iPhone 17 Pro Gets 24x Zoom With Sandmarc's New Tetraprism Lens
California-based accessory maker Sandmarc has launched a new Tetraprism 72mm Lens for iPhone that adds 3x optical magnification on top of the iPhone 17 Pro's built-in tetraprism telephoto camera. The iPhone 17 Pro's 48 MP Fusion Telephoto offers a true 4× optical zoom at a 100mm equivalent focal length. When combined with Sandmarc's 72mm lens, which adds genuine optical magnification on top, it can extend effective zoom up to 24x on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. According to Sandmarc, users get 12x optical zoom at full 48MP resolution, or up to 24x at 24MP. Sandmarc claims the multi-element, multi-coated glass construction preserves sharpness and color accuracy at a distance while reducing flare. The company also says the optical compression effect is perfect for landscapes, cityscapes, and wildlife, or the sort of tight, layered look you'd normally need a dedicated camera to achieve. The 72mm lens sits alongside Sandmarc's existing 48mm model, which offers 2x magnification. Both mount directly to the tetraprism camera, but they do require a third-party pro camera app like Halide or Blackmagic Camera, since Apple's stock Camera app may automatically switch lenses. The lens is also compatible with the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, with zoom reach topping out at 15x on those models. The lens itself weighs 180 grams and integrates with Sandmarc's case and filter mount system. The 72mm lens costs $299, while the 48mm model is priced at $249. Both can be ordered from Sandmarc's website.Tag: PhotographyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Higher-End AirPods Pro With 'Apple Intelligence' Rumored to Launch This Year
While the AirPods Pro 3 launched less than six months ago, it has been rumored that Apple plans to unveil new AirPods Pro this year. Instead of AirPods Pro 4, it has been rumored that the new AirPods Pro will be a higher-end version of the AirPods Pro 3. This would be similar to the regular AirPods 4, which are available in two versions, with and without active noise cancellation. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and multiple other sources in the Apple rumor scene, the new AirPods Pro will be equipped with tiny infrared cameras that can "see around you." Kuo said the cameras will enable in-air gesture controls, and provide an enhanced audio experience between the AirPods Pro and Vision Pro. In addition, an occasional Apple leaker known as "Kosutami" claimed the infrared cameras will allow for the AirPods Pro to be "connected with Apple Intelligence." Specifically, it has been reported that Visual Intelligence will be a core feature of the camera-equipped AirPods Pro and Apple's other wearable AI devices. If these rumors are accurate, there would be two AirPods Pro 3 models:AirPods Pro 3: $249 AirPods Pro 3 with Cameras: Likely $299-$349+Apple has never offered multiple AirPods Pro product SKUs at the same time, but it is certainly plausible given the AirPods 4 precedent. Here are all of the AirPods Pro models ever released: AirPods Pro: October 28, 2019 AirPods Pro (MagSafe Charging Case): October 18, 2021 AirPods Pro 2: September 7, 2022 AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): September 12, 2023 AirPods Pro 3: September 9, 2025 It is unclear when Apple plans to announce the new AirPods Pro this year, but September or October is most likely based on historical patterns.Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3Tags: Apple Intelligence, KosutamiBuyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

EU Reveals Apple Made a Tiny Acquisition Last Year
In October 2025, Apple notified the European Commission that it would be acquiring invrs.io LLC's sole employee, and certain assets from the company. Following a four-month waiting period, the European Commission published this information this week. That sole employee appears to be Martin Schubert, according to his LinkedIn profile. Schubert founded invrs.io in 2023 to advance AI-guided design, initially focusing on optical and photonics technologies for AR/VR, data centers, and more. "Invrs develops open-source frameworks for photonics research, providing standardized simulation challenges and a public leaderboard for benchmarking and comparing design results," reads a notice on the European Commission's website. Schubert's systems could be useful for future Apple Vision Pro development, but it is unclear exactly what he was hired to work on at this point. He previously worked at Alphabet's X, on AI-powered photonic design, and at Meta. More details about invrs.io are available on GitHub. Last month, Apple announced that it acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup working on AI technology for audio. That was reportedly Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, with the deal valued at nearly $2 billion. Apple's largest acquisition was the headphone brand Beats, which it bought for $3 billion in 2014. Apple Music launched a year later, and it was built on the foundation of the former Beats Music streaming service.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProTag: Apple AcquisitionBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

More Lower-Cost MacBook Details Surface Ahead of 'Apple Experience' Next Week
Apple is expected to unveil up to five new products next week, including a lower-cost MacBook, and a few more details about the laptop surfaced today. According to supply chain sources who spoke to DigiTimes, the entry-level MacBook will indeed be launching in March. The report said volume shipments of the laptop to Apple are projected to begin next month. Quanta Computer is expected to be the primary assembler of this new model, and Foxconn is expected to join in later. Mass production was originally slated to begin in late 2025, but the timeframe was pushed back to the first quarter of 2026, the report said. Due to rising component costs, including skyrocketing DRAM and NAND storage chip prices, DigiTimes believes that higher pricing may be unavoidable. Early estimates placed this MacBook's starting price as low as $599 in the U.S., but it is possible that the laptop will start at $699 or $799 instead. In any case, college students should receive $100 off the regular price through Apple's education store on the web. The media will likely receive hands-on time with the lower-cost MacBook at the "Apple Experience" gatherings being held in New York, London, and Shanghai on Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. There is no Apple Event live stream for this launch, with the new MacBook expected to be announced in a press release. The lower-cost MacBook will likely look more or less like a MacBook Air, but it will have some reduced specs. The laptop is expected to be powered by the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro, rather than an M-series chip, and it will reportedly have a slightly smaller 12.9-inch display. Based on the A18 Pro chip's specs, this MacBook will likely have just 8GB of RAM, as well as regular USB-C ports instead of faster Thunderbolt ports. Like the iBook from the early 2000s, it has been rumored that this MacBook will come in fun color options, like yellow, green, blue, and/or pink. Apple previously used the "MacBook" name (without "Air" or "Pro" branding) from 2006 to 2012, and again from 2015 to 2019, but all of those models used Intel processors. This would be the first time that there is an entry-level "MacBook" with Apple silicon, and we should finally learn all about it in less than a week.Tags: DigiTimes, MacBook (A18 Pro)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Get AirPods Max for $99 Off on Amazon
Amazon this week is back with a notable discount on the USB-C AirPods Max, available for $449.99 in all five colors, down from $549.00. This is one of the first times in a few weeks that we've tracked every color of the AirPods Max on sale at $99 off. 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. Compared to past deals, this is the best price we've tracked so far in 2026 on the AirPods Max, and an overall second-best price on the headphones. Current delivery estimates sit around March 3 for most colors, but the Midnight option is seeing delays by a few months. $99 OFFAirPods Max (USB-C) for $449.99 Additionally, on Amazon you can get the AirPods 4 for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a second-best price on the AirPods 4, which is the base model without Active Noise Cancellation. $30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00 Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? 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 DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iPhone Fold Crease Measurements Revealed as Device Hits Production
Apple has submitted production line orders for its upcoming foldable iPhone, effectively confirming that the device will launch this year, claims a Chinese leaker. According to the Weibo account "Fixed Focus Digital," assembly lines recently received the orders from Apple, which has apparently allowed the leaker to learn the crease measurements for the device's 7.8-inch inner display. The crease depth is said to have been controlled to under 0.15 mm. Crease depth refers to how deep the groove or indentation at the fold is. A smaller number means the crease is shallower and less noticeable to the eye and to the touch. The crease angle is said to be under 2.5 degrees. Crease angle describes how sharp the fold line appears when the display is unfolded, which is measured as the angle formed at the crease area. A smaller angle indicates a smoother, flatter transition across the fold, rather than a sharp ridge or valley. Unfortunately, competing foldable brands don't publish such crease measurements, so it's not easy to compare the figures against anything on the market. However, Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, and which has been described variously as being "virtually crease free" and having "no crease at all." Separately, Chinese site UDN last year reported that Apple had solved "the crease problem" that has plagued most foldable smartphones, and the foldable ‌iPhone‌ will be the first crease-free foldable on the market. Reports suggest Apple's foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display. The device is expected to adopt a book-style design similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell form factor. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first foldable will include two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The device could measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed. Apple is expected unveil the foldable alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, representing the biggest form factor change since the original iPhone in 2007.Tags: Fixed Focus Digital, Foldable iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple's Second Retail Store in Mumbai Opens This Thursday
Apple has previewed Apple Borivali, its sixth store to open in India, and the company's second store in Mumbai. The store opens on Thursday, February 26, at 1 p.m. IST. The store is in Sky City Mall, a large new shopping and entertainment complex in Borivali East, located off the Western Express Highway near the Devipada Metro Station in the Khande Rao Dongari area of the city. "We're thrilled to open Apple Borivali, and bring the best of Apple to life for even more customers in India," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and People. "We're so inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm of communities across India, and our dedicated team members are excited to welcome and connect with customers in this extraordinary new store, our second in Mumbai."The store will have more than 70 team members to provide guidance and support for Apple customers, as well as providing retail services like Apple Trade In, flexible financing, safe data transfer, and Personal Setup. Like all Apple facilities, Apple Borivali operates on 100 percent renewable energy and is carbon neutral. Apple has created a special Apple Music playlist to celebrate the new store, as well as special decorative wallpapers for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple's new Borivali store is the latest addition to its retail presence in India. The company opened its first two Indian stores in 2023 in Mumbai (BKC) and Delhi (Saket), then expanded to Bengaluru (Hebbal) and Pune (Koregaon Park), with a Noida location opening in 2025. In the past, CEO Tim Cook and other Apple executives have remarked on the importance of India, which is home to the world's second biggest smartphone market. In 2020 Apple opened its online store in India, offering Indian customers a way to purchase products directly from Apple without having to go through an authorized premium reseller.Tags: India, RetailThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

M4 iPad Air: What's New and When It's Coming
Apple is planning to hold an "Experience" on March 4 for select members of the media, and in the days before the event, we're expecting several product refreshes. The iPad Air is one of the new devices that could get an update, so we thought we'd highlight what's coming. Design and Display There are no design changes rumored for the ‌iPad Air‌, so we can expect the same 11-inch and 13-inch size options. The ‌iPad Air‌ is thicker and heavier than the iPad Pro, and it uses a standard LED display instead of OLED technology. The ‌iPad Air‌ will eventually be upgraded to OLED, but for now, the higher-end display technology will remain limited to the ‌iPad Pro‌. The ‌iPad Air‌ also doesn't support ProMotion, and there's no sign that Apple is planning to add it. The ‌iPad Air‌ will continue to feature USB-C, a Touch ID top button, and the same front and rear cameras. It's possible there will be a new color option, but it's not guaranteed with a minor refresh. No new accessories are rumored, and it will continue to work with the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro. M4 Chip Apple has been updating the ‌iPad Air‌ with an M-series chip that's a generation behind the chip in the ‌iPad Pro‌. Since the ‌iPad Pro‌ was updated in October 2025 with the M5, the ‌iPad Air‌ is set to get the M4 chip. The M3 in the current ‌iPad Air‌ and the M4 chip are both built on a 3-nanometer process, but the M4 has an updated process that brings speed and efficiency improvements. There are up to 10 CPU cores instead of 8, the Neural Engine is faster, and there's more memory bandwidth. The GPU is also more power efficient for potential battery gains. The M4 CPU is up to 30 percent faster than the M3 CPU, while the GPU is up to 21 percent faster. The ‌iPad Air‌ already supports Apple Intelligence, and the next-generation model will continue to do so. Apple increased the RAM in ‌iPad Pro‌ models with higher storage tiers, but there's no word on whether that same change will come to the ‌iPad Air‌. Current models feature 8GB RAM, the minimum for ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Charging The ‌iPad Pro‌ gained faster charging with the M5 update, and that's something that could trickle down to the ‌iPad Air‌. N1 Networking Chip The ‌iPad Air‌ is likely to adopt the N1 networking chip that Apple first introduced in the iPhone 17 models. The N1 chip is an Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that offers connectivity and efficiency improvements compared to the third-party chips that Apple has used in previous devices. The N1 supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 technology. The current ‌iPad Air‌ offers Wi-Fi 6E support, so the next-generation model could see faster Wi-Fi speeds on compatible networks with Wi-Fi 7. Apple Modem Apple used the C1X in the M5 ‌iPad Pro‌, and the cellular versions of the ‌iPad Air‌ will get that same modem chip. The C1X is an upgraded variant of the C1, Apple's first in-house modem chip. It offers performance on par with Qualcomm chips, though 5G connectivity is limited to sub-6GHz with no support for mmWave 5G. That's not an issue on the iPad, because the current version of the ‌iPad Air‌ doesn't support mmWave. Apple's modem chips are much more power efficient than Qualcomm modem chips, and are able to better integrate with other ‌iPad‌ components. Pricing There are no rumors of a price increase, so the 11-inch model is expected to continue to start at $599, while the 13-inch model will start at $799. Launch Date The ‌iPad Air‌ could come out as soon as next week, ahead of Apple's March 4 Special Experience.Related Roundup: iPad Air Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy)Related Forum: iPadThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

YouTube's More Affordable Premium Lite Plan Gets New Perks
YouTube today updated its Premium Lite subscription plan with new features, including background play and downloads. Subscribers will be able to watch most videos ad-free offline and in the background. Prior to now, downloads and background play were features that were limited to the more expensive Premium plan. YouTube Premium Lite is priced at $7.99 per month in the U.S., while YouTube Premium is priced at $13.99 per month. YouTube Premium Lite removes ads from most, but not all videos, and it does not include ad-free access to the YouTube Music app. Most non-music content is ad-free with YouTube Premium Lite, though Shorts still have ads. YouTube Premium removes ads from all videos, including music content, plus it has extra features like jump ahead, queuing, and continue watching. YouTube says that background play and downloads are rolling out to Premium Lite subscribers starting today, but it may take a few weeks for everyone to get access to the new features.Tag: YouTubeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Expected to Feature Smaller Dynamic Island
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will have a smaller Dynamic Island, according to Bloomberg. Over the past year, there have been mixed rumors about whether the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro models will continue to feature a ‌Dynamic Island‌ or have a hole punch camera with under screen Face ID and no ‌Dynamic Island‌, but the latest information suggests we're not getting rid of the ‌Dynamic Island‌ just yet. Along with Bloomberg, several prominent leakers on Weibo and other social media sites have said Apple will make the Dynamic Island smaller, but won't eliminate it. We heard the same rumors about a smaller iPhone 17 Pro ‌Dynamic Island‌ last year, but the ‌Dynamic Island‌ ultimately ended up being the same size. Rumors about the ‌Dynamic Island‌ have picked up in late 2025 and early 2026, and when we see a deluge of differently-sourced rumors about the same feature in the months leading up to a new iPhone's launch, those rumors are typically accurate. Most of the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro rumors about under-display Face ID and no ‌Dynamic Island‌ circulated earlier in 2025, so Apple either considered the feature for the 18 Pro lineup and pushed it back, or those rumors were just guessing. There also may have been confusion over what's moving under the display and what's not. To implement a smaller ‌Dynamic Island‌, Apple is rumored to be putting the ‌Face ID‌ dot illuminator under the display, and rumors suggest the company is also implementing new camera miniaturization technology that could cut down on the size of the front-facing camera. The front-facing camera, ‌Face ID‌ dot projector, and infrared camera are expected to be housed in the ‌Dynamic Island‌, and won't be under the display. Apple does eventually want to create an ‌iPhone‌ that's a slab of glass with no cutouts, and we may see that for the 20th anniversary iPhone planned for 2027, but it won't happen in fall 2026 with the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro models.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro Coming in 2026 With Dynamic Island and Redesigned macOS Controls
The rumored touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro that Apple has in development will adopt the iPhone's Dynamic Island and a hole-punch camera, reports Bloomberg. The ‌Dynamic Island‌ will replace the notch, leaving more available screen space for content. As with the ‌iPhone‌'s ‌Dynamic Island‌, the Mac ‌Dynamic Island‌ will be interactive and it will contextually expand based on the app or Mac feature in use. Apple is updating macOS to make it more touch friendly. Users will be able to tap or click on-screen elements, and controls will change based on input method. If a user taps on a menu bar item, for example, it will display a larger set of controls optimized for touch. Touch-based options will be integrated throughout macOS, and it will support iPad features like pinch gestures for zooming in or out and fast scrolling. The new ‌MacBook Pro‌ will be the first Mac that supports touch gestures on the display, despite Apple's insistence over the years that it would not bring touch-based technology to the Mac. Apple did experiment with an OLED Touch Bar in prior ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, but ultimately removed it after it proved to be unpopular. Apple apparently is not going to advertise the ‌MacBook Pro‌ as a touch-first device like the ‌iPad‌, and will let customers use touch and mouse gestures interchangeably for all functions. Along with a touchscreen and OLED display technology, the ‌MacBook Pro‌ could have an updated design with a slimmed-down chassis, but it will look a lot like the current ‌MacBook Pro‌. Apple is not removing the keyboard or the trackpad, and sizes aren't expected to change. Apple is planning for OLED versions of both the 14-inch and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models. Apple plans to update the ‌MacBook Pro‌ with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips this spring, but the OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will adopt the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, built on Apple's new 2-nanometer process. The OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are expected to launch toward the end of 2026, so Apple is planning for two ‌MacBook Pro‌ refreshes in 2026.Related Roundup: MacBook ProBuyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)Related Forum: MacBook ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Now Blocks 18+ App Downloads in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore Without Age Assurance
Apple today provided an update on its age assurance tools for developers in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana. Developers in these areas will face new age assurance and parental consent obligations, and Apple's APIs will help them meet these upcoming requirements. As of February 24, Apple is blocking users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ unless they have been confirmed to be adults through an App Store age confirmation process that uses "reasonable methods." Age confirmation is done automatically through the ‌App Store‌, but developers may also need to independently confirm their users are adults with the Declared Age Range API. In Brazil, apps that have loot boxes will have their age rating adjusted to 18+ in the Brazilian storefront, as Brazil's new age-related app store laws prevent apps from offering loot boxes to children. Developers can see a user's age group when the user or user's parent opts to share it, with Apple including a new signal about the method of age assurance. In Utah and Louisiana, there are upcoming regulations that require developers to establish a user's age with the Declared Age Range API to restrict children from downloading apps that are not age appropriate. Apple has updated the API to help developers determine whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to a user, and whether the user is required to share age range. There's also a new notice if an app is required to get a parent or guardian's permission for significant app updates for an app downloaded by a child. In some cases, developers are required to inform parents when apps receive a major update with new functionality, and the parents have to provide permission for the child to use the app, even if permission was previously granted. Utah's ‌App Store‌ Accountability Act requirement starts on May 6, 2026, while Louisiana's House Bill 570 begins on July 1, 2026, and both laws are applicable only to new Apple Accounts. Several countries and U.S. states have started implementing strict child protection laws, some of which require app store operators like Apple to confirm user age and obtain parental consent before minors are allowed to download apps. Developers can face fines for not complying with age assurance requirements. In Utah, for example, parents can recover damages of up to $1,000 per violation, while Louisiana can fine developers up to $10,000 per violation after a 45-day grace period. Apple could also be fined millions of dollars for non-compliance in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore, where there are now platform-level requirements. Apple fought against platform-level legislation because of the privacy issues raised by the age verification process. Apple does not want to verify age through methods like ID submission due to data collection concerns, and the company also does not want to share age information from every user with developers.Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

1Password Getting More Expensive Starting in March
Popular password management app 1Password is set to get more expensive, with prices increasing on March 27, 2026. In an email sent out to customers today, 1Password said subscription prices will be going up $12 per year. The individual plan will be $47.88, up from $35.88, while the family plan will be $71.88, up from $59.88. Pricing per month for the individual plan works out to $3.99 (up from $2.99), while the family plan will be $5.99 per month (up from $4.99). 1Password said that it needs to update its pricing to continue investing in new features and security updates. Since 2005, 1Password has been on a mission to make security simple, reliable, and accessible for everyone. As the way people work and live online has evolved, so has 1Password. More recently, we've invested significantly in new features that make 1Password even more powerful and effortless to use, helping protect what matters most to you, including: Automatic saving of logins and payment details Enhanced Watchtower alerts Faster, more secure device setup AI-powered item naming Expanded recovery options Proactive phishing prevention While 1Password has grown substantially in value and capability, our pricing has remained largely unchanged for many years. To continue investing in innovation and the world-class security you expect, we're updating pricing for [Individual/Family] plans, starting March 27, 2026. Subscribers can expect the new pricing to take effect at their next renewal on or after March 27, 2026. Subscription renewals that happen before March 27 will have the current pricing. In some locations, such as Europe, 1Password plans will be automatically canceled if customers do not approve the price increase. Apple offers a free alternative to 1Password with the built-in Passwords app that it debuted as part of iOS 18, but the app uses iCloud and is limited to Apple devices and Windows PCs with the ‌iCloud‌ for Windows app. For those that need cross-platform support for use with Android devices, third-party apps like 1Password are the only option.Tag: 1PasswordThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Releases Second macOS Tahoe 26.4 Public Beta
Apple today provided public beta testers with the second release of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update for testing purposes. The public beta comes a day after Apple provided the beta to developers, and a week after Apple seeded the first beta. After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section in the System Settings app. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 includes several new features. The Compact tab layout has been reimplemented in Safari for those who missed having the option in earlier versions of ‌macOS Tahoe‌, and there is a new Charge Limit feature that lets Mac users select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 percent to 100 percent. Apple silicon Mac users will see now see warnings about apps that are still using Rosetta 2, because Apple is phasing out Rosetta after macOS 27. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ is also the final version of macOS that will run on Intel-based Macs, and Apple is working to remove all lingering Intel features. We could see additional features in upcoming versions of ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4, such as new emoji characters. Apple is expected to test the update for the next several weeks, with a launch planned for the spring.Related Roundup: macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 Public Beta 2 Now Available
Apple today provided public beta testers with the second releases of upcoming iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and watchOS 26.4 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come a day after Apple provided the betas to developers, and a week after Apple released the first public betas. Anyone can download and install public betas, and all that's required is to sign up on Apple's beta site. Once you've opted in, the software can be downloaded through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each device. iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 include a long list of new features, though the first betas do not include new Siri capabilities. Rumors suggest Apple has pushed the new, Apple Intelligence version of ‌Siri‌ back, so we may or may not see updated ‌Siri‌ functionality in these betas. Apple added a new Playlist Playground feature to Apple Music, allowing users to generate playlists with a text-based prompt. Users can create playlists based on an idea, mood, feeling, time period, and more. ‌Apple Music‌ also features a Concerts Near You feature and an updated look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork. Apple Podcasts includes native video podcast streaming capabilities. The feature uses HLS streaming to provide a high-quality viewing experience, and video podcasts are being more deeply integrated into the Podcasts app. Apple is testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages. The beta is limited to iPhone-to-iPhone ‌RCS‌ messages when iMessage is turned off, but eventually, E2EE will be available for iPhone to Android text message conversations. Encrypted ‌RCS‌ and iMessage conversations feature a lock icon in iOS 26.4. Other new features include an updated Apple Account hub for the App Store and ‌Apple Music‌, an ambient music widget, and a compact tab bar option in Safari in iPadOS 26.4. All of the changes that we've found in the beta so far are listed in our iOS 26.4 feature guide.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Tim Cook Reflects on Joining Apple and Steve Jobs
In an August 2024 letter published by The Steve Jobs Archive today, Tim Cook reflected on joining Apple and what he learned from working with Steve Jobs. Jobs convinced Cook to join Apple in 1998, to help turn around the company:I'll never forget that first conversation with Steve. At the time, Apple had been struggling and Steve was working to right a ship that had drifted in his absence. Many people doubted the company could survive, and I was warned that accepting a job there would come with risks. But when Steve spoke, any trepidation I harbored instantly dissolved. I had never met someone with so much passion and vision. He spoke with charisma and clarity—about a future where technology could unlock a wellspring of human creativity and potential, connecting us and uplifting us in ways even he had yet to imagine.Cook said joining Apple was the best decision he ever made:In Steve, I found an incredible mentor who inspired me to grow and challenge myself in new and important ways. And in joining Apple, I traded a job for a purpose, one that still drives me to this very day. It truly was the greatest decision I've ever made.The Steve Jobs Archive shared letters from many additional influential leaders today, including Apple's former design chief Jony Ive, Disney CEO Bob Iger, famous designer Dieter Rams, and others. The letters had previously only been shared with The Steve Jobs Archive fellows. There is also a new introductory letter from Laurene Powell Jobs. The Steve Jobs Archive released the letters on what would have been Jobs' 71st birthday. They are available on the web and in the Apple Books app for free. The Steve Jobs Archive was launched by Jobs' friends and family in 2022. The website features a collection of quotes, photos, videos, and emails from Jobs, and offers fellowships to young creators looking to follow in his footsteps.Tags: Steve Jobs, Tim CookThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Sonos Planning Another App Overhaul With Live Activities Support
Sonos is preparing a major update to its app that aims to simplify navigation and introduce iPhone Lock Screen controls using Live Activities, part of a broader effort to rebuild confidence after the company's troubled 2024 software overhaul, Bloomberg reports. Sonos plans to roll out a series of optional changes to its ‌iPhone‌ and Android app in the coming months, with the company focusing on usability improvements, navigation, and more accessible playback controls. The update is expected to arrive gradually rather than as a sweeping redesign, reflecting a different release strategy following the company's widely criticized 2024 app relaunch. Sonos CEO Tom Conrad recently demonstrated early versions of the revised interface during a meeting at the company's headquarters in Goleta, California. He admitted to Bloomberg that the current version of the app still contains several usability issues despite improvements made over the past year. While the final design is still evolving, the goal is to reduce friction in common tasks such as switching rooms, managing playback, and accessing frequently used controls. A notable change being developed specifically for iOS involves adding Lock Screen playback controls for Sonos speakers. The feature is already available on Android devices, where users can control music without opening the Sonos app. On the ‌iPhone‌, Sonos plans to implement similar functionality using Apple's Live Activities feature. Live Activities were introduced in iOS 16 as part of the system's Lock Screen and Dynamic Island experience. The framework allows apps to display continuously updated information on the Lock Screen and, on supported devices, within the ‌Dynamic Island‌ area. Live Activities are commonly used for tasks such as tracking sports scores, ride-sharing progress, deliveries, or timers, but they can also provide persistent media controls. Sonos has not yet provided a release date for the updated interface. Further details about the changes may be shared with customers in late March or April once development progresses further. Tags: Bloomberg, SonosThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Anker and Jackery Kick Off Power Station Sales With Up to 56% Off
Anker and Jackery have introduced big discounts across their most popular portable power stations this week, including up to 56 percent off select models from each company. We're tracking Anker's best deals over at Amazon, while Jackery's discounts can be found on the retailer's own website. Anker SOLIX Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Jackery and Anker. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The majority of Anker's portable power station deals are from the SOLIX brand on Amazon, and all of these deals have been automatically applied on each page. There are plenty of notable discounts, including the popular Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station with Lantern for $179.99, down from $249.99. UP TO 56% OFFAnker SOLIX Sale Anker 521 PowerHouse - $169.98, down from $219.99 SOLIX C300 with Lantern - $179.99, down from $249.99 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 - $469.99, down from $799.00 SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 with Solar Panel - $739.99, down from $1,598.00 SOLIX F2000 - $899.99, down from $1,999.00 SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 - $778.99, down from $1,499.00 SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 with Solar Panel - $1,019.98, down from $1,998.00 SOLIX E10 Whole-Home Backup System - $4,299.00, down from $5,799.00 Jackery Over at Jackery's website, you'll find up to 54 percent off a wide array of portable power stations, solar generators, add-on batteries, and more. This sale is aimed at anyone preparing for winter power outages and is set to last for another few days, ending the night of Thursday, February 26. UP TO 54% OFFJackery Backup Power Sale Explorer 500 - $359.00, down from $499.00 Explorer 2000 v2 - $799.00, down from $1,499.00 Battery Pack 2000 Plus - $799.00, down from $1,399.00 Battery Pack 3600 - $999.00, down from $2,099.00 HomePower 3000 Solar Generator - $1,299.00, down from $2,499.00 Explorer 2000 v2 + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,299.00, down from $2,499.00 HomePower 3000 Solar Generator + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,699.00, down from $2,999.00 HomePower 3600 Plus Solar Generator - $2,199.00, down from $3,699.00 Explorer 5000 Plus - $4,099.00, down from $5,699.00 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 in 2026? 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 DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

MacRumors Turns 26: Here's What Our Readers Thought About the iPod, iPhone, and More
MacRumors turns 26 today, and we want to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has read and supported our website over the years. MacRumors was founded by Arnold Kim on February 24, 2000, while he was a medical student, and it has since become one of the world's most popular Apple news websites. Kim was profiled in The New York Times in 2008. Coincidentally, we share our birthday with Steve Jobs, who would have turned 71 years old today. Our website has been around for many major Apple product announcements, including the iPod, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. Here are the forum threads for each product:iPod on October 23, 2001 Mac mini on January 11, 2005 iPod shuffle on January 11, 2005 iPod nano on September 7, 2005 MacBook Pro on January 10, 2006 Mac Pro on August 7, 2006 Apple TV on January 9, 2007 iPhone on January 9, 2007 iPod touch on September 5, 2007 MacBook Air on January 15, 2008 iPad on January 27, 2010 iPhone 4 on June 7, 2010 Apple Watch on September 9, 2014 AirPods on September 7, 2016 HomePod on June 5, 2017 iPhone X on September 12, 2017 AirPods Pro on October 28, 2019 HomePod mini on October 13, 2020 AirPods Max on December 8, 2020 AirTag on April 20, 2021 Mac Studio on March 8, 2022 Apple Vision Pro on June 5, 2023Tag: MacRumorsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Xiaomi's Rumored 'iOS Bridge' to Bring Better Apple Device Connectivity
Xiaomi will introduce a new software update at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) that will reportedly improve connectivity between its own devices and Apple products. Alongside the debut of the Xiaomi 17 series, its HyperOS 3.1 update is said to include a new "iOS Bridge" for smoother connectivity between the two platforms. According to GizChina, the features tipped include the following: iPhone call alerts: Incoming calls on an iPhone that appear on connected Xiaomi tablets and PCs, allowing users to answer or manage calls without having the iPhone in their hand. Enhanced AirPods integration: AirPods to integrate better with Xiaomi devices, showing battery levels and offering enhanced controls, similar to how they work with Apple devices. Direct file sharing between iPhone and Xiaomi: A fast, wireless transfer feature enabling file sharing between iPhones and Xiaomi devices without relying on third-party apps. If the features do drop in Barcelona during MWC, which runs from March 2 to March 5, it'll be another notable win for people who own an iPhone and AirPods as well as a Xiaomi phone, laptop or tablet. In 2025, Xiaomi held a 16% share of the European smartphone market, according to Omdia.Tags: MWC 2026, XiaomiThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Singapore SMS Carrier Maintenance – M1
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 6, 10:00 - 13:00 PSTMar 6, 04:24 PSTScheduled - The M1 network in Singapore is conducting a planned maintenance from 06 March 2026 at 10:00 PST until 06 March 2026 at 13:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to M1 Singapore handsets.We are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

Read more »

Emergency Maintenance – Rescue, GoToAssistRemote Support V5, Central & Pro due to AppViewX maintenance.
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 7, 04:00 - 10:00 UTCMar 6, 11:35 UTCScheduled - As part of our commitment to providing exceptional service and reliability to our customers, scheduled maintenance will be conducted for Rescue, GoToAssist Remote Support V5, Central, and Pro during the date and time listed below, due to planned AppViewX maintenance.Date and Time: March 7th, 2026, 4:00 AM UTC to 10:00 AM UTCPurpose: This maintenance is being performed due to planned maintenance by a third‑party vendor.Duration: All maintenance will be performed within the 6-hour maintenance window.What to expect:During the 6‑hour maintenance window, customers may experience a brief service interruption of approximately 15–20 minutes. The following impacts are expected for each productRescue: Applet download will be available; however, customers will be able to download the Rescue Applet without signing in.GoToAssistRemote Support v5: Client application download may not work.Central & Pro: Installer downloads may experience degraded performance, and remote control functionality will be unavailable.Workaround for Central and Pro: Remote control sessions can still be initiated using the desktop application by following the steps below:* Download the desktop application directly (if already installed, no download is required). * Install the desktop application. * Log in using the desktop application. * Start the remote control session directly from the desktop application instead of the website.We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Read more »

Title: Cloudflare Realtime – Realtimekit
Mar 6, 10:15 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is aware of, and investigating an issue affecting Android users using v1.6.0 and upwards. Users can downgraded to v1.5.7 in the meantime as workaround. Further detail will be provided as more information becomes available.

Read more »

SIN (Singapore) on 2026-03-10
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 10, 16:00 UTC  -  Mar 11, 00:00 UTCMar 6, 07:04 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SIN (Singapore) datacenter between 2026-03-10 16:00 and 2026-03-11 00:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Delays from Twilio to Telefonica O2 Germany
Mar 5, 22:51 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery delays from Twilio to Telefonica O2 network subscribers in Germany. Our team is actively investigating this issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Receipt Delays from a Subset of Twilio Short Codes to Verizon United States
Mar 5, 22:00 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery receipt delays from a subset of Twilio Short Codes to Verizon network subscribers in the United States. Our team is actively investigating this issue. Message delivery may succeed, but delivery receipts may be delayed. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Receipt Delays from a Subset of Twilio Long Codes and Short Codes to GTA United States
Mar 5, 21:37 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery receipt delays from a subset of Twilio Long Codes and Short Codes to GTA network subscribers in the United States. Our team is actively investigating this issue. Message delivery may succeed, but delivery receipts may be delayed. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Failures from Twilio to ETL Laos
Mar 5, 20:40 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery failures from Twilio to ETL network subscribers in Laos. Our team is actively investigating this issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Delays from a Subset of Twilio Long Codes to AT&T United States
Mar 5, 20:15 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery delays from a subset of Twilio Long Codes to AT&T network subscribers in the United States. Our team is actively investigating this issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

Singapore Voice Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 12, 07:00 - 09:00 PDTMar 5, 18:32 PSTScheduled - Our Voice carrier partner in Singapore is conducting a planned maintenance from 12 March 2026 at 07:00 PDT until 12 March 2026 at 09:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be Intermittent delays from and to Twilio Singapore phone numbers.

Read more »

MXP (Milan) on 2026-03-06
Mar 6, 00:15 UTCIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Mar 6, 00:05 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MXP (Milan) datacenter on 2026-03-06 between 00:15 and 06:15 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

United States MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 19, 02:00 - 02:15 PDTMar 5, 15:08 PSTScheduled - Our MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 19 March 2026 at 02:00 PDT until 19 March 2026 at 02:15 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering MMS to and from United States handsets via subset of United States short codes.

Read more »

United States MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Mar 9, 23:00 PDT  -  Mar 10, 01:00 PDTMar 5, 15:07 PSTScheduled - Our MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 09 March 2026 at 23:00 PDT until 10 March 2026 at 01:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering MMS to and from United States handsets via subset of United States short codes.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Delays from Twilio to Multiple Networks in Multiple Countries Across APAC and Middle East & Africa
Mar 5, 14:20 PSTUpdate - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery delays from Twilio to network subscribers on multiple networks in multiple countries across APAC and Middle East & Africa. Our team has identified the cause, and is working to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Mar 5, 14:12 PSTInvestigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery delays from Twilio to network subscribers on multiple networks in multiple countries across APAC and Middle East & Africa. Our team has identified the cause, and is working to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

Read more »

Programmable Messaging API and Verify API 5xx errors
Mar 5, 14:16 PSTResolved - The HTTP 5xx errors for Twilio Programmable Messaging API and Verify API have been resolved and the services are operating normally at this time.Mar 5, 13:41 PSTMonitoring - We are observing a recovery in the rate of HTTP 5xx errors for Twilio Programmable Messaging API and Verify API. We will be monitoring the services to ensure a full recovery and provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.Mar 5, 13:16 PSTUpdate - We are continuing to investigate an elevated rate of HTTP 5xx errors for Twilio Programmable Messaging API and Verify API. Our engineers are working on the issue, and we will provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Mar 5, 12:13 PSTUpdate - We are currently investigating an elevated rate of HTTP 5xx errors for Twilio Programmable Messaging API and Verify API. Our engineers are working on the issue, and we will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Mar 5, 12:05 PSTUpdate - Twilio customers may be experiencing Twilio Programmable Messaging API was partially degraded starting from Mar 5th, 2026, 11:31 PST to 11:36 PST. Our team is actively investigating this issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Mar 5, 11:56 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with Twilio Programmable Messaging API was partially degraded starting from Mar 5th, 2026, 11:31 PST to 11:36 PST. Our engineers have been alerted and are investigating. We will provide an update when we have more details.

Read more »