Bloomberg reports that despite Apple’s accidental inclusion of a demo video showcasing Visual Intelligence on AirPods, the product “remains on track for 2027.” Here are the details.

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A new Counterpoint Research report predicts that consumer wearables will generate more than $1 trillion in cumulative revenue through 2032, with smartwatches and wireless earbuds leading the pack. Here is the breakdown.

9to5Mac is brought to you by Memoket: The Memoket Gem is an 11g AI wearable that slots beside your Apple Watch in a co-wear band. Press once to capture a conversation, and Gem connects it to what you discussed weeks ago — surfacing the earlier thread with a source link. From $179, shipping August 2026.

As we enter the final weeks of beta testing, Apple will likely release macOS 27 Golden Gate to the public next month. One of the biggest changes with this year’s update is the addition of an all-new Siri app for Mac users.

Long before co-founding Apple and revolutionizing personal computing, a young Steve Jobs was already diving deep into electronics. In eighth grade, he built a science fair project titled “What is the Silicon-Controlled Rectifier?” Now, that piece of early history is up for grabs.

As of Wednesday morning, bidding on the project has reached $8,475. The item is part of RR Auction’s “Steve Jobs: The Computer Revolution – The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction Part Two.” Interested collectors have until August 20 at 6:00 p.m. ET to place a bid. The project comes from the personal collection of John Chovanec, stepbrother of Steve Jobs.

The display is characteristically eye-catching. It features a thin wooden backer with a curved wooden banner posing the question “What is the SCR?” Typed explanations are stapled to the board, along with two test circuits demonstrating how the semiconductor devices control electrical power. A note to the judges politely (but firmly) instructs them to “please unplug!” the circuit after use—an early glimpse of Jobs’ well-known attention to detail and control.

Accompanying the display is a written report bound in a blue folder with hand stenciling. In it, the young Jobs explained: “For my science project I have selected to do research and experiment with the silicon-controlled rectifier. I am making a circuit that demonstrates the basic properties and characteristics of this semiconductor. The silicon-controlled rectifier is the most widely used of a family of four-layer semi-conducter power devices that exhibit regenerative or latching-type switching action. The silicon-controlled rectifier is widely known as the SCR. International standards describe the complete family of semiconducter regenerative switches under the name Thyristors.”

While the science project offers the most personal connection to Jobs himself, the auction is packed with other high-value Apple memorabilia. An Apple-1 computer housed in a Smith-Corona typewriter case, complete with original documentation, has already drawn bids of $205,000. A PSA Gem Mint 10-graded Steve Jobs-signed Apple business card from around 1983 has climbed to $103,574 (nearly double its pre-auction estimate).

The strong early interest underscores the enduring fascination with Jobs’ life and the early days of Apple, even decades after his death. For collectors of tech history, this auction is delivering rare opportunities to own tangible pieces of that legacy.

MacDailyNews Note: More info about this item and the other items up for auction via RR Auction here.

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Legendary graphic designer Susan Kare spoke recently at the Startup School 2026 event, and the video for her talk is now up on Y Combinator’s YouTube channel. Watch it below.

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will launch next month, and in addition to packing a variety of new features, there are three design changes reportedly coming. Here’s what rumors say to expect.

We are checking in today with a special edition of 9to5Toys Lunch Break – AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 at $120 off are some of the best prices ever, but Best Buy has launched a special 1-day-only Apple sale event as part of its giant 60th Anniversary sale. 

Joining AirTag 2 back at all-time lows, you’re looking at $400 off brand-new M5 Pro MacBook Pro models today alongside iPhone Air at $170 off (or you can land open-box units at up to $406 off), and even some solid offers across a broad range of official Apple accessories.

Apple Watch Series 12 will be unveiled next month, and a reputable leaker just said it will come with a ceramic design option.

Apple’s latest macOS beta has spilled some intriguing details about a long-rumored HomePod with a built-in display.

Buried in the code are references to customizable “faces,” widgets, Smart Stacks, privacy-aware features, and even a wall-mountable version—hints that the smart speaker we’ve known for years may finally be getting a major interactive upgrade.

Filipe Espósito for Engadget:
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The beta code from Apple makes clear references to a new “HomeAccessory” that is likely a HomePod (or maybe a HomePad?) with a screen… Like other HomePods, this new model with a display is likely to run a variant of tvOS. The interface will be quite different, though. The code reveals that its home screen will feature “Faces” and a “Face Gallery.” Think of them like Apple Watch faces, but bigger. These faces appear to be customizable with different widgets and even Smart Stacks, so you’ll see different widgets throughout the day.

The code also suggests that the new HomePod can detect when the user’s iPhone is nearby to decide whether or not to display personal information in the widgets. That’s a really nice touch for keeping sensitive data private. iPhone widgets can also be added to this HomePod. It should work much like placing iPhone app widgets on your Mac using Handoff. Support for Siri AI and App Intents is also expected based on what the code tells us.

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MacDailyNews Take: We’re actually waiting to see this as we need a couple of HomePods currently, but, if they offer comparable sound quality to HomePod, they might as well be “HomePads.”

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A newly granted patent suggests Apple explored bringing the controversial Camera Control button to a future iPad.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

AirPods are one of my favorite Apple products, so much so that I often wear them even when I’m not listening to anything. And soon with iOS 27, Apple will launch new AirPods upgrades that should make that a more common experience.

Meta recently ran advertisements on its platforms for an AI tool that encouraged users to generate nonconsensual intimate images and videos of women, including deepfakes resembling female U.S. politicians, despite the company’s explicit bans on sexual content and “nudify” apps.

The app, called Kromix and marketed as an “AI image styler,” featured video ads that WIRED reviewed. One advertisement showed a woman closely resembling a prominent female U.S. politician standing in front of American flags with the caption “What if she moved?” She winked, then the ad cut to a pornographic video featuring a woman with the same face. A voice-over promoted the tool as having “no restrictions,” claimed “all the characters are real people,” and described it as “the AI that men actually use.”

According to Meta’s ad library, the campaign targeted male users exclusively under the tagline “Unleash Next-gen AI Magic.” The account behind the ads, created in early August with no followers, ran 32 advertisements that lasted between five and 46 hours. Most received fewer than 10 impressions. The ads were removed after WIRED inquired about them.

Kromix, previously available on Apple’s App Store, allowed paid users to upload photos and place them into scenarios including “bedroom rape” and “Disney love.” It also generated AI pornographic videos of women in Spider-Man costumes. Apple removed the app after WIRED’s request for comment, stating that the developer had added prohibited content after initial review. The company reiterated that apps designed to generate or distribute pornography, including “nudification” tools, violate its guidelines and that it works aggressively to remove them.

This incident marks the latest failure by Meta to keep ads for tools producing nonconsensual intimate imagery off Facebook and Instagram. Researchers and the company itself have previously documented thousands of similar ads. Between late last year and early this year, Meta said it removed more than 340,000 ads promoting nudify services and has pursued legal action against at least one developer.

Meta’s advertising standards prohibit sexual imagery, nudity, and the promotion of nudify or “AI kissing” apps. The company says its review system relies primarily on automated tools and that it continuously strengthens defenses against adversarial tactics, such as using benign cover images of beaches or mountains to hide pornographic content. Cindy Southworth, Meta’s head of women’s safety, called the promotion of such apps “horrific” and said the company shares information about removed apps with other tech firms while investigating how these particular ads bypassed detection.

Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project, which discovered the ads, noted that the material exclusively sexualizes women and raises questions about Meta’s handling of content targeting female politicians. Experts point out that elected officials, overwhelmingly women, have long been targets of nonconsensual deepfakes, with official portraits and press footage increasingly used as raw material for low- and no-code AI tools.

MacDailyNews Take: The episode comes amid broader scrutiny of Meta’s ad moderation, including recent revelations that the company ran dozens of ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. It seems that that heavy reliance on AI moderation, coupled with reduced human oversight, has left quality control lagging behind the rapid evolution of harmful deepfake technology.

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Meta continues to get serious about its AI technology. The latest sign? A dedicated Mac app for Meta AI.

Apple TV on Wednesday revealed first-look images from the second season of its acclaimed comedy “Bad Monkey,” starring and executive produced by Vince Vaughn and hailing from award-winning creator and executive producer Bill Lawrence. Based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite, the 10-episode sophomore season will revolve around an all-new original story and will make its global debut on Apple TV with one episode on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through February 3, 2027.

Vince Vaughn and Natalie Martinez in “Bad Monkey” season two, premiering Wednesday, December 2, 2026.

After Andrew Yancy (Vaughn) witnesses the murder of Florida’s finest fixer, an ambitious state attorney pairs him up with a strait-laced forensic accountant to solve the crime. Eager to regain his detective’s badge, Yancy finds himself embroiled in a turf war between rival criminal organizations as he navigates a variety of Florida oddballs, including an erudite mob boss, his unhinged son and a hard-edged young woman who needs Yancy’s protection. Meanwhile, Yancy contends with his aging father; unresolved romantic tension with Dr. Rosa Campensino (Natalie Martinez), who launches her own investigation into a mysterious rash; and a bombastic animal relocation specialist whose business threatens the local environment.

Dax Shepard and Vince Vaughn in “Bad Monkey” season two, premiering Wednesday, December 2, 2026.

Season two is led by returning stars Vaughn, Martinez, Charlotte Lawrence, and John Ortiz, alongside new additions John Malkovich, Yvonne Strahovski, and Zavior Phillips. Nate Jackson, Sofia Boutella, Brent Morin, Joey Avery, Dax Shepard, Sam Jaeger, Margarita Levieva, Peter Billingsley, and June Diane Raphael are guest stars.

John Malkovich in “Bad Monkey” season two, premiering Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
Yvonne Strahovski in “Bad Monkey” season two, premiering Wednesday, December 2, 2026.

Produced by Warner Bros. Television, “Bad Monkey” is developed by executive producer and showrunner Lawrence through his Doozer Productions and its overall deal with WBTV. Jeff Ingold, Matt Tarses, Vaughn, Liza Katzer, Adam Sztykiel, Chris Downey and Carl Hiaasen are also executive producers.

Charlotte Lawrence and Zavior Phillips in “Bad Monkey” season two, premiering Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
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MacDailyNews Take: Yup, we’ll be there. Season one was great!

MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.

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It turns out that the macOS 26.7 release candidate is a treasure trove of leaks for upcoming Apple products. As we previously reported, it’s full of references to new model numbers, and it has a video of the upcoming AirPods with cameras. And now been discovered that it contains information about the home hub that’s long been rumored.

Apple is reportedly developing a new device that is referred to as HomeAccessory in the macOS 26.7 release candidate, according to a report by Filipe Esposito over at Engadget. This new device is likely the rumored HomePod with a display that’s supposed to act as a central control point for a smart home–a home hub, as it’s been called. Eposito states that the home hub will run “a variant of tvOS,” but “the interface will be quite different.”

According to the code, the home hub’s UI will feature Faces and a Face Gallery, which sounds like it will be similar to the watchOS UI. Separately, MacRumors reports that macOS 26.7 has mentions of a Widget Gallery with strings to a product with a model number of J490, which has been identified as that of the home hub. Esposito stated that the new device will be able to sense when an iPhone is nearby to display ifnormation form that iPhone in the hub’s widgets, with iPhone widgets displayed on the hub.

MacRumors also reports that the home hub will support Smart Stacks, which is a feature on the Apple Watch for presenting widgets.

The masOC 26.7 RC also includes references to a rumored tabletop robot, but it’s not expected to be released anytime soon. Apple is also working on updates to the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K, which are expected to arrive later this year.

There’s likely less than a month to go until Apple unveils its new iPhones. The iPhone Ultra will get the biggest headlines, but far more people will buy its sibling, the cheaper (but still expensive) iPhone 18 Pro. And we’re learning more and more about this device with each passing week.

The latest revelation is that it will have the same or very nearly the same dimensions and general design as its direct predecessor, the iPhone 17 Pro from late 2025. Although there’s an important caveat to bear in mind.

This information, unsurprisingly, doesn’t come directly from Apple itself. Rather, it’s emerged by the roundabout route of an accessories company launching a series of cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and specifying on the packaging that these cases will also work on the 18 Pro (which doesn’t even officially exist yet, remember). In other words, the chassis will be the same size, and the various buttons, apertures, speaker grilles, and so on will be in the same position. This strongly implies, too, that there will be no major external camera upgrades.

The cases were spotted by the Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who posted a photo of his discovery to Twitter/X. “Best Buy is already putting these on shelves,” he adds. “A little early.” That’s putting it lightly.

Apple’s previous Pro models have all had enough physical changes to their bodies and cameras that previous cases didn’t fit quite right. So OtterBox’s gamble here is a big one, albeit calculated based on media reports.

Otterbox seems to think the iPhone 18 Pro will be able to fit inside of iPhone 17 Pro cases and vice versa. Also, Best Buy is already putting these on shelves. A little early. pic.twitter.com/13l7OWj5wX

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 19, 2026

For the company to release 18 Pro cases ahead of the launch indicates a high degree of confidence in its sources. If it’s got this one wrong, it’ll end up with bad PR and could lead to customers asking for their money back. And accessories firms, for obvious reasons, tend to be well connected to supply chains when it comes to info of this kind.

But at the same time, this could easily be a calculated gamble rather than a sure thing. Yes, there’s a chance the sources are wrong, and that would look a bit silly. But actually, who’s going to ask for a refund? Of those buying the cases now, virtually all will be picking them up for an iPhone 17 Pro rather than grabbing an 18 Pro case in advance, and there won’t be any issues with fit on that device. If you’re buying a case now, you probably bought the phone recently, and if you’re buying a 17 Pro now, there’s very little chance you’ll be picking up an 18 Pro (the most common cycles are one purchase every two or three iPhone generations), so you won’t run into any major issues.

What this is really about is making sure that at the very moment when the iPhone 18 Pro is announced, there are cases available which are clearly labelled as being compatible with that device. If the dimensions are different enough that the case won’t work with the new phone, OtterBox will have to put in some emergency phone calls and get it pulled. But the company will have calculated that the chances of that are sufficiently low, and the potential rewards for being the first accessories maker with 18 Pro cases out there sufficiently high, that it’s worth the risk.

Not to mention that news sites like this one find these stories interesting, and it never hurts to get your company’s name in the news cycle.

If you’re thinking, by the way, that Apple tells accessory makers the dimensions of its products ahead of launch so they can have products ready in time… well, we’re not entirely sure. There have been occasional reports of case makers working with Apple, but the lucky few companies who would be in the loop would surely be extremely nervous about losing their privileges. If OtterBox based this early launch on official Apple info, it could find itself losing access to official Apple info in the future. It’s far more likely that this was based on solid third-party sources and a willingness to take a gamble.

We won’t know the iPhone 18 Pro’s dimensions and design for sure, in other words, until it’s announced next month. Bookmark our regularly updated iPhone 18 Pro superguide for all the latest news as we head towards the launch.

Bad Monkey is an excellent Apple TV comedy from creator Bill Lawrence, of Ted Lasso and Shrinking fame—and it returns soon for a new season. Here are the details.

The AirPods deals are still flying with AirPods Pro 3 down at one of the best prices ever and AirPods Max 2 at $120 off, but today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a M5 Pro MacBook Pro configs in brand new condition, the best price ever on iPhone Air at $170 off (or you can land open-box units at up to $406 off), and even up to $200 off Beats Studio Pro headphones. Those deals also join the ongoing all-time low on AirTag 2 as well as this 512GB iPad mini at $450 under the new list price. Scope it all out below. 

Apple AirTags (2nd gen) 4-pack

View Deal

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Apple’s newest AirTags are on sale, and whether you’re going back to school, heading out on vacation, or just often lose track of your keys, it’s a great time to stock up. Right now, you can grab a four-pack for just $89 at Amazon, which works out to roughly $22 each. That’s the best price we’ve seen yet on the new model.

This 2nd-gen version quietly fixes a handful of small annoyances from the original. The first thing you’ll notice is the speaker is a little louder, so when you’re hunting for keys that slipped between couch cushions, that extra volume makes the ringing much easier to follow. Range got a boost, too, thanks to upgraded Ultra Wideband and Bluetooth chips. You’ll now be able to ping your stuff from noticeably farther away than before. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds, whether you’re tracking a checked bag across the airport or trying to spot your backpack from across a crowded café.

Battery life is not something you’ll worry about either, since it should last more than a year. Even when the battery eventually runs low, you can just pop in a standard CR2032 battery for just a few bucks.

One thing to keep in mind is that Apple kept the same slick design, which means there’s no built-in hole for a keyring, so you’ll need to buy a separate holder to attach one to your keys or bag, or slip one into a pocket. Still, getting four AirTags for $89 is a great opportunity, so don’t miss out on this discount while it’s still available.

On August 19, 2004, the Google IPO cemented the company’s status as a tech giant. Apple and Google soon went to war.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Apple’s September event is almost here, with the date likely being announced next week. Here are 10+ new Apple products launching soon, most of which are expected to be unveiled in September.

Apple (AAPL) is rallying this morning (around +2.8% to the ~$318 as of mid-morning ET on August 19, 2026), mainly due to a major overhaul of its App Store terms for European developers that investors view as reducing regulatory risk.

Apple announced changes (following collaboration with the European Commission) that scrap the controversial per-install Core Technology Fee for apps distributed outside the App Store. It replaces that with a simpler flat 5% “Core Technology Commission” on digital transactions. Other adjustments include unified business terms, revised commissions (e.g., up to 26% for standard App Store in-app purchases, lower rates in some cases or for alternative payments/linking out), elimination of certain other fees, and expanded eligibility for alternative app marketplaces/web distribution. These take effect October 1, 2026, and are seen as bringing the company into closer compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act while resolving ongoing disagreements. This removes a cloud of legal and financial uncertainty that had weighed on the stock.

Supporting factors include:

• A recent upgrade from Rothschild & Co. Redburn (to Buy from Neutral on August 17th), with a $400 price target. Analysts cited product roadmap strength, potential foldable iPhone upside, and a possible improved AI strategy (including scenarios involving Nvidia open models rather than heavy reliance on Google’s Gemini).

• Relative resilience versus other “Magnificent 7”/tech names amid broader market volatility (e.g., concerns over large off-balance-sheet AI spending commitments at peers). Apple has also shown technical support near its 50-day moving average, with ongoing interest in the upcoming iPhone cycle.

Apple shares remain well below their recent 52-week high near $344–345. Note that stock moves can reverse quickly, and this reflects reported catalysts as of mid-morning on the date in question.

Apple’s P/E ratio is currently 36.59.

MacDailyNews Take: Also, this morning, Cook was spotted packing up his office.

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Make your iPhone into a TV remote control for your iPad so you don’t have to get up when playing a film or show on the tablet.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

ClarityCheck, a facial-identification tool for which it’s hard to think of many legitimate uses, reportedly left millions of face photos publicly exposed on the internet in a major privacy breach.

It’s likely that the vast majority of victims had no idea their photos had been uploaded to the site, and had never granted consent …

This week, Apple announced significant changes to its business terms for apps in the European Union, aiming to resolve ongoing disagreements with the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The updates introduce a unified set of commission-based terms for all developers distributing apps in the EU, eliminate several prior fees, and take effect on October 1st. Developers can begin signing the new terms immediately.

The European Commission welcomed the changes and said it would monitor their implementation. Apple stated the revisions follow close collaboration with regulators and reduce complexity by moving every developer to a single business model similar to those offered in markets like Japan and Brazil.

Key Changes: Before vs. After

Previously, Apple’s EU fee structure—particularly after adjustments in 2024 and mid-2025 to address DMA requirements—was multi-layered and often criticized as overly complex. Under the earlier alternative business terms:

• Developers using the App Store typically paid a reduced commission of 17% (or 10% for Small Business Program participants and certain subscriptions) on digital goods and services, plus a 3% fee if using Apple’s In-App Purchase system (effectively around 20% or 13% total in many cases). Traditional standard terms remained closer to the global 30%/15% rates.

• Apps directing users to alternative payments or external links faced additional charges, including an initial acquisition fee (often 2–5% on sales from new users for a set period) and a store services fee (tiered at 5% for limited services or 10–13% for fuller App Store features).

• High-volume apps incurred a Core Technology Fee (CTF) of €0.50 for each first annual install over a one-million threshold, applying to apps distributed via the App Store, alternative marketplaces, or the web. This per-install model applied mainly to a small percentage of large-scale developers.

These elements created variable total costs depending on distribution method, payment processing, user acquisition timing, and scale, which regulators argued discouraged alternative distribution channels.

Under the new terms effective October 1st:

• App Store apps using Apple In-App Purchase: 26% commission (15% for the vast majority of developers in the Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, Video Partner Program, or for auto-renewing subscriptions after the first year).

• App Store apps using alternative payment processing: 20% commission (10% for eligible program participants).

• App Store apps that link out to complete purchases: 15% commission (10% for eligible program participants).

• Apps distributed via alternative app marketplaces or the web: A flat 5% Core Technology Commission on digital transactions.

The prior Core Technology Fee (per-install), initial acquisition fee, and store services fee are eliminated entirely. The new Core Technology Commission replaces the CTF specifically for outside-App Store distribution.

Apple will also allow developers to offer Apple In-App Purchase alongside alternative payment options (previously restricted in the EU), subject to presentation rules and a requirement to maintain chosen options for 12 months. Additional child safety measures apply to alternative payments, including parental gates and restrictions on linking out for younger users. Eligibility to operate alternative marketplaces or distribute via the web has been expanded to more companies meeting financial stability or other criteria. All alternatively distributed apps still require Apple’s notarization review.
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MacDailyNews Take: These changes mark Apple’s latest effort to align with EU overregulation while preserving value for its significant platform investments and maintenance.

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Things is making repeating to-dos significantly more flexible in version 3.23, addressing two common situations: finishing a task ahead of schedule and changing its date when plans shift.

Amazon Prime Air is the company’s drone delivery service, and today a huge expansion of its availability was announced. Nearly 500 US cities will be reached by the end of 2026. Here’s where Amazon drone delivery is coming next.

UmanWrite generates unlimited words, learns your writing style, humanizes AI drafts, and includes grammar and AI-detection tools.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

In an opinion column on Wednesday, Bloomberg News’ Dave Lee argues that Apple’s imminent AI-enhanced wearable (revealed through a leaked demo video embedded in an upcoming macOS update) represents a pivotal moment for the company, but one that carries significant risks if privacy is mishandled.

The 13-second video shows a man wearing AirPods holding up a book, with a voice-over promoting “Visual Intelligence”: “your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”

Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.

This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu

— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026

Lee notes this confirms earlier Bloomberg News reporting and signals a possible launch as soon as Apple’s September iPhone event. Unlike routine iPhone upgrades, a wearable device with a camera marks a landmark shift: done right, it could give Apple an edge by letting ordinary users interact with AI in the physical world. Done poorly, it could backfire spectacularly.

Lee stresses that the details matter, especially how users define a “camera” and what the feature actually does. Drawing on the backlash against Meta’s smart glasses (widely derided as “pervert glasses” over privacy scandals, non-consensual recording, and related controversies), he warns Apple must learn those lessons.
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MacDailyNews Take: No other company is as well-positioned as Apple to succeed in wearables where privacy is prized.

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The post Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods must heed lessons of Meta Ray-Bans Pervert Glasses, warns Bloomberg’s Dave Lee appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Apple is reportedly developing its first smart display, and details of the upcoming product’s widget gallery leaked out.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Suspicious bulk orders of used books have led many booksellers to believe they are being purchased on behalf of AI companies so that they can be scanned and used as training material without author consent or payment.

An AirTag hidden inside a rare book sold as part of a bulk order appears to confirm the theory after it ended up at an Amazon AI training facility …

The latest macOS 26.7 beta appears to have revealed quite a lot about a number of upcoming Apple home products. It includes references to a new HomePod mini, a security camera, a next-generation Siri remote for a new Apple TV 4K – and the long-anticipated HomePad product.

A deeper dive into the code also appears to provide significant clues about what we can expect from the HomePad …

One of the hidden expenses in upgrading to a new iPhone can often be the need to replace your case when the dimensions differ.

That so far seemed a likely bet for anyone upgrading from one of last year’s Pro models to the iPhone 18 Pro, but two accessory makers think not – with one of them going all-in on the bet …

Apple’s fall iPhone event has become one of the easiest product launches to predict. Every year since 2011, we’ve gotten the full lineup of new iPhones, joined in 2014 by the Apple Watch, and occasionally a related launch like AirPods or Apple Pay. 

According to strong rumors, this year’s keynote will be quite different from previous ones. While it will still be an iPhone event, only the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone Ultra are expected to be announced, along with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.

That means there will be a lot of disappointed Apple fans this year. Here’s what’s not coming—and when to expect it to arrive.

Don’t expect the full iPhone 18 family

For years, Apple has announced every flagship iPhone model at the same event in September. But that seems set to change this year as Apple both expands and shifts its iPhone lineup to welcome new models.

Multiple reports suggest Apple is splitting its iPhone roadmap into two launch windows. Premium models, including the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the foldable iPhone Ultra, are expected to debut this September. The standard iPhone 18, however, is rumored to arrive several months later, likely alongside the spot usually reserved for the iPhone 18e.

Screenshot

Apple

This would mark a major shift in Apple’s strategy and will make the September keynote much more of a “Pro” event than a simple iPhone event as we know it today.

From Apple’s perspective, the move makes sense. Launching six phones at once inevitably means some products receive far less attention than others. Separating the lineup gives Apple two opportunities each year to dominate the smartphone conversation while also simplifying manufacturing and supply chain logistics.

For buyers, though, it creates a different problem. If you’re interested in Apple’s more affordable phones, the September keynote may not have much to offer. That means you’ll probably have to wait much longer to buy the phone you want.

No iPhone Air 2 just yet

Another notable omission from this year’s September keynote is likely to be the iPhone Air. Apple spent a lot of time talking about its new ultra-thin iPhone last year. This time, however, rumors suggest that we won’t see a new Air alongside the new iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra.

Instead, Apple reportedly plans to keep the current iPhone Air on the market for a few more months before introducing a new model in the spring with the 18 and 18e. Since this is the first update, this would put the Air on a slower update cycle, more similar to products like the iPad Pro, rather than the standard iPhone lineup, though it’s unclear whether the 3rd-gen model would arrive next spring or the following fall.

A longer update cadence makes sense if you consider what the Air represents. It’s less about chasing annual performance gains and more about offering a unique design for people who prioritize thinness above everything else. Also, according to multiple sources, Apple is still exploring ways to improve the iPhone Air’s hardware in light of the model’s low sales figures.

The Apple Watch SE 3 will likely stick around for another year.

Chris Martin / Foundry

The next Apple Watch SE skips another year

Another Apple product that doesn’t follow a regular update cycle is the Apple Watch SE. Last year, Apple updated its most affordable smartwatch with the latest chip and an always-on display, while keeping the same Series 4-based design introduced with the original Apple Watch SE in 2020.

Those waiting for a new version of the Apple Watch SE will likely have to wait another year, as there are no rumors of a new SE model coming out this fall. That’s not a surprise, as Apple has never updated the Apple Watch SE in back-to-back years.

At $249, the Apple Watch SE is still an easy recommendation for first-time Apple Watch buyers, but it’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore just how outdated it looks compared to the flagship models.

Exciting announcements coming this fall

Although it may seem that this year’s September event might feature fewer products than usual, it’s still shaping up to be the most exciting iPhone event in years.

Apple is reportedly preparing its biggest iPhone shake-up in years with the debut of the foldable iPhone Ultra, while the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to introduce new camera hardware and other refinements. There are also expected to be a new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, as well as new Siri AI features reserved for the new devices.

Apple is likely launching is first folding phone in September.

Foundry

There could be some surprises too. A recent leak revealed that Apple is preparing to introduce new AirPods models at the iPhone event, including an entirely new version with built-in cameras to enable AI features. Apple could also use the event to launch its long-rumored smart home push, including the so-called HomePad home hub as well as a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.

Finally, Apple is also working on a new iPad mini with an OLED display and a faster chip, as well as an Apple Intelligence update to the entry-level iPad, either of which could make an appearance at the September event.

But if you’ve been holding out for an iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone Air 2, or a new Apple Watch SE, you may need to keep waiting just a little longer. That’s becoming the new normal for Apple: Fewer products per keynote, but more launches spread throughout the year.

Full-Body Adaptive Ergonomic Chair/Back-to-School promotion

Save near $100 off the SIHOO Doro C300 Pro V2 Office Chair

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Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter before finals, settling into a new home office, or logging another eight-hour day at a desk, one thing hasn’t changed: most chairs still make you adapt to them, not the other way around. Poor posture, lower-back fatigue, and stiff shoulders are so common among students and remote workers that they’ve become almost expected. The SIHOO Doro C300 Pro V2 challenges that assumption entirely—and for Back-to-School season, it’s available with up to $96 off.

A Chair Built Around You, Not the Other Way Around

Billed as the first full-body adaptive ergonomic chair, the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 is engineered around the idea that support shouldn’t be static. Its DynaCore System tracks your movement in real time, synchronizing the headrest, backrest, lumbar support, and armrests as you shift, twist, or recline—so you’re never stuck readjusting mid-task. Pair that with the SyncroFlex Backrest, which molds to your spine the moment you sit down and adjusts its recline path as you move, and the result is a chair that genuinely feels tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.

Sihoo

Support Where It Actually Matters

Lower-back pain is one of the most common complaints among people who sit for long stretches, whether at a dorm desk or a home office. The Self-Adaptive Dynamic Lumbar Support 2.0 addresses this directly with a wider support area, a pressure-relief spring that adapts to horizontal movement, and three fine-tuning positions ranging from a natural S-curve to full sacrum support. It’s paired with Domino Sacral-Lumbar Support, extending coverage beyond what traditional office chairs typically offer.

Neck and shoulder strain get equal attention. The Ultra-Wide 3D Headrest offers 28% more surface area than before, adjusting in three directions so your head stays properly aligned whether you’re focused on a screen or leaning to the side during a break.

Sihoo

Arms That Move However You Do

The 8D Bionic Armrests adjust in eight directions—height, depth, rotation, and tilt—supporting everything from a relaxed recline to focused typing to handheld gaming. Flip them out of the way for deep desk focus or tilt them down to keep forearms aligned during a laid-back work session.

Sihoo

Built for Every Kind of Session

With recline options at 105°, 120°, and 135°, a 4cm adjustable seat depth, and a Smart Weight-Adaptive Mechanism, the chair adapts to different body types and sitting styles rather than forcing a compromise. A conveniently placed right-side handle makes height, recline, and depth adjustments simple—no fumbling required. Breathable mesh keeps long sessions comfortable, and the chair carries ergonomic certifications from BIFMA, SGS, TÜV, and IGR, backing its design with recognized industry standards.

Sihoo

The Back-to-School Moment to Upgrade

For students settling into a new routine, remote workers rethinking their home setup, or professionals simply tired of a chair that doesn’t move with them, the Doro C300 Pro V2 offers a rare combination: genuinely adaptive, full-body ergonomic support at a price reduced by up to $96 for Back-to-School season. It’s a practical upgrade for anyone whose workday—or study day—starts and ends in the same seat. SIHOO also supports the purchase with a 30-day free trial and a 3-year free warranty, giving users more confidence when upgrading their everyday workspace.

The Back-to-School promotion runs from July 24 to August 23 on the SIHOO US official website.

During the campaign, the Black model without a footrest is available at a reduced price of $429.99, down from its regular price of $499.99.

Users coming from this article can receive an additional 6% discount with code SIHOOMW on the SIHOO official website, bringing the final price to just $404.19.

Sihoo

TL;DR: This Grade A refurbished MacBook Air packs a Retina display and 8GB of RAM for $199.97 (reg. $1,199.00).

A secondary Mac, a travel laptop, or a first machine for a student doesn’t need to cost four figures.

This refurbished 2018 MacBook Air runs an Intel Core i5 processor, packs a sharp 13.3-inch Retina display, and still updates all the way to macOS Sonoma. Get this MacBook Air for $199.97 (reg. $1,199.00).

What you get

It’s rated Grade A, meaning it arrives in near-mint condition with little to no visible wear on the case. The 2560×1600 Retina display handles everyday work, streaming, and video calls without any compromise in image quality, and 8GB of RAM keeps multiple apps running smoothly.

Two Thunderbolt 3 ports cover charging, external displays, and fast data transfer, and the battery holds up to 12 hours on a single charge in a body that weighs just 2.75 pounds.

It’s a smart pick for students who need something reliable without the full-price tag, travelers who want a lightweight everyday driver, or anyone who wants a backup Mac that still feels current. Shipping is available now, with delivery expected within about a week.

Add this Grade A MacBook Air to your cart for $199.97 (reg. $1,199.00).

Apple MacBook Air (2018) 13″ i5 1.6GHz 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished)See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Achievement badges are a funny thing. You know they’re just a simple little bit of visual flair, they don’t even do anything, and yet for some reason you just have to collect them. Gamification can be a great motivator, and the achievement badges for the activity tracking on the Apple Watch have inspired many users to get more exercise.

If you want to maximize your badge count, you’re going to want to chase down as many activity achievements as you can. Most are available year-round, but there are also some time-limited special events to grab, too. Here’s a list of all the activity achievements for the Apple Watch and how to unlock them.

Updated August 18, 2026: Every year, Apple celebrates the anniversary of the National Parks Service with a challenge and badge. This year that happens on August 23.

Apple Watch Series 11

Price When Reviewed:

From $399

Best Prices Today:


$299.99 at Target |
$329 at Amazon |
$329 at Walmart

Standard achievements

Most of the achievements can be earned year-round. If you open the Activity app on your iPhone, then head over to the Achievements tab, you’ll see some of them listed even before you earn them (in which case they will be represented by a grey outline).

However, there are some achievements that are not shown until you earn them. Past and future monthly challenges, for example, won’t show up, nor do all the various individual exercise workouts.

Here is a list of all the standard badges you can get.

First [exercise] Workout

The first time you perform a new exercise for at least 5 minutes, you’ll get a achievement badge. Every workout type that does not fall under the “Other” category is eligible for this badge: from walking to yoga to HIIT to hiking and more.

Activities with both indoor and outdoor variants, like Cycling and Walking, are bundled together; you can do either activity to get the badge, and can only get it once.

[exercise] Workout Record

Every time you beat your previous best record for calories burned in any of the exercises listed above, you get this badge.

There is one caveat: You must complete five workouts of that type first. If you want to game the system, make sure your first four workouts of each type are short and easy, so it won’t take much effort to beat them.

You get a badge the first time you do each major exercise type, and when you break a record.

7-Workout Week

Simply complete any workout of at least 15 minutes every day of the week. Note that the week is Monday-Sunday, and you have to do a workout on each of those days (you can’t simply do any seven days in a row). If you start a walking workout whenever you walk outside, you can achieve this easily.

New Move Record

Any day that your Move ring goes further than ever before (meaning you burned more calories in a day), you’ll earn this award. There’s one catch: you have to use your Apple Watch for 10 days before you can complete this.

New Exercise Record

This is just like the Move Record achievement, only for the green ring. This one is based on minutes of exercise, not calories burned, so it’s really easy to get. Just like the Move Record achievement, you have to use your Apple Watch for 10 days first.

Move Goal 200%, 300%, 400%

You earn this when you exceed your calorie target (the red Move ring) by 2x, 3x, or 4x, respectively. In other words, it’s given for making the red activity ring go around two, three, or four times in a day. It’s easy to get if you just set your Move goal very low.

Double, triple, and quadruple your Move ring goal. Reduce your goal if you’re having trouble.

New Move Goal

Every time you change your daily Move goal, and then exceed that new goal, you get this achievement. You can change your Move goal by opening the Activity app on your Apple Watch and force-pressing the screen.

Longest Move Streak

When you hit your Move goal (close the red ring) several days in a row, that’s a “streak.” You get this award when your streak finally ends, if it’s longer than your previous best streak.

Perfect Week

This is given out for four categories: Move, Exercise, Stand, and All Activity. For the first three, simply close the rings (red, green, or blue) every day of the week. To get the Perfect Week (All Activity) badge, close all three rings every day for an entire week. You can earn this multiple times, though it only shows one badge.

Remember, one week in the Activity app is from Monday-Sunday!

Close those rings every day from Monday to Sunday to earn a handful of badges.

Perfect Month

Unlike Perfect Week, there are not multiple different Perfect Month badges for the different color rings. The lone Perfect Month achievement is for closing the red Move ring every day of the month.

There’s a separate Perfect Month badge for every month and every year, though. So you can earn this in February and again in March, and again in February in the next year.

Monthly Challenge

Each month has its own unique fitness challenge. If you have notifications set for the Activity app on our Apple Watch, you’ll see the goal presented at the beginning of the month, but you’ll also see the current month’s challenge in the Achievements tab of the Activity app on your iPhone. It will be a grey outline before it’s completed, but you can tap on it to see what the challenge entails.

The monthly challenge may task you with burning a specific number of calories, working out a number of times, or traveling a certain distance. There’s no telling what each new month will bring, you just have to look!

There’s a different challenge every month, so check your Activity app.

100, 365, 500, 1,000 Move Goals

When you hit your daily Move goal (close the red ring) 100 times, you get an achievement badge. You get another for hitting it 365 times, 500 times, and 1,000 times. These do not need to be in a row; it’s just the total number of times you’ve ever hit the goal.

Close the Move ring often to unlock a series of badges. Set the Move goal low if you want to make it easier.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Read our review

Price When Reviewed:

$799 (base)

Best Prices Today:


$559.95 at Best Buy US |
$799 at Apple |
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Limited Achievements

Apple offers multiple one-off challenges per year that are only available for a limited time. Often, they’re only around for one day or one weekend. Some are limited to the U.S. because they’re based on U.S. holidays.

You’ll get a notification on your Apple Watch when one of them is coming up (make sure you have notifications enabled for the Activity app, using the Watch app on your iPhone).

National Parks Challenge (August 23, 2026)

Apple

The anniversary of the founding of the U.S. National Park Service is on August 25. Every year, Apple celebrates this with a global National Parks badge (on the 23th this year).

Earning this award is a walk in the park. Or a run. Or a hike. Or a wheelchair push. Just record one of these workouts for 20 minutes or more on August 23.

Global Running Day (June 3, 2026)

Foundry

On June 3, the world runs as one. This Global Running Day, record a running workout of at least 5K (3.1 mi) to earn this award. Use the Workout app or any app that records workouts to Health.

International Dance Day (April 29, 2026)

Apple

Show off your dance moves for International Dance Day. Earn this award by recording a Dance workout of 20 minutes or more on April 29. Record it with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health.

Earth Day (April 22, 2026)

Apple

This Earth Day, April 22, record any 30 minute workout with the Workout app or any app that records workouts to Health to earn this award. The earth will think the world of you.

Heart Month challenge (February 14, 2026)

Foundry

Close your exercise ring on Valentine’s Day, February 14, to earn this award. Your heart will love you for it.

New Year 2026 (January 2026)

Foundry

Start the year strong and stay active! Earn this award by closing all three Activity rings for seven days in a row in January.

World Meditation Day (December 21, 2025)

Foundry

Time to celebrate World Meditation Day! On December 21, record five mindful minutes or more with the Mindfulness app or any app that adds mindful minutes to Health to earn this special badge.

Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2025)

Foundry

Earn this award on November 11 by doing any workout for 11 minutes or more. Record your time with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health.

World Mental Health Day Challenge (October 10, 2025)

Foundry

Record 10 minutes of mindfulness or meditation with any app that adds mindful minutes to Health to get this award.

National Parks Challenge (August 24, 2025)

The anniversary of the founding of the U.S. National Parks is on August 25. Every year, Apple celebrates this is a global National Parks badge (on the 24th this year, since the 25th is a Monday).

Just do a workout of 20 minutes or more on August 24 with any app that records workouts the the Health app to earn this badge.

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.

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At WWDC 2021, Apple announced support for storing your driver’s license in Apple Wallet on iPhone. At the time, Apple touted this as the last step before you can be “fully free of your physical wallet.”

Here are the states where support for the Apple Wallet driver’s license feature is coming next …

Apple’s System Status page confirms that consumers and developers are currently experiencing issues accessing some of its services. Here are the details.

Comcast launched Xfinity Shield today, a new home protection platform that includes a feature to turn routers into motion sensors. Here are the details.

Apple’s AirPods Max 2 are currently available on Amazon for $429, marked down from their regular $549 price. That $120 discount is offered on two colors this week.

These over-ear headphones are powered by the Apple H2 chip and deliver up to 1.5x more effective Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, along with a more natural-sounding Transparency mode. They also introduce Adaptive Audio, which automatically balances noise cancellation and ambient sound based on your surroundings, plus Conversation Awareness that lowers media volume when you start speaking.

Additional intelligent features include Live Translation (powered by Apple Intelligence) for real-time cross-language conversations, Voice Isolation for clearer calls, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, and Adaptive EQ. A custom high-dynamic-range amplifier works with the Apple-designed drivers to produce richer bass, more natural vocals, and precise instrument placement.

Users also get lossless audio and ultra-low-latency performance when connected via the included USB-C cable, studio-quality audio recording capabilities, and Digital Crown controls that can double as a camera remote. Battery life reaches up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, and the headphones support Bluetooth 5.3.

MacDailyNews Note: Standard free delivery on Amazon has the headphones arriving around August 22nd, while Amazon Prime members can often choose same-day delivery depending on location. This is the lowest price tracked on the AirPods Max 2 since June and sits roughly $30 above the all-time low. Get ’em while they last here.

‎
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Mozilla today announced new features to Firefox’s AI-powered Smart Window, which remains in beta. Here are the details.

iOS 27 is packed with new features for Apple Wallet, Messages, Notes, and other system apps—including Calendar. Here’s everything new for Apple’s Calendar app in iOS 27.

Siri AI was unveiled this summer for most Apple platforms (currently available only in betas) — but Apple TV and HomePod were left out. Fresh evidence from the tvOS 27 simulator in Xcode now strongly suggests the AI-powered assistant is on the way for Apple TV 4K this fall, potentially tied to new hardware.

Ryan Christoffel for 9to5Mac:
‎

I’ve long assumed that Siri AI will come to Apple TV and HomePod this fall, but Apple can’t announce it yet because it will be exclusive to unreleased hardware.

And now, new evidence in tvOS 27 seemingly confirms that — at least for Apple TV.

When running Device Hub via Xcode in macOS 27, the Apps list for tvOS 27 has a new addition: Siri.

The Siri entry features a ‘com.apple.campo’ string. Prior reporting indicates ‘campos’ is Apple’s internal codename for Siri AI.
Comparing app lists for tvOS 26 and tvOS 27 simulator modes confirms that ‘Siri’ is not present in tvOS 26’s list. It’s new with tvOS 27.

‎
MacDailyNews Take: We’re soon going to be buying a slew of new Apple TV 4K replacement units!

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WIRED reports that Meta ran ads for a now-pulled App Store app that let users create AI-generated pornographic deepfakes of real people, with one of the ads featuring a woman resembling a prominent US politician. Here are the details.

Apple Watch users can mark their calendars for the next activity challenge. The 2026 National Parks Challenge is set for this Sunday, August 23.

Apple’s positioning as a relative outsider to the artificial intelligence spending boom – which had propelled its shares earlier in 2026 – has flipped into a liability as market sentiment pivots back toward AI beneficiaries, according to a report by Bloomberg News’ Ryan Vlastelica.

For much of the first half of the year, investors treated Apple as an “anti-AI” play. The company largely avoided the massive capital expenditures on data centers and computing infrastructure that rivals poured into generative AI. That capital-light approach, relying instead on partnerships for AI features, appealed to traders skeptical of whether the heavy spending by other tech giants would deliver adequate returns. Apple shares benefited, helping the stock reach a record high in late July.

That dynamic has reversed. Since the July 28th peak, Apple shares have declined about 10%, pressured by disappointing earnings results. At the same time, strong reports from Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet eased concerns about overspending on AI, prompting a rotation into companies seen as direct AI winners, along with semiconductor firms and other related stocks.

Over a recent multi-week stretch, Apple ranked among the worst performers in the S&P 500. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 rose and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index (SOX) advanced more sharply. This marks a clear reversal from July, when Apple gained while the Nasdaq 100 and SOX declined sharply amid questions about the sustainability of AI capital spending.Apple’s stock has shown increasing detachment from the broader market. Its 40-day correlation with the S&P 500 has approached zero (the lowest in years), and its correlation with the chip index has turned negative—meaning the shares have often moved in the opposite direction of semiconductor stocks.

Portfolio managers note the see-saw nature of investor attitudes toward AI capital expenditure. When fears of excess spending dominate, Apple’s restraint looks smart. When confidence returns, the company does not capture the same upside as peers more directly tied to the AI infrastructure cycle.

The AI buildout is also creating headwinds for Apple itself. Surging demand for memory chips from data centers has driven up component costs (memory can account for a meaningful portion of smartphone production expenses). Elevated prices raise concerns about pressure on Apple’s margins or the need for higher iPhone prices, which could weigh on demand – particularly ahead of an expected foldable iPhone. Some analysts have cited these risks in downgrading the stock.

Apple’s valuation has also left limited room for error, according to Vlastelica. The shares trade at a premium multiple relative to other top U.S. technology firms, he says, making them more vulnerable to any shortfall in growth or margins.

In short, the same anti-AI characteristics that once served as a safe haven for investors have become baggage in a market that has renewed its appetite for AI exposure. The report underscores how quickly sentiment around capital spending and technology leadership can shift, leaving even the largest companies exposed to rotation risk.
‎
MacDailyNews Take: Apple isn’t “anti-AI” at all. Clearly, Apple is a bit late to AI, however, after using Siri AI in Apple’s OS betas, the company is well-positioned in AI now (or soon will be with the public releases of their next-gen OSes). Profit from the naysayers’ discount AAPL!

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Following yesterday’s wave of point updates with security fixes, Apple has now detailed the security content of Safari 26.6.1. Here are the details.

Siri AI was unveiled in June for most Apple platforms—but Apple TV and HomePod missed out. A new leak, however, points to tvOS 27 including Siri AI after all.

A recently patched vulnerability in macOS Screen Sharing that let attackers gain remote control without credentials is now being actively exploited. The Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Center (NCSC-NL) reports attackers have used it to seize root access on exposed systems and install Monero crypto miners. Apple issued fixes in macOS Tahoe 26.6.1 (and corresponding updates for Sonoma and Sequoia); users who haven’t updated should do so immediately.

Tim Hardwick for MacRumors:
‎

As first reported by ArsTechnica, the NCSC-NL said that it had been notified of abuse of the vulnerability, “observed on multiple systems on which port 5900 was accessible from the internet.” The reason is that when screen sharing is enabled, macOS’s firewall intentionally exposes this port.

“In all these cases, root had been accessed on the affected system and a Monero crypto miner had been placed,” the NCSC-NL added. In other words, a targeted Mac’s resources are used to mine cryptocurrency.

When pushing the fix – which was also included in macOS Sonoma 14.8.9 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.9 – Apple said it had addressed the authentication issue with “improved state management.” Users who have not updated their Macs should do so as soon as possible.

‎
MacDailyNews Take:

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Apple iPad Air M4

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Apple’s latest iPad Air with the M4 chip is down to $649 at Amazon, a solid $100 off its $749 price tag. That’s not just a good discount—it’s the best we’ve seen since Apple hiked prices in June.

It’s so easy to recommend iPads because these are such great tablets. The M4 chip under the hood handles just about anything you throw at it, from streaming and gaming to photo editing and heavy multitasking, all without a hint of slowdown.

The 11-inch Liquid Retina display is a real treat, too, whether you’re binging a show, editing photos, or just reading outside on a sunny afternoon. You’ll get more than enough storage with its 128GB drive. If you’re into shooting vids and taking pics with your camera, the iPad comes with a 12MP Center Stage front camera to keep you perfectly framed. And with all-day battery life, you’ll never have to worry about charging.

If you want to turn this tablet into a tool you use for work and hobbies, you might need to spend extra on an Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. Thankfully, since the tablet is $100 off, that gives you some room to redistribute the money.

At $649, a full $100 off, the M4 iPad Air is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants serious performance, a gorgeous screen, and years of smooth use in a portable package.

]]> 2026-08-18T17:31:33Z

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced today that Apple will donate to support the relief efforts on the ground following Indonesia’s devastating earthquake. Here are the details.

You can hoard Apple trackers for yourself or make the whole family a bit more organized for less money, thanks to this sweet AirTag deal.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Last month, Anthropic announced plans to expand Claude Cowork from the Mac to iPhone and iPad. The rollout started with Anthropic’s most expensive paid plan.

Update, August 18, 1:06 p.m. ET: Apple has now published watchOS 27 Public Beta 4 (Build: 24R5353a). The original story follows below

After releasing developer betas 6 earlier today, Apple is now rolling out iOS 27 public beta 4, alongside corresponding updates for some of its other platforms. Here are the details.

If there’s one change I could make to iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, it would be disabling the new swipe-down gesture to invoke Siri AI. There are enough ways to summon Siri that don’t break my muscle memory around opening Notification Center on my iPhone and iPad.

Meanwhile, on the Mac, it’s almost all good news with macOS 27 Golden Gate. Even in late August, new betas are still adding delightful changes. Still, there’s one change I’d like to see before macOS 27 is released next month.

A new leak claims the iPhone 18 Pro Max variable aperture won’t come to the smaller iPhone 18 Pro, widening the gap between this year’s Pro models.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Apple today announced changes to its business terms for apps in the European Union, following close collaboration with the European Commission. These changes resolve Apple’s disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution. They also reduce complexity by moving every developer that distributes apps in the EU to a single set of business terms. Developers can sign the new terms today, and changes will go into effect on October 1st.

Unified Business Terms for Developers That Distribute Apps in the EU

Under this new model, Apple will charge a commission on the sale of digital goods and services. The Core Technology Fee, a per-install fee for developers that achieve extraordinary scale, will be replaced by the Core Technology Commission, a simple 5 percent commission on digital transactions in apps distributed outside the App Store. The new terms also eliminate the initial acquisition fee and store services fee.

In addition, Apple is adjusting commission rates across the App Store, alternative app payments, and alternatively distributed apps. Each of these commissions reflects the many ways Apple creates value for developers’ apps, whether they use the App Store and/or Apple In-App Purchase.

Under the new terms:

• For App Store apps using Apple In-App Purchase, the commission will be 26 percent. For the vast majority of developers, including those in the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, or Video Partner Program, and for auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year, it will be 15 percent.

• For App Store apps using alternative payment processing, the commission will be 20 percent. Developers in the programs mentioned above will pay a reduced rate of 10 percent.

• For App Store apps that link out of the app to complete purchases, the commission will be 15 percent. Developers in the programs mentioned above will pay a reduced rate of 10 percent.

• For apps distributed via alternative app marketplaces or the web, Apple will charge a 5 percent Core Technology Commission.

Alternative Payments and Apple In-App Purchase

Apple In-App Purchase is the safest, most trusted way for users to purchase and download apps and make seamless and secure payments in those apps. Under the updated terms, developers can now offer Apple In-App Purchase alongside alternative payment options, which had not previously been permitted in the EU. This is subject to presentation requirements designed to give users a consistent, transparent experience.

To provide consistency and clarity for users, developers distributing apps in the EU will select their payment options — Apple In-App Purchase, alternative payment processing in their app, linking out to the web, or a combination — and must maintain those options for 12 months.

Child Safety Protections for Alternative Payments in the EU

The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for everyone, particularly children. Apple has worked with the Commission to implement child safety measures for alternative payments similar to those already in place in other markets:

• Apps in the Kids category on the App Store will not include links to websites to complete transactions, to reduce the risk of fraud or scams targeting children.

• For users under 18 years old, all apps from the App Store that use alternative payment processing or link out to a website for transactions must include a parental gate that requires younger users to involve their parent or guardian before making a purchase.

• For users under 13 years old, apps from the App Store cannot link out to websites for transactions to protect against the risk of scams that target younger kids.

In EU member states that require parental consent for digital actions for children older than 13 years old, these protections will scale accordingly.

Expanded Eligibility to Operate Alternative App Marketplaces or Distribute via the Web

Apple is also expanding who is eligible to operate an alternative app marketplace or distribute apps via the web in the EU. Companies will now qualify if they:

• Meet a moderate financial-stability bar as scored by Dun & Bradstreet.

• Are publicly traded or owned by a publicly traded company.

• Have received venture funding from an established investment firm.

• Have completed a financial audit by a licensed accountant.

• Are a government entity, educational institution, or nonprofit.

Web distribution, which is available only in the EU, does not have a marketplace operator standing behind it or ongoing oversight like the kind Apple provides for the App Store. This means a bad actor distributing via the web can operate for a long time, harming users, before anyone catches it. In order to keep EU users as safe as possible, Apple will continue to require every alternatively distributed app to go through Notarization — a baseline review focused on basic functionality and protection from serious threats.

Apple is providing detailed resources to help developers understand the options now available for their apps in the EU, which they can access from the Apple Developer Support page.
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MacDailyNews Take: iOS and the App Store are Apple’s and, therefore, the company has every right to charge for their use accordingly.

Apple’s commissions have always funded the secure infrastructure, rigorous app review process, fraud protection, payment systems, and ongoing platform development that benefit users and honest developers.

How much did it cost developers to have their apps burned onto CDs, boxed, shipped, displayed on store shelves prior to Apple remaking the world for the better for umpteenth time? Apple incurs costs to store, review, organize, surface, and distribute apps to over one billion users. — MacDailyNews, June 10, 2022

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We’re anticipating a slew of new products from Apple over the next several months. While Apple rarely preannounces products, there are ways to figure out the company’s plans. For example, MacRumors reports that the macOS 26.7 release candidate includes references to several new products.

Well, several is putting it lightly. There are nearly 40 references, many of which are unidentifiable mode numbers. But a lot of the other model numbers have been previously reported, so we can get an idea of what’s to come. Here’s a list of the new products mentioned in the macOS 26.7 release candidate:

iPhone

iPhone Ultra: This is identified with a model number of V68, which we previously reported as Apple’s foldable iPhone. Learn more about the new phone that expected this fall.

iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: Model numbers V63 and V64, respectively, as we previously reported. Learn more about the new phone that expected this fall.

iPhone 18: Model number V67, as we previously reported. Learn more about the new phone that expected in spring 2027.

iPhone Air 2: Model number V62 as we previously reported. Learn more about the new phone that expected in spring 2027.

Mac

MacBook Pro: Model number J804 refers to the base M6 14-inch MacBook Pro. Learn more about the new laptop expected later this year.

iMac: Model numbers J833 and J834. Learn more about the all-in-one expected later this year.

MacBook Pro: Model numbers K114c, K114s, K116c, and K116s are likely referring to the new touchscreen OLED laptops. Learn more about the new Macs expected later this year.

iPad

iPad mini: Model numbers J510 and J511 refer to Apple’s upcoming tablet upgrade. Learn more about the new iPad mini.

Earphones

AirPods with cameras: Model number B790. The macOS 27 beta includes a video demonstration of these earphones.

AirPods Pro 4: macOS 26.7 has a reference to AirPodsPro1,4, possibly the fourth-generation AirPods Pro. The current AirPods Pro 3 are referred to as AirPodsPro1,3. MacRumors also notes a reference to AirPod3,5.

Beats: Model numbers B518 and B522, which appear to be upcoming products from Beats.

Home

Home Hub: Model numbers J490/HomeAccessory17,1 and J491/HomeAccessory17,2 refer to Apple’s new smart home hub, with the latter model being a wall-mountable version. Learn more about Apple’s HomePod update.

Pebble: This has previously been reported as the code name for the operating system used on the new home hub.

HomePod mini: The current HomePod mini has a model number of B520, so the new B525 that has been discoverd in likely the new HomePod mini. Learn more about Apple small smart speaker.

Home Accessory: macOS 26.7 refers to J229Architecture. We previously reported that J229 is possibly a new security camera. Learn more about the upcoming new home accessory.

Tabletop robot: Model number J595/HomeAccessory17,3 refers to the Luxo Jr.-like robot thaat has been previously reported.

Colors for devices: There are references to Rose Pink, Silver, Space Gray, and Starlight, which are probably for the HomePod mini 2 or the new home hub,

Audio Accessory Visual Reasoning: a string for audio_accessory_visual_reasoning string, which is probably for the home hub, or possibly for AirPods with cameras.

Vision Pro

Headset: Model number N109 has previously been reported as the next Vision Pro. It’s possible this could be an affordable headset.

Apple TV Remote

A reference to ATVRemote1,5 suggests that Apple is working on a new remote for the set-top box.

Unknown model umbers

MacRumors reports that macOS 26.76 includes these model numbers that have not been previously reported:

A3436, A3437, A3438, A3439, A3440, A3441

A3456, A3457

A3465

A3529, A3530, A3531, A3532, A3533

A3543

A3577

Device1,8234

Device1,8236

Device1,8238

Device1,8240

Device1,8241

Device1,8242

Device1,8246

Device1,8247

Device1,8248

macOS 26.7 also includes references to Writing Tools for China.

]]> 2026-08-18T16:35:55Z

After announcing changes to App Tracking Transparency in Europe, Apple has now unveiled a simplified App Store commission structure for developers in the region. Here are the details.

A new leak may have revealed the hefty performance and power efficiency gains iPhone users can expect from Apple’s A20 Pro chip.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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On Monday, a seemingly accidental leak found in Apple’s latest macOS 27 Release Candidate showcased the rumored upcoming camera-enabled AirPods using Visual Intelligence. The leaked video, uncovered by Aaron Perris, shows a man looking at a book and asking Siri via AirPods to analyze it using Visual Intelligence and save it for later.

With recent controversy around Meta AI glasses and Flock cameras, Apple’s timing around this particular product couldn’t be more dubious.

Slow Horses returns for season 6 next month, and the new trailer reveals that two major characters are returning to the show—one of which was believed dead.

The giant AirPods Max 2 at $120 off. But today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break also features Amazon bringing back all-time low pricing on AirTag 2, up to $220 off Amazon’s best quality Premium Renewed iPhone 17 Pro units, return lows on iPhone Air, this 1TB M3 iPad Air at $400 off right now ($650 under the M4 price), 24GB/1TB M5 MacBook Air is $300 off courtesy of the official Apple Certified Refurbished storefront, some notable headphones deals,  and more. Check it out below. 

On August 18, 2007, a viral video showed iJustine going through a 300-page iPhone bill that itemized every single bit of data usage.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

OpenAI is launching ChatGPT for Teens. It calls the new effort “an experience designed to help teens learn, think critically, deepen understanding, and use AI with confidence.” ChatGPT for Teens is enabled when OpenAI systems estimate a user is between 13 and 17 or if the user’s age is directly stated.

Apple’s long-awaited next-generation Apple TV 4K is on the way and will ship with an upgraded Siri Remote, according to findings from macOS 26.7 code reported by MacRumors.

While the code does not spell out the exact improvements to the remote, its presence strongly indicates a new Apple TV model is nearing release after years of speculation. The device is expected to be powered by an A17 Pro chip or a newer processor and is likely to be announced in September or October.

MacRumors notes that these software references are often reliable early signals of upcoming hardware. The new Apple TV would mark the first major refresh of the streaming box in some time, potentially arriving alongside other fall product announcements.

A Brief History of the Siri Remote

The Siri Remote has evolved through three generations since its debut, with each version addressing (or sometimes failing to address) user feedback.

• First-generation Siri Remote (2015, minor refresh in 2017)

Original Apple TV Siri Remote

Introduced with the fourth-generation Apple TV (later rebranded Apple TV HD) in October 2015, this slim black aluminum remote featured a large glass multi-touch trackpad covering the upper third of its face, Bluetooth 4.0, an infrared transmitter for TV volume control, and Lightning charging. A 2017 update that shipped with the first Apple TV 4K added a raised white ring around the Menu button to help with orientation and expanded motion-sensor data, while also dropping the standalone price to $59. General consensus reviews were largely negative. Critics and users frequently complained about the overly sensitive trackpad that caused accidental inputs, the perfectly symmetrical design that made it easy to pick up upside-down, the thin profile that disappeared into couch cushions, and accidental presses of the Siri button. While a minority appreciated its minimalism and gesture-based navigation, it was widely regarded as one of Apple’s most frustrating accessories.

• Second-generation Siri Remote (2021)

Siri Remote (Lightning, 2021)

Launched in May 2021 alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, this was a full redesign. It became thicker, taller, and heavier with a curved silver aluminum body. The large trackpad was replaced by a circular click pad inspired by the classic iPod click wheel (supporting both physical clicks and touch gestures, including circular scrubbing for video), with improved button layout—including a side-mounted Siri button, dedicated power button, and mute. It upgraded to Bluetooth 5.0 while retaining Lightning charging and IR. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Outlets such as Engadget, The Verge, Forbes, PCMag, and Macworld described it as a dramatic improvement—moving “from very bad to very best.” Reviewers praised the ergonomics, clearer orientation, more precise navigation, and overall usability. Many recommended existing Apple TV owners buy it separately for $59 even if they skipped the new hardware. Common criticisms were limited to the relatively high price for a remote and the continued lack of a Find My locator feature.

• Third-generation Siri Remote (2022)

Apple’s current Apple TV 4K and its Siri Remote (USB-C, 2022)

Released in November 2022 with the third-generation Apple TV 4K, this model is essentially identical to the second generation except for the switch from Lightning to USB-C charging. Consensus reviews mirrored those of the 2021 version: it remained highly regarded for the same design and usability strengths, with the USB-C port viewed as a welcome modernization.

MacDailyNews Take: There is certainly plenty of room for improvement! Any upgrades in the forthcoming remote could build on the device’s trajectory, potentially refining ergonomics further, adding features such as improved battery life, better Find My support, or deeper Siri/Apple Intelligence integration.

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Rumors indicate Apple has long been working toward a big overhaul of its Home product lineup, and a new leak offers a list of products to expect.

Another streaming service is getting more expensive. Peacock has raised the prices of all three subscription tiers, with increases of up to $3 per month or $30 per year.

Peacock’s latest increase makes Premium Plus a $20 monthly subscription. However, Apple’s discounted bundles appear to remain unchanged for now.