Apple releases new AirPods beta firmware
Apple today released a new beta firmware update for several AirPods models, marking the fifth version in the current testing cycle… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple among tech giants in court fight over voice data used to train AI
Apple and eight other leading tech companies, including Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Samsung, are battling proposed class-action… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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WhatsApp is working on even more Liquid Glass interface changes on iOS
Following the initial rollout of Liquid Glass on iOS earlier this year, WhatsApp is now working to bring the design to more interface elements. Here are the details.

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Apple Music will soon get visible labels for AI-generated content
Apple has shared more details about the AI labeling requirements it announced for Apple Music back in March. Here are the details.

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New CEO John Ternus likely to shake up Apple’s spending strategy
As John Ternus prepares to step in as Apple’s CEO in just two weeks, investors are eyeing a potential shift in the company’s spending… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Tested: Amazon's drone delivery service is fast, free, and loud
We've got an AppleInsider staffer inside Amazon's new drone delivery range. After trying it out on Thursday, we can tell you that it's effective, and we're going to use it again.Amazon drone delivery, in action to an AppleInsider staffer's front yardEarlier this week, Amazon greatly expanded the service area of its drone delivery service. A little napkin math suggests that the airborne delivery service now covers about 3500 square miles more than it did a few days ago.And, as part of this expansion, one of our staffers is now inside the footprint of that service. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Layoffs in Apple's Vision Products Group prove slow progress in spatial computing
A source has exclusively revealed to us that Apple has just laid off an unknown number of people dedicated to VR development, which aligns with incoming CEO John Ternus reportedly putting the category "on ice."Apple Vision Pro development will slow as Apple focuses on smart glassesApple Vision Pro was a necessary product launched to let Apple develop visionOS in public. The category is expected to eventually result in a set of full AR glasses we've dubbed Apple Glass.According to a reliable source speaking to AppleInsider, Apple has laid off an unknown number of employees tied to Apple's VR team, the Apple Vision Group, and similar positions. We've heard this tale before, and while this doesn't mean the end of Apple Vision Group, it is a sign of a cooling off for that category. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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CarPlay the driving force deciding the choice between two nearly identical cars
GM's decision to drop CarPlay is being put to the test, with a nearly identical CarPlay version outselling its Chevy counterpart by an increasingly wide margin.GM's CarPlay removal puts Chevy EV sales to the testIn 2023, General Motors announced it wouldn't include CarPlay in its electric vehicles going forward. There was notable public backlash.Then, in 2025, GM CEO Mary Barra announced that the company would remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all vehicles. Instead, the company would use an in-house infotainment system built on Android Automotive OS. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple urges judge not to dismiss its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI
Apple pushes back hard in its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, asking a judge to reject the AI company's bid to toss the case. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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2026 iPad mini guide: OLED, A19 Pro and price rumors
Macworld For those who need a premium small-screen tablet, the iPad mini is a popular choice. But should you buy one now, or should you wait to see what Apple has in store for the next model? Most buyers should wait – the next model is expected to bring meaningful upgrades. However, Apple isn’t expected to update the iPad mini until late 2026, and that launch date could slip further due to chip demand and wider supply constraints. Here’s what the latest rumors say about the release date, key upgrades, and whether it’s worth waiting. 2026 iPad mini: Rumored changes at a glance A19 Pro (possibly A20 Pro) Possible OLED display upgrade Screen size could increase from 8.3-inch to 8.5- or 8.7-inches More water-resistant design Vibration-based speaker system Price increase Improved connectivity 2026 iPad mini release date: When will the new iPad mini launch? October 2026 is the reported timeframe Apple has not officially announced a specific launch date for a new iPad mini. However, industry analysis and leaks suggest that a refresh is likely to occur before the end of 2026. In October 2025, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that a new iPad mini featuring an OLED screen is among the devices Apple is expected to launch before the end of 2026. In July 2026, Gurman reported that the OLED iPad mini is scheduled for an October 2026 release. Several reports state that the macOS 26.7 release candidate includes references to the upcoming iPad mini. This confirms that a new iPad mini is planned, but the release date has yet to be established. Several factors could influence the timing of its release and cause delays, though, including: Erratic release cycle: The iPad mini doesn’t follow a fixed update schedule and can go several years between refreshes. While some reports suggest Apple is aiming for a “sooner-than-later” update to bring it in line with newer chips, its history of two-year (or longer) gaps suggests another update isn’t imminent following the October 2024 model. Component shortages: Apple’s plans may be affected by demand for the A18 Pro chip expected to power the device. This processor also powers the hugely popular MacBook Neo, which has led to reports that Apple could prioritise these chips for the Neo over the iPad mini. In addition, there are industry-wide supply pressures affecting RAM and other components which Apple CEO Tim Cook alluded to during the company’s first-quarter 2026 results announcement. 2026 iPad mini: Performance and specs  A19 Pro chip C1X modem N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Since it hasn’t been updated in over a year, the next iPad mini is expected to receive several silicon upgrades. The current model features an A17 Pro chip, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence support. Most rumors suggest Apple will upgrade the device to the A19 Pro. In August 2025, MacRumors reported that Apple code inadvertently revealed an A19 Pro-powered iPad mini, although the publication noted that the chip could also have been intended for the iPhone Air. Additional evidence emerged in December 2025, when Macworld reported seeing internal Apple code indicating that the entry-level iPad would launch with an A19 chip. Because Apple has traditionally equipped the iPad mini with a more powerful processor than the standard iPad, this lends further support to the A19 Pro rumor. An A19 Pro would represent a substantial upgrade over the current A17 Pro. Users could expect faster on-device AI processing, improved gaming performance, and quicker photo and video editing. The A18 Pro, which powers the MacBook Neo, is often compared to the M1 chip and can rival the M3 in some single-core workloads. An A19 Pro-powered iPad mini would push the device even closer to iPad Air-level performance. There are also reports that Apple could use the A20 Pro in the iPad mini instead. The likely chip may depend on launch timing. If the new iPad mini arrives before the iPhone 18 Pro, which is expected to debut the A20 Pro, the A19 Pro remains the most likely option. However, if the launch slips into late 2026 or beyond, an A20 Pro-equipped iPad mini becomes increasingly plausible. A less ambitious upgrade to the A18 Pro remains possible. While the performance gains would be smaller, the chip still offers meaningful improvements over the A17 Pro thanks to architectural enhancements and a more powerful GPU configuration. In benchmarks, it would outperform the current model, though the difference would be less dramatic than with an A19 Pro or A20 Pro. The popularity of the MacBook Neo could also influence Apple’s chip strategy. Reports suggest demand for the Neo has been strong enough to create pressure on A18 Pro supply, which could affect the availability of chips for other products. Alongside processor upgrades, Apple is expected to bring its latest wireless technologies to the iPad mini. With the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple introduced the N1 chip, which supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The company has already added the N1 to the M4 iPad Air and is expected to roll it out across the iPad lineup through 2026 and 2027, including the iPad mini. Cellular models are also expected to adopt Apple’s C1X modem. 2026 iPad mini: Display OLED display upgrade The M4 iPad Pro’s OLED Display could make its way to the iPad mini next.Mahmoud Itani / Foundry The biggest display upgrade rumored for the next iPad mini is the adoption of OLED technology. Following Apple’s transition of the iPad Pro to OLED in 2024, multiple reports have suggested that the iPad mini will be the next iPad to make the switch. Ross Young of DSCC was first to claim, in a tweet in October 2024, that the next iPad mini would have a OLED. The current iPad mini, released in October 2024, still uses a Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, but industry sources, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, indicate a move to OLED is increasingly likely. The transition from LCD to OLED would represent one of the most significant upgrades in the iPad mini’s history. Unlike LCD panels, which rely on a backlight, OLED displays illuminate each pixel individually. This allows pixels to switch off completely when displaying black content, resulting in deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, and improved HDR performance. Key benefits of OLED include: Superior contrast and true blacks: Individual pixel control delivers inky blacks and virtually infinite contrast. More vibrant colours: OLED panels typically offer wider colour gamuts and greater colour accuracy, producing richer and more immersive images. Faster response times: Reduced motion blur and ghosting improve the experience when gaming or watching fast-moving content. Better viewing angles: Colours and brightness remain consistent even when viewed from the side. Improved efficiency: OLED can be more power-efficient when displaying darker content and allows for thinner display assemblies. An OLED panel could also enable Apple to reduce bezel sizes, potentially increasing the display area slightly without significantly changing the tablet’s overall dimensions. Some reports suggest the screen could grow from 8.3 inches to around 8.5 inches as a result – more on that below. While the iPad mini is unlikely to inherit premium display technologies such as ProMotion or the tandem OLED architecture used in the iPad Pro, the move to OLED would still deliver a noticeable improvement in visual quality, with richer blacks, better contrast, improved colour reproduction, and stronger HDR performance. For users who prioritise display quality, an OLED iPad mini would address one of the most frequently cited limitations of the current model and bring the compact tablet much closer to the viewing experience offered by Apple’s premium devices. 2026 iPad mini: Design Same size, bigger screen possible More water-resistant design rumored Apple The iPad mini has retained the same design since its major redesign in 2021, and the 2026 model is expected to keep that overall look. However, Apple could increase the display size slightly while maintaining the device’s current dimensions. In December 2024, analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) suggested in a supply chain analyst report that the next-generation iPad mini could feature an 8.5-inch display, up from the current model’s 8.3-inch panel. The reports indicated that the chassis size would remain unchanged, meaning Apple could achieve the larger screen through slimmer bezels rather than a larger body. A larger display may also help the iPad mini maintain its place in Apple’s lineup as foldable devices arrive. Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone – often referred to as the iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra – is expected to feature an inner display measuring between 7.6 and 7.8 inches with a 4:3 aspect ratio, putting it close to the iPad mini’s screen size. While still smaller than the iPad mini, such a device could appeal to some users who currently favour Apple’s smallest tablet. Another rumor gaining traction is that the new iPad mini will be more water-resistant. That rumor comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who in October 2025 claimed Apple was developing a next-generation iPad mini with a significantly more water-resistant chassis. The design changes could include: Redesigned casing with improved sealing around ports. A new speaker system that uses vibration-based audio technology to eliminate traditional speaker holes. There’s also a strong possibility of new colour options. Apple currently offers the iPad mini in Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray, while the previous generation was available in Pink, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. 2026 iPad mini: Cameras  Little or no camera upgrade expected Apple is not expected to upgrade the cameras in the next iPad mini.Foundry Apple’s iPads currently feature a 12MP Center Stage front-facing camera and a 12MP wide rear camera, and there are no credible reports suggesting major camera system upgrades for the next iPad mini. The most likely change concerns camera placement rather than camera hardware. Apple has moved the front-facing camera to the landscape edge on its latest iPad models, and the iPad mini could follow suit to improve the experience during video calls and FaceTime sessions when used with a keyboard or stand. While the cameras themselves may remain unchanged, image quality could still benefit from improvements to the image signal processor and computational photography capabilities of a newer A-series chip. 2026 iPad mini: Price  The iPad mini has had the same $499 price tag since its 2021 redesign. In 2026 we could see a price increase as a result of the OLED display upgrade. Component costs could also drive up the price. During Apple’s first quarter 2026 financial results announcement, CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is now “in a supply chase mode” due to industry-wide constraints. Thus, tariffs, the rising cost of RAM, and other increases in supply-chain costs could impact pricing for some higher-end storage options. The price may remain the same though, with Apple wanting to keep the price of this niche product attractive.

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Apple TV series ‘Lucky’ preserves the novel’s central identity crisis
Apple TV’s "Lucky" (starring Anya Taylor-Joy) adapts Marissa Stapley’s 2021 novel about a con artist grappling with her identity and… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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AirPods Pro 3 and more just got new firmware release in beta
Apple has released new AirPods beta firmware today for developers and public beta testers. It’s available for AirPods Pro 3 and select other models. Here are the details.

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AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3: Which should you buy in 2026?
Choosing between AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 was already mostly a question of fit, features, and price. Apple is also developing camera-equipped AirPods with Visual Intelligence, but they are not expected to arrive until 2027 at the soonest. That could make waiting an awfully long proposition.

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Apple TV’s sports comedy ‘Stick’ season two arrives November 4th
Today, Apple TV revealed a first look at the second season of its sports comedy “Stick,” starring and executive produced by Owen Wilson… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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AirPods with camera leak, iOS 27 beta 6, iPhone 18 Pro cases
Benjamin and Chance talk about the crazy leak by Apple depicting the new AirPods with cameras in a video demo, the changes in iOS 27 beta 6, their latest experiences with Siri AI, whether iPhone 18 Pro will fit iPhone 17 Pro cases, and perhaps some final resolution in the Apple vs EU App Store commission battle. And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin talks about some of the leaks for the upcoming HomePod with a screen. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden, featuring secure password management, passkey support, end-to-end encryption, and seamless autofill across all devices. Sponsored by Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans at keepersecurity.com/HAPPYHOUR. Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get two months free with code 9TO5MAC at copilot.money/9to5mac. Sponsored by Framer: The only free design tool that brings your ideas to the web. Visit framer.com/happyhour for 30% off a Framer Pro annual plan.

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ChatGPT update adds Apple Messages integration on Mac
ChatGPT’s latest update adds a new Mac integration: the ability to work with conversations from Apple’s Messages app. The feature works with iMessage, SMS, and RCS.

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Apple’s upcoming headphones appear to be built for MacBook Neo users
Macworld For the second time this week, an unreleased Apple product has been leaked in shockingly thorough fashion. After a video demonstrating camera-equipped AirPods was spotted in macOS 26.7 on Monday, the Beats 360 over-ears headphones have now been revealed on multiple retail websites despite not yet officially existing. The headphones were spotted by Redditors on Amazon U.K., and one user going by the handle HappyMcPe promptly started a thread featuring more than half a dozen photos of the device. They were also spotted on other retail sites such as Apcom Slovakia and Misco, but all the listings now appear to have been taken down. Based on the images–which we would tend to assume are legitimate, since they were used by multiple legitimate retailers and have been guiltily taken down since being spotted–the new headphones have a noticeably different design from the two currently available Beats over-ears. Unlike the Studio Pro and Solo 4, the Beats 360 has a separate padded section on the underside of the headpiece, as well as much more of an open mesh on the earcups. Elsewhere in the listings it’s made clear that the padded section can be detached, as can the cushions over the ears, and that these are available separately as an Extra Cushion Kit. There seems to be two versions of the cushion: Performance Knit and UltraPlush. The images also make it apparent that these are the same unreleased headphones which football star Lamine Yamal was seen with in multiple Instagram posts earlier this summer. Lamine Yamal While we’re discussing design, it’s worth mentioning that the color finishes are very MacBook Neo-coded. The 360 is available in Sky, Black, Navy, Cloud, Pink, and Volt (a bright neon yellow and a good match for the Neo’s Citrus finish). That’s way more options, incidentally, than the Studio Pro, which comes in four colors, or the Solo 4, which comes in three. But the leak spills far more beans than simply what the new headphones look like. We’ve got pricing, for example: £331.99 on Misco, and $299 in the DataVision listing. In fact, product descriptions reveal almost everything about the new headphones. They offer active noise cancellation (“up to 1.75x more noise cancellation” than the Beats Studio Pro, the description claims), though they don’t appear to feature an H2 or indeed any other Apple chip. They are rated as IPX4 for water and sweat resistance. They’re compatible with both Apple and Android products. They have all-day battery life even with ANC enabled. They can be folded flat. They come with a “woven ripstop fabric carrying case.” It’s another huge leak, in other words. We don’t know when the headphones will come out, but based on the number of retail companies that had the information, we’d guess it’ll be soon. Watch this space in the coming days for any remaining details that weren’t accidentally leaked today.

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watchOS 27 adds three new Apple Watch features I’ve been loving
watchOS 27 is coming soon as the next major Apple Watch software update. I’ve been using watchOS 27 in beta this summer, and there are three new features I’ve been especially loving.

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Amazon slashes iPads down to as low as $399 for the weekend
Amazon's $399 iPad deal delivers the lowest iPad price across Apple's tablet lineup, with discounts of up to $150 off iPad Air and iPad Pro models in effect heading into the weekend.Apple's iPad is on sale from $399 at Amazon today.Sale prices are in effect on iPads at Amazon, with month-end deals delivering prices as low as $399.Buy iPad 11 for $399 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Triathlon runner credits Apple Watch for saving his life
Apple has launched another in its occasional series of Apple Watch "true stories," this time featuring a runner who says the device first alerting him to a cardiac condition was the key to saving his life.It was the ECG in his Apple Watch that alerted Connor to his condition - image credit: Apple.Tim Cook has often said that ultimately Apple will be remembered most for what it did for people's health. After countless stories of the Apple Watch saving people's lives, Apple has begun sharing short interviews with survivors on its YouTube channel.The latest is "ECG: Connor's True Apple Watch Story," which consists of this man recounting how much the device means to him. And what it meant when he was running a triathalon, trying to get in shape. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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