Apple's £3 Billion UK iCloud Case Cleared for Trial
A class action lawsuit accusing Apple of overcharging U.K. iCloud users has been certified to go ahead, putting the £3 billion ($3.9 billion) claim on track for a trial in October 2028. According to BBC News, the Competition Appeal Tribunal cleared consumer group Which? to bring the case on behalf of an estimated 40 million U.K. iPhone and iPad owners, each of whom could receive up to £77 if the claim succeeds. Which? alleges that Apple has locked customers into iCloud since 2015 by limiting how rival cloud services work on its devices, and then charged inflated subscription prices as a result. Apple gives users 5GB of free storage and pushes them toward paid tiers once that fills up, with U.K. pricing running from 99p a month for 50GB to £54.99 a month for 12TB. The consumer group filed its claim against Apple at the tribunal on behalf of affected consumers in November 2024. Anabel Hoult, Which?'s chief executive, said the group wanted to make clear that no company "no matter how powerful, can get away with abusing its position." She said the green light from the tribunal meant Which? was "one step closer to getting consumers the redress we believe they are owed from Apple." "This should send a strong message to any other companies using anti-competitive tactics," she added. Apple has called the claims unfounded, and argues that no customer is required to use iCloud and that alternatives exist. The company said it strongly disagrees with the tribunal's decision and plans to appeal. Eligibility covers anyone who used iCloud on a U.K. device between November 8, 2018 and June 8, 2026. Those living in the U.K. on June 8 are included automatically unless they opt out by October 8, while non-U.K. residents from that date must opt in by the same deadline. Customers who first used iCloud after June 8, 2026 are excluded. (Thanks, Alan!)Tags: iCloud, Apple Lawsuits, United KingdomRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Everything New in iOS 27 Beta 2
Apple released the second beta of iOS 27 today, and as is common with a second beta, there are multiple changes. There are new features and updates to existing features as Apple prepares for a July public beta and a September software launch. Write with Siri There is a new Write with Siri button above the keyboard in Notes, Mail, Messages, and more. It makes it easier to locate the option to use ‌Siri‌ for writing. In the first beta, the Write with ‌Siri‌ tool was only available when selecting text. Siri Voice Customization The ‌Siri‌ voice customization feature available on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air now has Pace and Expressivity labeled as "Coming Soon." The options did not work in the first ‌iOS 27‌ beta. Wallet App Insights The Wallet app has a new "Insights" feature that's accessible by tapping on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner. Insights is not fully implemented, but a splash screen for the feature says users will be able to connect accounts to Wallet to see spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. Apple says up-to-date account information will be available through the feature. Apple TV In ‌iOS 27‌ beta 2, Apple updated the Home app to add support for remotely updating an Apple TV. The ‌Apple TV‌ is now listed in the Updates section of the Home app's Settings interface, and tapping on the ‌Apple TV‌ update button installs the latest software without needing to turn on the ‌Apple TV‌. RCS Apple added support for replying to a specific message in an RCS conversation with an Android user. You can now long press on a message to get to the option to reply to a message, and it works the same way that it does with iMessages. ‌iOS 27‌ also displays tapback/reaction emoji on images and videos properly. In iOS 26, it would use a text descriptor, such as [x loved an image] instead of showing the emoji. In ‌iOS 27‌, the emoji shows up on the image or video as it does in an iMessage conversation. iCloud Backup Notifications Code in ‌iOS 27‌ suggests Apple will now send notifications if an iCloud backup doesn't work properly. "There's a problem with our server, so you may not be able to backup or restore your device right now. Try again later," reads the notification. AirPort Utility Apple says the AirPort Utility app will no longer be available for download in ‌iOS 27‌. Users who already have the app can re-download it, but AirPort Utility functionality is not guaranteed in ‌iOS 27‌. Visual Intelligence In the ‌Siri‌ section of the Settings app, there's a new Visual Intelligence option. Highlight to Image Search is turned off by default, and Apple says turning it on will automatically send images to third parties when highlighting subjects to find similar images. Camera App There are now yellow highlights around the camera tools button when a hidden camera feature like exposure adjustment is enabled. Create a Pass In the Create a Pass feature in Wallet, there are texture options available when choosing a color. HomeKit Cameras You can long press on incoming notifications from HomeKit Secure Video cameras to watch the video from the motion alert and to turn on lights that are located near the camera. HomeKit Accessories If you had HomeKit accessories like Philips Hue lights that were unresponsive after installing ‌iOS 27‌ and tvOS 27, the beta 2 updates fix the problem. Weather Some of the light blue text in the Weather app has been updated to be lighter and brighter, making it easier to read. Precipitation levels, condition descriptor, and wind mph reading are now the brighter color. Siri App There's a new option to select multiple conversations to delete in the ‌Siri‌ app. Photos The AI tools in the Photos app are now available for RAW images. iOS 27 Info ‌iOS 27‌ is available to developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July. ‌iOS 27‌ is set to launch in September alongside new iPhones. Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Camera-Equipped AirPods Ultra: What to Expect
Apple is working on AirPods that have cameras for feeding data to Siri. The new earbuds will be Apple's first AI wearable, and current rumors suggest they're going to come out in late 2027. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.Design The AirPods will look similar to the current AirPods Pro 3, but with cameras embedded in the stem. Apple also plans to include a light that will come on when visual data from the AirPods is being sent to the cloud. The LED will let people around the wearer know the cameras are in use. Size, design, and fit are expected to remain the largely same for the earbuds and the charging case, with the exception of the changes to the stem. Rumors suggest Apple will use tiny infrared cameras, similar to the infrared camera used for Face ID. Features The cameras in the AirPods will be used for sending data about the wearer's surroundings to ‌Siri‌, giving ‌Siri‌ more information about where the user is and what's nearby. ‌Siri‌ will be able to answer questions about objects or whatever the wearer happens to be looking at. The camera-equipped AirPods could be useful for more exact turn-by-turn directions when walking, contextual reminders, 3D mapping, and more. The iPhone already has Visual Intelligence, which uses AI to identify plants, animals, landmarks, art, books, and more. Camera-equipped AirPods will be able to supply data for ‌Visual Intelligence‌ without the need to use the Camera app. Users aren't likely to be able to use the cameras to capture photos and videos. H3 Chip Apple is working on an upgraded H3 chip and it could make its first appearance in the next AirPods Pro. The H3 chip is expected to bring latency improvements and better audio quality. Naming Initial rumors about the AirPods with cameras said they wouldn't be a full new model and wouldn't be called the AirPods Pro 4, but launch timing has since changed. It's now likely the AirPods will be part of the AirPods Pro line, but naming is still unsettled. Apple could call them the AirPods Pro 4, but AirPods Ultra is also a possibility. Pricing With the addition of cameras, the AirPods could be more expensive than the current $249 ‌AirPods Pro 3‌. Compatibility Since the AirPods will feed data to ‌Siri‌, an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence will be required to use the features. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and later. Release Date There were rumors suggesting the camera-equipped AirPods could come out as soon as this year, but the latest information indicates the new earbuds will launch in late 2027 alongside the 20th anniversary iPhone and a second-generation foldable iPhone. Apple reportedly needed more time for the AirPods to design visual AI models capable of identifying objects. Apple is testing the new AirPods with iOS 28, an update that Apple is already developing.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution), AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 and iOS 26.5.2 Updates Coming Soon
Apple is working on a macOS Tahoe 26.5.2 update that's expected to come out in the near future. The second macOS Golden Gate beta includes an upgrade path from ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2, which suggests 26.5.2 is an upcoming build that Apple expects devices to be running soon. The update will be released alongside iOS 26.5.2, which we've already confirmed is in testing based on MacRumors visitor logs. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2 and iOS 26.5.2 are expected to be minor updates with bug fixes and security updates. Apple is also testing ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.6 and iOS 26.6 updates, and two betas have been released so far. With the 26.6 software not too far off, it's likely we'll get iOS 26.5.2 and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5.2 this week.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS TahoeRelated Forums: iOS 26, macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27
Apple is planning to remove the AirPort Utility app from the App Store in the near future, according to the release notes for iOS 27 beta 2. The app is no longer fully supported in ‌iOS 27‌, and Apple warns that it is not guaranteed to work. AirPort Utility will no longer be available for new downloads from the App Store. If you previously downloaded the app, you can still re-download it. When using AirPort Utility on iOS 27 and later, functionality is not guaranteed. Users who have downloaded AirPort Utility in the past will be able to re-download it if needed. Apple also plans to remove AirPort Utility from new installations of macOS, but users who already have it installed will continue to be able to use it after updating to new versions of macOS. As with ‌iOS 27‌, Apple says it isn't guaranteed to work in macOS Golden Gate. AirPort Utility lets users manage AirPort base stations like the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule. Apple discontinued its AirPort routers back in 2018, but has continued to support them through the AirPort Utility app. With ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, Apple is eliminating AFP support, which means the Time Machine feature on Macs will no longer work with the AirPort Time Capsule. With Time Capsule support ending and Apple sunsetting the AirPort Utility app, it's clear Apple does not plan to continue offering updates to users who are still holding on to their AirPort devices.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: App StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, AirTag, and More
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here, and it will last for four days, ending this Friday, June 26. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. For our coverage, we're focusing on discounts for Apple and Apple-related products that can be purchased right now on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, monitors, charging accessories, and more. We're also sharing deals being matched at retailers like Best Buy in some cases. YEAR'S BEST PRICESAmazon Prime Day 2026 As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated over the next few days, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles next week. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Special for 2026, Amazon is also offering 50% off Prime memberships for Young Adults. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime. AirPods Amazon has the AirPods Max 2 on sale for $399.00 in all colors, down from $549.00. This is an all-time low price on the headphones. This is accompanied by a great discount on the AirPods 4 for Prime Day, available for $99.00, down from $129.00. $30 OFFAirPods 4 for $99.00 $59 OFFAirPods Pro 3 for $189.99 $150 OFFAirPods Max 2 for $399.00 AirTag 2 Apple's AirTag 2 has hit the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack. $5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00 $10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00 This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options. $150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00 Apple Watch Series 11 Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices. $120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00 $120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00 You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices. Apple Watch SE 3 Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable. $50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00 $50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00 You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices. MacBook Air You'll find $149 off a few models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon this week, starting at $949.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,099.00. $149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $949.99 $149 OFF13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,149.99 iPad Air Amazon has brought back all-time low prices on a handful of M4 iPad Air tablets for Prime Day. This includes both 11-inch and 13-inch models of the brand new 2026 M4 iPad Air. $79 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $519.99 $89 OFF11-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $609.99 $99 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $699.99 $109 OFF13-inch M4 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $789.99 Specifically, the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M4 iPad Air has dropped to $519.99, down from $599.00, beating the previous low price by about $40. iPad Amazon is taking up to $52 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model. $50 OFF128GB Wi-Fi iPad for $299.00 $50 OFF256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 $52 OFF512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $597.00 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 DealsTag: Prime DayThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iOS 27 Beta 2 Adds Inline Replies to iPhone-to-Android RCS Chats
With the second beta of iOS 27, Apple added support for replying to a specific message in an RCS conversation with an Android user. You can now long press on a message to get to the option to reply, and it works the same way that it does with iMessage. Apple added support for ‌RCS‌ in iOS 18, and has been improving it since then. iOS 26.5 added encryption for ‌RCS‌ messages sent between iPhone and Android users, and now more of the ‌RCS‌ features are being implemented. For ‌RCS‌ reply threading to work properly, both the sender and the recipient need to have a smartphone and carrier that supports ‌RCS‌. ‌iOS 27‌ is limited to developers currently, but it will be available to the public when Apple releases a public beta in July. The software will see an official launch in September.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tags: Android, RCSThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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A Small iOS 27 Change Hints at Apple's Long-Rumored Home Hub
In iOS 27 beta 2, Apple updated the Home app to add support for remotely updating an Apple TV. The ‌Apple TV‌ is now listed in the Updates section of the Home app's Settings interface, and tapping on the ‌Apple TV‌ update button installs the latest software without needing to turn on the ‌Apple TV‌. The HomePod and HomePod mini have long been able to be updated through the Home app, so the ‌iOS 27‌ change for the ‌Apple TV‌ puts it on par with the ‌HomePod‌. The ‌HomePod‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ run a variant of tvOS, so it makes sense for the ‌Apple TV‌ to be updated in the same way. Apple's decision to add the ‌Apple TV‌ to the Home app update interface suggests that the upcoming home hub device that's in the works will also be controlled and updated through the Home app. Apple is expected to release a dedicated home hub later this year, and it will run a version of tvOS like the ‌HomePod‌. It will be a centralized spot for controlling smart home products, making video calls, getting information like the current weather, and interfacing with Siri. The device is expected to have a 7-inch square display with built-in speakers, and it could be something of a HomePod-iPad hybrid.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: Apple Command CenterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Wallet App Gets New 'Insights' Feature in iOS 27 Beta 2
Apple has added a new "Insights" feature to the Wallet app in the second iOS 27 beta. Accessible by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, Insights appears to let users add different financial accounts to monitor their spending. A splash screen for the feature says users will be able to connect accounts to Wallet to see spending insights, recurring transactions, account balances, and more. The fine print says the following: "Your device is connected to your financial institution by an Apple wholly owned subsidiary, which fetches, categorizes, and standardizes your account information for display on your device. Your account information is not stored." Tapping on the Continue button on the splash screen goes to the Add to Wallet interface with no new options available, so it does not appear to be functional at this time. Apple has detailed transaction information for the Apple Card, but support for other cards and accounts has been limited. Apple did introduce a Connected Cards feature in iOS 17.1, but it saw limited adoption. Discover implemented support and users could see their total card balance, Pay with Rewards, and transaction history, but Discover removed the functionality in early June and almost no other U.S. issuers ever used it. Several UK banks still have deeper integration with the Wallet app's Connected Cards option. It looks like Insights could be a successor to Connected Cards that will work without card issuers specifically adding in support.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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macOS Golden Gate Beta 2 Now available for Developers
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of macOS Golden Gate, with the update coming two weeks after Apple seeded the first beta. Developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ by going to System Settings > General > Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ includes multiple design improvements. Liquid Glass opacity has been improved to increase readability, there's a slider for controlling the level of transparency, and changes to shadowing make it easier to tell when a window is active. Apps now have uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, and less rounded corners, plus there are fewer icons in menu bars. Siri has been transformed into ‌Siri‌ AI, a chatbot-style assistant that combines general world knowledge, your personal data, and onscreen awareness to answer questions about anything and find information for you. ‌Siri‌ lives in Spotlight, and you can ask questions with the new Search or Ask interface. There's also a ‌Siri‌ app where you can chat with ‌Siri‌ and view past conversations, and on newer Macs, you can set a custom voice for ‌Siri‌ with personalized pace and expressivity. Visual Intelligence is now on the Mac so ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about what's on your screen, and a Write with ‌Siri‌ feature lets ‌Siri‌ generate text or give feedback on your writing. There are AI photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, an option to use AI to automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app that can generate photorealistic images. More on all of the new features in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ can be found in our macOS Golden Gate roundup. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ is limited to developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Second Betas to Developers
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first betas following the WWDC 2026 keynote. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. ‌iOS 27‌ introduces Apple's smarter version of Siri, ‌Siri‌ AI. ‌Siri‌ AI is a chatbot similar to ChatGPT, incorporating general world knowledge, personal data from apps like Messages and Mail, and onscreen awareness to answer questions and find information for you. There are new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Safari, Shortcuts, Wallet, and Passwords, plus Apple added a standalone ‌Siri‌ app that houses ‌Siri‌ conversations. Write with ‌Siri‌ is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new ‌Siri‌ mode. Apple improved the look of Liquid Glass and added a slider for customizing transparency. There are multiple performance improvements to speed up iOS, so everything feels faster, even on older iPhones. Apps launch quicker, AirDrop transfers are faster, the keyboard pops up more quickly, and devices are better at transitioning between Wi-Fi and Cellular to keep you connected. For more on what's new in ‌iOS 27‌, we have a dedicated iOS 27 roundup.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers
Apple today seeded the second beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta following the WWDC keynote. The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required. tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center. AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is faster, and apps and animations are smoother. You can also now see AppleCare coverage details in the Settings app. More on the features in tvOS 27 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds Second visionOS 27 Beta to Developers
Apple today provided developers with the second beta of an upcoming visionOS 27 update for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta. visionOS 27 can be installed by opening the Settings app, going to Software Updates, and opting into Beta Updates. visionOS 27 introduces Siri AI, the smarter and more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that's similar in capability to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. On the Vision Pro, ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about anything the wearer is looking at, and there's a new ‌Siri‌ orb that can be placed anywhere in wearer's virtual space. Panorama photos can be turned into spatial environments, and there's a new Icelandic Thórsmörk environment that features dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers, along with the northern lights. Web Environment support allows developers to create 360-degree environments in Safari for a more native Vision Pro browsing experience. App windows are now curved to provide a more immersive workspace, and Control Center has been reorganized to make system controls easier to find. Apple added a smaller widget size, and notifications automatically expand when the wearer looks at them. More on what's new in visionOS 27 is listed in our Vision Pro roundup.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Advanced AI Dictation Not Enabled by Default in iOS 27 Beta
Apple's next-generation AI dictation feature for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air is not turned on by default in the first developer beta of iOS 27. Apple says the new AI-powered dictation system delivers "a major boost in accuracy," with more reliable on-the-fly capitalization and punctuation than the existing dictation system. The feature runs on Apple's new AFM 3 Core Advanced model, which is a 20-billion-parameter, natively multimodal system that uses a sparse architecture, activating just one to four billion parameters at a time depending on the request. To fit a model that large onto a smartphone, the full model is stored in flash memory rather than DRAM, with a lightweight routing block selecting a fixed set of "experts" during initial processing and periodically reselecting them during generation, a technique Apple calls Instruction-Following Pruning. In side-by-side human evaluations against Apple's previous production dictation system across seven quality dimensions, AFM 3 Core Advanced was preferred on overall quality by a margin of 44.7% to 17.6%, with that preference holding consistently across the other six dimensions, which include punctuation, casing, layout, meaning capture, disfluency handling, and style. Because of the model's size, the upgraded dictation is limited to a handful of newer devices: the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, the ‌iPhone Air‌, the Vision Pro with M5 chip, iPads with an M4 chip or later with at least 12GB of RAM, and Macs with an M3 chip or later with at least 12GB of RAM. Notably, the standard iPhone 17 is excluded, as it ships with 8GB of RAM rather than the 12GB the larger model requires. The same AFM Core Advanced model also powers Apple's new customizable expressive Siri voices, another opt-in preview as of beta 1. The new dictation model runs entirely on-device, so transcription quality stays the same whether or not the iPhone is connected to a network. It remains unclear whether the preview will stay off by default when ‌iOS 27‌ is released officially later this year, or whether Apple will switch it on automatically at some point during the beta cycle this summer.Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27Tag: Apple IntelligenceThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Woot Launches Prime Day Event With Up to $50 Off Nintendo Switch 2
Woot this week kicked off a big Prime Day-adjacent event, with the headliner being a massive discount on the Nintendo Switch 2. You'll also find savings on charging accessories, Bluetooth speakers, and more. 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. For the Nintendo Switch 2, you can get a brand new model of the console for $399.00 with the code CHEAPSWITCH2 at checkout. This takes $50 off the $449.00 version of the console for new Woot customers, and $30 off for everyone else. Note: Use code CHEAPSWITCH2 at checkout. $50 OFFNintendo Switch 2 for $399.00 Even at $419.00 for returning customers, this is a great and very rare discount on the Nintendo Switch 2, which is set to have a price hike to $499.00 later in the year. This version of the console does not come with a game, and it is in new condition on Woot with a 90 day Woot limited warranty. Woot also has a large selection of Prime Day sales going on this week, including savings on Samsung The Frame TVs, Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases and chargers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Bluetooth Speaker - $69.99, down from $129.99 Samsung The Frame TVs - Save on new 2025 models Apple Watch Sport Loops and Bands - Up to $69% off OtterBox iPhone cases - Up to 92% off JBL Gaming Headsets - Up to 43% off Western Digital SSDs - Up to 46% off 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

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Apple Approves Production of OLED Panels for Foldable iPhone
Samsung Display has received Apple's approval to begin module production of OLED panels for Apple's first foldable iPhone, according to a report today from TheElec. Citing industry sources, the report says Samsung Display has started operating part of its back-end production lines in Vietnam to fulfill an initial order of around three million panels scheduled for delivery this year. Module production approval requires a supplier to demonstrate final assembly quality and mass-production stability, and Apple's threshold is reportedly a yield rate of at least 70%. Samsung Display is said to have passed that bar after achieving final yields above 80%. Samsung Display is believed to be the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for the foldable iPhone under a three-year agreement, meaning Apple will not source foldable OLED panels from any other display maker during that period. Back-end processing, which includes adding driver circuits, flexible printed circuit boards, and protective components before final inspection and shipment, is being handled at Samsung Display's Vietnam facility. That site has around 80 production lines in total, with roughly 50 currently active, leaving capacity to spare given the relatively modest three million unit order. The panels are expected to use Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, which removes the polarizer and forms a color filter directly on top of the encapsulation layer, along with Samsung Display's newest M16 OLED material set. The M16 stack is said to bring improvements to brightness, color performance, lifespan, and power efficiency over prior generations. Apple's foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, along with Touch ID instead of Face ID, an A20 chip, and Apple's C2 modem, with pricing expected to start around $2,000.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Foldable iPhone, OLED, Samsung, The ElecThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Every Apple Watch Model Hits Its Lowest Price Ever for Prime Day
Prime Day deals are already in full swing today, despite the event not kicking off until tomorrow, June 23. Below we're tracking all-time low prices across the Apple Watch lineup, including Apple Watch Series 11 for $120 off, Apple Watch SE 3 for $50 off, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $150 off. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Apple Watch Series 11 Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $120 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of GPS aluminum models on sale at record low prices. $120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $279.00 $120 OFFApple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $309.00 You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $279.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find three of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices. Apple Watch SE 3 Amazon is also taking $50 off the Apple Watch SE 3, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. These are matches of all-time low prices on the SE 3, and it's been over four months since we last tracked these prices on the wearable. $50 OFF40mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $199.00 $50 OFF44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 for $229.00 You can also get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE 3 on sale for $229.00, down from $279.00. Both the 40mm and 44mm GPS models are available in Midnight and Starlight Aluminum at these prices. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Finally, Amazon is discounting a wide array of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models down to $649.00 for Prime Day, from $799.00. This is a new all-time low price on the 2025 smartwatch, beating the previous record low price by about $50, and it's available in both Natural and Black Titanium color options. $150 OFFApple Watch Ultra 3 for $649.00 Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over 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

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Foldable iPhone 'Ultra' Still on Track for September Debut
Apple's first foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut, despite rumors to the contrary, based on a new report by China Securities Journal (via DigiTimes). According to the report, which cites a source at an Apple supplier, the company recently started delivering components in small batches for Apple's first foldable iPhone. The supplier also reportedly received guidance indicating that the device is scheduled to be unveiled in September 2026, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. A second supply-chain source cited in the report said it had received no indication of a delay and continues to work toward a fall 2026 release timetable. The report backs a claim made last week by a Chinese leaker that suggestions of a delay are wide of the mark. There have been occasional reports that Apple's first foldable device is encountering engineering hurdles as development enters its final stages. In May, leaker Instant Digital claimed the foldable iPhone was still facing durability concerns related to its hinge mechanism. While Apple is said to have largely resolved issues surrounding display creasing, the leaker suggested the hinge has yet to meet the company's long-term reliability standards. Apple is known for imposing rigorous durability requirements on entirely new product categories, but reports of unresolved hinge concerns this late in development would be unusual given the device's expected launch timeline. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in March that Apple's foldable iPhone may not launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September. Earlier, Barclays analyst Tim Long predicted the device would not begin shipping until December, potentially creating a gap of up to three months between the foldable iPhone and Apple's flagship iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple has taken a staggered launch approach before. In 2017, the iPhone X was unveiled alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, but it didn't reach customers until November, while the other models launched in September as usual. If Apple ultimately decides to delay shipments of its foldable iPhone beyond September, it would likely still unveil the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max at its annual iPhone event. In that scenario, Apple would announce the entire lineup together before releasing each model according to its production schedule. The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000. Apple's book-style foldable could launch as the "iPhone Ultra," as suggested by reports. In an unusual step compared to previous fall announcements, as part of a new split-launch strategy, Apple is expected to hold over the release of the regular iPhone 18 until spring next year.Tags: DigiTimes, Foldable iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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AirTag 2 Gets First Ever Discounts for Prime Day
Prime Day doesn't kick off until tomorrow, but we're seeing a handful of steep discounts on a few Apple devices already today. This includes the AirTag 2 at the new low price of $24.00 for the 1-Pack and $89.00 for the 4-Pack. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. This is the first major discount we've ever seen on the AirTag 2 at Amazon since the device launched earlier in 2026. The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model. $5 OFFAirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00 $10 OFFAirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $89.00 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

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iOS 27 Adds Mac-Like Recovery Mode for iPhone and iPad
iOS 27 introduces a new recovery mode for iPhone and iPad that lets the device boot into an alternative, lightweight interface without loading the full operating system, similar to recovery mode on Apple silicon Macs. To use the feature, users must turn the device off, then hold the side button to power it on. The Apple logo appears as it would during a normal boot, but holding the button for an extended duration brings up a progress bar, and the device then launches into the new recovery environment rather than continuing into iOS or iPadOS as normal. The process mirrors how recovery mode is triggered on Apple silicon Macs by holding the power button. The new recovery screen offers five options: Recovery Assistant, Software Update, Diagnostics Mode, Erase All Content and Settings, and Recovery Mode. The interface also displays the current battery percentage in the corner of the screen and automatically connects to a known Wi-Fi network, while a power button in the toolbar lets users attempt a normal restart instead. New in iOS 27: On-Device Recovery Mode OptionsWhen turning on your iPhone, if you continue to hold the power button, you will see new recovery options such as:Recovery AssistantSoftware UpdateDiagnostics ModeErase All Content and SettingsRecovery Mode via Mac pic.twitter.com/eS404VH8Ca— Aaron (@aaronp613) June 10, 2026 The addition means some last-resort repairs that previously required connecting an iPhone or ‌iPad‌ to a computer can now be carried out independently on the device itself. Apple's Recovery Assistant tool is designed to handle some of these automated fixes without further input. The need to use the new recovery mode should remain rare. One scenario where it could come in handy is if a software update fails to install, such as when a device runs out of battery mid-update. Some iOS beta versions have in the past caused devices to soft-lock or enter boot loops, and in those cases, the Software Update option in the new recovery mode could allow a user to reinstall the last stable version of the OS without needing to put the device into DFU mode and restore it from a Mac or PC. ‌iOS 27‌ and iPadOS 27 are in developer beta testing now, with a public beta expected next month, and an official release in the fall. Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Multiple Destination Voice Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 29, 07:00 - 09:00 PDT Jun 23, 00:29 PDT Scheduled - Our Voice carrier partner in Singapore and the Philippines is conducting an emergency maintenance from 29 June 2026 at 07:00 PDT until 29 June 2026 at 09:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent call disconnects or call failures from and to Twilio Singapore and Philippines phone numbers.

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UAE Telephony SMS issue
Jun 22, 23:58 EDT Identified - We have identified the issue related to SMS for UAE region and are working to resolve it.Users have the option to use alternative auth methods, like Duo Push or VoIP. Please check back here or subscribe to updates for any changes.

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France SMS Carrier Maintenance – Bouygues Telecom
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jul 1, 01:00 - 03:00 PDT Jun 22, 18:18 PDT Scheduled - The Bouygues Telecom network in France is conducting a planned maintenance from 01 July 2026 at 01:00 PDT until 01 July 2026 at 03:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to and from Bouygues Telecom France handsets.

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UPDATE: **Title** Some consumer Google Voice users are experiencing account suspensions. **Description** We are experiencing an issue with Google Voice beginning at Monday, 2026-06-22 12:30 PDT. Our engineering team has identified the root cause and is actively working to mitigate the issue. We will provide an update by Monday, 2026-06-22 17:30 PDT with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption. **Customer Symptoms** Some consumer Google Voice users are experiencing account suspensions
Incident began at 2026-06-22 19:30 (times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).Title Some consumer Google Voice users are experiencing account suspensions. Description We are experiencing an issue with Google Voice beginning at Monday, 2026-06-22 12:30 PDT. Our engineering team has identified the root cause and is actively working to mitigate the issue. We will provide an update by Monday, 2026-06-22 17:30 PDT with current details. We apologize to all who are affected by the disruption. Customer Symptoms Some consumer Google Voice users are experiencing account suspensions Affected products: Google Voice

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Email Delivery Delays
Jun 22, 20:53 UTC Monitoring - A fix has been implemented and we are monitoring the results. Jun 22, 20:27 UTC Identified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented. Jun 22, 20:27 UTC Investigating - Cloudflare is investigating a delay in our ability to send emails. This includes password reset, mFA token emails. We are working to resolve the issue. More updates to follow shortly.

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Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Win Mobile and UralTel/U-Tel/Ermak RMS
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 24, 13:00 - 18:00 PDT Jun 22, 08:15 PDT Scheduled - The Win Mobile and UralTel/U-Tel/Ermak RMS networks in Russia are conducting a planned maintenance from 24 June 2026 at 13:00 PDT until 24 June 2026 at 18:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Win Mobile and UralTel/U-Tel/Ermak RMS Russia handsets.

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Replicate elevated error rate
Jun 22, 14:49 UTC Monitoring - Cloudflare has identified an issue where customers using Replicate.com may experience an elevated error rate

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Cloudflare is investigating an issue where customers are being blocked deploying Managed Rules
Jun 22, 14:25 UTC Identified - The issue has been identified and a fix is being implemented. Jun 22, 14:24 UTC Investigating - We are currently investigating this issue.

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United States MMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jul 8, 01:00 - 02:30 PDT Jun 22, 07:10 PDT Scheduled - Our MMS carrier partner in the United States is conducting a planned maintenance from 08 July 2026 at 01:00 PDT until 08 July 2026 at 02:30 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering MMS to and from United States handsets.

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Increased Error Rates
Jun 22, 14:20 UTC Investigating - Cloudflare is investigating increased error rates and latency in multiple services beginning 13:35 UTC.

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Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Beeline
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 23, 13:59 - 17:00 PDT Jun 22, 03:32 PDT Scheduled - The Beeline network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 23 June 2026 at 13:59 PDT until 23 June 2026 at 17:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Beeline Russia handsets.

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Indonesia SMS Carrier Maintenance – XL Axiata
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 23, 10:00 - 14:00 PDT Jun 22, 00:41 PDT Scheduled - The XL Axiata network in Indonesia is conducting a planned maintenance from 23 June 2026 at 10:00 PDT until 23 June 2026 at 14:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to XL Axiata Indonesia handsets.

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Malaysia SMS Carrier Maintenance – DiGi
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jun 22, 09:00 - 13:00 PDT Jun 22, 00:18 PDT Scheduled - The DiGi network in Malaysia is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 June 2026 at 09:00 PDT until 22 June 2026 at 13:00 PDT. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to DiGi Malaysia handsets.We are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

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SMS Delivery Delays and Failures from Twilio to Algar Telecom Brazil
Jun 21, 21:30 PDT Investigating - Twilio customers may be experiencing SMS delivery delays and failures from Twilio to Algar Telecom network subscribers in Brazil. Our team is actively investigating this issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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SSL Certificate Provisioning Delays
Jun 21, 13:46 UTC Investigating - Cloudflare is investigating multiple reports of advanced certificate issuance delays

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