Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update
Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30. Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements." No other AirPods models received firmware updates today. How to install AirPods Pro firmware updates, according to Apple: Make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is updated to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, and that Bluetooth is on. Make sure that your AirPods are connected via Bluetooth to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to Wi-Fi. Connect your charging case to power. Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and keep your AirPods in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update. Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Check the firmware version again. AirPods Pro 3 were released in September, with key features versus the previous generation including increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, longer battery life per charge, heart rate monitoring during workouts, and more.Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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These Apple Apps Will No Longer Receive All New Features Without a Subscription
If you are not interested in subscribing to the new Apple Creator Studio bundle introduced today, you will officially start to miss out on some new features. Apple said some "exciting new intelligent features and premium content" in Final Cut Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform will only be accessible with a Creator Studio subscription. In the U.S., a subscription costs $12.99 per month, or $129 per year, while college students can pay a lower $2.99 per month or $29 per year. This means that if you bought Final Cut Pro or Pixelmator Pro via one-time purchase, which will still be an option going forward, you will no longer have access to all new features. However, Apple promises the apps will continue to receive updates. From the Final Cut Pro page on Apple's website, for instance:A one-time purchase will still be available, but access to some of the premium content is available only to Apple Creator Studio subscribers. If you already own Final Cut Pro, it will continue to be updated.There are some exceptions, as Apple says Logic Pro and MainStage will have all the same features whether they are subscription or one-time-purchase versions. It looks like most if not all of the new features that will be limited to Creator Studio subscribers will be powered by AI, as Apple repeatedly describes them as "intelligent" features. The apps are continuing to receive other new features that do not require a subscription over time, so one-time purchasers are not completely left out. As for Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform, those apps will remain free, but some new intelligent features and content will likewise require a Creator Studio subscription. This means these apps are now effectively "freemium." Here are a few of the first new features coming to Creator Studio subscribers: Pixelmator Pro: A new Warp tool lets you twist and shape image layers. Keynote, Pages, and Numbers: A new Content Hub provides access to high-quality photos and graphics, and there are new premium templates and themes.In summary, existing users of Final Cut Pro and Pixelmator Pro never had to worry about paying extra to have every new feature, but that is no longer the case going forward. And while the Keynote, Numbers, Pages, and Freeform apps never cost money, some new features will now be locked behind a subscription. These changes will undoubtedly disappoint some Apple customers, while helping to boost the company's services revenue.Tags: Apple Creator Studio, Final Cut Pro, PixelmatorThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Get $300 Off Samsung's Smart Monitor M9, Plus More Monitor and TV Deals
Samsung has introduced a new batch of discounts across its most popular monitors and TVs this week, with notable markdowns on products like The Frame and the Smart Monitor series. These deals have all been applied automatically on Samsung's website, and many match all-time low prices on these products. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Starting with monitors, you can get the 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 4K OLED for $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99. This version of the Smart Monitor line launched last summer, and Samsung's discount today is a match of the record low price on the display. $300 OFF32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,299.99 Other monitors on sale include the 32-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K for $229.99 ($170 off) and the 43-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K for $359.99 ($140 off). You can find even more monitor deals in the list below. Regarding TVs, there are quite a few models of The Frame TV on sale, including all-time low prices on The Frame models from 2025. You can get the 2025 65-inch The Frame TV for $1,199.99 ($600 off), as well as The Frame Pro for $2,499.99 ($700 off). $600 OFF65-inch The Frame for $1,199.99 For even more potential savings, eligible shoppers have the chance to get additional discounts through Samsung offer programs. These programs provide extra discounts for students, military, and employees of select businesses, and they provide up to 30 percent extra savings on Samsung's website, so be sure to check whether you're eligible for any of these programs. TVs 55-inch QLED QEF1 Smart TV - $379.99, down from $599.99 55-inch QLED Q7F Smart TV - $399.99, down from $529.99 55-inch QLED Q8F Smart TV - $699.99, down from $749.99 75-inch Vision AI Smart TV - $679.99, down from $1,199.99 50-inch The Frame - $799.99, down from $1,099.99 75-inch Neo QLED QN70F Smart TV - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99 65-inch The Frame - $1,199.99, down from $1,799.99 55-inch OLED S95F Smart TV - $1,999.99, down from $2,299.99 75-inch The Frame Pro - $2,499.99, down from $3,199.99 85-inch The Frame Pro - $3,499.99, down from $4,299.99 85-inch Neo QLED QN90F Smart TV - $2,699.99, down from $4,499.99 Monitors 32-inch Smart Monitor M7 4K - $229.99, down from $399.99 32-inch ViewFinity S70A UHD Monitor - $299.99, down from $459.99 34-inch ViewFinity S6 Monitor - $399.99, down from $799.99 43-inch Odyssey Neo G7 Smart Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $999.99 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen - $1,299.99, down from $2,699.99 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 - $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99 Galaxy Products Galaxy XR - Save up to $1,140 with the Explorer Pack Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $700 in instant trade-in credit Galaxy Ring - Get up to $150 trade-in credit Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $250 Galaxy Watch 8 - Save up to $200 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 Highlights Key iPhone 17 and 17 Pro Hardware Upgrade in New Ad
Apple today shared a new "Slide" ad that highlights the Ceramic Shield 2 cover glass on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The ad shows an ongoing negotiation, during which an iPhone 17 Pro with the screen facing down is slid back and forth across a long table. Apple says the Ceramic Shield 2 above the screen offers 3× better scratch resistance compared to the iPhone 16 lineup, and it says the material is tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic mix. "Relax, it's iPhone 17," the ad concludes.Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 ProTags: Apple Ads, Ceramic ShieldBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral), iPhone 17 Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates to public beta testers, with the updates coming four weeks after Apple provided the first betas to testers. 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 26.3 adds a new tool for transitioning from an iPhone to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app. The update also includes changes to third-party wearables in the European Union, with more information available in our iOS 26.3 beta 2 feature list following yesterday's release to developers. Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Releases Second macOS Tahoe 26.3 Public Beta
Apple today provided public beta testers with the second release of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.3 update for testing purposes. The public beta comes a day after Apple provided the second beta to developers. 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. We don't know about any new features in ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 as of yet, but Apple might introduce new capabilities in later beta releases. The beta is limited to developers and public beta testers at the current time, but we are expecting Apple to release the update at the end of January. Related Roundup: macOS TahoeRelated Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Kuo: Apple's AI Deal With Google Is Temporary and Buys It Time
Apple is preparing to mass-produce its own AI-focused server chips in the second half of 2026 amid reliance on a short-term partnership with Google to meet immediate AI expectations, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a new post on X, Kuo said that Apple is facing mounting short-term pressure in artificial intelligence that is shaping its current strategy, even as it continues to pursue long-term control over core AI technologies. Kuo explained that Apple has encountered two immediate challenges in its in-house AI development that have effectively pushed it toward partnering with Google. The first is the need for a credible AI showing at WWDC later this year after previously announcing Apple Intelligence and significant Siri upgrades that have yet to materialize. The second is the rapid pace of improvement in cloud-based AI systems, which has raised expectations to a level where simply delivering on earlier promises may no longer be enough. Kuo argues that as AI capabilities have advanced, user perceptions of what constitutes a competitive assistant or system-level AI have shifted. In that context, even a fully delivered version of ‌Apple Intelligence‌ as it was originally presented could struggle to stand out, particularly without access to more powerful large-scale models. This has apparently driven an urgent need for Apple to supplement its current approach with more capable AI models from other companies. Kuo described Apple's AI deal with Google as a way to ease short-term pressure rather than a long-term strategic shift. He said on-device AI is unlikely to drive hardware sales in the near term, but the partnership gives Apple time to manage expectations across its platforms while continuing its own AI development. Over the longer term, Kuo said AI is expected to become central to hardware differentiation, operating system design, and the overall user experience, making ownership of core AI technologies increasingly important. He added that Apple's in-house AI server chips are expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, with Apple-operated data centers coming online in 2027. Kuo said this timing suggests Apple expects demand for on-device and hybrid AI workloads to grow more meaningfully from 2027, as it gains greater control over its server-side computing and infrastructure.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Google, Ming-Chi KuoThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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iOS 26.3 Hints at Improved iPhone-to-Android Texting Coming Soon
Starting with the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for carriers to be able to support end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages, and that news could actually have even bigger implications for the Messages app on the iPhone. In order to offer E2EE for RCS, iOS 26.3 or later would need to support RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which includes many iMessage-like enhancements for RCS:End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices, as has always been the case with iMessage In-line replies Edit messages Unsend messages Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, with no special workaroundsRCS support as a whole was added to the iPhone with iOS 18, which supported ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.4. It is effectively a modernized version of the SMS standard, which remains available as a fallback option for text messages over a cellular network. The enhancements listed above were actually introduced in RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.7, and iOS would finally get them by jumping to RCS Universal Profile 3.0. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have already supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. iMessage has also supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16. Timing Last year, Apple said it planned to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates. However, Apple did not provide a specific timeframe. As mentioned above, Apple appears to finally be laying the groundwork for E2EE for RCS in the iOS 26.3 beta, but it will be up to carriers to implement support, and Apple might also work with Google to ensure there is a consistent experience across iOS and Android. Hopefully we begin to see support roll out at some point between iOS 26.3 and iOS 27. E2EE for RCS may be limited to select countries at first, as carriers begin rolling it out.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Tags: Messages, RCSRelated Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Pixelmator Pro is Coming to iPad With Apple Pencil Support and More
Apple today announced that Pixelmator Pro is coming to the iPad, complete with a new touch-optimized workspace, full Apple Pencil support, the ability to work between iPad and Mac, and all of the powerful editing tools from the Mac version. Pixelmator Pro is a popular image editing app that was acquired by Apple last year. There is already a more basic Pixelmator app available for the iPad and iPhone, and now the full-fledged Pixelmator Pro experience is coming to the iPad. Apple says Pixelmator Pro for iPad will be compatible with iPad models equipped with the A16, A17 Pro, or M1 chip or later on iPadOS 26 or later. Here are some of the Pixelmator Pro for iPad features highlighted by Apple:A full-featured Layers sidebar allows creators to use images, shapes, text, and video Smart selection tools for isolating and editing specific parts of images Advanced bitmap and vector masks Super Resolution for intelligently upscaling photos Deband for removing compression artifacts Auto Crop with automatic composition suggestions Apple Pencil support for pressure-sensitive brushing, plus hover, squeeze, and double tapPixelmator Pro for both iPad and Mac will be available through the new Apple Creator Studio subscription bundle, which costs $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A one-time $49.99 purchase option will remain available, and this will presumably extend to the iPad app. Some new AI features and content in Pixelmator Pro for iPad will only be available with an Apple Creator Studio subscription.Tags: Apple Creator Studio, Apple Pencil, PixelmatorRelated Forum: iPad AccessoriesThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Amazon Takes Up to $200 Off M5 iPad Pro With New Discounts
Amazon this week is back with big discounts across the M5 iPad Pro lineup, including both 11-inch and 13-inch models. The highlight this time around is the 1TB Wi-Fi 13-inch M5 iPad Pro with Nano-Texture Glass, which is on sale for $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00. 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. Many of the deals in this sale match — or beat — the record low prices we tracked during Black Friday. Amazon also has the 2TB Wi-FI 13-inch M5 iPad Pro with Nano-Texture Glass for $2,199.00, down from $2,399.00, which is an all-time low price. $200 OFF13-inch M5 iPad Pro (1TB Nano-Texture Wi-Fi) for $1,799.00 $200 OFF13-inch M5 iPad Pro (2TB Nano-Texture Wi-Fi) for $2,199.00 You'll find some of these deals matched at Best Buy, with in-store pick-up available this week for many locations. The latest iPad Pro models are equipped with the current-generation M5 chip, and feature a super-slim design, Thunderbolt support, up to 2TB storage, and OLED display technology. 11-Inch M5 iPad Pro 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($100 off) 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,499.00 ($100 off) 1TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,599.00 ($100 off) 2TB Nano-Texture Glass Wi-Fi - $1,999.00 ($100 off) 13-Inch M5 iPad Pro 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,149.00 ($150 off) 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,399.00 ($100 off) 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,759.00 ($140 off) 1TB Wi-Fi Nano-Texture Glass - $1,799.00 ($200 off) 2TB Wi-Fi Nano-Texture Glass - $2,199.00 ($200 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 Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year
Apple today introduced a new Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, and premium features in iWork apps, for $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Apple Creator Studio includes access to Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro on the Mac and iPad, as well as Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac. Plus, it unlocks premium AI features and content across the iWork apps Keynote, Pages, and Numbers across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and later in the Freeform app. Apple Creator Studio will be available through the App Store starting Wednesday, January 28. All new subscribers can receive a one-month free trial. More details to follow.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messages Referenced in Latest iOS 26.3 Beta
Apple appears close to supporting end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages, almost a year after the GSM Association said it was working to implement the privacy feature for messages sent between Android and iPhone devices. As shared by Tiino-X83 on X (Twitter), the latest iOS 26.3 beta includes references to a new carrier bundle setting that will let carriers enable and disable E2EE for RCS messages. It's possible that the setting relates to making the encryption status of messages visible to the user, as per the GSMA standard's requirements. The requirement is stupulated because local regulations can prohibit E2EE for all users, and users must be notified of encryption status. End-to-end encryption for RCS was announced in March 2025, as part of version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profile. Apple said it planned to add support to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates, but the company has since been silent on the subject. Le chiffrement de bout en bout arrive sur le RCS de l’iPhone !Je viens de vérifier les carrier bundles d’iOS 26.3 bêta 2, et Apple a ajouté un nouveau paramètre permettant aux opérateurs d’activer le chiffrement pour le RCSPour le moment, aucun opérateur ne l’a encore activé pic.twitter.com/RkFGH5J5ut— Tiino-X83 (@TiinoX83) January 12, 2026 The carrier bundle references in the latest iOS 26.3 beta could be Apple laying the groundwork for future support, and are no guarantee that E2EE for RCS messages are coming with the software release. But they at least indicate that Apple is working to bring support at some point in the future. RCS support as a whole was added to the iPhone with iOS 18, which supports ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.4. It is effectively a modernized version of the SMS standard, which remains available as a fallback option for text messages over a cellular network.Tags: Encryption, RCSThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Mac Shipments Were Flat at the End of 2025 as Rival PC Brands Surged
Apple's Mac business ended 2025 with flat year-over-year shipments in the holiday quarter despite a broader rebound in the global PC market, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). The findings suggest that global PC shipments rose 9.6% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 76.4 million units, exceeding expectations as brands accelerated purchases ahead of anticipated supply constraints and component price increases. Within that total, Apple shipped 7.1 million Macs during the quarter, which is essentially unchanged from the same period a year earlier, resulting in a decline in quarterly market share even as the overall market expanded. Apple ranked fourth globally behind Lenovo, HP, and Dell, all of which posted double-digit shipment growth. Lenovo shipped 19.3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, up 14.4% year over year, while HP shipped 15.4 million units, up 12.1%. Dell recorded the fastest growth among the top three at 18.2%, with 11.7 million units shipped. IDC attributed the stronger-than-expected fourth quarter to factors including the end of support for Windows 10, tariff-related uncertainty earlier in the year, and growing concern over tightening memory supply. These dynamics encouraged many vendors to pull forward inventory purchases into late 2025, amplifying the usual holiday period seasonal uplift. For the full year, Apple's performance was more robust. IDC estimates that Apple shipped 25.6 million Macs in 2025, up from 23.0 million units in 2024, representing year-over-year growth of 11.1%. That increase outpaced the overall PC market, which grew 8.1% to 284.7 million units globally. Apple's annual market share rose to 9.0% from 8.7% the year before, even as its fourth-quarter share fell to 9.3% from 10.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to faster growth by major Windows brands.Tag: IDCThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Patent Grants Declined in 2025 as Innovation Slows
Apple's U.S. patent activity declined sharply in 2025 amid a broader slowdown in patent filings, according to newly released data from IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. The data shows that Apple was granted 2,722 U.S. patents in 2025, down from 3,082 in 2024, a year-over-year decline of roughly 12% that pushed the company down two positions to sixth place in IFI's annual ranking of the top 50 recipients of U.S. patent grants. The shift marks a notable change for Apple at a time when its spending on artificial intelligence, silicon design, and software continues to expand, but it also reflects a wider contraction in patent activity across the United States. Total U.S. patent grants in 2025 fell to 323,272, a decline of less than 1% from the previous year, while U.S. patent applications dropped more steeply, falling 9% to 393,344. IFI noted that the decline in applications represents the lowest level since 2019, following a record high in 2024. The data is compiled directly from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and forms the basis of IFI's annual Top 50 and Top 10 Fastest Growing Technologies reports. The slowdown was visible across core technology areas that typically account for a large share of U.S. patents, with filings and grants falling in key categories such as digital data processing and data transmission. The slowdown was not limited to Apple, with other major U.S. technology companies such as Google also falling in the patent rankings in 2025, while Nvidia did not receive enough U.S. patent grants to place in the Top 50 despite its central role in the AI boom. It also came as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office continued to work through a backlog of more than 1.2 million applications, which has delayed the pace at which patents are issued. While U.S.-based companies still received the largest number of patents overall, their total fell by more than 5% in 2025, even as companies in several Asian countries increased their patent counts. Apple's decline occurred as several competitors either held steady or increased their patent output. Samsung retained the top position for the fourth consecutive year with 7,054 U.S. patent grants, accounting for more than 2% of all patents issued in the United States in 2025. Apple chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) ranked second with 4,194 grants, followed by Qualcomm in third place with 3,749. Apple's drop contrasted with gains by companies such as Dell and Toyota, which moved up eight and six places respectively, driven largely by patents related to computing infrastructure, energy storage, and vehicle systems. Key areas of research in 2025 included AI and battery technologies.Tag: PatentThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Store in Santa Rosa is Moving Later This Month
Apple's retail store in Santa Rosa, California will be moving from the Santa Rosa Plaza shopping mall to the open-air Montgomery Village shopping plaza later this month. Apple Santa Rosa Plaza The new store at Montgomery Village will be holding its grand opening on Friday, January 23, at 12 p.m. local time, according to Apple's website. Apple's existing store at the Santa Rosa Plaza opened in 2004. Elsewhere in California, Apple continues to renovate its store in Carlsbad, north of San Diego. Apple has a temporary location there, at 1925 Calle Barcelona. Apple is also operating out of a temporary store at the South Coast Plaza shopping mall in Costa Mesa, south of Los Angeles, while it renovates its original location there. Thanks, Filip Chudzinski!Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple's Regent Street Store in UK is Temporarily Closed, Here's Why
Apple's flagship Regent Street store in London, England is temporarily closed starting today for "refurbishment," the company said on its website. Apple has not indicated when the store will reopen, but a source familiar with the matter indicated that the location will likely be closed for at least a few weeks. It is unclear if Apple is planning any changes that will be visible to customers, but the company has been removing the Video Wall from some of it stores in recent months. Many newer and renovated stores also feature a dedicated Apple Pickup station for online orders. In some cases, Apple only updates a store's fixtures or back-of-house area, resulting in no visible differences to customers when business resumes. Regent Street is a world-famous shopping street in the heart of London, making it one of the busiest locations where Apple has a retail presence. At a minimum, hopefully the store will receive a deep clean before it reopens. Apple first opened its Regent Street store in 2004.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Elon Musk Reacts to Apple and Google Teaming on Gemini-Powered Siri
Elon Musk today expressed concern about Apple and Google partnering on a more personalized version of Siri powered by Google's generative AI platform Gemini. "This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that [they] also have Android and Chrome," wrote Musk, in a post on X. Musk serves as CEO of xAI, the company behind Gemini competitor Grok. It is unlikely that Apple or Google will publicly respond to Musk's comment, but we will update this story if the companies have anything to say. In case you missed it, Apple and Google today jointly announced that Gemini will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized version of Siri that is set to launch this year. Apple has yet to announce exactly when the revamped Siri will launch, but it is reportedly set to arrive as part of iOS 26.4 in March or April. xAI filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI last year, accusing the two companies of conspiring to "ensure their continued dominance" in the AI market. This seems like an unreasonable concentration of power for Google, given that the also have Android and Chrome— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2026 Tags: Apple Intelligence, Elon Musk, Gemini, Google, SiriThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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These 36 Airlines Offer iPhone Feature That Helps Find Your Lost Bags
On iOS 18.2 and later, there is a Share Item Location feature in the Find My app that allows you to temporarily share the location of an AirTag-equipped item with others, including employees at participating airlines. This way, if you put an AirTag inside your bags, the airline can better help you find them in the event they are lost or delayed at the airport. The feature also works with other item trackers that support Apple's Find My network, such as those sold by Chipolo and Pebblebee. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users running iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 or later can generate a "Share Item Location" link in the Find My app. Anyone they share the link with can then view a web page with a location of the item on a map. The page will automatically update with the item's latest known location. The item's location stops being shared "as soon as a user is reunited with their item," or automatically expires after seven days. Apple today announced that the Share Item Location feature is now supported by 36 airlines around the world, and we expect more to follow in the future. Below, we have listed all of the airlines that support the feature: AJet Aer Lingus Air Canada Air France Air India Air New Zealand American Airlines Austrian Airlines Breeze Airways British Airways Brussels Airlines Cathay Pacific Condor Copa Airlines China Airlines Delta Eurowings Finnair Flair Airlines Iberia JetBlue KLM LATAM Airlines Lufthansa Pegasus Airlines Porter Airlines Qantas Saudia Singapore Airlines SunExpress SWISS Turkish Airlines United Virgin Atlantic Vueling WestJetTags: AirTag, Find MyThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Here's How 2025 Was a 'Record-Breaking Year' Across Apple's Services
Apple today announced that 2025 was a "record-breaking year" for many of its services, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. "Apple services had a banner year, rolling out game-changing features for customers while shattering records," said Apple's services chief Eddy Cue, in a press release. "The numbers reflect the incredible enthusiasm of our customers, whether it's downloading an exciting new app or game, watching the hottest new show with family and friends, listening to their favorite songs, or shopping with peace of mind." Here are some of the 2025 statistics shared in Apple's announcement:App Store had over 850 million average weekly users across 175 countries and regions, and it set a new annual record for U.S. visitors. App Store had a record number of visitors between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. Apple TV set a new record for monthly engagement in December, with total hours of content viewed on the streaming service up 36% on a year-over-year basis. This increase was driven by hits such as F1: The Movie and Pluribus. Apple Music had its best year ever, breaking records for listenership and new subscribers. Shazam generated over 1 billion recognitions per month. Apple Pay is now available in 89 markets, and Apple says the payment service eliminated well over $1 billion in fraud globally. Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available in 50 markets. Apple Maps expanded its Detailed City Experience with 3D landmarks to new locations, like New Orleans, Singapore, and Monaco. Apple's Share Item Location feature in the Find My app is now offered by 36 airlines. Apple Arcade added more than 50 new games. Apple Fitness+ expanded to 28 more countries and regions, and it is launching in Japan early this year. Apple Podcasts set annual records for listeners, episode plays, and new subscribers. Apple News is the most popular news app in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and the second most popular news app in the U.K.For more details about new features added to Apple's services in 2025, as well as various other records set, head to the Apple Newsroom website.Related Roundup: Apple PayTags: App Store, Apple MusicRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Developers
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming four weeks after the release of the first betas. 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, although it appears over-the-air updates may still be rolling out. The downloads are already available from Apple's Developer site. iOS 26.3 adds a new tool for transitioning from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app. Apple's transfer process supports moving photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number, and more. The update also includes a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the European Union, and there are some minor changes to the Weather wallpaper. More information on what's changed can be found in our iOS 26.3 beta 1 feature list. Apple is expected to release the iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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US SMS Carrier Maintenance – Small US Carriers
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 27, 02:00 - 04:00 PSTJan 23, 14:45 PSTScheduled - A subset of small networks in the US are conducting a planned maintenance from 27 January 2026 at 02:00 PST until 27 January 2026 at 04:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to small US carriers handsets when sending via long codes and short codes.

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[Programmable SMS] SMS Delivery to Claro Network in Costa Rica Affected
Jan 23, 12:30 PSTResolved - Twilio Programmable SMS was degraded for 58 minutes between 11:32 and 12:30 Pacific Time on 01/23/2026. During this period of time customers may have experienced SMS Delivery Failures to Claro Network in Costa Rica. The issue has now been resolved.Jan 23, 12:24 PSTMonitoring - Our engineers are currently investigating the customer impact of a retroactive issue with SMS Delivery to Claro Network in Costa Rica. We will follow up and provide customer impact details within 2 hours.

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On Call Engineers are Investigating an issue
Jan 23, 11:52 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with SMS Delivery Failures to Claro Network in Costa Rica. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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Test
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 9, 14:21 - 15:21 ESTJan 23, 14:22 ESTScheduled - This is a paging system test message. Please disregard.

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Upcoming winter storm notification
Jan 23, 19:16 UTCMonitoring - Akamai is aware of an upcoming winter storm set to affect the continental United States during the upcoming days (https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/wwd/wssi/wssi.php). Akamai is working with our vendors to ensure proper preparedness to withstand the storm and take actions in case they are needed. We are actively monitoring the situation to ensure that services remain stable. If you are experiencing issues and are unable to open a Support ticket, please call us at 855-454-6633 (+1-609-380-7100 Intl.), or send an email to support@linode.com.Our general best practice guidelines for all customers is to maintain redundancy of critical systems across multiple regions at all times. We also recommend that all customers [maintain a robust backup strategy](https://www.linode.com/docs/guides/backing-up-your-data/) for their services at all times. Compute instances can be cloned or migrated to other datacenters through our self-service Cloud Manager or API tools. Note that migrating services between datacenters will result in changes to Backups and IPv4 and v6 endpoints:Migration Resourceshttps://techdocs.akamai.com/cloud-computing/docs/migrate-to-a-new-data-centerhttps://techdocs.akamai.com/linode-api/reference/post-migrate-linode-instanceCloning Resourceshttps://techdocs.akamai.com/cloud-computing/docs/clone-a-compute-instancehttps://techdocs.akamai.com/linode-api/reference/post-clone-linode-instance

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SMS Delivery Delays to Vivo Network in Brazil
Jan 23, 10:20 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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PDX (Portland) on 2026-02-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 3, 14:00 UTC  -  Feb 4, 00:00 UTCJan 23, 17:04 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in PDX (Portland) datacenter between 2026-02-03 14:00 and 2026-02-04 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.

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Voice Signaling and Media traffic Affected for Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2
Jan 23, 09:15 PSTResolved - The issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2 was resolved as of Jan 22nd at 20:30 PTJan 22, 02:59 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 24 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 21, 02:58 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 24 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 20, 10:57 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 16 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 20, 02:58 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 8 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 22:58 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 4 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 18:58 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 4 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 14:59 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 4 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 12:53 PSTUpdate - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 12:21 PSTMonitoring - We have mitigated the issue that was causing impact to Voice signaling and media traffic for some Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are continuing to carefully monitor recovery to ensure recovery is sustained. We expect to provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 12:16 PSTUpdate - We are still investigating an issue that may impact Voice signaling and media traffic for Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are working to deploy a fix. We expect to provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 11:42 PSTUpdate - We continue investigating an issue that may impact Voice signaling and media traffic for Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are working to deploy a fix. We expect to provide another update in 30 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 11:25 PSTUpdate - Our engineers have identified an issue that may impact Voice signaling and media traffic for Interconnect (TNX) customers in US2. We are working to deploy a fix. We expect to provide another update in 15 minutes or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 19, 10:31 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with Programable Voice Services. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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SMS Delivery Delays and Failures to Orange / Altice in Dominican Republic
Jan 23, 09:05 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays and failures when sending messages to Orange / Altice in Dominican Republic. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 23, 08:57 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue associated to . Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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PDX (Portland) on 2026-02-02
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Feb 2, 14:00 UTC  -  Feb 3, 00:00 UTCJan 23, 16:24 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in PDX (Portland) datacenter between 2026-02-02 14:00 and 2026-02-03 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.

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SMS Delivery Delays to Jawwal in Palestine, State of
Jan 23, 07:10 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Jawwal in Palestine, State of. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 23, 07:01 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue . Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Three
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 29, 21:00 - 22:00 PSTJan 23, 05:11 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Three United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 29 January 2026 at 21:00 PST until 29 January 2026 at 22:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Three United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Lookup SIM Swap, Lookup Identity Match, Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes

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SMS Delivery Delays to Vivo Network in Brazil
Jan 22, 23:40 PSTResolved - We no longer experience SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. This incident has been resolved.Jan 22, 22:00 PSTMonitoring - We are observing recovery in SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. We will continue monitoring the service to ensure a full recovery. We will provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 22, 18:40 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 16 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 22, 16:45 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 8 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 22, 12:45 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 4 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 22, 10:44 PSTUpdate - We continue to experience SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 2 hours or as soon as more information becomes available.Jan 22, 09:46 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vivo network in Brazil. Our engineers are working with our carrier partner to resolve the issue. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as more information becomes available.

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GoToMyPC – Emergency Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Jan 23, 07:00 - 10:00 UTCJan 23, 06:07 UTCScheduled - As part of our commitment to provide exceptional service and reliability to our customers, GoToMyPC team will be conducting service maintenance on the following date and time listed below. Our team will be taking all appropriate actions to minimize service interruptions during this event.Date and Time: January 23rd, 2026, 7:00 AM UTC to 10:00 AM UTCPurpose: This maintenance is to ensure and maintain system performance and stability.Duration: All maintenance will be performed within the 3-hour maintenance window.What to expect: During the Maintenance, GoToMyPC customers may expect 5 minutes of downtime.We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

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United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone
Jan 22, 20:03 PSTCompleted - The scheduled maintenance has been completed.Jan 22, 14:15 PSTIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Jan 22, 07:03 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 22 January 2026 at 14:15 PST until 22 January 2026 at 20:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Products: Legacy Identity MatchAndAttributes, Lookup Identity MatchWe are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

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