ‘+’ button in your menu bar, which will start a new panel where you can add controls. Each panel can be assigned one of 11 icons to distinguish it from your others. That’s not a lot of icons to choose from, but you can include repeats if you’d like. It’s worth noting that if you set up a new Control Center panel and don’t add any controls, it will simply disappear when you dismiss the Control Center gallery. Also, sliders for volume and display brightness, which used to appear in the middle of your screen now, appear below the Control Center button in your menu bar with a nice animation; I think it’s a better place for them, although it’s been a little hard to get used to. Volume and display brightness sliders appear beneath the Control Center menu bar icon when adjusted from your keyboard. These features create a new menu bar dynamic. Multiple Control Center panels effectively allow you to stack a lot of menu bar items under one icon, saving space that’s at a premium on smaller displays. At the same time, however, Tahoe is adding more ways to fill your menu bar than ever before. To help ease the tension, there are new options in the Menu Bar section of System Settings. You can enter the Control Center gallery from there, but more importantly, you can use this section to turn off menu bar items even if they don’t give you that option in their own settings. There are many new settings for managing your menu bar in Tahoe. You’ve probably been there. You have some peripheral or app that insists it needs to live in your menu bar 24/7. The reality is that the list of must-have menu bar items is different for everyone. I, for one, welcome the ability to banish ScanSnap and Adobe Creative Cloud, along with several other apps, from my menu bar. A Drafts control panel. One feature announced at WWDC that you’ll have a hard time finding in this update is third-party Control Center controls. They’re so rare that I’ve only found two: the text editor Drafts (this week’s site sponsor) and the screenshot capture app ScreenFloat. I’ve tried a lot of Mac betas over the summer, and as we rolled into September, I figured that the third-party controls feature was being delayed or there was a bug preventing them from showing up because I had yet to see one. Nope. To be certain, I checked over 70 betas of all kinds – AppKit apps, SwiftUI apps, Catalyst apps, iPad apps running in compatibility mode, you name it – but nothing new turned up, except these two apps. Update: Since publishing this review, I discovered with the help of the indie developer community that the lack of third-party controls in Control Center is a bug in macOS Tahoe, which you can read more about here. The fix, at least for some people, is to open the macOS widget gallery, which seems to refresh the Control Center gallery. Hopefully, this but will be resolved in an update soon. Drafts and ScreenFloat show it can be done, and I’m sure there are others, but they are very rare. Drafts offers controls to start a new draft, create a draft from the clipboard, dictate a draft, scan a document, search, open your last draft, open the app, open your default workspace, or open any of the individual notes inside your Drafts library. ScreenFloat has a lot too, with controls to capture the entire screen, an area of a screen, import a screenshot from the clipboard or an iOS device, open the app’s Shots Browser, and record a selected area of your screen. That’s a lot, and to be clear, the same functionality is available in Drafts’ and ScreenFloat’s separate menu bar apps, but now, users have the choice to add just the actions they use to Control Center, which I appreciate. I opened a lot of betas looking for ones that support Control Center. In the end, I found two. When I was having trouble finding third-party controls, I started asking around. From what I’ve been able to gather, few developers have worked on controls, and of those that have, at least some are struggling to get them to work properly. I hope that changes because I think the redesigned Control Center has a lot of potential. I love the flexibility of creating multiple Control Center panels and the option to drop one-off controls directly on the menu bar. It won’t replace a third-party menu bar organization utility for everyone, but it brings the core functionality of those sorts of apps to more users. The transition fits well with the direction Apple has taken with Shortcuts and App Intents, placing discrete bits of functionality at users’ fingertips, meeting them where they work and where they prefer to access their apps. It’s a work in process, but this is my current main Control Center panel, a mix of system controls and controls from Drafts and ScreenFloat. Personally, I’ve set up a Control Center panel with frequently used settings, such as Focus modes, display and sound controls, media controls, HomeKit scenes, and more. A separate Home control includes the lights and other smart home controls I use most from my desk. While I recognize that the changes to the menu bar and Control Center won’t be enough for everyone, they’ve meant that I no longer need to use a menu bar utility with my Mac. I’m happy with the default and don’t plan to go back. One last note on Control Center panels is that on the Studio Display, they only reach about halfway down the screen. Seeing that, my first reaction was that I wished they were longer. I’m sure there are users who would love to fill all of their screens’ vertical space with controls from their favorite apps and stack one shortcut on top of another. Having lived with the new Control Center over the summer, though, I think limiting the height was the right decision. A longer panel would be hard to parse and wouldn’t fit on laptops anyway. By standardizing on a size that works across various Macs, Tahoe’s Control Center will make transitioning between different setups easier for users, which is the right choice. The Flighty Live Activity projected from my iPhone to the menu bar. And finally, before leaving the realm of the menu bar, I want to mention Live Activities. I applaud Apple’s efforts to bring whatever is happening on your iPhone to the Mac with Continuity features like this one. It reduces distractions, and in many cases – like the new Phone app for Mac that I’ll get to – the integrations are remarkably useful. However, many times, I’ve found the menu bar text to be far too small for Live Activities to be useful. If you click on an activity, it expands below the menu bar and is much more functional, but the shrunken down menu bar-height UI needs to be reconsidered. It’s too small and easy to ignore. However, I do like that you can use a Live Activity to launch iPhone Mirroring and interact with the app from your Mac. Overall, I’m a big fan of the direction the menu bar is heading. I like the transparency as well as the new customizability and flexibility of both the menu bar and Control Center. The expansion of system controls for Control Center makes it far more useful, too, but the lack of third-party support going into the Tahoe launch is disappointing. I hope that changes soon because I prefer using controls that I can place in a Control Center panel or pin as standalone menu bar items to the existing lineup of individual icons. Controls won’t make sense for every menu bar app, but they do for enough that widespread adoption would make it easier for users to manage their menu bars on smaller screens, which would be a big win. Let’s hope that emerges over the coming year and beyond. Spotlight Spotlight: The Same, but Different. The new Spotlight is fantastic. It’s not that I had anything in particular against Spotlight before; I just didn’t find it very useful compared to third-party alternatives. In recent years, most of its additions were data sources that made it easy to do things like pull up details about a place or an actor. Those features worked well enough, but they weren’t a good replacement for web search and, more recently, querying a large language model. Tahoe’s Spotlight is different. The web search-adjacent features are still there for those who use them, but this year, Spotlight’s focus is on productivity, and the team behind the feature nailed it. There are two axes that underpin Spotlight’s success: the first is the breadth of the feature’s capabilities, and the second is how you accomplish tasks. Launching Numbers under Sequoia. Let’s start with what can be done because there’s so much that it’s been broken into categories within Spotlight for the first time. As before, Spotlight can be used to launch apps; what’s changed is the depth of what you can do beyond launching an app. On Sequoia, if I typed “Numbers” into Spotlight, I’d get the option to open the app after typing its full name followed by suggestions for websites or web searches, which aren’t very useful in this context, followed by actual Numbers spreadsheets I’d opened recently. I use Numbers often enough that Tahoe knows to put it at the top of the list as soon as I type an “N”. In contrast, I use Numbers frequently enough that Tahoe has learned that when I type “N,” I probably want Numbers, so it’s the first choice. That sort of adaptive learning of which results to prioritize is found throughout Spotlight. The other options Spotlight displays aren’t broken into sections anymore. Instead, there’s a row of filters below the Spotlight search box that allow you to limit your search to certain contexts like menu items for the app you’re currently using, your clipboard, and other apps that may be relevant. Selecting the Numbers filter or hitting Tab narrows your Spotlight search to just Numbers documents. If the first choice is what you want, which it is for me when I simply type “N,” you can also hit the Tab key and limit the suggestions below the Spotlight search field to Numbers and CSV files. Begin typing again and, in my Numbers example, Spotlight will start searching this newly filtered list of relevant documents based on their metadata and content. It’s a powerful way to find files from outside the Finder that I absolutely love. Just as cool, though, is that if I type the first few letters like “Num” because I want to find the audiobook Number Go Up by Zeke Faux and not the app Numbers, I can use the right arrow key to move into the row of filters under the Spotlight search field until I reach the Books app, which will find it in my Apple Books library. Then, after arrowing down to the first choice, I hit Return, Books opens, and the audio starts. There is a bunch of newly-searchable content in Tahoe’s version of Spotlight too, including: the windows and tabs you have open in apps, files from third-party cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, podcasts, popular websites like YouTube, Amazon, and IMDb that are accessed by typing their names followed by a Tab, and text in screenshots. Spotlight can search third-party cloud file providers like Dropbox and Google Drive, podcasts, open windows and tabs, and more. Tabbing and arrowing through results is a good example of the second axis along which Spotlight has made major improvements, reducing friction and allowing anyone who prefers to use a keyboard more than a pointing device to move quickly. Another great example of Spotlight’s new keyboard-centric workflow is what Apple calls quick keys. These are essentially aliases that allow you to tie apps, actions, and other items indexed by Spotlight to key combinations. I’m calling them aliases because quick keys are a little different from traditional keyboard shortcuts in that they don’t require a modifier key. An example of a quick key combination I’ve assigned to a shortcut. For example, I have a shortcut called ‘Fetch Podcast Details’ that pulls URLs and other metadata for me after we publish a podcast episode, saving it to PastePal for use later in the week. Shortcuts can now be launched from Spotlight the same way you would launch an app. For this particular shortcut, though, I assigned the quick key “fp” for “Fetch Podcast.” Now, whenever I want to run the shortcut, I type “fp” and hit Return to run the shortcut. That’s it. macOS Tahoe uses quick key shortcuts to access actions to access what are effectively one action shortcuts and slash “/” commands to filter files by type. Okay, let’s get back to what else is new in Spotlight. Many of our readers are probably aware of App Intents. It’s the Apple framework that powers everything from Shortcuts to widgets, Live Activities, and a lot more. It’s also what will eventually power the “Smarter Siri” outlined at WWDC 2024. With Tahoe, Spotlight has gained an entire Actions tab. These tabs can be found by activating Spotlight and then either using the arrow keys to reveal the new categories to the right of the search field, moving your pointer, or using the keyboard shortcuts ⌘ + 1 through ⌘ + 4. Again, Apple has gone all out on the keyboard navigation, which takes Spotlight from simply powerful to fast, too. The Actions tab with suggestions followed by a list organized by app. When you open the Actions section, you’ll see a list of suggested actions that will evolve over time based on your use. Suggested actions are followed by an alphabetical list of individual actions grouped by app. If you’ve ever used an App Shortcut on your iPhone or iPad, that’s essentially what these actions are: one-off actions available from macOS system apps and third-party apps. Like apps and shortcuts, they can be assigned quick keys to speed up the process of activating them. Spotlight lets you browse apps in a grid or list view and filter by type. I’ve already covered how working with apps has changed from prior versions of Spotlight, but one other small change that the Applications and Files sections have in common is an option to toggle between a default grid and list view of results. In fact, when it comes to apps, Launchpad has been removed from Tahoe. Activate Spotlight’s apps section, and you’ll be presented with a grid of icons that’s a lot like what Launchpad was before, except that it scrolls vertically and can be filtered by app category. Another change is that, by default, the app section includes your iPhone apps, which can be opened on your Mac using iPhone Mirroring if your iPhone is nearby. Spotlight’s Files tab. As for files, the experience of searching has improved here too. Looking at my suggestions, they’re all on point, offering a spreadsheet, a Logic project, and some images edited in Pixelmator Pro, all of which I worked on recently. Suggestions are followed by Recents, which include the other files I used today and yesterday. Filtering files by Preview. Below the Spotlight search field, apps are suggested as filters for files. For example, selecting Preview will limit files to recent images, while picking Logic Pro will show me a reverse chronological list of my Logic project files. Of course, you can use the search field to narrow results, too. Historically, I’ve searched for files using the Finder or an app like Forklift, but Spotlight has really grown on me as an alternative way to find files. Its Recents list works better than the Recents folder in the Finder, and the emphasis on recently used files in search results means I can find files from ongoing projects faster, without clicking around in Finder columns to sort files by their modified or added dates. I don’t expect I’ll abandon the Finder for accessing files by any means, but I do love the quick access that Spotlight now affords me. My clipboard is packed with Markdown links to images for this review. The final section of Spotlight is a clipboard history that aggregates items you’ve copied over the last eight hours. Other apps offer longer windows, but the reality is that, for me at least, I rarely search back further than that, which has been borne out in practice as I’ve used Spotlight this summer. However, Spotlight’s clipboard history doesn’t meet all of my needs. I supplement it with PastePal, which integrates with Shortcuts, allows me to save bits of text and files in categories, and lets me save sequences of clipboard items for quickly pasting into forms and spreadsheets. You can also access prior Spotlight searches by arrowing up through them in reverse chronological order, and you can use slash commands to narrow searches. For example, when you open the Files tab and start a search with “/pdf”, your search will be limited to PDF documents. This trick works with screenshots, the clipboard, cloud file providers such as Dropbox and Google Drive, GIFs, JPEGs, PNGs, QuickTime videos, folders, and documents, too. Spotlight’s settings got an overhaul, too. It’s also worth touching on Spotlight’s new settings. In Sequoia, you could exclude categories of items, such as apps, contacts, and various file types, from Spotlight’s index. Tahoe’s Spotlight takes a hybrid approach, giving you the ability to exclude the files generated by individual apps as well as broad system-level categories, including apps, documents, folders, iPhone apps, and menu items. Other new settings include the ability to exclude your clipboard history as well as Internet and services content from results, buttons to clear your search history and reset quick keys, and a toggle to turn off private query sharing with Apple. It’s rare that a new macOS feature changes a fundamental workflow I’ve relied on for an extended period of time, but Spotlight has done that. I’ve used third-party app launchers from the time I got my first Mac. Until Tahoe, Spotlight just didn’t meet my needs. I’ve historically used launchers first and foremost to open apps, but there have always been other productivity features they offered that kept me from embracing Spotlight. It’s rare that a new macOS feature changes a fundamental workflow I’ve relied on for an extended period of time, but Spotlight has done that. That’s changed with Tahoe. A big part of it is the inclusion of actions, but the biggest change has been the keyboard-driven approach Apple has taken and the adaptive results. It allows me to move quickly to find relevant information without hunting around in an app. I’ve also found that Spotlight is fast. I’ve tested Tahoe on my M1 Max Mac Studio, and over the course of the betas, Apple has continuously tuned Spotlight to a point where it’s fast and responsive. You will occasionally catch it in the midst of indexing, especially after an OS update, which can affect performance, but I haven’t found that indexing gets in my way as a practical matter. The bottom line is that Spotlight’s update is fantastic and well worth your time to try. Live Translation Apple Intelligence powers an impressive new Live Translation feature found in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime. We’ll have more to say about Live Translation in a separate story, but I wanted to provide a brief overview of how it works and where you can find it. In Messages, the first time a new language is detected, you’ll get a prompt asking whether you want to translate the message you received. If you indicate you want the message translated, macOS Tahoe will download the relevant language files, which takes a little while depending on your Internet connection. However, the next message you receive will be translated immediately, as will messages you send back. Talking to myself in Portuguese. I tested Messages in Portuguese with the help of Google Translate and was impressed with the results. This isn’t a feature I expect to use often, but I appreciate that it’s available and works so well. Likewise, FaceTime and Phone calls can be translated in real time. In the Phone app, you’ll hear the caller’s speech translated in real time into your language, and if you’re on speakerphone, you’ll see their words on screen in your language, too. The FaceTime experience is similar, with real-time captions appearing on screen in your language as someone speaks to you. I’m all for anything that helps bring down communication barriers between people. I think my use cases for this feature will be limited, but having played around with it a bit, I’d be perfectly comfortable using it if the need arises in the future. Apple Intelligence Genmoji. Before moving on to discuss individual apps, I want to cover the highlights of Apple Intelligence. As it was with Sequoia, Apple Intelligence is sprinkled throughout macOS Tahoe. I’ve already mentioned Apple Intelligence in the context of Live Translation and will touch on it where it’s incorporated in other system apps, but there are a couple of other big-ticket Apple Intelligence features worth calling out here because they’re available in more than one place in Tahoe. First off is Genmoji. Most readers probably know I’m not a fan of generative image creation. However, probably the least offensive use I’ve seen for it is the new ability to take multiple Apple-designed emoji and combine them to create something new that, more often than not, sort of looks as if it were designed by Apple, or at least someone imitating an Apple designer. That shouldn’t be surprising given that the source material is a set of emoji designed by Apple. Poor duck. However, unusual combinations of disparate emoji can sometimes lead to unexpected and strange results. Also, some combinations fail occasionally, but it’s not at all clear to me whether that’s because of bugs, system limits, or the model’s guardrails. The ChatGPT options in Image Playground. Image Playground has also added new style options thanks to OpenAI. If you click on the ChatGPT style option, you’ll find sub-options for: Any Style Oil Painting Watercolor Vector Anime Print When you pick one of the ChatGPT options, you’ll be asked for permission to send the components of the image you’ve requested to ChatGPT. The generation process for these takes considerably longer than any of the locally generated images that use Apple’s models, which isn’t surprising. You also won’t get the continuously updating carousel of images to pick from that Apple’s models offer, undoubtedly due to the time it takes to generate each image. As with any generative image tool, the results are often mixed, with the more stylized images evoking fewer creepy uncanny valley vibes. Here are a couple of examples of Federico as an astronaut that he said I could share: The proportions of the Ticci-naut on the left, which was created with ‘Any Style,’ are all wrong, and the whole thing is creepy, whereas anime Ticci-naut bothers me less, probably because it’s less realistic. I find the whole realm of image generation distasteful and never use it, but there are more options than before. Putting aside my distaste for a moment, I’d say that ChatGPT’s results are qualitatively better than the ones from Apple’s models, but still not as good as I’ve seen from other generative image tools. As for Apple’s image models, to my eye there’s no qualitative difference between the images that Image Playground produces in Sequoia and Tahoe, which is to say they’re still far behind the generative image tools available elsewhere. Apps There’s a lot of overlap between the system apps on the Mac and other platforms. Instead of repeating the discussion of those apps in two reviews, Federico and I have split most of them up. The exceptions are Shortcuts, Messages, Phone, and Safari, where there are some Mac-specific features I wanted to cover, too. However, for more about Clock, Music, Photos, Preview, and Reminders, be sure to check out Federico’s iOS and iPadOS 26 review. Shortcuts It feels good to start off with Shortcuts in a macOS review for once. I still have many unfulfilled wishes for the app, but with the troubles Apple has had with building “Smart Siri,” I figured Shortcuts might remain largely untouched this year. To the contrary, there are a couple of big new features that make the app far more useful on the Mac and bring it closer to feature parity with iOS and iPadOS. So far, I’ve created 13 automations, most of which are shortcuts that trigger at a time of day. The first tentpole feature is Automation, which the iPhone and iPad versions of Shortcuts have had for a long time. Automations are great on those platforms, too, but if you have an always-on desktop Mac like I do, you probably grew to resent the need to seek out third-party solutions for simple automations like running a shortcut on a schedule or when the contents of a folder changed. I know I sure did. But fortunately, automations are finally here and better than I’d hoped. Simply being able to tie a shortcut to a schedule is fantastic. So is the ability to run a shortcut when a file is added or modified in a specified folder. So far, these are the automations I’ve used the most. The list of automation triggers is extensive. However, the list is much longer. You can also trigger shortcuts: at sunrise or sunset, daily, weekly, or monthly, when an alarm goes off, is snoozed, or stopped, when an email arrives from a particular sender, with certain words in the subject line, to a specified account, or to a particular recipient, when a message arrives in Messages from a particular sender or with certain body text, when files are moved, modified, or removed from a folder, when the contents of a file are changed or it’s renamed, when any or a specific drive is connected or disconnected, when you join or disconnect from a Wi-Fi network or a connection is interrupted, when Bluetooth devices or displays are connected or disconnected, when Stage Manager is turned on or off, when apps are opened or closed, and when any of your Focus modes are turned on or off. That’s a lot of options, which is great, and it makes me think of so many things I could do with Shortcuts on my Mac that were difficult or impossible before. For example, with a very simple shortcut, I could have my Mac shut down when a Carbon Copy Cloner backup finishes and the drive it’s using is unmounted. I could have my computer alert me to important emails or text messages by blinking my HomeKit lights, upscale video as soon as it’s saved to a folder, or open an app when another one finishes processing a file so the next step in a workflow can begin. The other big feature, which I’ll leave for Federico to cover in depth in his review, is the addition of the ‘Use Model’ action that allows you to craft prompts for Apple’s local model, its Private Cloud Compute model, or ChatGPT. With one action, Shortcuts has opened up a world of possibilities and, in some circumstances, simpler shortcuts. That’s because natural language prompting can short-circuit what would otherwise be a complex series of ‘if’ statements designed to cover every possible contingency in a more deterministic flow. Of course, LLMs can make mistakes, but you probably shouldn’t be relying on Shortcuts for anything with high-accuracy stakes in the first place, so for less critical tasks, it’s a great tool to have. Other Apple Intelligence actions include: Adjust Tone of Text, Make List from Text, Make Table from Text, Proofread Text, Rewrite Text, Summarize Text, and Create Image, which taps into Image Playground’s image generation feature. Messages Messages backgrounds. The updates to Messages are a mixed bag: some good features, some not so great. At WWDC, conversation backgrounds sounded like a good idea, but in reality, I don’t like them. They do separate conversations visually, making it easier to tell them apart, but in practice, I find all the options – which include built-in backgrounds, your own photos, and images generated by Image Playground – distracting. Plus, they take a beat to load when you switch conversations, which looks bad, so I won’t be using them going forward. On the positive side of things, I didn’t know how much I wanted typing indicators in group threads until I had them. It’s simply nice to see who’s responding when multiple people are active on a thread at once. As you’d expect, the feature works by showing the typist’s profile picture next to the typing indicator. If Messages detects what it thinks is spam, it will put it in a special list for you to review later. The app now handles messages from unknown senders and spam better, too. Both are filtered locally on your Mac and sent to designated lists instead of your main conversation view. When a new unknown message or potential spam is detected, it’s shuffled off to its list, and a new message indicator appears next to the filter button at the top of the Messages sidebar. That way, you can check the messages when you have time and either leave them where they are, delete them, move them to your known senders, or mark them as not spam. In Sequoia, you could change views to filter out unknown messages, but spam detection is new, and both are easier to access now that there’s a dedicated filter button in the sidebar. Tahoe’s new conversation Info panel. The other big change is the redesign of the conversation Info panel. In Sequoia, it was a popup window that dropped down from an info button in Messages’ toolbar. The info button has been replaced with the profile picture of the person or group with whom you’re messaging, which is an improvement in and of itself that makes it less likely that you’ll respond in the wrong thread. When the profile photo for a thread is clicked, it opens a separate sidebar on the right side of the window. A lot of what you’ll find in the sidebar was already available in the old design, but I’ve found the new version to be more performant, better organized, and easier to navigate. Some conversation settings like hiding alerts and leaving a conversation have been moved to the new sidebar, too. Plus, you’ll find an option to turn on automatic translation for any multilingual conversations. The effect makes conversations feel more anchored and substantial. The dedicated sidebar is easier to use as a resource for past shared items and communication, too, which is excellent. Messages has also added polls to take quick votes among your friends and family, whether it’s what color of shoes to buy, where to eat, or anything else where you’re looking for someone’s opinion. Finally, search has been improved to support natural language. I’ve never found Messages’ search to be especially good for long-running conversations, and this is an improvement, but not a silver bullet. I’d love to see Apple make it easier for third-party developers to access Messages’ database through an API to create search utilities, but unless and until that happens, I’ll take Tahoe’s incremental improvement. Games Devon is a Jeopardy champ! The Games app is a brand new system app on the Mac, iPhone, and iPad that suffers from expectations that were set based on pre-WWDC rumors. People were quick to assume that Games would be a new games-only storefront, leaving just apps in the existing App Store. As it turns out, that’s not what Games is at all; it’s more ambitious than that. For some, that may be a disappointment, and it’s far from guaranteed that Games will catch on, but I like what Apple is attempting to do. Games is designed to serve both players and developers. For players, the app is a hub for gaming that can be controlled the same way any other app can be or with a controller. At the top of the app’s window, you’ll see large banners promoting games. Some of the banners are for games that aren’t in your library, and although it doesn’t replace the App Store, you can access these games directly from the Games app without opening the App Store to download or purchase them. Other banners advertise game challenges, a feature I’ll cover in a moment. Still others show you game achievements earned by people in your Friends list. Achievements aren’t new, but the banners you see at the top of the Games app showing them off are another pillar of the app. Games has consolidated Game Center features in one place, where previously they could only be accessed within games that support Game Center or from Settings. Those existing access points for Game Center still exist, but now, you can manage things like your profile, friends, and sharing features from your profile picture in the Games app, too. Games promotes challenges, which can also be set up in the Friends tab. Challenges are brand new to Games and add a social component to what are often single-player experiences. A challenge can be created from inside a game’s page, which shows you who is playing it, or from Games’ Friends tab. A good example is the Apple News app; it offers six games you can set up as challenges. You simply pick a game, add one or more friends, and set a challenge such as the high score during a given week. What’s smart about the feature is that it’s built on top of Game Center’s existing Leaderboards feature, which makes adding challenges straightforward for game developers who already use Leaderboards. Your invitees receive a challenge request with details about the challenge and, using deep links, are taken directly to the relevant screen in the game with a ‘Play’ button. Games is an easy way to drop back into a recent game and see what friends are playing. Rounding out the Home tab in Games is a section encouraging you to continue playing recent games, graphics showing what your friends are playing, lists and editorial content (such as top Apple Arcade games), buttons to browse by genre, a ‘New Games We Love’ section, themed collections, friend suggestions, and top free and paid game charts. The look and feel of Games’ Home tab is very reminiscent of the App Store, which should make it feel familiar to players. Aside from its narrower content focus, though, what stands out about Games’ design is that it feels roomier than the App Store. That’s a good thing because it creates space to showcase games and emphasize the social aspects of Game Center, which I like. The Friends tab. Games has a few other tabs, too. There’s the Friends tab that I already mentioned. In addition to letting you set up challenges, the Friends tab shows your active challenges, suggests games with challenges, and lists of your friends and what they are playing. There’s also a dedicated tab for browsing Apple Arcade games and a search tab that includes buttons to view top charts, Arcade games, and a variety of game genres. The Games Library tab. Finally, Games includes a Library tab that lists every game you’ve ever downloaded from the App Store, along with buttons that lead to the Apple Arcade games you’ve downloaded and your Game Center achievements. On the Mac, your library includes games from outside the Mac App Store, too, encompassing sources like Steam. Although the Library is just a list of games, it’s far easier to navigate than the App Store simply because it’s composed of only games. Plus, you can sort all of your games chronologically or by name and filter by whether the game has controller support, is installed, or is part of Apple Arcade. I have some rare gems in my Games library, many of which are sadly no longer available. One filter I’d love to see added is a way to exclude games that are not installed and no longer available on the App Store. Although it’s fun to take a trip down memory lane, a lot of the games I downloaded years ago are sadly no longer accessible. It’s a reminder of the lack of game preservation on Apple platforms, but being able to filter out those dead-end games would make finding and playing the oldest games in my collection that are still playable easier. An notification reminds players how to access Game Overlay. Another feature of the Games app is the Games Overlay, which you can summon with an Xbox controller’s Xbox button, the PS button on a Sony DualSense controller, or ⌘ + Esc if you’re using a keyboard. When you start a game, you’ll see a notification reminding you of the keyboard combination that activates the Games Overlay, too. The Games Overlay. When activated, Games Overlay shows you the game you’re playing and any achievements that you’ve completed. There’s also a button that opens the Games app, a button for voice or text chatting with friends, and some basic settings like volume, display brightness, a Focus mode toggle, access to controller settings if you’re using one, and a Now Playing widget. The Games Overlay is also where you access Low Power Mode on Mac laptops to help preserve battery life on the go. All of these features are useful, but I’d also like to see some gamer-y stats like frame rates available, too. On a related note that isn’t strictly a Games issue, I’d like to see Apple address how slowly large apps and games download from the Mac App Store. I’m on a 2,000 Mbps fiber connection, and Prince of Persia: Lost Crown is 27.45 GB. Under ideal conditions, that should take about two minutes to download. Now, I understand that conditions are never ideal with it comes to Internet traffic, but the game took seven minutes to download to my computer, which is 3.5 × longer than the ideal. I had an even worse experience downloading Cyberpunk 2077 earlier this summer. It’s 158.66 GB and took well over 30 minutes to download. Neither of these were isolated issues, either. Cyberpunk was painfully slow to download on multiple Macs, including an M4 Max MacBook Pro, as were other games I’ve downloaded before. Download speeds have plagued consoles in the past, too, but the App Store’s speeds are especially bad, creating enough friction to make downloading a new game to play on the platform anything but spontaneous. For developers, the Games app should be an attractive option. There’s more space for Apple to promote apps, developers’ in-game events have more prominent placement in an app that’s designed to be a player destination, and features like challenges could make their games more engaging for players. That said, we’re approaching two decades of iPhone gaming and nearly as long for the iPad and Mac App Stores. Habits have been formed, and favorite games have been picked, so I expect it will be hard to make Games a go-to place for many people. Still, I’m a fan of Games. It makes it easier to browse my library, find new things to try, and connect with friends, which isn’t something I did much with Game Center. It’s a good app, but the question remains, “If you build it, will they come?” Maps Visited Places. One of the first things I did when we moved to North Carolina was create a series of Maps Guides for nearby towns. I added places we visited and liked, as well as places we hadn’t been to yet that looked interesting. It’s been an excellent way to explore our new home and pick old favorites when we are at a loss for what to do. If you choose to allow Maps to detect your location, it can decipher locations like parks, restaurants, and shops you visit, adding them to a library of the places you go. With iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26, Maps has added a great new beta feature called Visited Places. If you choose to allow Maps to detect your location, it can decipher locations like parks, restaurants, and shops you visit, adding them to a library of the places you go. When Visited Places is unsure about a place, it will sometimes ask you if you went there on a particular date, but for the most part, the process is completely automatic. Since I returned from WWDC, my Visited Places library has grown to over 90 locations, although my Mac only lists 75 for some reason. It’s an eclectic mix of places that includes ordinary stops at our local pharmacy and grocery store, restaurants and shops in Charlotte and the surrounding towns, and parks, landmarks, and other places visited on trips to Texas and the beach. Visited Places are automatically categorized. You can scroll through the entire list if you’d like, but Maps offers automatic categories to filter places by like Dining, Shopping, Transport, Nature, Leisure, Services, and Health. You can browse by city and date, too. At the bottom of the Visited Places section is an option to save places for three months, one year, or forever. There’s also an option to clear your history and start over, as well as a search bar. Here are the details about a retro videogame shop I recently visited where you can see I added it to my Video Game and Winston-Salem guides after a recent trip. Visited Places are like other locations in Apple Maps and work a little like existing guides. You can always delete individual locations you don’t want to keep, add notes, rate locations, and share them. Sharing is based on a new short URL, too, banishing those incredibly long, ugly Maps URLs for good. And, like any location in Maps, tapping on one opens a card with lots of details and images of it. I’ve chosen to keep my Visited Places forever and haven’t edited them much. I find it fun to swipe back through the days in the same way I enjoy revisiting my Photo Library. Plus, it’s made building my guides to towns around Charlotte easier because when we go out exploring, I can simply tap on the places I enjoyed and use the ‘More’ menu to add them to an existing collection or start a new one. At the bottom of Visited Places, you can search by date and manage how long you keep places. In practice, I’ve found that Visited Places does a good job of figuring out where I’ve been, but it sometimes misses a location. We recently spent a weekend in Asheville, where it detected all but one of the places we stopped for meals, but few of the shops; perhaps we didn’t linger in the shops long enough. On the way home, we stopped in a couple more towns, visiting a farmers market and stopping for lunch, neither of which were detected. The feature is still listed as a beta, so some inconsistencies aren’t surprising, and while I’d like to see the feature improve with time, it’s already good enough to be valuable. I highly recommend giving it a try. There are a couple of other Maps features worth mentioning that I haven’t used because I don’t have a commute. The first is that the app can now detect your preferred driving routes to places like your home and work, which it will preview for you so you can see what your commute time will be. There are also new kinds of incident reports you can send while driving like road closures, traffic, and construction. Journal For dedicated journalers, I’m sure there are plenty of better solutions out there, but as someone who likes the idea of journaling more than I actually do it, I love Journal. The app debuted on the iPhone, which struck me as odd at first because I’m someone for whom writing means having a physical keyboard. Yet at the same time, the iPhone is what’s always with you, and for most people, it’s likely a much bigger part of your everyday life than an iPad or Mac is. That drove the app to emphasize photos, media, location tracking, and other low-friction ways to fill out a journal without feeling like you have to write a book-length entry. Those features, along with the built-in prompting system, make Journal a great first step for anyone interested in journaling. I’m still not a regular journaler, but I do collect photos, locations, and random thoughts in Journal (and, before that, Day One) from time to time. It’s funny because I remember finding an entry in Day One about launching an app in 2015, which ended up being almost verbatim something I wrote years later on MacStories. I guess certain stories just sit with you, ready to be told whenever the time is right. Looks like I had an exciting day in October 2023. With macOS Tahoe and iPadOS 26, maintaining a journaling practice is easier than ever. That’s because iPad and Mac versions of the app have joined the iOS app, and all of them sync via iCloud. As a result, many MacStories readers undoubtedly have at least one – and, in a lot of cases, three – gadgets within reach to jot something down. You won’t find any meaningful differences between the core features of the Mac and iPad versions of Journal and the iOS version, which is good. Journal will be immediately familiar, allowing you to write and add photos, video, audio, drawings, and locations. The app even works with your Mac’s built-in camera or an external camera you’ve connected to it, and it now allows you to create multiple journals for different aspects of your life. Other updates to Journal across all platforms include a Map view that looks just like the Maps app, and more flexible options for placing images and other journal elements. On the iPad, the Apple Pencil is supported and includes a reed pen for calligraphy, and journaling suggestions can be synced from your iPhone. The Mac version of Journal has one of the better implementations of Liquid Glass that I’ve seen, too. If you’re scrolling through journal entries, you’ll notice that the ‘+’ button and search field are transparent, blending into the background as you scroll, which is a nice effect in this context where you’re looking back through entries. However, if you open a new journal entry or edit an existing entry, the buttons in the Mac’s toolbar are semitransparent, making them more prominent, which makes sense when you’re working with text and editing it. It’s the sort of implementation that makes me optimistic that rough edges in other places will get smoothed out. Notes Importing a Markdown file. There are only a couple of changes to Notes this year. The first is the ability to import and export Markdown-formatted text. From the File menu, you can select ‘Import Markdown…,’ which will let you navigate to a .md file on your Mac and select it. Imported Markdown files are meant to create notes in an ‘Imported Notes’ folder. However, if you import a second Markdown file, it will be dropped into ‘Imported Notes 1’ instead. Repeat the process, and you’ll end up with an ‘Imported Notes 2’ folder, too, which isn’t great. This feature is available on iOS and iPadOS 26, too, but it works differently there. On both platforms, you can share a Markdown file to Notes by opening the Files app and using the share sheet. A table imported from a Markdown file. Apart from the issue with folders, Markdown imports work well. The feature even includes support for Markdown tables, which I didn’t expect. Photos work a little differently. For images hosted in the cloud, such as the ones in this review, the app converts them into links that lead to the images, but it doesn’t display the images themselves. By and large, though, the import process works well and doesn’t require any substantial adjustments. Similarly, Notes can export as Markdown for the first time on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In addition to Markdown’s core syntax, Notes supports extensions like highlighting and can export tables just as well as it can import them. Images are handled, too, exporting your text file alongside a folder labeled ‘Attachments,’ which contains each image, with proper Markdown syntax in the text file referencing each image by file name. Voicemails and audio recordings from Phone and FaceTime calls can now be saved in Notes, preserving their transcriptions. You can add text to the imported notes, and when selected, the audio file will be displayed in the right sidebar, where it can be played as the transcript is displayed. Phone and FaceTime Calling a local restaurant using a link in Safari. Many of my favorite Mac features are tied to Continuity in some way. I regularly copy text between my iPhone and Mac, AirDrop screenshots and other files, check package deliveries in iPhone apps that aren’t available on the Mac with iPhone Mirroring, and more. I’m a big fan of Universal Control, which I use to control multiple Macs or a Mac and iPad frequently, too. One Continuity feature that I didn’t use as much in macOS Sequoia and earlier versions, though, is the ability to initiate calls from the Mac. I’ve never been a big Phone user, and that’s not likely to change, but the addition of a Phone app that integrates existing and new features – Continuity and otherwise – into macOS has made calling from a Mac a much better experience. Screening a caller. By far my favorite feature is Call Screening. When a call comes in from an unknown number, your iPhone picks it up and asks who’s calling. On the Mac, the process plays out in a notification in the top-right corner of your display. At any time, you can pick up the call and jump in to talk to the person, but I usually leave it alone given the number of spam calls I get each week. Those numbers rarely respond to the screening message, minimizing the interruption in my day. When you’re put on hold, you have the option to hang up and be rung back when someone picks up. Hold Assist works in the opposite direction. If you make a call and are put on hold, you can leave the call to iOS, which will ring you back when the hold is removed. As with Call Screening, the process plays out thanks to Continuity in a notification window on your Mac. As I mentioned in the Apple Intelligence section, Phone also incorporates real-time translation of one-to-one calls for U.S. and UK English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You can see a written transcript of your conversation as it is happening if you use the Phone app’s speakerphone option, too. I’ll leave the remainder of the Phone app, including its significant redesign, to Federico. As much as I appreciate the Phone app’s new screening and hold features, my relationship with it isn’t tapping on beautiful profile pictures of friends and family; it’s deleting hundreds of spam calls like the ones above. The new Phone features make dealing with unwanted calls and hold times easier, which I appreciate, but using a phone app to call someone in 2025 increasingly feels like writing a paper check to pay your bills and licking stamps to send them in the mail. The design contrast between Phone and FaceTime on macOS Tahoe is interesting. Phone’s toolbar is translucent, while the buttons to control Center Stage, portrait mode, and backgrounds in FaceTime pick up the same transparency as apps like Music. In lieu of a list of recent calls in the left sidebar, the FaceTime update displays tiles for each call. If you come across a video message someone left for you, it will autoplay as you scroll past, too. Like the Phone app, transcripts of calls can be sent to Notes, and conversations can be transcribed with Live Translation. Podcasts Podcasts’ Liquid Glass redesign on the Mac. Last year, I switched to Apple Podcasts during the summer beta season and never left. There’s a lot in the app that I don’t use, like most of the Home tab and the entire New tab, but my podcast listening is very ad hoc these days. I follow a variety of shows, but I only have a few where I listen to every episode. So typically, I head to the Latest tab and start a recent episode, or save episodes I know I won’t get to right away, moving to the Saved tab when I don’t see anything I want to listen to in Latest. It’s such a simple system, it’s hardly a system at all, but it makes podcast listening feel like less of a chore and more spontaneous. This year, Apple Podcasts received several updates on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS 26, including the full transparent Liquid Glass treatment on every platform. I like the look, but as with Music, I don’t like that the playback controls have been moved to the bottom of the window on the Mac. That said, I never listen to podcasts on my Mac, so it doesn’t bother me as much as the change in Music does. New Enhance Dialogue (left) and more granular speed controls (right). On iOS and iPadOS 26 (but oddly not the Mac), Apple has also added an Enhance Dialogue feature that boosts vocal ranges to make them easier to hear. Third-party podcast players have had this sort of vocal EQ feature for years, and I’d say that Apple’s implementation works equally well. I can tell the difference when I enable Enhance Dialogue, but it’s not so dramatic that it sounds off. The one slightly odd thing about the feature is that its toggle is in the playback speed menu on the playback screen, which wasn’t the first place I looked for it. Also, the toggle turns Enhance Dialogue on app-wide. You can’t turn it on selectively by show. Speaking of the playback speed controls, Podcasts now offers more fine-grained control on the Mac, iPhone, and iPad. The playback speed button opens a menu that has six default speeds from 0.8× to 2.0×, but by swiping across the defaults, you can change the speed from 0.5× to 3.0× in increments of 0.1. I generally listen to shows at 1.0× but appreciate that it’s now possible to dial in a comfortable speed more precisely. Safari Safari’s PiP has a new Liquid Glass design and skip forward and back buttons. Besides the Liquid Glass changes to Safari that I’ve already covered, the app mostly had the year off as far as Tahoe is concerned – although be sure to read Federico’s iOS and iPadOS 26 review for details on new security and privacy features added across all platforms. Still, there’s one Mac-centric feature that I wanted to shout out that I love: the improvements to Picture-in-Picture. You know how you had to right-click twice to get the option to open a YouTube video in PiP? That’s still an option, but now, you can also access the feature by simply clicking on the Page Menu, which is the little icon on the far left of the address bar. Better yet, the PiP viewer finally has buttons to skip ahead and back by 10 seconds. The window also has a progress bar along the bottom that looks like it could be used as a scrub bar to move around inside a video, but it can’t, which is a shame. Apple says that you can now skip ads where it’s supported in PiP, which isn’t something I’ve come across yet. Everything Else Terminal Terminal’s grass theme generating a transcript with Yap. Terminal has been updated in Tahoe with a new settings window, themes to customize the experience, 24-bit color support, and support for Powerline glyphs for creating status bars and prompts. I like the app’s extensive customization options a lot. However, Terminal seems like a place where Apple could take a page out of the book of apps like Warp and integrate some helpful Apple Intelligence features to make the app easier for inexperienced command line users to take advantage of. Passwords With Tahoe, Passwords adds a password history, allowing you to see the changes you’ve made over time. I’ve already found this useful when something goes wrong with a password update, allowing me to try a previous password. It’s a small touch, but it adds the kind of flexibility that helps a lot when you run into a site with a login process that fails. Accessibility Magnifier. Source: Apple Jonathan Reed covered macOS accessibility features on MacStories for Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Among the features coming to the Mac are Magnifier, Braille Access, Accessibility Reader, Accessibility Nutrition Labels, and Vehicle Motion Cues. For more information on each, be sure to check out Jonathan’s comprehensive story. Parental Controls macOS Tahoe provides new tools for parents through parental controls, too. Communications Limits allows parents to approve messages sent from new phone numbers to their kids, a feature that extends to third-party chat and social apps that adopt Apple’s framework. Requests are delivered to parents in Messages, where they can be approved with a tap. Communications Safety has expanded the places where nudity is detected to live FaceTime calls and Shared Albums in Photos, blurring the images. Kids can also share their age ranges with third-party apps to access age-appropriate features if allowed by a parent, enhancing privacy by sharing a range instead of a child’s precise age. Finally, App Store product pages have been updated with information about whether the app features user-generated content, messaging, advertising, or content controls. The first apps I checked on to see what these changes mean were X: The Everything App and Grok. While X is rated 16+ and lists user-generated content, Grok is still 13+, despite the app’s inclusion of an AI character that is designed for sexually suggestive interactions. So while these new parental controls are a positive addition to Tahoe, they are not foolproof. They rely on developers like xAI correctly self-reporting the content in their apps and Apple policing the App Store. Conclusion The Mac is still a truck. If there’s an elephant in the room with this review, it’s the vocal group of very online Mac users who decided early in the beta period that macOS Tahoe is garbage. Try as I may to put myself in their shoes, I just don’t get it. Liquid Glass isn’t perfect, but it’s not the visual and legibility disaster some have made it out to be. Nor have I run into show-stopping bugs or an unusual number of smaller glitches. I’ve spent over three months moving between Tahoe and Sequoia daily, and what stands out to me isn’t the differences between the two versions of the operating system; it’s their similarities. I’ve spent over three months moving between Tahoe and Sequoia daily, and what stands out to me isn’t the differences between the two versions of the operating system; it’s their similarities. That’s not to say there aren’t meaningful new features and design differences between Sequoia and Tahoe. Of course there are. But they’re neither drastic nor bad for that matter. Instead, what I see in macOS Tahoe is a careful balance that is successful more often than not. I’ve chronicled where I think Tahoe’s design and feature set fall short, but when you look at it in its totality, this is an excellent update, and one that Apple has been inching towards since macOS Catalina. macOS used to be an outlier in Apple’s product lineup in terms of both design and features. That’s largely changed – and to the Mac’s benefit. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that since Apple aligned macOS more closely with iOS and iPadOS and adopted Apple silicon, the Mac’s sales are up significantly over the past two decades. Nor do I think that this transition has been at the expense of the ever-shifting definition of what it means to be a “pro” user. I don’t use Xcode every day, but I do plenty of what I consider to be “pro” video and audio work, automate tasks with scripts, and run a business from my Mac. And in my experience, Tahoe has made my work life easier, not harder, with features like the improvements to Spotlight, Shortcuts automations, and tighter integration with the iPhone. I opened this review talking about balance, which is exceedingly hard to achieve in software design, especially with something like macOS, where you’re designing for everyone from grade school kids using their first computers to seasoned developers who have decades of experience with the Mac’s foundational systems. I think Apple has achieved that with all of the caveats that come with any software release. Liquid Glass on the Mac is not the visual affront that some have made it out to be. I think it gets in the way in certain apps, but by and large, it strikes a more measured, sensible balance in the Mac’s system apps. As a result, it’s never struck me as a distraction or an impediment. And while the controversy and hot takes swirl around Liquid Glass, nobody should lose sight of updates to features like Spotlight, the menu bar, and Shortcuts. Spotlight has taken a quantum leap forward in productivity this year, with a deep set of keyboard-driven features that will speed up your day-to-day work immediately, and the menu bar has never been so customizable, which can really be said for the Mac in general. Plus, for all of its continued shortcomings, automations take Shortcuts further than just about any other single update could have. Last year, I struggled with Sequoia. A lot of that release was pinned on Apple Intelligence features that I didn’t find very useful. This year’s Apple Intelligence features are more thoughtful and meaningful, from Live Translation in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime to access to Apple’s LLMs via Shortcuts. It’s a shift in focus that makes Tahoe more useful instead of just different. At the end of the day, I’m excited to be writing this last paragraph, not just because I’m glad to complete this review (which I am), but because the first thing I’m going to do now is install Tahoe on the Macs I’ve been using as Sequoia reference machines. Now, I can finally install Tahoe everywhere and get away from my desk. I can’t think of a better endorsement of an OS update than that. I highly recommend giving Tahoe a try and judging the changes for yourself. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. 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Today’s the day! This morning, Federico published his comprehensive review of iOS and iPadOS 26, covering the systems’ design, new app features, and more – including, of course, big changes to iPadOS. His review kicks off a really fun week here at MacStories, and we’re making it extra special with exclusive perks for Club MacStories […]

Today’s the day! This morning, Federico published his comprehensive review of iOS and iPadOS 26, covering the systems’ design, new app features, and more – including, of course, big changes to iPadOS. His review kicks off a really fun week here at MacStories, and we’re making it extra special with exclusive perks for Club MacStories members. Here’s what’s in store. For Club MacStories members, we’ve got some exciting perks to help you dive deeper into Federico’s review: An eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review that you can download and read on your favorite device or app A behind-the-scenes making-of story in the next MacStories Weekly with details on how Federico researched, wrote, and compiled the review If you’re not already a member, you can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below: Join Annual$50/yearJoin Monthly$5/month And Club MacStories Plus and Premier members get even more, with automation tools and insights based on Federico’s review as well as exclusive ways to experience our other OS reviews. In addition to the Club perks listed above, Club Plus and Premier members will receive the following: A collection of Drafts actions used in the making of the review that you can take advantage of yourself A series of advanced Apple Intelligence shortcuts in a new Automation Academy lesson teaching you all about the new ‘Use Model’ action A set of eBook editions of the macOS 26 Tahoe, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 reviews from the MacStories team To unlock all of these additional perks, use the buttons below to join Club MacStories Plus: Join Annual$100/yearJoin Monthly$10/month or Club Premier: Join Annual$120/yearJoin Monthly$12/month These extras are our way of saying thank you to our Club MacStories members who support us throughout the year. It’s our goal to give members the best experience and most value we can, and we look forward to offering these perks alongside each fall’s reviews. If you haven’t joined Club MacStories, now’s a great time to give it a try because it comes with a bunch of fun bonuses alongside all the regular benefits. Read on to learn more about the Club and this year’s special extras. Club MacStories Perks The eBook version of the iOS and iPadOS 26 review. All Club members will receive an eBook edition of iOS and iPadOS 26: The MacStories Review that’s fully interactive and complete with all the images and videos. This eBook is DRM-free and yours to read any way you like, on your preferred eReader or eBook app. While the web version is a great way to read the review, we know a lot of Club members value the flexibility of reading it as an eBook, where you can jot down notes, highlight passages, and take a closer look at images. Club members can access the eBook version of Federico’s review via their personal Downloads page. As an EPUB file, the review can be imported into Readwise Reader as well. This Saturday, we’ll publish a special edition of MacStories Weekly, our exclusive newsletter for Club members, featuring an in-depth look at the making of Federico’s iOS and iPadOS 26 review. Federico’s workflow changed drastically this year, so there’s a lot to dive into. This edition will include details on the following: How Federico researched, wrote, and edited the story entirely in Notion The role of assistive AI for research, compiling the review, and more (with examples of different LLMs Federico used and prompts he created) Federico’s use of Drafts for note-taking and Markdown The various MCP integrations Federico used for the review If you enjoy the review and want to learn more about how it came together, this is the way to do it. It’s a great peek behind the curtain of MacStories’ biggest project of the year. You can join Club MacStories for $5/month or $50/year using the buttons below: Join Annual$50/yearJoin Monthly$5/month Club MacStories includes year-round perks too. In addition to the special iOS and iPadOS 26 review perks, Club MacStories features: MacStories Weekly, a weekly newsletter with our favorite iOS and Mac apps, tips and in-depth automation tutorials, exclusive stories, interviews, and more. The Monthly Log, a monthly newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories from the MacStories team delivered at the end of each month. An early, ad-free, high-bitrate audio version of MacStories Unwind, the podcast that Federico and John record weekly. MacStories Unwind is a fun exploration of the differences between American and Italian culture and features recommendations for media we enjoy, including books, movies, TV shows, music, and videogames. Club MacStories Plus and Premier Perks We’ve got even more benefits in store for Club Plus and Premier members. Next week, Club Plus and Premier members will receive a collection of Drafts actions used by Federico to make the review. These actions were a key part of the review process, and they can be adapted to fit a variety of setups. Members can take these custom actions and use them to make their own Drafts workflows better. A selection of Apple Intelligence shortcuts that will be released next week. Also next week, Federico will publish a new lesson in the Automation Academy for Club Plus and Premier members centered on Apple Intelligence shortcuts in iOS and iPadOS 26. This series of advanced shortcuts will showcase the new ‘Use Model’ action and teach members how to take advantage of it themselves, with lots of examples of integrating the action with third-party apps and common workflows. The ‘Use Model’ action opens up a lot of possibilities for automation on iOS and iPadOS, and this lesson is a great place to get started with it. Of course, we’ve got a whole lineup of OS reviews coming this week, including John’s review of macOS 26 Tahoe, Jonathan’s review of watchOS 26, and a review of visionOS 26 from yours truly. In addition to the eBook version of Federico’s review, Club Plus and Premier members will receive eBook editions of all of this year’s MacStories OS reviews as they are published. These eBooks offer members the opportunity to read every review in whatever way they prefer. Club Plus and Premier members will be able to access the eBook versions of all of this year’s reviews via their personal Downloads page later this week. Join Club MacStories Plus: Join Annual$100/yearJoin Monthly$10/month Join Club Premier: Join Annual$120/yearJoin Monthly$12/month As a Club Plus or Premier member, you’ll also receive access to our vibrant Discord community, bonus columns from Federico and John, an advanced version of the Club website that includes advanced search and filtering controls, custom RSS feeds of Club articles, and more. And, for just $2/month or $20/year more, Premier members get AppStories+ too, the extended, ad-free, high-bitrate audio version of our flagship podcast, which is released early most weeks. We’ve got a great set of perks lined up for members of Club MacStories, Club MacStories Plus, and Club Premier this year, and we’re so excited to share them with you. From eBooks and behind-the-scenes looks to Drafts actions to Apple Intelligence Shortcuts, there’s something extra for everyone to make this review season even more fun and informative. In case you can’t tell, we love this time of year here at MacStories. After spending the summer putting Apple’s latest OS updates to the test, it’s a thrill to get to share our findings with you and make these software releases a special event for the MacStories community. As much as we appreciate what the new features and enhancements have to offer, it’s conversing about them with you, our readers, that makes this season the joy that it is. We hope you’re enjoying the week thus far, and we hope you’re looking forward to what’s in store as much as we are. Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to our Club MacStories members who help make all of this possible. Happy reading! Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Old and new through the liquid glass.

Old and new through the liquid glass.

Great indie apps that shine on OS 26. Try them free today: Drafts: Quick capture notes taking with powerful actions to edit and export content. Tally: Flexible, simple app for all your counting needs, from scorekeeping to habit tracking. Terminology: Extensible dictionary and thesaurus. Simple Scan: Breaks Apple’s scanning interface out of Notes, and provides […]

Great indie apps that shine on OS 26. Try them free today: Drafts: Quick capture notes taking with powerful actions to edit and export content. Tally: Flexible, simple app for all your counting needs, from scorekeeping to habit tracking. Terminology: Extensible dictionary and thesaurus. Simple Scan: Breaks Apple’s scanning interface out of Notes, and provides easy, low-friction ways to route scans to email, messages, files, and more. Download for free today at agiletortoise.com! Our thanks to Agile Tortoise for sponsoring MacStories this week. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone https://youtu.be/RMKk13dHlR4Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Comfort Zone, Episode 66: Bruv (https://youtu.be/RMKk13dHlR4) Niléane goes phone shopping for someone else, Chris conducts the iPhone 16 Pro exit interview, and the whole gang gets weird with inputs. On Cozy Zone, the gang roasts each […]

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: Comfort Zone https://youtu.be/RMKk13dHlR4 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Comfort Zone, Episode 66: Bruv (https://youtu.be/RMKk13dHlR4) Niléane goes phone shopping for someone else, Chris conducts the iPhone 16 Pro exit interview, and the whole gang gets weird with inputs. On Cozy Zone, the gang roasts each other’s desk setups. MacStories Unwind https://youtu.be/q_HAwdUGmoA Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Two Beady Eyes Staring At Me | MacStories Unwind (https://youtu.be/q_HAwdUGmoA) This week, John explains the art of Southern storytelling with an example, reminding Federico to touch grass before sharing a classic movie deal and previewing some of the perks coming next week with his iOS and iPadOS 26 review. Comfort Zone, Episode 66, ‘Bruv’ Show Notes How would you have done our challenges? How would you answer the question at the end of the show? Let us know! Stuff We Discussed Relay St. Jude Fundraiser Waluigi Hat FocusFlight Matt’s Dream(?) Monitor Nothing CMF Phone Cozy Zone Want more from the gang? Cozy Zone is a bonus podcast every Monday where we let loose on all sorts of fun topics. You can get cozy with the Comfort Zone crew for just $5/month or $50/year, which not only makes the bonus episodes possible, but supports Comfort Zone, too. MacStories Unwind, ‘Two Beady Eyes Staring At Me’ Show Notes Two Beady Little Eyes Staring At Me Skunks Unwind Deal The Prestige for $4.99 in Apple’s TV app. MacStories Unwind+ We deliver MacStories Unwind+ to Club MacStories subscribers ad-free and early with high bitrate audio every week. To learn more about the benefits of a Club MacStories subscription, visit our Plans page. MacStories launched its first podcast in 2017 with AppStories. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a family of weekly shows that also includes MacStories Unwind, Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything that collectively, cover a broad range of the modern media world from Apple’s streaming service and videogame hardware to apps for a growing audience that appreciates our thoughtful, in-depth approach to media. If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Source: Dallas Taylor. While the highlights of Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 reveal seemed to be the addition of heart rate sensors, increased battery life, and improved Active Noise Cancellation, Dallas Taylor on YouTube went a bit deeper on the actual listening experience. Taylor is a sound designer and the host of the excellent Twenty Thousand […]

Source: Dallas Taylor. While the highlights of Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 reveal seemed to be the addition of heart rate sensors, increased battery life, and improved Active Noise Cancellation, Dallas Taylor on YouTube went a bit deeper on the actual listening experience. Taylor is a sound designer and the host of the excellent Twenty Thousand Hertz podcast. (I can highly recommend this episode about the famous sounds of Apple and this one about the iconic sound of HBO.) He also runs a YouTube channel and was invited to Apple Park yesterday to try out the new AirPods Pro for himself. He came away very impressed with the improved ANC, but what stood out to me was the significant upgrade in sound quality he mentioned, especially the bass. You can watch Taylor give his thoughts below, but it’s interesting to hear about a notable improvement in what people use AirPods for the most: listening to music. You can follow all of our September 2025 Apple event coverage through our September 2025 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2025 Apple event RSS feed. → Source: youtube.com

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqE2GXU8VjEVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Apple Event Vibe Check | AppStories | Episode 451 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqE2GXU8VjE) This week, Federico and John do their annual pre-Apple event “vibe check,” discussing what they expect and hope to see at the upcoming September Apple event. They […]

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts: AppStories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqE2GXU8VjE Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Apple Event Vibe Check | AppStories | Episode 451 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqE2GXU8VjE) This week, Federico and John do their annual pre-Apple event “vibe check,” discussing what they expect and hope to see at the upcoming September Apple event. They explore the rumored iPhone 17 lineup, AirPods Pro 3, and debate the Apple Watch Ultra. Plus, they share thoughts on the prospect of a Apple TV with Apple Intelligence capabilities, HomePods, and updates to AirTags. On AppStories+, John and Federico explore the divisiveness surrounding the Liquid Glass update coming to macOS Tahoe. This episode is sponsored by: Claude – Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Factor – Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code appstories50off NPC: Next Portable Console https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgXWrJIsx1s Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: New Handhelds, Old Problems | NPC: Next Portable Console | Episode 47 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgXWrJIsx1s) This week, Brendon and John examine the latest handheld announcements from Lenovo and AYN that both come with impressive specs and some age-old frustrations. Plus, a new chip is coming to Anbernic’s lineup, and Brendon shares his first impressions of Dbrand’s Nintendo Switch 2 killswitch case. On NPC XL, Brendon and John tackle the handheld collector’s dilemma as both hosts find themselves swimming in too many devices. They discuss strategies for decluttering their collections, from Brendon’s “three device rule” to the challenges of finding good homes for beloved handhelds. First, Last, Everything https://youtu.be/YkMNEfZv9U0 Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Tom Hitchins | First Last Everything | Episode 1 (https://youtu.be/YkMNEfZv9U0) In this premiere episode, YouTuber Tom Hitchins, aka Byte Review, discusses his creative life that led to the creation of one of the most aesthetically pleasing tech channels on the site. From teaching Photoshop at a college to a lifelong love of Nintendo and Japanese design and entertainment, Tom’s passion for technology touches every aspect of his life. AppStories, Episode 451, ‘Apple Event Vibe Check’ Show Notes An Apple Event Vibe Check Products Discussed Apple Watch AirPods Pro iPhone 17 line Apple TV HomePod AppStories+ Post-Show One Size Does Not Fit All NPC, Episode 47, ‘New Handhelds, Old Problems: Legion Go 2 and Odin 3 Arrive’ Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Legion Go 2 Early Leaks Reveal Lenovo Legion Go 2 Improvements Legion Go 2 official: Lenovo’s new flagship handheld costs $1,099 — and up Lenovo Concept Laptop Lenovo’s next concept laptop has a rotating screen that works in portrait or landscape Anbernic RG476H Anbernic RG476H Looks to Take on the RP Mini V2 and Pocket ACE AYN Odin 3 AYN Odin 3 gaming handheld features Snapdragon 8 Elite and a 120 Hz OLED display for $299 during crowdfunding ($349 and up retail) dbrand killswitch for Nintendo Switch 2 Website Brendon’s review Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here. First, Last Everything, Episode 1, ‘Tom Hitchins’ Show Notes This Episode’s Links Byte Review on YouTube Byte Review on Instagram Byte Review on TikTok First Byte Review Video - Lumia 435 Review Why I Left Teaching During COVID-19 Apple REBUILT my Desk Setup and Office with the M3 MacBook Air! Kiroku Studio Kiroku Studio on Instagram Kiroku Radio Tom’s Picks Tom’s ‘First’ pick: Game Boy Advance SP Tom’s ‘Last’ pick: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Tom’s ‘Everything’ pick: BioShock Something ‘Something’: the Buick Riviera Graphic Control Centre: MotorWeek | Retro Review: 1986 Buick Century T-Type & Riviera CRT MacStories launched its first podcast in 2017 with AppStories. Since then, the lineup has expanded to include a family of weekly shows that also includes MacStories Unwind, Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, NPC: Next Portable Console, and First, Last, Everything that collectively, cover a broad range of the modern media world from Apple’s streaming service and videogame hardware to apps for a growing audience that appreciates our thoughtful, in-depth approach to media. If you’re interested in advertising on our shows, you can learn more here or by contacting our Managing Editor, John Voorhees. Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Reminders created by Claude for iOS after a series of web searches. A few months ago, when Perplexity unveiled their voice assistant integrated with native iOS frameworks, I wrote that I was surprised no other major AI lab had shipped a similar feature in its iOS apps: The most important point about this feature is […]

Reminders created by Claude for iOS after a series of web searches. A few months ago, when Perplexity unveiled their voice assistant integrated with native iOS frameworks, I wrote that I was surprised no other major AI lab had shipped a similar feature in its iOS apps: The most important point about this feature is the fact that, in hindsight, this is so obvious and I’m surprised that OpenAI still hasn’t shipped the same feature for their incredibly popular ChatGPT voice mode. Perplexity’s iOS voice assistant isn’t using any “secret” tricks or hidden APIs: they’re simply integrating with existing frameworks and APIs that any third-party iOS developer can already work with. They’re leveraging EventKit for reminder/calendar event retrieval and creation; they’re using MapKit to load inline snippets of Apple Maps locations; they’re using Mail’s native compose sheet and Safari View Controller to let users send pre-filled emails or browse webpages manually; they’re integrating with MusicKit to play songs from Apple Music, provided that you have the Music app installed and an active subscription. Theoretically, there is nothing stopping Perplexity from rolling additional frameworks such as ShazamKit, Image Playground, WeatherKit, the clipboard, or even photo library access into their voice assistant. Perplexity hasn’t found a “loophole” to replicate Siri functionalities; they were just the first major AI company to do so. It’s been a few months since Perplexity rolled out their iOS assistant, and, so far, the company has chosen to keep the iOS integrations exclusive to voice mode; you can’t have text conversations with Perplexity on iPhone and iPad and ask it to look at your reminders or calendar events. Anthropic, however, has done it and has become – to the best of my knowledge – the second major AI lab to plug directly into Apple’s native iOS and iPadOS frameworks, with an important twist: in the latest version of Claude, you can have text conversations and tell the model to look into your Reminders database or Calendar app without having to use voice mode. In an announcement earlier this week, the company focused on their integration with MapKit to discover nearby locations with Claude, but when I opened the app, I noticed that the splash screen mentioned “tasks and lists”, and I was curious to check it out. So I took some time off editing my upcoming iOS and iPadOS 26 review to see for myself, and from what I’ve seen so far, I’m impressed. Claude’s splash screen on iPadOS. Claude for iOS can now access Reminders to search lists, create or delete tasks, and modify existing tasks. All of this is based on Apple’s native Reminders framework with proper permission prompts, and Reminders gets treated by Claude as another tool that can be invoked in conversations alongside your location and the Calendar app. All of these new tools live in Claude’s settings under the new ‘Permissions’ page, where you can choose to enable read or write access for them and select whether they should run automatically or ask you for permission every time. Given my previous experience with Claude Opus 4 and interleaved thinking steps for long-running tasks, I decided to take this feature for a spin with a moderately complex query. Here’s what I asked: Search the web for Viticci’s annual iOS reviews over the years. I want you to find all links to the reviews I posted starting with iOS 9. Then, for each, create a reminder in my Work list, due in 15 minute increments starting at 5 PM today, with the title of the review as task name and the URL in the notes field of the reminder if you can. Claude Opus 4.1 got to work and started searching the web for links to all of my reviews, starting with the one for iOS 9 from 2015. After finding all the links, it requested access to my Reminders and tried to create each task in my ‘Work’ list, but since it couldn’t find that list, it created all tasks in the default ‘Reminders’ one instead. Impressively, since Claude ran a separate tool to identify my current time, it managed to create tasks with 15-minute offsets in their due times like I asked, and it put the link for each review in the notes field of the task. Claude’s Reminders permission prompt. Reminders created (then moved) by Claude. I figured out why Claude couldn’t find my ‘Work’ list: it was a newly created list with no tasks (completed or otherwise) inside it. After I created a sample reminder in the list and marked it as done, subsequent Claude sessions successfully found my ‘Work’ list. I also tested Claude’s integration with the Calendar app, and after some back and forth, I got it to work. Initially, Claude kept defaulting to the existing Google Calendar integration in my account, but after I phrased my request as such: What’s in my calendar for the next three days? Check the system Calendar app, not Google. Claude understood that I wanted to work with the native Calendar app, successfully queried my list of events, and presented some results: Events from the Calendar app in Claude. Unfortunately, as is the case with other Reminders integrations in third-party iOS apps, Claude cannot access more modern app features like native rich links, tags, and subtasks. Every year, I keep hoping that Apple will create a proper “ReminderKit” framework for developers; until that happens, Claude and Perplexity will be stuck with this kind of basic integration. I also took a look at the function-calling that happens behind the scenes when Claude retrieves and creates reminders on iOS and iPadOS. Funnily enough, when reasoning over the steps required to create a reminder in a specific list, Claude itself outlined all the Reminders tools at its disposal: The user wants me to move the reminders to a Work list. However, when I searched for lists earlier, there was no “Work” list found. I should first create a Work list or search again to make sure, and then move the reminders there. Let me search for all lists again to be sure there’s no Work list, and if not, I should inform the user that we need to create one first. I cannot create a new list with the current tools - I can only add reminders to existing lists. Looking at the available tools, I don’t see a way to create a new list. I can only: Search for lists (reminder_list_search_v0) Create reminders in existing lists (reminder_create_v0) Update reminders (reminder_update_v0) Delete reminders (reminder_delete_v0) I should let the user know that I cannot create a new Work list with the current tools, and they would need to create it manually in the Reminders app first. In my experiments with Claude during this iOS review season – which I will write about in depth in the ‘Making Of’ story for my iOS review for Club members – I’ve noticed that it’s really helpful to know the names of the exact tools you want Claude to use, especially if you have several (or conflicting) integrations enabled. With these new Reminders tools, it’s going to be interesting to set up projects for hybrid automations that use a fixed set of function calls and the flexibility of a large language model. So, five months after Perplexity’s iOS voice assistant, Anthropic has shipped their own take on iOS integrations that work with text chats. I keep thinking that this is an obvious route for major AI labs without their own ecosystem (i.e., Google) and that I’m surprised OpenAI hasn’t built anything along these lines for its ChatGPT iOS app yet. We’ll see! Access Extra Content and Perks Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for nearly a decade. What started with weekly and monthly email newsletters has blossomed into a family of memberships designed every MacStories fan. Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with apps, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, early access to the MacStories Unwind podcast, periodic giveaways, and more; Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus an active Discord community, advanced search and custom RSS features for exploring the Club’s entire back catalog, bonus columns, and dozens of app discounts; Club Premier: All of the above and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio. Learn more here and from our Club FAQs. Join Now

Source: Apple. In the run-up to yesterday’s Apple Event, there were increasingly loud rumblings that Apple would introduce a crossbody strap or lanyard that could be attached to new iPhone cases. What followed was a noticeable amount of confusion from those in the tech sphere as to why Apple was entering this market. Now that […]

Source: Apple. In the run-up to yesterday’s Apple Event, there were increasingly loud rumblings that Apple would introduce a crossbody strap or lanyard that could be attached to new iPhone cases. What followed was a noticeable amount of confusion from those in the tech sphere as to why Apple was entering this market. Now that the Crossbody Strap has been released, Jess Weatherbed at The Verge has a great explainer on why crossbody straps are an increasingly popular trend and why Apple’s take on them is so good. (Spoiler: it’s magnets. It’s always magnets.) This trend seems to be more popular in Europe and Asia, but it’s picking up steam in the United States, too. I personally see them all the time in London, both as fashion accessories and practical ways for people to carry their most important device. In fact, as a quick experiment, I counted almost 20 of them on my five-minute walk back from this morning’s school drop-off. The Apple Crossbody Strap is available to order now and is only compatible with Apple’s cases for iPhone 17, Air, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max. For more on all the accessories Apple released this week, check out Niléane’s overview. You can follow all of our September 2025 Apple event coverage through our September 2025 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2025 Apple event RSS feed. → Source: theverge.com

An unofficial community about Apple and all of its devices and software.

Welcome to the Daily Advice Thread for /r/Apple. This thread can be used to ask for technical advice regarding Apple software and hardware, to ask questions regarding the buying or selling of Apple products or to post other short questions. Have a question you need answered? Ask away! Please remember to adhere to our rules, which can be found in the sidebar. Join our Discord and IRC chat rooms for support: Discord IRC Note: Comments are sorted by /new for your convenience. Here is an archive of all previous Daily Advice Threads. This is best viewed on a browser. If on mobile, type in the search bar [author:"AutoModerator" title:"Daily Advice Thread" or title:"Daily Tech Support Thread"] (without the brackets, and including the quotation marks around the titles and author.) The Daily Advice Thread is posted each day at 06:00 AM EST (Click HERE for other timezones) and then the old one is archived. It is advised to wait for the new thread to post your question if this time is nearing for quickest answer time. submitted by /u/AutoModerator [link] [comments]

POLL: What iPhone are you ordering today? POLL RESULTS HERE (edit: fixed link to a better view! Thanks /u/Rytoxz!) (edit 2: I can't change the colors of the pie chart so I can't make it match the phone's colors. Try to view it on a computer, if you can - hovering over the results will tell you what choice the the percentage corresponds to) NOTE: This survey does not require you to sign in to Google, so results might be skewed as anyone can vote multiple times. Hey /r/Apple! In an attempt to curb the number of threads about pre-order choices/configurations, shipping statuses, etc, we are asking that all discussion about it remain in here. We are setting the sort of this thread to new so that users receive the latest updates at the top of the thread when they open the comments. Links: Landing pages: iPhone iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone Air Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch SE 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 AirPods AirPods Pro 3rd Gen Buying pages iPhone iPhone 17 iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone Air Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch SE 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 AirPods AirPods Pro 3rd Gen Other helpful links iPhone Upgrade Program iPhone Compare Page Apple Watch Compare Page AirPods Compare Page submitted by /u/exjr_ [link] [comments]

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CNBC's Jim Cramer speaks with Apple CEO Tim Cook ahead of the company's iPhone 17 launch in New York City. submitted by /u/ControlCAD [link] [comments]

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Earlier this year, Apple introduced its Foundation Models framework during WWDC 2025, which allows developers to use the company’s local AI models to power features in their applications. submitted by /u/amanj203 [link] [comments]

https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1nkwwwu/breakdown_of_17_pro_max_shows_a_qualcomm_x80_modem/?share_id=BkolVFXz0zs6cc9Q6M4DR&utm_content=1&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 submitted by /u/ROLLTlDE1 [link] [comments]

CNBC's Steve Kovach joins 'Squawk Box' from Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York with the latest news. submitted by /u/ControlCAD [link] [comments]

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A trip down the memory lane! http://web.archive.org/web/20001019043452/http://apple.com/ submitted by /u/Gods-Fav-Child [link] [comments]

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📱⌚️🎧✨ submitted by /u/Designer-Border-711 [link] [comments]

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Testing the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max - to find out which has the longest battery - and are they a big upgrade over the 16 Pro Max? submitted by /u/ControlCAD [link] [comments]

To disable Stolen Device Protection on an iPhone,go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, tap Stolen Device Protection, and then select the option to turn it off. If you have the feature set to "Away from Familiar Locations" or "Always," a one-hour security delay will be required, during which you must confirm your identity with Face ID or Touch ID again. submitted by /u/GingerMan512 [link] [comments]

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Live translation is the biggest draw for me. Wondering if anyone has received their AirPods and has used live translation? Does it work as advertised? Does it work better than Google Translate? Are there any languages not supported? submitted by /u/cue-anon [link] [comments]

AirPods Pro 3 released and AirPods Pro 3rd Gen are out on Friday. In this video I unbox the AirPods Pro 3, compare AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3 and show the new features with Find My, Microphone Quality, talk about fit and comfort and overall sound quality. submitted by /u/ControlCAD [link] [comments]

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As suggested by u/4-3-4 in this thread, I am shamelessly copying Accidental Tech Podcast's idea to do exit interviews for outgoing models. With that said, let's kick off the copycat series in this sub with the iPhone 16 series! Some reference points: Base models have the A18 chip (6-core CPU/5-core GPU) while the Pros have the A18 chip (6-core CPU/6-core GPU) Base models (16/16 Plus) started at $799/$899 while Pro models started at $999/$1,199. Apple discontinued the 16 Pro/Pro Max after the 17 launch, but the 16 and 16 Plus are still available and sold new (now at $699/$799) If you’ve owned an iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, or 16 Pro Max... What did Apple get right? What did they get wrong (We all know the answer to this one lol)? How does it compare to the phone you upgraded from? Is it still living up to the hype from when you first got it? If you’re upgrading to the iPhone 17 series, what pushed you to do it? If you aren't upgrading, why? Anything else you'd like to add? Or if you never got the iPhone 16, why didn't you upgrade? Shoutout again to u/4-3-4 for suggesting this for the sub, and to Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP) for the idea You can tune in to ATP's episode 655 where they did the exit interview for the iPhone 16 here Catch them in your favorite podcast app: Apple Podcast | Overcast | Pocket Cast | Castro Read u/4-3-4's thread on the iPhone 16's and its "Camera Control", and how people have made use of it (if they have) submitted by /u/exjr_ [link] [comments]

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In every MacOS version - all the way back to the Lisa, even - items on the menu bar could be reached by clicking on the very first row of pixels on the screen. ("Rule of the infinite edges") In Tahoe, they broke that for 3rd party menu bar icons (and some Apple ones) Video This worked fine until Tahoe. It gets stranger, though - this is only broken if the menu bar is light-colored. That means it's broken if Reduce Transparency is turned on - OR if it's off, but your desktop background's top row of pixels is fairly light-colored. submitted by /u/dmd [link] [comments]

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Reddit’s little corner for iPhone lovers (and some people who just mildly enjoy it…)

Welcome to the weekly stickied WSIB thread. Have any questions about buying, selling, trading, or giveaways? Ask away! Please remember to adhere to our rules, which can be found in the sidebar. As usual, if you have a serious issue with the subreddit, please contact the moderators directly. This thread is also for questions about preorders and shipments of devices Note: Comments are sorted by /new for your convenience. Here is an archive of all previous "What Should I Buy" threads. This is best viewed on a browser. If on mobile, type on the searchbar [title:"What Should I Buy" author:"AutoModerator"] (without the brackets, and including the quotation marks around the title and author.) submitted by /u/AutoModerator [link] [comments]

General advice for those concerned about their battery from the Support FAQ Wiki: Battery health Battery health depends on usage and a variety of other factors. It is normal to see a decrease in battery health by 7-10% per year, resulting in a battery health of 80-85% after 2 years. This number can fluctuate, remain the same, or decrease quickly over a small period and should not cause undue concern. Apple recommend battery replacement when your device falls below 80% battery health if you notice reduced battery life. If it falls below 80% within the first year you may be eligable for a free battery replacement. It fails after your warranty, it's a $69-$89 USD replacement cost for a battery. Contact Apple Support here. You can find more information about battery health and performance from Apple here. You can check the cycles count with Coconut Battery for Mac or iCopyBot for Windows. Battery life Issues relating to battery life can be categorised in three ways: Normal battery life that is to be expected due to use Reduced battery life caused by a recent update, iOS indexing, an iOS bug, or a third-party application Reduced battery life, or other abnormalities such as overheating or sudden power-off, caused by device or battery aging If you experience issues with your battery: Check your battery health. If it is below 80% or you are experiencing issues you suspect are related to device or battery age, see Apple Support. If you have a new or recently updated/restored device, wait a number of days for background process to complete. If you continue to have issues, wait for a further iOS update. If you are on iOS Beta, you can expect to have a decreased battery life. Review the advice below on maximising battery life Consider restoring your device. If issues persist, contact Apple Support. Maximising battery life - the amount of time your device runs before it needs to be recharged. Use low power mode (This reduces mail fetch, turns off background app refresh and increases the auto lock timer) Remove apps from background app refresh Ensure auto lock is on Turn off auto brightness and manually reduce brightness Use dark mode if your device has an OLED display Clearing background apps from the app switcher does not improve battery life Maximising battery lifespan - the amount of time your battery lasts until it needs to be replaced. Avoid extreme temperatures If you notice that your iPhone gets hot when charging, remove it from its case Store your iPhone in a cool place, switched off, and half-charged if not using it for long periods - and charge it every 6 months when in storage submitted by /u/AutoModerator [link] [comments]

Now I’m regretting not getting silver. 😀 submitted by /u/Worth-Boysenberry-93 [link] [comments]

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More different than expected. 17P is a lot more deep navy, like a clear night sky. submitted by /u/Marlon_Ranch [link] [comments]

The new silver Pro matches my IPad Pro really well! I’ve been spending most of the morning setting it up along with my new Watch Ultra 3 and AirPod Pro 3’s! Happy iPhone day everyone! submitted by /u/Grouchy-Mine3699 [link] [comments]

I am super excited y’all! 🙌🏻 submitted by /u/amonfayah [link] [comments]

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Got the iPhone 17 Pro in silver. Traded in an iPhone 16 Pro in black and paid the difference. It’s an excellent upgrade, even just from last years model, for a couple of reasons. I like the aluminum a lot more, the brushed finish paired with curved edges feels excellent to hold; as an iPhone nudist, this is an important aspect. With the battery bump to 4,252 mAh and a dedicated cooling system, longevity potential feels like a substantial increase over any other model. It’s impressive how cool this device stays compared to the 16 Pro, just from short back-to-back bursts between Destiny: Rising, Wuthering Waves, and my happy place, Great British Bake Off via Netflix (all on network data for testing). The 8x optical zoom clarity is nuts, and while I might not use it all the time, it’s good to have. Haven’t messed with Center Stage much, but being able to flip between landscape or portrait from the front camera is convenient. The other really cool feature is Dual Capture, which lets you record video from both the back and front camera at the same time. So even just from the 2024 to 2025 models, I think the features are there, especially if you’re privy to those carrier trade-in deals or Apple’s upgrade program. Anyway, hope you all enjoy your new devices or even your current one! Happy launch day! submitted by /u/rfow [link] [comments]

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She’s beautiful! submitted by /u/Ill_Fan_1965 [link] [comments]

I pre-ordered a 17 Pro Max last week and have been eagerly waiting for today to arrive. When I got to the Apple Store today, I checked in with my barcode and decided to browse around to see all the other iPhone models and colors while I waited for the Apple employee to get my 17 Pro Max from the back. I picked up the iPhone Air and instantly had a “wow” moment. I immediately cancelled my 17 Pro Max pre-order and walked out with a Sky Blue iPhone Air 512gb that was in stock. I can’t believe how thin this phone is. The only times I’ve felt this way about a device was back when the first iPhone 3G came out and the iPhone X. Ive owned every “Pro” iPhone and this is the first year I’m not getting the Pro version. I’m glad I looked at it in person because before I had written it off due to the specs and lack of cameras. I’m a very active person; lots of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, running, etc. I also do a lot of travel for work and I think the lightness of this phone will be such a nice convenience to carry in my pocket. I’d encourage anybody on the fence to check this out in person because it might change your mind like it did for me. This is really a special phone and i am happy to be a part of this moment in Apple history. submitted by /u/JimothyLeFleur69420 [link] [comments]

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It’s not as gold as I thought it would be 😣 submitted by /u/CrazyJaguar1188 [link] [comments]

Hey everyone. Just got mine and it’s not as pastel as I thought it would be on the back. Some of the photos made it look particularly bad but the tones are close enough together. Phone feels good. Definitely different to my 12. Heavier for sure. But yea just showing the tones on the back for orange. Nothing to worry about. submitted by /u/wordswontcomeout [link] [comments]

I went to my store to pick up my AirPods Pro 3. I’m not in the market for a new phone. I have my 15 Pro Max which still meets my needs perfectly. But since I was already there, I thought, fuck it, might as well have a look at the new iPhones. And so I went to a vacant station for the white iPhone Air, and picked it up. Unironically a massive mistake on my part. It was lovely to hold in hand, super comfortable. Looked gorgeous, and deceptively light for its size. It’s peak“flashy new thing”. And it got me dangerously close to busting out my credit card. Honestly, if I’d actually succumbed, I think I would still have ended up pretty happy with my decision. Still love my 15 Pro though. (The AirPods Pro 3 are great btw) tldr Stay far away from the iPhone Air if you’re trying not to spend money. submitted by /u/crobat3 [link] [comments]

And she’s beautiful submitted by /u/Far_Strawberry_3768 [link] [comments]

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I upgraded my 12 pro to the Air this morning. Man what a phone. Feels like I’m not even holding anything. The size difference is great. I’d constantly make typos on the smaller 12, but this middle ground size of the Air is perfect. Not too small, not too big. I don’t care about the speaker, sounds the same listening to stuff. The quality was never good to begin with, that’s why I have air pods. The pro motion display was immediately noticeable. I feel like I’m using something completely new, not just an upgrade. Everyone who touches it gasps at both the look and feel. Very glad I picked this up today. submitted by /u/crayonflop3 [link] [comments]

The hype is still real submitted by /u/Ashamed_Meringue726 [link] [comments]

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I’ve never gotten a new phone on launch day before. But I have a red and white corgi and I got orange for my boy 🧡 Funny enough, my boyfriend got some Labubus ordered so I’m now waiting in the mall for Pop Mart to open so I can pick them up for him 😂 submitted by /u/compscilady [link] [comments]

Just got this bad boy up and running! Excited to see what all it can do! submitted by /u/tyoung89 [link] [comments]

i wasn’t planning on upgrading this year, but i got my 16 about a week before i lost my house and all my belongings in hurricane flooding, so i wanted to get rid of the negative energy (or at least that’s what i told myself). i am by no means an apple or iphone expert, but my first impression is that this beauty reminds me of my red iphone 7, between the lines towards the top/bottom and the thickness. while it’s not a huge change from the 16, i am seeing a difference! love the new material and the variation in color on the back, plus i don’t feel like the camera bump makes a huge difference. i know the orange color was a bit controversial, but im really in love! submitted by /u/bubblethebabe [link] [comments]

This is iPhone 17 Pro. With a durable design and 48MP Pro Fusion camera system, it’s the ultimate Pro. It has a heat-forged aluminum unibody, and Ceramic Shield now protects the back, while on the front the new Ceramic Shield 2 has 3x better scratch resistance. iPhone 17 Pro is loaded with the most cinematic camera we’ve ever made, featuring an 8x optical-quality zoom to get even closer to the action. Learn more about iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max: https://apple.co/47RqgGB “Come Rain Or Come Shine” by Connie Francis https://apple.co/Come-Rain-Or-Come-Shine #iPhone17Pro #iPhone17ProMax Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

It’s a win-win whichever you choose: iPhone 17 Pro, our most pro iPhone yet, or iPhone Air, our thinnest iPhone ever. #GuidedTour #iPhone #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #iPhone17

Meet the new iPhone family: iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air and iPhone 17. Which one will you choose? #GuidedTour #iPhone #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #iPhone17

We’ll guide you through the big news about the powerful iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the all-new iPhone Air—our thinnest iPhone ever, and the amazing iPhone 17. It’s a win-win whichever you choose: find out which new iPhone is right for you. While you watch, you’ll get a closer look at the new colors and features that make this such an impressive iPhone lineup. 00:09 - Introduction 02:40 - iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max 05:11 - iPhone Air 07:05 - iPhone 17 08:29 - Trade In Compare the new iPhone lineup: https://apple.co/46d6dQe Meet the new iPhone family: https://apple.co/3IcNhco #GuidedTour #iPhone #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #iPhone17 Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Real people share how Apple Watch has changed and even helped save their lives—a fitness story in New York, a teen’s struggle with mental health in the UK and powerful health and safety stories from the U.S., Japan, and Canada. Learn more: https://apple.co/4meEXH7 #AppleWatch #AppleEvent #Apple Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Our more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

This is iPhone Air. Super thin. Strikingly light. Shockingly strong. Powered by the new A19 Pro chip, which is built for Apple Intelligence. Fitted with our new 18MP Center Stage front camera and an advanced 48MP Fusion camera system that enables Dual Capture, Action mode, next-generation portraits, and much more. All with remarkable all-day battery life. Learn more about iPhone Air: https://apple.co/46i77el “Lambent Rag” by Clark https://apple.co/Clark-Lambent-Rag #iPhone #iPhoneAir #AppleEvent #Apple Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Our more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Introducing iPhone 17 Pro. Built from solid aluminum, a unique unibody encases our biggest battery with our longest battery life. The most powerful chip made for iPhone is cooled by an entirely new thermal system. Ceramic Shield protects the back as well as the front, and the display is 3x more scratch resistant. The most cinematic camera we’ve ever made captures ProRes RAW video. With a 56 percent larger sensor, the 8x optical-quality zoom gets you even closer to the action. It’s the first phone to offer genlock, for precise video synchronization and creating Hollywood-level effects. The ultimate Pro. iPhone 17 Pro. Learn more about iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max: https://apple.co/4ngsB2a “New Age Crisis” by Jean Dawson https://apple.co/New-Age-Crisis #iPhone #iPhone17Pro #AppleEvent #Apple Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

The world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation, with up to 2x more noise cancelled than AirPods Pro 2. Exceptional sound quality. All-new heart rate sensing during workouts. A more secure in-ear fit. IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance. A clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature. Live Translation to communicate across languages. And improved battery life with up to 8 hours of listening time. Learn More: https://apple.co/3If6cDp “BLUH BLUH BLUH” by _BY.ALEXANDER https://apple.co/BLUH-BLUH-BLUH #AirPods #AirPodsPro #AirPodsPro3 #AppleEvent #Apple World’s best Active Noise Cancellation evaluation tested in July 2025 in accordance with IEC 60268-24 as compared with best-selling commercially available wireless in-ear headphones. Built-in heart rate monitor is intended for use during workouts with the Fitness app and compatible third-party apps on iPhone running iOS 26 and later. AirPods Pro 3 are dust, sweat, and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. The Hearing Aid feature has received FDA authorization. This feature is supported on AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia and later, and is intended for people 18 years old or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Live Translation works when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Supports English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). For more information, see https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage, and many other factors. Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Our more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Here’s a quick recap of the good things coming your way: iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air — the thinnest iPhone ever, iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. Watch the full keynote here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3KnMyojEQU #Apple #AppleEvent #iPhone17 #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #AppleWatch #AirPods Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Here’s major news from our latest event. Featuring iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. #Apple #AppleEvent #iPhone17 #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #AppleWatch #AirPods

Watch the special Apple Event to learn about iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro. Plus Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Ultra 3, AirPods Pro 3, and more. To watch the event interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) or hear it narrated via Audio Descriptions, please click here: https://youtu.be/yHC0aGQcS98 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:59 AirPods Pro 3 00:13:07 Apple Watch Introduction 00:17:32 Apple Watch Series 11 00:23:05 Apple Watch SE 3 00:25:35 Apple Watch Ultra 3 00:29:43 iPhone 17 00:40:37 iPhone Air 00:54:15 iPhone 17 Pro “Neon: 1. Shinjuku” by Hannah Peel & Manchester Collective https://apple.co/Neon-Shinjuku “BLUH BLUH BLUH” by _BY.ALEXANDER https://apple.co/BLUH-BLUH-BLUH “Cisco Bay” by Loaded Honey https://apple.co/Loaded-Honey-Cisco-Bay “Dream” by Neggy Gemmy https://apple.co/Neggy-Gemmy-Dream “Obsession” by Oliver Sim https://apple.co/Oliver-Sim-Obsession “U-Bahn Ride (feat. Beaks)” by 1tbsp https://apple.co/1tbsp-U-Bahn-Ride “Mr Man” by Deki Alem https://apple.co/Deki-Alem-Mr-Man “We’ve Got A Good Thing Going” by Tseba https://apple.co/Weve-Got-A-Good-Thing-Going “Kneel” by Nilüfer Yanya https://apple.co/Nilufer-Yanya-Kneel “JV Gets the $$$” by Junior Varsity https://apple.co/Junior-Varsity-JV-Gets-The “Rainbow” by ATRIP https://apple.co/ATRIP-Rainbow “Bikini” by Nick León & Erika De Casier https://apple.co/Nick-Leon-Bikini “Lambent Rag” by Clark https://apple.co/Clark-Lambent-Rag “Touchdown” by NNAMDÏ https://apple.co/NNAMDI-Touchdown “New Age Crisis” by Jean Dawson https://apple.co/New-Age-Crisis “New York” by Addison Rae https://apple.co/Addison-Rae-New-York “All Night” by The Dare https://apple.co/The-Dare-All-Night “[Eyes On You]” by Bas & Galimatias https://apple.co/Bas-Eyes-On-You “Come Rain Or Come Shine” by Connie Francis https://apple.co/Come-Rain-Or-Come-Shine #AppleEvent #iPhone17 #iPhone17Pro #iPhoneAir #AppleWatch #AirPods #Apple Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

The simple act of filming can be challenging for people with Parkinson’s. Often they are unable to capture their own memories. For Brett, Bette, and Ellen, every moment matters. With Action mode on iPhone, they can capture smooth hand-held videos and reclaim the joy of filming their favorite moments — supported by accessibility features like Voice Control, which help them operate the camera and navigate their iPhone with ease. “For someone like me, who’s been using cameras for 30 years, it being an option again is kind of life-changing.” — Brett Learn how people with Parkinson’s can use Action mode: https://youtube.com/shorts/X7Y262xvV94?feature=share Learn more about how to use Voice Control on iPhone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg22JaZWAgs Learn more about how to use Touch Accommodations on iPhone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TTOhANVkrA Learn how to track medications on iPhone: https://apple.co/474st0R Audio Descriptions: https://youtu.be/gR71flmTSrw #ShotOniPhone #Apple #Parkinsons #ActionMode Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Apple’s more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Filming with Parkinson’s. Audio Descriptions: https://youtube.com/shorts/SFURX93HVq4?feature=share #ShotOniPhone #Apple #Parkinsons #ActionMode

Easy ways to use Action mode. Learn more: https://apple.co/3VdRMpS Audio Descriptions: https://youtube.com/shorts/F2gmiw53O7Q #ShotOniPhone #Apple #Parkinsons #ActionMode

With Apple Intelligence, you can now remove distracting objects from your photos with the Clean Up tool. Learn more about iPhone 16: https://apple.co/407Tyfl Learn more about Apple Intelligence: https://apple.co/4eGwlad Audio Description: https://youtu.be/1UOS4Tft3Xw “KATOOSSA” by Yacine Boularès #AppleIntelligence #iPhone16 #iphone16pro Welcome to the official Apple YouTube channel. Here you’ll find news about product launches, tutorials, and other great content. Our more than 160,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

I’ve had more time with Apple’s brand-new iPhone 17 lineup — the iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, and the super thin and lightweight iPhone Air — and here are my updated second impressions. From colors like Silver, Cosmic Orange, and Black, to the new aluminum build, rounded edges, upgraded 48MP cameras with 8x zoom, improved 18MP front camera with Center Stage, and the new vapor chamber cooling system… there’s a lot to cover. The iPhone Air continues to surprise me with how thin and light it is, while still packing a massive 6.5” display. Battery life and single-camera limitations are things I’ll be testing next, but early signs are super promising. Of course, the displays across all three models are stunning: ProMotion, Ceramic Shield 2, anti-reflective coating, and scratch resistance that’s already showing great results. 📲 Read more: [WEBSITE LINKS HERE] 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@themacrumorsshow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

This video is sponsored by Casekoo. Visit the links below to receive up to 33% off a case for your new iPhone 17! #CASEKOO #MagicStand360 #iPhone17promax #iPhone17pro #iPhone17? US Amazon: https://amazn.so/macrumors UK Amazon: https://amazn.so/macrumorsuk Website: https://casekoo.com/macrumors I’ve been using the new iPhone 17 for a little over a week, and this year Apple gave the standard model some huge upgrades that make it feel more Pro than ever. From the new 6.3-inch OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion, to Ceramic Shield 2 with insane scratch resistance, to the new 48MP Ultra Wide camera and big jump in battery life, the iPhone 17 is a massive improvement over last year’s iPhone 16. In this video, I’ll break down what’s new, what’s actually better in day-to-day use, and how it compares directly to the iPhone 16 after a week of real-world testing. Should you upgrade? Let’s find out. 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:37 – Size & form factor (6.3” sweet spot) 01:07 – Display upgrade (OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, Always-On) 01:35 – Ceramic Shield 2 durability (no scratches) 02:17 – Anti-reflective coating & brightness (1000 / 1600 / 3000 nits) 02:41 – Sponsor: Casekoo 04:23 – Design & new colors (Mist Blue, Lavender, Sage, etc.) 04:53 – A19 performance & thermals 05:50 – Front camera: 18MP, Center Stage, auto orientation 06:41 – Rear cameras: 48MP main + 48MP ultra wide (macro), thoughts on telephoto 07:30 – Battery life (30 hrs) & faster charging (40W / 25W MagSafe) 08:18 – Connectivity (Apple N1, Bluetooth 6) 08:46 – Final thoughts: 17 vs 16 and who should upgrade The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

iPadOS 26 is here, and Apple is making the iPad feel more Mac-like than ever. From windowed apps and the iconic traffic light buttons to a dynamic menu bar, Exposé, advanced file management, and even the Preview app — this update pushes the iPad closer to being a true laptop replacement. In this video, I walk you through all the new Mac-inspired features in iPadOS 26, including: • Windowed multitasking with resizing and tiling • Mac-style red, yellow, and green stoplight controls • Exposé for a smarter app switcher • A dynamic menu bar with app-specific commands • A supercharged Files app with default app settings • Folders in the Dock and customization options • The Preview app with Apple Pencil support • Real background tasks like video exports in Final Cut Pro The line between iPad and Mac has never been thinner. Is this the year the iPad finally replaces your laptop? Let me know in the comments! 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – iPadOS 26 Overview 00:37 – New Windowed Apps Mode 01:25 – Resizing & Tiling Windows 01:39 – Mac-Style Traffic Light Buttons 02:16 – Exposé App Switcher 02:37 – New Menu Bar 03:09 – Files App Upgrades 03:54 – Preview App on iPad 04:16 – True Background Tasks 04:44 – Final Thoughts The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

This video is sponsored by Setapp. Try Setapp with an extended 30-day trial here - https://stpp.co/macrumors30 macOS 26 is finally here, and this might be Apple’s best Mac update in years. In this video, I’ll walk you through all the new features — from the Liquid Glass design and Control Center updates to the brand-new Spotlight with Actions, clipboard history, and app shortcuts. You’ll also see how macOS 26 brings the Phone app to the Mac for the first time, plus smaller but super useful features like Markdown export in Notes, auto-categorized lists in Reminders, and pinned collections in Photos. On top of that, two new apps join the lineup: Journal and Games — giving Mac users new ways to stay organized and entertained. Performance has been rock-solid throughout the beta and now with the public release, and I think macOS 26 really nails the balance between fresh design, smarter tools, and Apple ecosystem consistency. What’s your favorite new macOS 26 feature? Spotlight? The Phone app? Let me know down in the comments! 👍 Don’t forget to subscribe for more Apple coverage, macOS tips, and hands-on reviews. 📲 Read more: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/16/10-macos-tahoe-features/ 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:25 – Design Updates 01:23 – Spotlight Improvements 02:08 – Actions & Shortcuts 02:51 – Launchpad is now "Apps" 03:07 – Sponsor: Setapp 04:22 – Control Center 05:13 – Shortcuts Automations 05:42 – Finder Customization 06:03 – New Apps 07:18 – Other Small Updates 07:56 – Performance 08:41 – Wrap Up The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Switch to Tello today and start saving on wireless plans for your new iPhone 17 by visiting https://tello.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=macrumors&src=partner&mdm=cpc&cmg=macrumors Apple’s iOS 26 update is FINALLY here, and in this video we’re breaking down all the new features you need to know. From the brand-new Liquid Glass design language to call screening, Hold Assist, live translation, Visual Intelligence upgrades, and even fun extras like Automix in Music and the new Games app — there’s a lot to cover. What do you think of iOS 26 so far? 📲 Read more: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/15/apple-releases-ios-26/ 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:25 – New Liquid Glass Design 01:20 – Icon & Lock Screen Customization 02:00 – Sponsor (Tello) 03:20 – Phone & Messages Updates 04:37 – Live Translation 05:02 – Visual Intelligence 05:34 – Apple Maps Visited Places 05:53 – Music Automix 06:09 – New Games App 06:26 – Photos App Redesign 06:46 – Final Thoughts & Performance The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

It’s been one week with Apple’s brand new AirPods Pro 3, and the upgrades are more noticeable than you might think. The low end is punchier, ANC and Transparency are improved with new microphones and software, and the new memory foam–wrapped silicone tips make for the best fit yet. In this video, I share my one-week-later review of AirPods Pro 3, covering sound quality, noise cancellation, fit, and even the case changes that might surprise you. If you’re wondering whether AirPods Pro 3 are worth upgrading from AirPods Pro 2, this review might help you decide. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:40 – Sound Quality 01:19 – Case Changes 02:00 – Fit & Ear Tips 03:09 – Heart Rate Tracking 04:30 – Noise Cancellation 04:56 – Transparency Mode 05:20 – Mic Test 05:50 – Battery Life 06:27 – Final Thoughts 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Apple just announced its 2025 lineup: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3. I went hands-on with all of them, and here’s everything you need to know. AirPods Pro 3 refine the experience with a more comfortable fit, better-balanced sound with stronger low end, improved transparency mode, and a lighter case with a new capacitive button. Apple Watch SE 3 is the biggest upgrade to the budget model in years, now with an always-on display, S10 chip, Double Tap, 5G, temperature sensing, sleep apnea detection, on-device Siri, fast charging, and more. Apple Watch Series 11 brings 5G, better durability, a jump to 24 hours of battery life, hypertension detection, and the new Sleep Score feature. Apple Watch Ultra 3 adds satellite connectivity for emergencies and messaging off-grid, the largest and fastest-refreshing display ever on an Apple Watch, a huge battery life boost, and new safety and fitness features. This lineup is all about refining the Apple ecosystem across health, safety, and performance. Which new product are you picking up? 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:43 – AirPods Pro 3 03:35 – Apple Watch SE 3 04:42 – Apple Watch Series 11 05:42 – Apple Watch Ultra 3 07:55 – Wrap-Up The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are finally here, and I have to say — these feel like the most complete Pro iPhones Apple has released in years. The new design is gorgeous, with a full-width aluminum camera bump and a two-tone aluminum + glass look that feels incredibly premium in the hand. Apple also added a new anti-reflective coating to the displays (same sizes as last year) that makes them less reflective and more scratch resistant. Inside, the A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM power everything, and the Pro Max gets a massive battery — even if it’s slightly thicker this year, that’s a trade-off I’ll gladly take. Cameras are a huge step up too, with a 48MP telephoto capable of 8x optical crop. Other highlights: vapor chamber cooling for better sustained performance, the return of the camera control + action buttons, and a brand-new dual video recording feature in the Camera app. And let’s not forget the colors — Apple finally gave us an orange Pro model! It’s a darker orange, almost bronze, and it looks stunning. Dark blue and matte black also stand out this year, making this one of the toughest color decisions yet. 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Apple just announced the brand-new iPhone Air, and this thing is insanely thin and lightweight. At just 5.6mm and 165 grams, it’s the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever made — but it still feels premium with its titanium design. In this video, I go hands-on with the iPhone Air to share my first impressions of the design, new features like the 6.5” 120Hz ProMotion display, upgraded 18MP front camera, new wide camera bump, A19 Pro chip, and more. Battery life is the big question here, with a rumored 'all-day battery life" but efficiency from the C1X modem and new N1 could make a big difference. Pre-orders start at $999 in space black, cloud white, sky blue, and light gold. Would you upgrade to the iPhone Air? Drop a comment and let me know! 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Thanks to ESR for sponsoring this video! Check out ESR accessories for iPhone 17 here: Search “ESR iPhone 17 Pro Max case” on https://www.amazon.com/ ; Shop ESR Cyber Tough Magnetic Case ( Camera Control, Stash Stand ): https://amzn.to/4ggSGfd Shop ESR UltraFit Armorite Pro Screen Protector: https://amzn.to/47Q027p Check out all ESR iPhone 17 accessories: https://amzn.to/45TkjHB #esr#esriphone#esriphone17#esriphone17promaxcase I’m here at Apple Park in Cupertino where Apple just unveiled its fall 2025 lineup, and as always, there was a lot to cover. If you missed anything or just want a quick overview, here’s a recap of everything Apple announced. Highlights include: • iPhone Air – Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.6mm, with a titanium frame, ProMotion display, Ceramic Shield 2, 18MP front camera, A19 Pro chip, and up to 27 hours of battery life. • iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max – New aluminum unibody design, rear camera plateau with 48MP Wide/Ultra Wide/Telephoto, up to 8x optical zoom, A19 Pro chip, vapor chamber cooling, 39-hour battery on Pro Max, and bold new orange and blue color options. • iPhone 17 – Bigger 6.3-inch ProMotion display, slimmer bezels, new colors, A19 chip, and improved battery life. • Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 – New health features like hypertension detection and sleep scoring, better durability, redesigned antennas, satellite connectivity for Ultra 3, and battery life improvements across the lineup. • AirPods Pro 3 – 2x better ANC, improved spatial audio, heart rate tracking, live translation, better fit with new ear tips, and longer 8-hour battery life. This event had a lot of big updates across iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and honestly, there’s something here for just about everyone. What do you think of Apple’s new lineup — are you upgrading this year? Let me know in the comments! 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

It’s finally here — Apple’s Awe Dropping iPhone event is just days away on Tuesday, September 9th at 10am PT, and Apple will be livestreaming it worldwide. In this video, we’re breaking down everything you can expect to see — from the long-rumored iPhone 17 lineup, to AirPods Pro 3, and the brand new Apple Watch Ultra 3. We’ll cover the latest leaks and rumors about: • iPhone 17 Air – Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever, rumored at just 5.5mm • iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max – new aluminum design, upgraded cameras, and A19 Pro chip • AirPods Pro 3 – updated case design, heart rate tracking, and live translation features • Apple Watch Ultra 3 – brighter display, possible blood pressure monitoring, and satellite connectivity The “Awe Dropping” Apple event kicks off September 9th, and we’ll have full hands-on coverage, reviews, and software breakdowns right after the keynote. 👉 Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss all of our upcoming Apple content! 📅 Apple Event: September 9, 10am PT 📍 Streaming on Apple.com, YouTube, and the Apple TV app #AppleEvent #iPhone17 #AirPodsPro3 #AppleWatchUltra3 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Samsung just announced the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, its thinnest and most powerful tablet yet, and it’s going head-to-head with Apple’s iPad Pro M4. In this video, I break down everything new with the Tab S11 Ultra and Tab S11 — from the insanely thin 5.1mm design and massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display, to the redesigned S Pen that no longer needs charging or pairing. We’ll also cover Galaxy AI, Samsung DeX upgrades, performance improvements, cameras, battery life, and pricing. Buy Galaxy Tab S11: https://howl.link/awjm6z78jp5gw Buy Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra: https://howl.link/c02ku2mkgmxxa 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

ASUS just launched the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV, a 31.5-inch 6K monitor built for creators, and it’s going head-to-head with Apple’s Studio Display and even the $5,000 Pro Display XDR. In this video, I give you a first look at ASUS’s new 6K monitor — from setup and design, to real-world performance, color accuracy, connectivity, and whether or not it’s worth the $1,299 price tag. With Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, and USB-C hub support, the ProArt Display 6K delivers way more ports than Apple’s Studio Display, plus factory-calibrated color accuracy and a 6K Retina-grade panel. But does it beat Apple where it counts? 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Protect your new iPhone with the Torras Q3 Air case — slim, durable, and packed with smart features. With 12ft military-grade protection, a textured non-slip grip, customizable button accents, and a 360° magnetic stand tested over 3,000 times, this case is built to last while keeping your iPhone looking great. 👇🏻 Grab your Torras Q3 Air case here 👇🏻 Shop Torras Q3 Air at Website: https://bit.ly/4mTt0rH Shop Torras Q3 Air at Amazon: https://amzn.to/45N4n8A Apple’s iPhone 2025 event invites are officially out, which means in just under two weeks we’ll see the brand-new lineup at Apple’s Awe Dropping event. In this video, we’re breaking down all of the latest leaks, rumors, and expectations for the iPhone 17 series — with a special focus on the new iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone 17 Air is set to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever at just 5.5mm, featuring a lightweight titanium-aluminum frame, a 6.6-inch LTPO OLED display with ProMotion, and a slim single-camera design. But how will its ultra-thin form factor impact performance, battery life, and camera features? Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are rumored to shift from titanium to aluminum, introduce a new part-glass/part-aluminum design, feature upgraded triple 48MP cameras, a vapor chamber cooling system, and possibly even reverse wireless charging. With Apple’s A19 Pro chip, 12GB RAM, and Wi-Fi 7, the Pro models could be the biggest jump in years. We’ll also cover event details, expected pricing, new colors, and the latest on Apple’s September 9th keynote. 📌 Subscribe to MacRumors so you don’t miss our full coverage of Apple’s iPhone event and hands-on reviews of the iPhone 17 lineup. 🌐 Connect with Dan: 𝕏: https://twitter.com/danbarbera Instagram: https://instagram.com/danbarbera1 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@macrumors Dan's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/danbarbera1 🎙️ Follow The MacRumors Show Podcast: https://youtube.com/@TheMacRumorsShow ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:28 iPhone 17 Air Latest Leaks & Rumors 02:51 Sponsor: Torras 04:08 More iPhone 17 Air Leaks 06:04 iPhone 17 Pro & Pro Max Leaks & Rumors The most popular Apple News & Rumors site on the Internet. Welcome to MacRumors, your ultimate destination for in-depth and insightful Mac reviews, where we go beyond the surface to bring you a comprehensive look at everything Apple & Mac! 🍎✨ 🖥️💻Thorough Reviews: We meticulously test and evaluate each product, exploring the features, performance, and understanding its capabilities. 🔍 In-Depth Analysis: Dive deep into the intricacies of Apple's latest technologies and innovations. 🌐 Mac News & Rumors: Stay up-to-date with our coverage of the latest tech news, and be the first to know about upcoming new Apple product releases, updates, and developments. 🔧 Apple Accessories: Enhance your Mac experience with our reviews and recommendations for must-have accessories. 💡 Tips & Tricks: Unlock the full potential of your Mac with our tips and tricks that make your user experience easy. Subscribe now and join our community of Mac enthusiasts!

Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors

Happy iPhone 17 day! The iPhone Air and the other new ‌iPhone 17‌ models are now available in stores and in the hands of customers. We picked up the ‌iPhone Air‌, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max for a first impressions video.

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Unsurprisingly, the ‌iPhone Air‌ is incredibly thin, and holding one after holding the much larger Pro models makes for a real "wow" moment. If the weight of the bigger iPhones bothers you, the Air will be a relief.

There's not too much to say about the Air other than fawning over its 5.6mm thin design. It does have the A19 Pro for performance on par with the Pro models, but it's limited to a single-lens rear camera. If you use the Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses, you'll miss them. Apple did make some under-the-hood changes that allow the Air to support editable portrait mode photos with a single lens, and you do get the same 18-megapixel front-facing camera that the other models have.


Moving on to the Pro models, the 17 Pro and Pro Max feel hefty this year compared to the Air. The 17 Pro is probably the size that most people will prefer because it's a good blend of pro features, display size, and weight.

Apple made interesting color choices this year, and the bright orange Pro color stands out. We got the Pro Max in the orange shade and the Pro in the silver, and the silver is surprisingly nice. It's one of the better light silver shades that Apple has come out with. There is no titanium this year, because Apple discovered that it wasn't great for dissipating heat. We're back to aluminum, and there's a whole new vapor chamber cooling system to maximize the thermal performance of the A19 Pro chip.


You won't see it, but the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models have a little bit of water inside to direct heat away from the chip and through the aluminum casing. It's still early, but the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models don't seem to have the immediate heat issues of the 16 Pro models when doing GPU-heavy tasks.

Apple updated the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ design, and instead of a camera bump, we have a whole camera plateau. It's big, but some people might appreciate the symmetry of the new design. There's also a two-tone sort of look because most of the frame is aluminum with just a rectangle at the back made from Ceramic Shield material for wireless charging. This is the first time that Apple has used Ceramic Shield for the back of the iPhone, and it's supposed to be more durable. Apple says the front cover is Ceramic Shield 2, which is more scratch resistant than before. There's an updated anti-reflective coating as well, but it's subtle.

Battery life on the ‌iPhone Air‌ is impressive for its size, but the Pro and Pro Max have bigger gains. Battery life is six hours longer per Apple's testing, though we'll need more time to see what that means in day-to-day usage.

The new front-facing camera has a feature that lets you take landscape or portrait selfie shots without rotating the phone, which is unique. You can also record with the front and rear-facing cameras at the same time if you want to do reaction-style videos.


The Pro models have a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens with 4x or 8x zoom, so you can zoom in further than before. It's useful to have another focal length, and it produces nice bokeh for portrait shots.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors because we'll have more in-depth videos coming, including Camera comparisons and videos where we pit Apple's new iPhones against popular smartphones from Samsung and Google.Related Roundups: iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "iPhone 17 Lineup Hands On: Air's Thinness vs Pro's Power" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is increasing production on the standard iPhone 17 due to unexpected demand for the device, reports The Information. Following a strong pre-order weekend, Apple told two suppliers to increase daily ‌iPhone 17‌ output by at least 30 percent.


The ‌iPhone 17‌ is priced starting at $799, and it is $200 cheaper than the iPhone Air. It's $300 less than the iPhone 17 Pro, which now starts at $1,099. This year, the ‌iPhone 17‌ got "Pro" features with the addition of a 120Hz refresh rate and Always-On display technology, plus it is the same size as the 17 Pro at 6.3 inches.

According to The Information, Apple's decision to increase ‌iPhone 17‌ production suggests that the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models are not selling as well as usual this year. If that's the case, it could have consequences for Apple's gross margin and September quarter revenue.

Ahead of the ‌iPhone 17‌ launch, Apple allocated 25 percent of its ‌iPhone 17‌ production to the standard model, 10 percent to the Air, and 65 percent to the Pro and Pro Max, as those are typically Apple's best-selling devices.

The standard iPhone and the two Pro models have been staples in Apple's ‌iPhone‌ line, but the company has struggled to find a fourth model that draws consumer interest. It started with the "mini" iPhones that were smaller than the ‌iPhone 17‌. Those didn't sell as well as expected, so Apple moved on to the "Plus" size, offering standard ‌iPhone‌ features paired with a larger display. The Plus ‌iPhone‌ sales were also disappointing, so Apple has now moved to the ultra thin Air, and the company is hoping that a fresh design will lure customers into upgrading.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ is not yet available in China because of regulatory issues with the eSIM-only design. As a result, more Chinese customers may be opting for the standard ‌iPhone 17‌.

Apple updates its device forecasts on a weekly basis, so the mix of ‌iPhone‌ models that suppliers are asked to prioritize could shift.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "Standard iPhone 17 Outperforms Expectations as Apple Ramps Up Manufacturing" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It's iPhone launch day, and you can find great deals on the latest iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air models at popular cellular carriers. We're also tracking notable discounts on Apple Watch bands that pair with your new Apple Watch Series 11, plus all-time lows on iPad Air and MacBook Air.

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.

Apple's New Products

• What's the deal? Get first-ever offers on AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and more


• Where can I get it? Best Buy, AT&T, and more


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$20 CREDITAirPods Pro 3 at Best Buy
UP TO $1,100 OFFiPhone 17 at AT&T
UP TO $1,100 OFFiPhone 17 at Verizon

Apple last week announced a huge collection of new products, and we're tracking a few notable offers you can get when ordering select devices. Highlights include $20 in Best Buy credit for members when pre-ordering the AirPods Pro 3, big trade-in values when purchasing the new Apple Watch Series 11, and special trade-in offers on iPhone 17/Air models at select carriers.

• AirPods Pro 3 - $249.00 [Best Buy/Amazon]


• Apple Watch Series 11 - $399.00 [Best Buy/Amazon]


• Apple Watch SE 3 - $249.00 [Best Buy/Amazon]


• Apple Watch Ultra 3 - $799.00 [Best Buy/Amazon]

Apple Watch Bands

• What's the deal? Take 70% off Apple Watch bands


• Where can I get it? Woot


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

UP TO 70% OFFApple Watch Bands at Woot

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

iPad Air

• What's the deal? Take $150 off M3 iPad Air


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$150 OFF11-inch M3 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $449.00
$150 OFF13-inch M3 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $649.00

We're tracking record low prices across the entire M3 iPad Air lineup this week, with discounts available at both Amazon and Best Buy. Prices start at $449.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Across the board these are all $150 discounts on the M3 iPad Air, and each one is a match for the best-ever price seen on these tablets.

MacBook Air

• What's the deal? Take $200 off M4 MacBook Air


• Where can I get it? Amazon


• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$200 OFF13-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $799.00
$200 OFF15-inch M4 MacBook Air (256GB) for $999.00

Amazon this week is hosting massive discounts across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, with deals that represent all-time lows across every model of the computer. In total, you'll find $200 off the M4 MacBook Air notebook right now, with both 13-inch and 15-inch models on sale.

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 as we head into the fall? 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, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: iPhone 17 Launch Day Offers, Plus Cheap Bands for Your New Apple Watch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today updated Final Cut Pro for the Mac and iPad with support for ProRes RAW video recording on iPhone 17 Pro models, and a few other new features.


Here are Apple's release notes for the Mac update:

Final Cut Pro 11.2 includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
• Unlock even more controls for ProRes RAW video shot on iPhone, so you can adjust exposure, color temperature, tint, and demosaicing. (ProRes RAW capture requires supported iPhone models.)
• Edit and play back your Apple Log 2 footage with the vibrancy of the original scene by applying the Apple Log 2 LUT.
• Includes stability and performance improvements.

And for the iPad update:

Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.3 includes the following features and enhancements:
• Unlock even more controls for ProRes RAW video shot on iPhone, so you can adjust exposure, color temperature, tint, and demosaicing. (ProRes RAW capture requires supported iPhone models.)
• Edit and play back your Apple Log 2 footage with the vibrancy of the original scene by applying the Apple Log 2 LUT.
• Easily access app commands and shortcuts from the new menu bar by swiping down from the top edge of iPad or moving your pointer to the top when using a trackpad. (Requires iPadOS 26.)

Final Cut Pro for Mac version 11.2 and Final Cut Pro for iPad version 2.3 are available now in the App Store, as free updates for existing users.

In the U.S., Final Cut Pro remains priced at $299.99 on the Mac App Store for new users, while the iPad version costs $4.99 per month or $49 per year.

Final Cut Pro companion apps Compressor and Motion on the Mac also received updates today.

Last, Apple released Final Cut Camera 2.0 for the iPhone.Tag: Final Cut Pro
This article, "Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad Updated With New iPhone 17 Pro and iPadOS 26 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released version 2.0 of its Final Cut Camera app for the iPhone, with support for new features across the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup.


Final Cut Camera 2.0 supports ProRes RAW video recording and genlock on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it offers new manual adjustments for the Center Stage front camera across the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air models.

Here are Apple's release notes for Final Cut Camera 2.0:

Final Cut Camera 2.0 includes the following features and enhancements:
• Capture ProRes RAW in open gate for full-frame resolution and incredible editing performance.*
• Record in high dynamic range and an even wider color gamut with Apple Log 2 in ProRes or HEVC.*
• Easily enable timecode options including Time of Day, Record Run, or external timecode for precise identification of your footage. (Requires iOS 26.)
• Genlock multiple video sources with precise frame alignment using a compatible sync generator.*
• Quickly switch to the 200mm (8x) telephoto lens to capture the perfect shot.*
• Dynamically adjust the video orientation to vertical or horizontal with the front-facing camera, regardless of how you hold your iPhone.*
*Requires supported iPhone models.

Read our coverage of the Final Cut Camera 2.0 announcement for more details.Tag: Final Cut Camera
This article, "Apple Releases Final Cut Camera 2.0 With New iPhone 17 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed.


French blog Consomac also reported on this topic.

The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black.


Images Credit: Consomac
It is unclear how common this is, or how these devices were handled.

iPhone 17 Pro models feature an aluminum unibody, with a glass-like Ceramic Shield area on the back of the devices, while iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame with a glass back. Titanium and glass are stronger/harder than aluminum, so it is understandable that iPhone 17 Pro models may be more prone to scratching.

As for the iPhone Air, it features a titanium frame with a glass-like Ceramic Shield back, but evidently some scratches are still visible on the Space Black finish.

Of course, some customers visiting an Apple Store are not as careful with iPhone display models as they would be with their personal iPhone, so this is not necessarily a huge problem. But, it is a good reminder to be especially careful.Related Roundups: iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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On this episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through iOS 26 and Apple's other major software updates, which officially launched this week.

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‌iOS 26‌ introduces a major visual overhaul with "Liquid Glass," making system elements more translucent and fluid. There are a series of new communication features, such as backgrounds in Messages and Call Screening. The Lock Screen can adapt dynamically to photo subjects, while Photos gains a new Library and Collections layout and spatial 3D effects for favorites. Apple also added a new Games app that combines a user's game library with Game Center content.

iPadOS 26 focuses on transforming multitasking by replacing Split View and Slide Over with a full window management system. Users can freely resize app windows, minimize or maximize them with macOS-style traffic-light controls, and use a menu bar across apps. A new Mac-style toolbar and a redesigned cursor are also present.

macOS 26 brings Liquid Glass to the desktop for a refreshed aesthetic. Spotlight is overhauled with new search categories and quick keys, Control Center is more customizable with new menu bar options, and iPhone Live Activities can now be viewed directly on the Mac.

watchOS 26 brings improvements to the Control Center and Smart Stack, and brings Notes to the Apple Watch for the first time. New health features include hypertension notifications and Sleep Score, while fitness gains an AI-powered "Workout Buddy" for personalized guidance. A new wrist flick gesture lets users dismiss calls or alarms more intuitively.

Having tested the updates for several months, we take an overall look at the updates. We discuss polarized reaction to Liquid Glass, and Apple's controversial decision to remove the iPad's Split View and Slide Over. We also talk through enhancements to Apple Intelligence, such as improved Visual Intelligence and the ability to access Apple's on-device foundation models directly in Shortcuts.

‌iOS 26‌, ‌iPadOS 26‌, ‌watchOS 26‌, macOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 are available now. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel!

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.



If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion all of Apple's recent announcements, including the iPhone 17 lineup, new Apple Watch models, AirPods Pro 3, and more.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.Tag: The MacRumors Show
This article, "The MacRumors Show: iOS 26 Is Finally Here!" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is losing employees to OpenAI as work on the company's first hardware products ramps up, The Information reports.


OpenAI has purportedly talked to suppliers about products that resemble a smart speaker without a display, as well as glasses, a digital voice recorder, and a wearable pin. The company is targeting late 2026 or early 2027 for the release of its first device.

OpenAI has succeeded in luring Apple employees away with lucrative compensation packages, and promises of less bureaucracy and more collaboration. It has offered stock grants that can exceed $1 million.

This year alone, OpenAI has recruited more than two dozen employees from Apple who worked on hardware, up from 10 last year. Those recruits worked on Apple's user interfaces, wearables, camera, and audio technology.

One recruit, Cyrus Daniel Irani, worked for Apple for 15 years and designed Siri's multicolored waveform introduced with the iPhone 6S. Another, Erik de Jong, was a senior executive working on Apple Watch hardware.

Interestingly, OpenAI has seen an "influx" of Apple employees reaching out independently to enquire about working there. There is particular enthusiasm to work with other former Apple employees like Jony Ive and Tang Tan, who are promising to re-create how industrial designers and hardware teams used to work together on bolder products at Apple.

Some Apple employees have reportedly been frustrated with only "incremental changes" to the products they work on and bureaucracy. Some have also been discontented at Apple's lackluster stock gains over the past year.

The report claims that Apple seems to be startled at the bleed of talented employees toward OpenAI. Last month, the company abruptly canceled an offsite meeting in China for its American and Chinese manufacturing and supply chain teams because Apple executives were worried that the meeting would keep too many people away from Cupertino for too long at a time when they needed to prevent further defections to OpenAI.

Moreover, Luxshare, the Chinese assembler of iPhones and AirPods, has been contracted to assemble at least one of OpenAI's upcoming devices. OpenAI has also apparently approached Goertek, which assembles AirPods, HomePods and Apple Watches, to supply components such as speakers.Tags: OpenAI, The Information
This article, "Report: Apple Losing Talent to OpenAI" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray.


We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime.

The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera lenses. There is a new vapor chamber cooling system for improved heat dissipation. There is also an Apple-designed N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread.


Based on a combination of teardown videos published online, and Apple's energy labels in the EU, we have now confirmed most of the SIM and eSIM-only battery capacities across the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air lineup.
































Model SIM Card eSIM-Only YoY Increase (eSIM-Only) iPhone 17 TBD 3,692 mAh +3.7% iPhone Air — 3,149 mAh — iPhone 17 Pro 3,988 mAh 4,252 mAh +18.7% iPhone 17 Pro Max 4,823 mAh 5,088 mAh +8.6%

Here are the battery capacities for all iPhone 16 models:






















Model SIM Card and eSIM-Only iPhone 16 3,561 mAh iPhone 16 Plus 4,674 mAh iPhone 16 Pro 3,582 mAh iPhone 16 Pro Max 4,685 mAh


All of the iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models lack a SIM card tray in the U.S., but Apple had simply put a piece of plastic where the tray used to be inside those devices. Starting with the iPhone 17 series, eSIM-only models sold worldwide have a larger battery that fills the space formerly occupied by either the SIM card tray or the plastic piece.

All of the iPhone 17 models are eSIM-only in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and select other countries.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirTag: TeardownBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now), iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iPhone Air costs a whole $200 more than the iPhone 17, yet lacks many of its features. Here's how the two devices compare.


Instead of the familiar split between standard and Pro models, Apple this year introduced the new ‌iPhone Air‌ and expanded the feature gap between tiers. The result is a predicament between the affordable and practical ‌iPhone 17‌, and the super-thin and all-new ‌iPhone Air‌, with distinct trade-offs in size, materials, camera hardware, and battery life along the way. While they both share brighter displays, ProMotion, and an all-new 18-megapixel camera, their designs, display sizes, and camera features are more specialized than ever before.

This guide offers a detailed look at every difference—dimensions, design, cameras, battery life, and pricing—so you can make an informed choice. Whether you prioritize design, photography, or battery life, this year's iPhones are no longer one-size-fits-all devices, and understanding the lineup is key to choosing the best model for you and your budget.

Sizes and Weights


























‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone Air‌ Height 5.89 inches (149.6 mm) 6.15 inches (156.2 mm) Width 2.81 inches (71.5 mm) 2.94 inches (74.7 mm) Depth 0.31 inches (7.95 mm) 0.22 inches (5.64 mm) Weight 6.24 ounces (177 grams) 5.82 ounces (165 grams)


Designs and Performance









































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone Air‌ Anodized aluminum frame Polished titanium frame Camera plateau Ceramic Shield front Ceramic Shield front and back 6.3-inch display 6.5-inch display Stereo speakers Mono speaker A19 chip A19 Pro chip 8GB memory 12GB memory 256GB or 512GB storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage Available in White, Black, Mist Blue, Sage, and Lavender Available in Cloud White, Space Black, Sky Blue, and Light Gold


Camera

































‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone Air‌ Dual rear cameras Single rear camera 48-megapixel ultra wide camera 0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom options 1x and 2x optical zoom options Macro photography Spatial photos Cinematic mode Macro video recording, including slo‑mo and time‑lapse


Battery Life and Charging

























‌iPhone 17‌ ‌iPhone Air‌ 3,692 mAh battery 3,149 mAh battery Up to 30-hour battery life Up to 27-hour battery life MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W ‌MagSafe‌ wireless charging up to 20W Up to 50% charge in 20 minutes with 40W adapter or higher Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher, or 30W adapter or higher paired with ‌MagSafe‌ Charger Support for Apple ‌MagSafe‌ battery


Pricing




















256GB 512GB 1TB ‌iPhone 17‌ $799 $999 ‌iPhone Air‌ $999 $1,199 $1,399


Which One Should You Choose?
Many users may find it difficult to justify buying the ‌iPhone Air‌ up against the ‌iPhone 17‌. Not only does it cost $200 more, but it misses out on a wide range of features such as stereo speakers and physical SIM. It lacks the Ultra Wide camera and a host of camera features like Macro Photography, Spatial Photos, and Cinematic Mode. It also charges more slowly and has three hours less battery life.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ wins out in terms of design, with a strikingly thin and light polished titanium frame. It has Ceramic Shield back glass and a larger display, as well as the A19 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, which should deliver better performance. It is a whole new take on what the iPhone should be and likely provides a glimpse at the long-term direction of the device, being the basis for a future foldable.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ is an extremely solid device at an affordable price. While the ‌iPhone Air‌ has a slightly larger display and should perform better than the ‌iPhone 17‌, its added cost and lack of features available on the cheaper device may be hard to rationalize for many customers. You should only buy the ‌iPhone Air‌ if you are comfortable with these drawbacks in exchange for a more luxurious, radically thin design.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone AirBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
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While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still.


A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro.

Qualcomm says the Snapdragon X80 contains AI accelerator hardware that intelligently enhances cellular data speeds, latency, coverage, and power efficiency.

In addition, the Snapdragon X80 modem supports mmWave 5G, which is available on iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models sold in the U.S. only. Apple's C1 modem in the iPhone 16e and C1X modem in the iPhone Air are limited to sub-6GHz 5G.

mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, which is ideal for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas.

iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to use Apple's custom C2 modem, with mmWave 5G support, as Apple continues to phase out Qualcomm modems.

The Snapdragon X80 is already outdated. Qualcomm has since unveiled its Snapdragon X85 modem, and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said Android smartphones using it would have a "huge delta" in performance compared to iPhones.

We are still waiting for Snapdragon X80 vs. C1X speed tests.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 ProTags: Qualcomm, TeardownBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now), iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
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Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories.

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.

Highlights for cases include early discounts from popular brands like Casely, which is offering a 17 percent discount sitewide when using the code UPGRADE at checkout. For sturdier protection, OtterBox has 30 percent off when you bundle multiple accessories with the purchase of a new iPhone case.

Not all of the brands in the lists below are offering discounts at this time, but they could still be worth shopping if you're looking for the latest accessory for your iPhone 17. If you've yet to pre-order an iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, you can still find great discounts at all of the expected carriers.

Accessories
Charging

• Anker - Get 20% off sitewide with code Ankermacrumors2025


• Belkin - Save on Qi2 wireless charging stations


• Twelve South - Shop new charging accessories like the PowerBug


• Verizon - Bundle and save on iPhone cases and charging accessories

Cases

• AT&T - Save on iPhone 17 cases and more


• Burton Goods - Get 15% off your first order with code First15


• Casely - Get 17% off sitewide with code UPGRADE


• Casetify - Shop colorful new iPhone 17 cases


• Nomad - New leather cases for iPhone 17


• OtterBox - Get 30% off when you purchase power, screen, or accessories with a phone case


• ZAGG - Get 20% off when you buy two items

Apple Accessories

• Crossbody Strap - $59.00


• iPhone Air Case - $49.00


• iPhone Air Bumper - $39.00


• iPhone 17 Silicone Case - $49.00


• iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven Case - $59.00


• iPhone 17 Pro Silicone Case - $49.00


• iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case - $59.00


• iPhone 17 Pro Max Silicone Case - $49.00

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.



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




Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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In iOS 26, Apple has added a new feature to its Home screen customization options that can match the color of your app icons with the actual color of your iPhone. The image below demonstrates the effect on the new iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange.


In iOS 18, Apple introduced Tinted app icons. The option applies a color filter over app icons, widgets, and even system UI elements, and with iOS 26, Apple has built on the theme with a new option that matches the color of your iPhone model.

iOS 26 knows the exact finish and color variant of your iPhone – Deep Blue, Sage, or Lavender, for example – because Apple has the device's SKU mapped at the firmware level (SKUs are a unique identifier that companies use to track and manage inventory). This allows iOS to identify your model and match a precise color profile.

This filter uses a base color taken from your iPhone's chassis color, then automatically adjusts brightness, saturation, and contrast so icons remain legible while still reflecting the hardware's tone. The following steps show you how it's done.

1. On your iPhone's Home screen, long press a space between app icons.


2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then select Customize from the popup menu.


3. Choose Tinted from the options panel that appears, then tap the far-left iPhone button under the two horizontal color sliders.


4. Select Light, Dark, or Auto, based on your preferences.

That's all there is to it. We've heard of the iPhone color matching option not working for some users who have updated older iPhone models to iOS 26. This is likely a bug that Apple will hopefully fix in a forthcoming update.

Match App Icons With Your iPhone's Case Color
If you press the button immediately right of the new iPhone color tint option, iOS 26 will even match app icon colors to your iPhone's case color. However, this only works with official Apple MagSafe cases that include a small NFC chip with color variant information.

Note that Tinted mode looks different in iOS 26 than it did in iOS 18. Rather than icons featuring a black background with colored graphics, icons adopt the full color that you select with white graphics in Light Mode. In ‌Dark Mode‌, backgrounds are a much darker shade of the color you choose, but aren't entirely black.
This article, "iOS 26: Tint App Icons to Match Your New iPhone 17 Color" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It's iPhone launch day, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera is here to tell you why the iPhone 17 is the best ‌iPhone‌ that Apple has to offer this year. Dan has been using the ‌iPhone 17‌ for the last week, and he has some thoughts on feature set and value.

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The ‌iPhone 17‌ is still priced starting at $799, but this year, it has some features that were previously limited to the Pro models. It supports 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates for smoother scrolling and video, and Always-On display technology.

It has a larger 6.3-inch display that matches the size of the iPhone 17 Pro, and it has a faster A19 chip. It's not quite as good as the A19 Pro in the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, but it's more than fast enough for everyday use. You do get 4GB less RAM, but the ‌iPhone 17‌ still works with Apple Intelligence and supports all of the same AI features as the other ‌iPhone 17‌ models.

The front glass is more durable and less prone to scratching, and you get two camera lenses, which is one more lens than you get with the iPhone Air. The ‌iPhone 17‌ has Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, but it lacks the Telephoto that comes with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models. The Ultra Wide camera is the same 48-megapixel camera that was added to the iPhone 16 Pro models last year, and this is the first time the ‌iPhone 17‌ has had two 48-megapixel lenses.

You do get the same 18-megapixel front-facing camera that's in the Pro models. It supports taking selfies in portrait or landscape mode without having to rotate your phone, which is a neat feature. There's also dual capture, so you can record with the front and rear cameras at the same time.

Battery life is up, and you get up to 30 hours, which is eight hours more than the iPhone 16. Charging is faster too, and with a 40W adapter, you can charge to 50 percent in 20 minutes.

At $799, the ‌iPhone 17‌ offers quite a few pro-level features, which makes it a steal for the price. It's definitely worth considering if you're upgrading from an older phone.Related Roundup: iPhone 17Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "Review: A Week With the iPhone 17" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max launched today in markets around the world. If you're the proud owner of one of Apple's latest models, then keep reading. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or completely new to the devices, this article will help you get the most out your new iPhone.


With the first round of pre-ordered devices now being delivered to customers and availability in stores, MacRumors has put together the following series of dedicated iPhone 17 how-to articles explaining all the new features that can be found on Apple's newest models.

All iPhone 17 Models (Incl. iPhone Air)

• Dynamic Island Explained: What It Does and How to Use It


• iPhone 17 Camera Control: Everything You Need to Know


• Action Button: What It Does and How to Customize It


• How to Use the New Center Stage Front Camera


• How to Rotate the Front Camera Without Changing iPhone Orientation


• How to Disable Center Stage Front Camera Auto-Zoom


• How to Disable Center Stage Front Camera Auto-Rotate


• How to Enable Dual Capture Video Recording


• How to Disable Adaptive Power Mode (On by Default)


• How to Hard Reset or Force Restart All iPhone 17 Models

iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

• How to Use 8x Optical Zoom


• Shooting Video in Apple's New ProRes RAW Format

iOS 26

• Ultimate iOS 26 Walkthrough: Guides and How Tos for Every New Feature


• Tone Down Apple's New Liquid Glass Design for Improved Legibility


• iOS 26 Setup Guide: 10 Things You Should Do First


• Tint App Icons to Match Your New iPhone 17 Color


• Tint App Icons to Match Your iPhone's Case Color


• iOS 26: All the New iPhone Lock Screen Customizations


• All the New iPhone Ringtones in iOS 26


• iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes

Forgot to Pre-Order?

For customers who forgot to pre-order one of the new models or simply decided to wait, most configurations ordered online are now estimated for delivery in late September or early October, but the good news is that same-day or next-day pickup is now an option at select Apple Store locations around the world.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now), iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
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Apple's new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models are now being delivered to customers worldwide following the pre-order period that began on Friday, September 12. For those who didn't pre-order or chose to wait, many configurations on Apple's online store in the U.S. and elsewhere are facing an additional 1-3 week shipping delay beyond launch day, with delivery estimates pushing into late September to mid-October. However, delivery or in-store pickup at select Apple Store locations on launch day is still an option.


As of writing, Apple's online stores in the United States and Canada haven't yet been updated to show pickup availability, but there could be shortages for some configurations, though there could be some variation state by state. Meanwhile across the pond, all ‌iPhone 17 colors and configurations are available for Apple Store pickup either today or tomorrow in countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Apple Stores in Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, and the UAE are also offering same-day pickup options.

To order a product with ‌Apple Store‌ pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com or in the ‌Apple Store‌ app, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP or postal code, choose an available ‌Apple Store‌ location, select a pickup date, and select a 15-minute check-in window. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.

‌iPhone 17 models may also be available for walk-in customers at ‌Apple Store‌ locations with sufficient inventory, but availability can't be guaranteed. Walk-in customers may be placed into a separate queue with lower priority upon arrival to the store.

The iPhone 17 has an A19 chip that supports Apple Intelligence, an excellent OLED display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate and Always-On functionality, a dual-lens camera system with two 48-megapixel lenses, an Apple-designed networking chip, more scratch resistant front glass, a Camera Control button for quick camera access, and a customizable Action button. Pricing starts at $799.

The iPhone Air is Apple's new ultra‐thin iPhone, measuring just 5.6mm thick, making it the slimmest phone in its lineup. It replaces the "Plus" model and sits between the iPhone 17 and the Pro models in size with a 6.5-inch ProMotion 120Hz display. Its body is built with grade 5 titanium, with Ceramic Shield 2 on both front and back, giving better scratch and crack resistance. It's got a single 48MP rear camera, while the front has an 18MP TrueDepth system. Internally, it's powered by the A19 Pro chip, along with 12 GB RAM. Networking and connectivity are upgraded via new Apple‐designed modem (C1X), and it's eSIM-only. The iPhone Air starting price is $999.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are Apple's new flagship models, built with lightweight aluminum for better heat management and featuring a new pill-shaped rear "camera plateau" housing a triple 48MP camera system with advanced 8× telephoto zoom, LiDAR, and pro-grade video tools. Both offer brighter 120Hz ProMotion displays reaching 3,000 nits outdoors, with improved anti-reflective coatings and always-on functionality. Powered by the A19 Pro chip with vapor chamber cooling, they deliver faster on-device AI performance and stronger sustained speeds. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread, eSIM-only support, and USB-C with USB3 speeds. Battery life stretches up to 39 hours on the Pro Max, while Qi 2.2 25W fast charging and MagSafe enhancements improve daily use. Storage starts at 256GB and extends to 2TB on the Pro Max, with Pro prices from $1,099.

Click the tags at the bottom of this article for all the details.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone AirBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Buy Now), iPhone 17 Pro (Buy Now), iPhone Air (Buy Now)Related Forum: iPhone
This article, "Forgot to Pre-Order iPhone 17? Apple Store Pickup Available Today at Most Locations" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 has somewhere around 200 new features and changes, some of which are more useful than others. We've highlighted some of the updates that we think provide the best quality of life improvements to the iPhone.


Spam Filtering
‌iOS 26‌, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 filter out spam text messages, so you'll no longer get alerts for fake toll payments, suspicious job offers, missed deliveries, tax refunds, and other common scams.


Spam phone calls and FaceTime calls also won't come through, and that includes spam voicemails. Everything spam or scam related that your Apple devices catch is filtered into a spam filter that you never have to look at.

Call Screening
When you get a call from an unknown number, Call Screening will ask the person for their name and reason for calling. That information is relayed to you so you can decide whether to pick up or not.


You can also ask for more information from a caller before you ever pick up. There's still an option to silence calls from unknown numbers entirely if you prefer.

Adjustable Lock Screen Widgets
Widgets on the Lock Screen can be placed at the bottom of the display, and are no longer limited to placement just below the clock. It's a small change, but it's useful if you want to see more of your wallpaper.


It plays into the adjustable time size too, because if you have your wallpaper set to change regularly, the time and widget position can change dynamically to accommodate the artwork or image.

Disappearing Navigation Bars
When you scroll in Safari, Apple Music, Apple News, Podcasts, and more, the tab bar will shrink down to be smaller, so you can see more of the content that you're looking at.


It's especially useful in Safari, where you'll just see a tiny bar with the site URL or search term, with no extra controls in the way. Tapping the tab bar or scrolling back up returns the controls. Navigation bars that collapse down are one of the best Liquid Glass changes, and it's the kind of intuitive thing that feels like it should have always existed.

On-Screen Visual Intelligence
You can use Visual Intelligence with content on your display, which is more useful than ‌Visual Intelligence‌ activated through the Camera. Just take a screenshot and tap it to get to the on-device ‌Visual Intelligence‌ controls.


You can summarize what's in your screenshot, translate it, or have it read aloud. You can also ask ChatGPT questions about it or search for an item on Google, Etsy, and other sites.

What ‌Visual Intelligence‌ does can be accomplished in other ways since there's web-based summary and translate features and the option to simply search for items with Google Images or open ChatGPT, but it saves time once you get used to grabbing a screenshot and tapping into ‌Visual Intelligence‌.
Voicemail Summaries
Apple Intelligence can summarize your voicemails and provide transcripts so you can see what someone had to say without having to listen to a voicemail.


Copying Messages Text
There is FINALLY an option to copy just part of a text in the Messages app rather than the whole thing. If you've ever needed to copy a phone number, address, URL, or something similar from a message but couldn't single out exactly what you wanted, you'll appreciate this small but useful feature.


Long press on a text and tap "Select" to get drag and drop controls, then tap on copy. It's not the most intuitive flow, but at least the option exists.

Customize Snooze Duration
You can now choose a snooze duration between 1 minute and 15 minutes when setting an alarm in the Clock app, so you're no longer limited to a nine minute snooze period.


Unfortunately, this change was accompanied by a design change that makes the snooze button enormous, so you might be more prone to sleepily snoozing longer than expected.

Messages Live Translation
Live Translation is a little niche if you're not regularly chatting with people who speak another language, but it comes in handy. You can turn on Live Translation for any conversation and get real-time translations for texts that aren't in your language.


It works well, but it is limited to English (U.S., UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (simplified), so there isn't support for every language you might encounter.

There are also Live Translation features for Phone and ‌FaceTime‌. ‌FaceTime‌ uses translated live captions, and the Phone app uses an AI voice, which is a little bit weirder than text-based translation.

Message Backgrounds
Technically not the most useful feature, but it's on the list because Apple is finally embracing more customization. You can choose a custom background for any single person or group conversation, but keep in mind that the background is displayed for everyone.


More useful Messages features include filtering options, support for polls, typing indicators for group chats, and Apple Cash support for sending money in a group chat.

Image Playground and Genmoji
This is at the bottom of the list and is technically an honorable mention, but Apple did implement changes that make Image Playground and Genmoji more useful. Two or more emoji can be combined to create a new emoji, which makes for a better jumping off point than a blank slate if you want to create a new character.


More importantly, emotion-themed emoji can be used for ‌Genmoji‌ and ‌Image Playground‌ creations to actually add emotion. Apple's image generation tools have a very hard time portraying even basic emotion like happy, sad, and mad, limiting their usefulness. It's a little better in ‌iOS 26‌.

If you haven't checked out ‌Image Playground‌ in ‌iOS 26‌, it could be worth a look. Apple did a good job improving the images that are generated based on images of your family and friends, plus it supports the full ChatGPT image generation capabilities if you have a paid ChatGPT plan.

Other Useful Additions
There are other handy changes that didn't make the list, but deserve a mention.

• Passwords - The Passwords app shows your password history, so you can see the previous passwords that you used for a given login.


• Battery UI - Apple now monitors battery life in averages, comparing your daily usage to your average usage. You can see at a glance if you're using more battery than normal, and which apps are causing battery drain. It's more helpful than just straight battery usage statistics.


• Time to Charge - You can see how long it'll be until your ‌iPhone‌ charges to full if you tap on the display while it's plugged into a charger or on a MagSafe charger.


• Photos - If you hated that unified iOS 18 Photos app, you'll like the ‌iOS 26‌ version better. It has one tab for the Photo Library and one tab for Collections.


• AutoMix - ‌Apple Music‌'s AutoMix feature for song transitions works well, and the beat matching is neat. It isn't available for all genres and there are some songs where it could be better, but it's a great new option.


• SharePlay for the Phone app - You don't need to be on a ‌FaceTime‌ call to chat while doing things like watching tv, playing a game, or listening to music with someone.


• Maps Visited Places - If you travel a lot, Visited Places can keep track of where you've been. It's good for remembering a favorite store or restaurant. It doesn't always log every visit and sometimes it isn't spot on for locations, but it's still a beta feature and even when imperfect, it's useful.


• DualSense Controller Pairing - This takes a firmware update, but you can connect a DualSense controller to an ‌iPhone‌ or iPad just by plugging it in with a USB-C cable.

Potentially Useful, But Disappointing
There are some features in ‌iOS 26‌ that have a lot of potential, but that need improvement.

• Wallet order tracking - The Wallet app can in theory track any order you place even if it's not an Apple Pay purchase, but it's not great right now. It pulls order and shipment emails from the Mail app, so if you don't get an email with every step of the order process, the item just sits in a list in the Wallet app until you clear it out. Apple does say this feature is in beta, and for good reason.


• Preview app - The Preview app is just kind of confusing. The interface is odd because it pops up the Files app and buttons for creating a new document, and it doesn't open automatically when you do something like tap a PDF in the Files app. The interface is too similar to Files, and there's overlap with Markup, which still exists.


• Games - Apple has tried several times to make Game Center features more popular, and the Games app seems like the latest attempt. It has multiplayer game support and options to challenge friends to beat your score in single player games, but it's really just a copy of the Games section of the App Store.


• Reminders - Reminders has a Suggest Reminders feature that Apple says can do things like pull ingredients from a recipe in Safari. It can, kind of, but it needs to be better at it. Auto-categorize also has the potential to be useful, but it doesn't always get things right.


• Shortcuts - Shortcuts supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, and ‌Apple Intelligence‌ models can be integrated directly into your creations, but shortcuts are still too complicated for the average user. ‌iOS 26‌ hasn't improved the shortcut creation process.


• Hold Assist - Hold Assist holds for you so you can do other things while waiting for someone to get on the line. It's useful, but if the place you're calling has music with lyrics or one of those please stay on the line voice reminders, it can trip up Hold Assist.

Wrap Up
Do you agree with our ‌iOS 26‌ feature ranking? What do you think are the most useful new additions in ‌iOS 26‌? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "Ranked: The 10 Most Useful iOS 26 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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With the iPhone 17 models now rolling out in Australia and New Zealand, Apple has shared a new ad for the iPhone 17 Pro on its Australian YouTube channel.


The spot features a film director using an ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ to film in a range of messy conditions, with the iPhone exposed to all mud, snow, and more. The ad will likely be added to Apple's other YouTube channels tomorrow.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has a three-lens camera system, with a trio of 48-megapixel lenses. The new Telephoto lens features 4x and 8x optical zoom options. Apple added new features designed for professional filmmakers, and in the caption of the video, Apple says that the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has the "most cinematic camera" that Apple has ever made.Tag: Apple Ads
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Meta this week unveiled $800 smart glasses that include an in-lens display. The new Meta Ray-Ban Display AI glasses allow you to check messages, view photos, and interact with Meta AI without the need to use a smartphone.


There is a full-color, high-resolution display included in the glasses, along with cameras, microphones, and speakers. Meta says that the included monocular display has a custom light engine and custom module that provides sharp contrast and high brightness. There are 42 pixels in each degree of the field of view.

Meta placed the display off to the side to prevent it from obstructing the view through the glasses, and the display is also not designed to be on constantly. It is meant for short interactions.

The AI glasses are meant to be used with the Meta Neural Band, a wristband that interprets signals created by muscle activity to navigate the features of the glasses. With the band, you can control the glasses with subtle hand movements, similar to how Apple Vision Pro control works.

Meta is offering the glasses in black and sand, and they are designed to look like Ray-Ban Wayfarers, but with a thicker temple arm. There two available sizes, including a standard size and a large size, and the band comes in three sizes. All versions of the glasses include Transition lenses, allowing them to be used both indoors and out.

https://t.co/ow6HaIL2Ei pic.twitter.com/Ki3aniKSaD

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 18, 2025

Meta says the glasses have more rounded edges than the Wayfarers, along with a slight curve at the front to reduce glare and improve comfort. There are titanium hinges to minimize weight, and the glasses weigh in at 69 grams.

The AI glasses have a six hour battery life, but that can be extended to up to 30 hours with an included charging case. The Neural Band has an 18-hour battery life.

Meta says that Meta AI can show wearers answers and step-by-step how tos, with the glasses also able to handle text messaging and video calling. There are camera viewfinder and zoom features for taking photos, along with phone-free walking directions and options for listening to music. Live Captions are available for translating speech in other languages in real-time.

The Meta Ray-Ban Display is priced starting at $800, with the Meta Neural Band included. The glasses will be available starting on September 30. Meta is offering in-person demos for those who want to purchase the AI glasses.Tag: Meta
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iFixit today took apart the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery pack, an accessory designed to work exclusively with the ‌iPhone Air‌, and discovered something interesting.


The battery inside the accessory has an unusual shape, leading iFixit to conclude that it's possible that Apple is using the same battery for the ‌iPhone Air‌ and the ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery.

iFixit compared the battery in the ‌MagSafe‌ Battery pack to the ‌iPhone Air‌ battery that Apple showed off when introducing the new device, and it does appear to be a close match if not identical.

The battery has a 12.26Wh capacity, and it is 2.72mm thick, which means it is thin enough to fit inside the 5.6mm ‌iPhone Air‌.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery pack is only able to charge an ‌iPhone Air‌ to 65 percent even though it appears Apple is using the same exact battery that's in the iPhone, but that's due to energy transfer loss during wireless charging.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery is thicker than the ‌iPhone Air‌, and iFixit speculates that the size was the minimum needed to make it a viable product. The battery inside is protected with plastic and it does not have the same titanium frame as the ‌iPhone Air‌.Tag: iFixit
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News, tips, software, reviews, and more for Mac OS X, iPhone, iPad

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