Get Your Holiday Shopping Started With Our Exclusive 15% Off Sale at Nomad
We've partnered with Nomad this week to get you an extra 15 percent off in stock gear with the code MR2025 at checkout, allowing our readers a chance to save on iPhone 17 cases, Apple Watch Ultra bands, MagSafe-compatible products, and more. Additionally, Nomad is currently running an overstock sale with discounts across various accessories like AirPods cases, iPhone 16 cases, Apple Watch bands, and Lightning cables. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. To see the discount on your order, all you have to do is add an accessory to your cart, proceed to checkout, then enter the promo code MR2025 on the payment step and you'll get an extra 15 percent off your cart. Our code excludes items that are already on sale, recently launched products, and 3rd party gear. This sale will end on Sunday, November 9. Note: Use code MR2025 to see the discount. 15% OFFNomad Exclusive Sale Our exclusive discount knocks the price of Nomad's Modern Case for iPhone 17 and Rugged Case down to $41.00, from $49.00. You can also get the Modern Leather Case for iPhone 17 for $63.00 with our code, down from $75.00. If you're shopping for Apple Watch Bands, Nomad's Rocky Point Band for Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for $67.00, down from $79.00. The Titanium Band for Apple Watch Ultra is down to $169.00, from $199.00, while the athletic Sport Band is down to $58.00, from $69.00. In addition to these discounts on newer products, Nomad's overstock sale has big markdowns on older gear like iPhone 16 cases, Apple Watch Bands, wireless chargers, and more. Our exclusive code does not stack with these discounts, but there are still many steep discounts in this sale that are worth taking a look at before it ends. You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple's Website Lists AirTag 4-Pack at Shockingly Low Price
Apple's online store in the U.S. is suddenly offering a pack of four AirTags for just $29, which is the same price that it charges for a single AirTag. This is likely a pricing error, and it is unclear if orders will be fulfilled. Apple has not discounted the AirTag four-pack in any other countries that we checked. Delivery estimates are already pushing into late November to early December, suggesting that many customers are attempting to take advantage of the deal. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was planning to release an AirTag 2 in mid-2025, but that did not happen. The current AirTag was released in April 2021. For those unfamiliar with the AirTag, it is a Bluetooth accessory that you can attach to items like a backpack and keys, and you can then track the location of those items in the Find My app across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. Similar item trackers are sold by brands like Tile, Samsung, Chipolo, and Pebblebee.Tag: AirTagThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iPhone 18 Lineup Said to Feature 24MP Front-Facing Cameras
All flagship models in Apple's next-generation iPhone 18 lineup will be equipped with a 24-megapixel front facing camera, up from 18 megapixels on iPhone 17 models, according to the latest JP Morgan forecast seen by MacRumors. A 24-megapixel front-facing camera was rumored for all iPhone 17 models by multiple sources, but ultimately the rumor never came to pass. That said, the 18-megapixel front-facing camera found on all iPhone 17 models is still a significant update, so a jump to 24 megapixels would certainly be noteworthy, assuming the report is correct. It would mean that the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Air 2, and Apple's first foldable iPhone would be able to deliver sharper, more detailed selfies and improved portrait accuracy. Apple calls its selfie camera on iPhone 17 devices the "Center Stage" front camera, and it has the first square camera sensor on an iPhone. The square sensor provides a wider field of view that can capture more detail, so you can now take a portrait or landscape selfie while holding your phone vertically. The JP Morgan report also indicates that Apple's foldable iPhone will feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-screen camera integrated into the device's inner display. Meanwhile, the budget second-generation iPhone 17e and third-generation iPhone 18e will both reportedly continue to use a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. Starting in 2026, Apple will reportedly split its iPhone lineup between fall and spring launches. The second-generation iPhone Air, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone will launch in the second half of 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e won't launch until spring 2027.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tag: J.P. MorganRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iPhone Fold to Feature Industry-First 24MP Under-Display Camera
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-screen camera built into the inner display, according to the latest JP Morgan forecast seen by MacRumors. We've previously heard rumors that Apple will use an under-display camera for the book-style foldable's inner display, but this is the first reference to the camera's proposed megapixel count. Under-display camera technology has been used on some Android phones, but they tend to have lower resolution sensors (4 or 8 megapixels, for example) because the image quality suffers due to being behind display layers. The jump to a 24-megapixel camera (with six plastic lens elements, per the report) would therefore be a significant technological advance, potentially resulting in clearer, sharper images with more detail. The detail suggests Apple has achieved a breakthrough in greatly improving light transmittance and image quality compared to previous designs. However, the JP Morgan forecast also suggests Apple has made some compromises to keep the foldable device compact, such as a lack of LiDAR and optical image stabilization. Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to include a dual-lens rear camera, with a front-facing camera for both folded and unfolded states, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently corroborated reports that the device will have four cameras consisting of one front camera, one inner camera, and two rear cameras. Prolific Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station claims that the rear dual lenses will be 48 megapixels each. Other sources have claimed that the inner display features an under-screen camera, while the outer display – in the device's folded state – will have a punch-hole camera. Apple is reportedly relying on Touch ID integrated into the side button instead of Face ID for biometric authentication. Gurman has said he expects the device to be launched next year in the fall season. However, Japan's Mizuho Securities banking firm has suggested a postponement to 2027 could still happen because of Apple taking longer to decide on key design elements such as the hinge.Tags: Foldable iPhone, J.P. MorganThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iPhone 18 Pro Said to Feature Smaller Display Hole for Front Camera
Apple is testing new camera miniaturization technology to reduce the size of the front-facing camera on next year's iPhone 18 Pro models, claims a Chinese leaker. According to Digital Chat Station, a Weibo account with more than three million followers, Apple is testing a single HIIA (hole-in-active-area) hole punch for the front-facing camera, which is currently located within the Dynamic Island. HIAA is a display manufacturing technique developed by Samsung and other display makers that integrates front-facing cameras into OLED panels without taking up too much of the active screen. The technique involves precisely drilling a small hole within the active pixel area using laser micro-drilling, resulting in a single ultra-compact aperture opening. This isn't the first time Digital Chat Station has claimed Apple is testing HIAA technology for the iPhone 18 Pro models. Back in May, they said Apple was using it in conjunction with under-display Face ID technology. These comments came on the back of a report by The Information that also said under-screen Face ID was on the cards, and that Apple intends to position the pinhole for the front-facing camera in the top-left corner of the screen. Today's report, however, is more ambiguous. The leaker says that as a result of using HIAA technology, the device's "screen shape will change" owing to the smaller camera hole design, but it's not entirely clear if this means the front camera will move position, or that it will remain part of a smaller Dynamic Island. There is also no mention of under-display Face ID. More recent reports appear to corroborate claims that the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a smaller Dynamic Island, so this could be a better interpretation of Digital Chat Station's latest information. In addition to Apple's use of HIAA, the leaker reiterated other previously shared details, including Apple's use of a rear lens with variable aperture, the same camera plateau design as the iPhone 17 Pro, and a "transparent design" for the Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe charging. Lastly, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is said to feature a "steel-shell battery" – likely a reference to a stainless steel vapor chamber cooling system that has previously been rumored. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the next iPhone Air, and a foldable iPhone are all expected to come out in September 2026, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e could follow in spring 2027, as part of a new split-cycle launch strategy for Apple.Related Roundup: iPhone 18Tag: Digital Chat StationRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Store With All-New Design Opening on Long Island This Month
Apple has announced that its store at Roosevelt Field in Garden City, New York will be reopening on Friday, November 21, following extensive renovations. Roosevelt Field is the largest shopping mall on Long Island. Apple first opened its store there in 2002, just months after the iPod launched. The renovated store will feature a modern design with more wood paneling, instead of stainless steel. Apple has yet to share photos of the renovated store, so the exact design remains to be seen. Apple opened a temporary store at Roosevelt Field while it renovated the original store, which has been closed for around a year. Apple is also renovating its store at The Forum in Carlsbad, California, and it has opened a temporary store there in the meantime, as seen below. Apple's temporary store in Carlsbad Apple South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, Apple The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Apple Baybrook in Friendswood, Texas, all remain under renovation too. Apple's relocated store at University Park Village Apple's relocated store at University Park Village in Fort Worth, Texas opened last month, as did the renovated Apple Chatswood Chase near Sydney, Australia.Tag: Apple StoreThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

IKEA Debuts 21 HomeKit-Compatible Smart Bulbs, Sensors, and Controls
IKEA today announced the upcoming launch of 21 new Matter-compatible smart home products that will be able to interface with HomeKit and the Apple Home app. There are sensors, lights, and control options, all of which will be reasonably priced. Some of the products are new, while some are updates to existing lines that IKEA previously offered. There are a series of new smart bulbs that are available in multiple shapes, sizes, lumen levels, and styles. IKEA is offering both white and color spectrum options, with dimming supported. 11 bulbs are available in total in E27/26, E14/E12, and GU10 sizes. Color-changing bulbs are available in each size, and lumen levels range from 470 to 1,521. Decorative clear-glass bulbs will also be available. Several sensors will be available, for motion, air quality, humidity, and water leakage. MYGGSPRAY - Indoor/outdoor motion sensor for lights. MYGGBETT - Door/window sensor that detects when a door or window is open or closed. TIMMERFLOTTE - Temperature and humidity sensor designed for indoor use. ALPSTUGA - Air quality sensor that measures CO₂, particles (PM2.5), temperature, and humidity indoors. KLIPPBOK - Leak detector that can be placed under sinks or appliances. There are also four smart plugs and remote controls. The BILRESA is a remote control with either a dual button or a scroll wheel, and it can be used for adjusting smart home products. It can dim lights, turn lights on and off, activate scenes, and more. The GRILLPLATS smart plug adds Matter connectivity to ordinary lamps or other small appliances. Specific pricing for the new product lineup hasn't been announced, but the devices are expected to launch in January of next year. IKEA is using Matter-over-Thread for its product lineup. Thread is a wireless mesh protocol that runs on the 2.4GHz band and allows devices to talk directly to one another, improving range and responsiveness. Matter-enabled products require a smart home hub to work, and on Apple's platform, the Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini serve as home hubs and Thread border routers.Tag: IkeaThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Calls Out EU for Contradictory App Store Rules Under DSA and DMA
Apple recently sent a letter to the European Commission (EC), criticizing recent inquiries into whether the App Store complies with the Digital Services Act (DSA) amid the separate Digital Markets Act requirements that Apple has been required to put in place. The Commission asked Apple for information on how it locates fraudulent content, what it does to reduce the risk of financial scams in apps, and how it verifies the identity of businesses. It separately requested details on the policies Apple has in place to protect minors. Both requests were part of an inquiry into whether companies are complying with Digital Services Act requirements. Apple's response, penned by Apple VP of Legal Kyle Andeer, answers all of the EC's questions and includes the relevant information to satisfy the request, but also points out the hypocrisy of questioning ‌App Store‌ consumer protections while requiring Apple to support sideloading functionality that isn't subject to those protections. Andeer says that it is "difficult to square" the DSA investigations with the EC's "aggressive interpretation and application of the Digital Markets Act," and that the probe into Apple's ‌App Store‌ safeguards "defies all logic" in light of the DMA requirements. He also argues that the European Commission needs to enforce the DSA and DMA as a whole, rather than as separate policies.It does not make sense for the Commission to press Apple to protect users, including minors, from fraud within the App Store while at the same time requiring Apple to create functionalities like link-outs and web views that increase the risk of fraud without necessary safeguards. The Commission cannot both prohibit Apple from taking the steps it has found essential in mitigating the risk of scams and fraud on the App Store while simultaneously scrutinizing Apple for not providing even more measures to mitigate these risks on the App Store. It does not make sense for one EU law to encourage Apple to mitigate as much as possible the risk of exposing consumers to fraud or minors to potentially harmful apps through the App Store, only for another EU law to prevent Apple from using those same measures to mitigate the same type of risks just because they exist outside of the App Store. This paradoxical situation creates a regulatory structure that endorses leaving iOS and iPadOS users at risk if they choose not to use the App Store, when developers choose to use link-outs, or when users opt to use third-party products to interoperate with iOS or iPadOS. [...] If the Commission does not consistently prioritise protecting consumers from online harms like fraud, or minors from online harms like pornography or other unsafe apps, in all enforcement contexts, including the DMA, nor use the tools it has at its disposal to resolve these fundamental frictions, the objectives of the DSA will be underachieved, no matter how sufficient Apple's measures are to comply with this specific regulation.For context, the Digital Services Act requires very large online platforms like Apple to offer protection against disinformation or election manipulation, cyber violence against women, and harms to minors online. It also has provisions to counter fraud and mitigate dissemination of illegal content, among other requirements. The separate Digital Markets Act requires Apple to support alternative app marketplaces and adhere to interoperability rules that Apple has continually argued weaken privacy and security. Andeer says that the Digital Markets Act "exposes users to fraud and scams" on third-party platforms, and the EC has been warned that the DMA enforcement is "reckless and even dangerous." Apple's App Review team removed 37,000 apps for fraudulent activity in 2024, rejected 115,000 apps for unsafe experiences, and rejected 320,000 app submissions that copied other apps, were found to be spam, or misled users in some way. Further, 139,000 developer enrollments were rejected, and 146,000 developer accounts were terminated due to fraud concerns.Tags: App Store, European Commission, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Shares Liquid Glass Design Gallery
Apple is promoting the new Liquid Glass design in iOS 26, showing off the ways that third-party developers are embracing the aesthetic in their apps. On its developer website, Apple is featuring a visual gallery that demonstrates how "teams of all sizes" are creating Liquid Glass experiences. The gallery features examples of Liquid Glass in apps for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. Apple includes comparisons of how each app looked in iOS 18, and how it looks in ‌iOS 26‌. Apple's examples feature apps that have eliminated bottom navigation bars in favor of smaller navigation options, apps with Liquid Glass sliders and buttons, and apps using popovers. Featured apps include Crumbl, Tide Guide, GrowPal, Lumy, Sky Guide, Linearity Curve Graphic Design, LTK, American Airlines, Lowe's, Photoroom, OmniFocus 4, CNN, Essayist, and Lucid Motors. The design comparisons are best viewed on Apple's site, and are worth checking out if you're curious about how third-party apps are incorporating Liquid Glass.Tag: Apple Developer ProgramThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone Review: HomeKit Robot Vacuum With Bagless Design and Fast Charging
Ecovacs recently came out with its newest robot vacuum, the Deebot X11 Omnicyclone. Like the last couple of models, this new vacuum has Matter integration and it's able to connect to HomeKit so it can be sent off to clean the floor with Siri voice commands. Design The X11 is the same size as the prior-generation X9, coming in at 3.86 inches tall. I've tested several robot vacuums now, and that's on the thinner side. It can get under almost all of my furniture, including my stove, to vacuum in areas that are often untouched. Height is the most important metric when it comes to robot vacuums, but if you have a lot of tightly spaced furniture, you also need to consider width. The X11 is about 13.8 inches across, and it could be too large for smaller apartments. Underneath the vacuum, there's a roller bar, a mop, a brush that gets into nooks and crannies along baseboards, a canister for dust and debris, and internal areas for clean and dirty water for mop washing and cleaning. You can access the dust canister by removing the top plate of the robot and undoing the latch. Exterior vacuum design didn't change much between the X9 and the X11, but the X11's base station is entirely different. It's significantly larger than before because it includes a reusable canister for dust instead of a bag. The canister is why the X11 has its "Omnicyclone" name. It reminds me of a Dyson-style vacuum canister, and it's built right into the middle of the base station. You can pop it out and empty it into the trash, then stick it right back in. Large chunks of debris can get stuck, so as with a Dyson, the canister can need cleaning at times. There is no need to buy bags with the X11, which does make it stand out from other robot vacuums on the market. Along with the vacuum canister, the base station houses a 2.7-liter dirty water tank and a 3.2-liter clean water tank. The water tanks are larger than the tanks in the X9, which means less maintenance. I fill the clean water tank less, and I try to remember to empty the dirty water tank regularly because it can get smelly if it sits. Inside the base station, there's a spot to add cleaning fluid. The X11 supports two kinds of cleaning fluid, one for standard cleaning and one for deep cleaning. Two cleaning fluid options are more expensive and more of a hassle, so I'm not a fan of the dual cleaning. Ecovacs recommends that you use Ecovacs cleaning fluid, and it sells the two variants. Setup and Maintenance Setting up the X11 is straightforward enough that anyone can do it. There's a single-page startup guide that has easy instructions on putting the base station components together, then it's just a matter of filling the water tank, downloading the app, turning on the robot, and following the app steps for pairing. The X11 is simple enough that someone not technologically inclined could operate it, but the number of app settings and complicated features like voice activation could be confusing. None of those features are required, and it can clean on default settings, but if you have older parents who struggle with electronics and buy this (or any robot vacuum) for them, you're going to get calls for troubleshooting. There is maintenance to take care of, like occasionally replacing the rollers and brush with parts purchased from Ecovacs. The site sells a bundle that includes a new roller brush, three filters and two side brushes for $60, and a new roller mop is $35. Vacuuming The X11 has the strongest suction of any robot vacuum that I've tried. It is excellent at picking up pet hair, dust, and debris on my hardwood and tile floors. I started tossing a handful or two of dirt on the floor to see how much robot vacuums can clean up, and the X11 got almost all of it in the first pass. Robot vacuums are meant to clean regularly rather than deeply, which is why it's not an ideal test, but it does give me a clear metric to compare by. According to Ecovacs, the X11 has 19,000 Pa suction and it uses the same Blast system (multi-stage suction and airflow) from prior Ecovacs robots. It's more suction than the X9, which I already thought worked well, and more suction than the Roborock vacuum I use regularly. If you have hard floors and pets or kids, it's good at getting up even trace amounts of pet hair, and it doesn't miss crumbs in the kitchen. There's a side brush for sweeping along baseboards and in corners, and it's able to get most dirt and fur up. You'll want to manually vacuum in corners every so often, but it's not a situation where the X11 is vacuuming the main area of a room and pushing dust to the sides. It is able to use the added side brush and the improved suction to do a passable job keeping hard to reach areas clean. Ecovacs' robots have a ZeroTangle brush, and it works. I have long hair, my partner has long hair, and we have two cats. I haven't seen the brush get tangled up with hair, and I've never had to fuss with it. The X11 is able to get over higher thresholds than prior Ecovacs robots, so if you have a tall threshold that other robots can't handle, the X11 might be able to navigate it. It can go over thresholds as high as 2.4cm (0.95 inches). It can get into a bathroom that has a higher than average threshold, but another room with a baby gate has a threshold too high for it to overcome. I definitely notice a difference between the X11 and the older X9 when it comes to threshold navigation. Despite stronger suction, the X11 isn't louder than prior models, measuring in at around 62 dBA in tests. I wouldn't want to sleep while the X11 is running, but I can work while it's on if I put in my AirPods Pro to block out the noise. Emptying the vacuum into the canister at the base station is the loudest action that it performs (close to 80 dBA), so keep that in mind when positioning the base station. The X11 is one of the quieter robot vacuums that I've tried in terms of straight vacuuming and operation sound, and it has a mode that makes it even quieter. Turning down the suction level will also help. Mopping Like Ecovacs' prior-generation high-end robots, the X11 has a roller mop rather than two rotating mopping pads. I am a fan of this design because it continually removes dirty water, so it's washing the floor with clean water. It sprays water onto the mop, cleans the floor, and squeezes the dirty water into a collection tank before starting the process over again. With this version, the roller extends out further, so it can get into corners. It's also supposed to have stain-detecting AI to go over a dirty area again, and I've seen this work as long as certain AI cleaning modes are enabled. With wet stains, the X11 can get a mess in one go. A squirt of ketchup on the floor, for example, gets wiped up with a single cleaning. With dried-on stains, it can take a few passes. I tested dried ketchup, and needed to have the robot go over it three times to get every speck up. Anecdotally, the X11 seems to be better at getting up things like dried up cat food in fewer passes than prior Ecovacs robots. Every so often, the X11 returns to the base station to wash the mop with hot water, and when a cleaning is finished, it's dried with hot air. I wouldn't expect any robot vacuum to get a floor entirely spotless in one cleaning, but weekly cleanings paired with daily cleanings in specific areas like the kitchen keep the floors clean. Time Cleaning 2,000 square feet takes the X11 approximately five hours on the standard setting with one pass, though that can vary depending on the number of passes that it's instructed to make when mopping, how often it empties the vacuum and washes the mop, and how far it is from the base station. That time is fairly standard for the robot vacuums that I've tested, though some will take longer because of long periods for charging. I find it useful to set up scheduled cleanings with the Ecovacs app or the Home app. I schedule the X11 to clean one area of the house per day, which keeps the floor clean but doesn't subject me to listening to a vacuum run for hours on end. It can be set to clean after meal times or more frequently just in high traffic areas, which is helpful. Navigation and AI When you set up the X11 for the first time, it maps each room in your house prior to cleaning. You can see the map as it goes, and it's clear that the lidar sensor at the front works well. It made a perfect map of my house, though unlike some other robot vacuums, it doesn't detect furniture and add those items to the map automatically, nor is it great at labeling rooms. It can detect some thresholds, but it's best to go in and edit the map to make changes. My house has an open-concept main area, and it wasn't able to distinguish between the kitchen, dining room, and living room, and it also merged one bedroom with those areas. In my office, it wasn't able to tell the bathroom from the main office area, I suppose because it didn't detect the door. The X11 is good at obstacle avoidance, using a camera-based sensor system for object detection. It hasn't run directly into anything, and it is better at not getting trapped by furniture. It knows where walls are, where furniture legs are, and it can detect and avoid items on the floor like cables, socks, pets, and more. It doesn't see smaller items like LEGO bricks, and it can suck those up. Some vacuums will label the in-app map with items that have been detected so you can go in and tell them whether to avoid that item in the future. The X11's object detection is more behind-the-scenes, so I don't get a readout of what it's avoiding. It's good at navigating the house, though I did see it get inexplicably lost one time. It might have been that the hallway was too dark, but it couldn't find its way back to the dock in another room. The AI in the X11 is more transparent than in prior models, and I can better keep track of what the robot is doing, why it's doing it, where it's cleaned, where it hasn't cleaned, and where access was blocked by a closed door or another obstacle. Rugs I've been frustrated with the way the Ecovacs robots handle small rugs, and there's no change with the X11 Omnicyclone. It regularly gets trapped on the rugs in bathrooms and thin, soft-backed rugs on my wood floors that don't have grip. It also cannot handle tassels. By "trapped," I mean that the roller vacuum sucks up the rug and can't release it, so I'm forced to go pull it out and set the vacuum to continue cleaning. To be fair, Ecovacs does recommend picking up smaller rugs and tucking tassels away underneath the rug to avoid these issues, but that's a hassle. It's annoying to have to fix the vacuum when it sucks up a rug, and it's annoying to have to take the time to move everything out of the way every time it's running. Having to regularly move rugs makes it more difficult to automate and schedule cleanings. With bigger, thicker rugs anchored by furniture, the X11 works with no issue. I have one rug that sheds like crazy even two years after I bought it. Sometimes the X11 will leave behind a big ball of rug fuzz, but all of my vacuums do that. My Dyson can't even clean that rug without getting clogged. There is another rug in my laundry room that is an absolute dirt and lint magnet, and the X11 can get every speck of dust off of it. I'm satisfied with how well it cleans rugs, but it needs to be better about not getting stuck. Battery The X11 has a fast-charging feature where the robot can go back to the base station and quick charge for about 10 minutes. For a large home, this means that there's no multi-hour pause in cleaning. With prior Ecovacs robots, there would be a long break for charging in the middle of a cleaning. With the X11, it cleaned for six hours straight with only brief stops to quick charge. Ecovacs recommends the fast charge system for homes that are over 2,000 square feet, and there is an option to turn it off for smaller homes. Faster charging works well, and it sets the X11 apart from other vacuums. If you have a large home, it's a reason to consider this model over other options. Ecovacs App Even if you're planning to use the X11 with the Home app and through ‌Siri‌ voice commands, you need the Ecovacs app. It's the only place to manage the many, many settings that are available for the vacuum, and it houses the map the robot uses for navigation. There are settings to adjust the vacuum suction, mopping water level, noise, and set up different types of cleaning such as after-meal cleaning, daily cleaning, and deep cleaning. You can set up custom scenarios for future one-touch cleanings, customize charging and station settings, adjust settings for carpet, view cleaning logs, and more. There's more than I can go over in a review, but if you get an Ecovacs robot, expect to spend a half-hour or so going through the options selecting your preferred parameters. The X11 has an AI cleaning mode that incorporates cleaning history and preferences that you set. You can customize it with natural language commands, and it's meant to learn over time. It's new to this model, and it wasn't a feature that was available in prior Ecovacs robots I've reviewed. The AI mode is listed in the app as "Agent Hosting," and you can tap on it instead of "Start" when beginning a cleaning. The AI will analyze your prior cleaning, take into account your app settings and preferences you've provided, and then adjust its settings on its own to clean the house. I've had mixed results with it, but I'm still working on customization. The first time I used it, it determined that the living room hadn't been cleaned for seven days, so it proceeded to clean it for like three hours (two passes) even though it wasn't dirty (the X11 hadn't vacuumed the floor in a week because I had). There is an AI feature that's supposed to notice messes and do another pass, but it clearly wasn't using that when evaluating how to clean. The AI cleaned for 5.5 hours, and because it was doing double passes everywhere, it didn't get the task finished. I had to turn it off at around 11 p.m., and I wasn't able to resume the cleaning the next day because it can't pick up a task if the pause is more than a few hours. In other tests, the AI performed better and selected reasonable cleaning parameters for various rooms, successfully executing a cleaning. I like that I can see what the AI is thinking and follow along as it completes each task, but there is a major issue I've run into. For some reason, the X11 has the wrong time. I started a clean at 2:30 p.m., and it thought it was 2:30 a.m. Another time, it was around 11:00 a.m., and it thought it was 11:00 p.m. The time is an issue because it will adjust suction to avoid being too loud if it's late at night. The AI cleaning option is useful overall if you don't want to mess with settings for every clean, but it also takes time and effort to train it with your preferences. Luckily, plain old "Start" launches a standard clean where you can select the options that you want. There's also a "Yiko" voice assistant that you can use to direct the X11 to clean. It's been present in the last several Ecovacs robots, but I don't use it often. Yiko isn't super responsive when I attempt to activate it, doesn't understand some simple commands, and doesn't do enough where I can use it instead of the app. Home App The X11 has Matter integration, so it connects to the Home app. You only get a few controls in the Home app, but it's enough to operate it on a basic level. You can have the robot vacuum or vacuum and mop, selecting the entire house or just a single room. You can also choose from a standard clean or a deep clean for two mopping passes instead of one. The app will let you know if there's an error, such as when the water tank needs to be filled up. You can also play a sound so you can locate the robot if it gets itself stuck somewhere in the house. Matter integration is useful for the ‌Siri‌ voice commands and for automations. You can use the Ecovacs app for setting schedules, or do it through the Home app if you want to use geofencing (such as having the robot clean when you leave home) or pair it with other ‌HomeKit‌ accessories. Siri I don't often use the Home app with robot vacuums, but I like being able to use ‌Siri‌. There are HomePods in the main areas of my house, so I can say something like "Hey ‌Siri‌, clean the kitchen" if I happen to be in the kitchen and notice crumbs on the floor. When I first used a robot vacuum with ‌HomeKit‌, I was skeptical that it would be useful, but it's been a convenience. I wouldn't necessarily buy a robot vacuum just for the Matter integration, but if there are two robots with similar features and only one has Matter, I'm going to choose the Matter version. I am hoping that Matter integration with products like the Omnicyclone X11 gets even better when Apple introduces the new version of ‌Siri‌ that it's been working on, and when the rumored home hub comes out. Bottom Line The X11 has the strongest AI functionality of a robot vacuum that I've tested, and aside from its poor performance with thin rugs, it's the best vacuum that I've tried so far. I appreciate that the X11's AI can learn my cleaning preferences and adjust, but sometimes a simple scheduled cleaning with pre-set parameters is better than AI. There's a lot of redundancy in the Ecovacs app with the option to use AI, standard settings, or the Yiko voice assistant, and it can be confusing. I'd like to see streamlining in the future. Matter integration isn't necessarily a reason to buy one robot vacuum over another, but it is useful if you have a lot of Apple devices and tend to use ‌Siri‌ voice commands for smart home devices. The X11 isn't leagues ahead of the X8 and X9 when it comes to cleaning performance, but there are a few features that could be a reason to consider it instead of another robot vacuum. If there's a threshold in your house that other vacuums can't climb, there's a good chance the X11 can navigate it. It's the only robot vacuum I've tested that has a vacuum chamber you can empty, eliminating the need for vacuum bags. For larger homes, the change to charging makes a difference in how quickly cleaning gets done, and it prevents frustrating multi-hour pauses. Fast charging could be worth the cost if you have a home larger than 2,000 square feet. If you don't need those features, Ecovacs' X8 and X9 robots clean well too, and are available at a lower price. How to Buy The X11 Omnicyclone can be purchased from the Ecovacs website or from Amazon for $1,499.99, but there is a promo code for $200 off at the current time, which is listed on the website. There are regular sales on Ecovacs vacuums, so don't buy one at full price.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump. In addition to the changed values, Apple has stopped accepting 12-inch MacBook trade-ins. iPhone iPhone Model New Values Old Values iPhone 16 Pro MaxUp to $670Up to $700 iPhone 16 ProUp to $550Up to $580 iPhone 16 PlusUp to $450Up to $470 iPhone 16Up to $420Up to $450 iPhone 15 Pro MaxUp to $470Up to $630 iPhone 15 ProUp to $400Up to $500 iPhone 15 PlusUp to $330Up to $440 iPhone 15Up to $310Up to $400 iPhone 14 Pro MaxUp to $370Up to $455 iPhone 14 ProUp to $300Up to $380 iPhone 14 PlusUp to $240Up to $300 iPhone 14Up to $220Up to $290 iPhone SE (3rd generation)Up to $80Up to $100 iPhone 13 Pro MaxUp to $300Up to $370 iPhone 13 ProUp to $230Up to $300 iPhone 13Up to $180Up to $250 iPhone 13 miniUp to $150Up to $200 iPhone 12 Pro MaxUp to $220Up to $280 iPhone 12 ProUp to $160Up to $220 iPhone 12Up to $130Up to $170 iPhone 12 miniUp to $90Up to $120 iPhone SE (2nd generation)Up to $50Up to $50 iPhone 11 Pro MaxUp to $150Up to $180 iPhone 11 ProUp to $130Up to $150 iPhone 11Up to $100Up to $130 iPhone XS MaxUp to $100Up to $120 iPhone XSUp to $70Up to $90 iPhone XRUp to $80Up to $100 iPhone XUp to $60Up to $60 iPhone 8 PlusUp to $50Up to $60 iPhone 8Up to $40Up to $45 iPad iPad Model New Values Old Values iPad ProUp to $695Up to $695 iPad AirUp to $415Up to $400 iPadUp to $175Up to $190 iPad miniUp to $255Up to $275 Mac Mac Model New Values Old Values MacBook ProUp to $760Up to $770 MacBook AirUp to $540Up to $550 MacBookNo longer acceptedUp to $60 iMacUp to $375Up to $295 iMac ProUp to $240Up to $385 Mac miniUp to $380Up to $260 Mac StudioUp to $1,030Up to $1,140 Mac ProUp to $2,520Up to $550 Apple Watch Apple Watch Model New Values Old Values Apple Watch Series 10Up to $160Up to $175 Apple Watch Ultra 2Up to $335Up to $335 Apple Watch Series 9Up to $125Up to $130 Apple Watch UltraUp to $245Up to $255 Apple Watch Series 8Up to $95Up to $100 Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)Up to $60Up to $60 Apple Watch Series 7Up to $65Up to $70 Apple Watch Series 6Up to $50Up to $55 Apple Watch SE (1st generation)Up to $30Up to $35 Apple Watch Series 5Up to $25Up to $30 Apple also adjusted its trade-in values for select Android smartphones.Tag: Apple Trade-InThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Releases First iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Public Betas
Apple today provided public beta testers with the first releases of upcoming iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and watchOS 26.2 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come two days after Apple provided the betas 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 Settings app on each device. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen, allowing you to customize the translucency of the clock. Alongside watchOS 26.2, the update changes labeling for the Sleep Score feature, adjusting numbers to better reflect sleep quality. AirPods Live Translation is available in the European Union with iOS 26.2, and in the Reminders app, there's an option to have an alarm go off when a reminder is due. Apple also added new features to Podcasts, Passwords, Freeform, and more, with a full list of new additions available in our iOS 26.2 feature guide.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

First macOS Tahoe 26.2 Beta Now Available to Developers
Apple today provided the first beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a few days after the launch of macOS Tahoe 26.1. Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.2 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required. Apple released the first iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 betas earlier this week, so we have an idea of a few features that are in macOS Tahoe 26.2. The Reminders app will gain an option to have an alarm go off when a reminder is due, the News app has some design updates, and Apple is adding new features to the Podcasts app. The new additions to iOS 26.2 can be found in our iOS 26.2 feature guide. The beta is available to developers right now, but a public beta is expected later this week. We'll likely see Apple release macOS Tahoe 26.2 right around mid-December given past launch timelines.Related Roundup: macOS Tahoe 26Related Forum: macOS TahoeThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Chipmaker TSMC Reportedly Informs Apple of Further Price Hikes
Chipmaker TSMC has begun informing major clients like Apple about further price hikes, according to a new report out of Asia. The leaker and aggregator known as "yeux1122" outlined the latest news on Korean social media site Naver. TSMC has apparently started notifying major clients of impending price increases for advanced fabrication processes below 5-nanometers. This would include Apple's A16, A17, A18, A19, M3, M4, and M5 chips, as well as any future iterations. The price hikes are expected to be in the range of 8–10% and commence next year. Last month, the China Times reported that Apple's "A20" chip designed for next year's iPhone models could be considerably more expensive. The A20 chip is likely to be the first widely available 2-nanometer chip, debuting in the iPhone 18 lineup next year and forming the foundation of subsequent M6-series chips. The previous three generations of A-series chips have all been based on TMSC's 3-nanometer node, with the upgrade to 2-nanometer promising further performance and efficiency improvements. TSMC apparently told customers, presumably including Apple, to expect pricing that is at least 50% higher than 3-nanometer processors. This was attributed to unusually high capital expenditure for the new node and to the lack of discounting strategies while yields are still in their early acceptable phase. The report further stated that suppliers expect flagship mobile chips built on the 2-nanometer process to carry unit prices around $280 once volume production begins. This would make it the most expensive component in the ‌iPhone‌ and dramatically affect Apple's profit margins, if the increase is not passed on to customers. A report from DigiTimes last year placed the cost of the A18 chip at around $45, with a total hardware bill of $416 for a model that retailed at $799, implying that the chip represents roughly 10% of bill of materials (BOM) cost and about 5–6% of retail price before logistics and development expenses. If the component cost rumors are true, Apple could limit 2-nanometer chips to only some 2026 ‌iPhone‌ models, such as the ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max. In September last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo warned that "due to cost concerns, not all new ‌iPhone 18‌ models may be equipped with a 2-nanometer processor."Tags: Naver, TSMCThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Target Kicks Off Early Black Friday Sale With Sitewide Savings on Apple Accessories and More
Target's early Black Friday sale has officially begun today, with an online shopping event that will run through Saturday, November 8. There are quite a few major discounts in this sale, including sitewide savings on Beats headphones, TVs, Apple accessories, home appliances, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Target. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Target's Black Friday Schedule Target's Black Friday sale begins today with this week's three-day event and thousands of deals available sitewide. Target is also offering a "Deal of the Day" every day through December 24, with many exclusive deals available only to Target Circle members. Additionally, a new lineup of deals will drop every Sunday in November and last through the following Saturday. All of this leads up to the week of Black Friday, where shoppers can expect even more discounts and offers both in Target stores and online. Target's Early Black Friday Sale Like many retailers, Target's early Black Friday offerings are wide and varied. You'll find notable markdowns on video games, appliances, TVs, smart home products, speakers, headphones, and more this week. SITEWIDE SALETarget's Early Black Friday Sale Shoppers should note that some of the deals below do require Target Circle, which does have a free tier and is worth signing up for if you're interested in any of these offers. Once you're a member, the deals will be applied automatically at checkout. Apple Accessories Target's early Black Friday sale includes a few Apple accessories on sale, with the highlight being discounts on the new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air cases. Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad - $199.99 ($50 off) iPhone 17 Silicone Case - $39.99 ($10 off) Beats iPhone 17 Pro Case - $35.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case - $39.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro Silicone Case - $39.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven Case - $49.99 ($10 off) Beats iPhone 17 Pro Max Case - $35.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro Max Clear Case - $39.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro Max Silicone Case - $39.99 ($10 off) iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case - $49.99 ($10 off) Headphones Beats Solo Buds - $69.99, down from $79.99 Beats Solo 4 Wireless Headphones - $129.99, down from $199.99 Beats Fit Pro - $179.99, down from $199.99 Powerbeats Pro - $170.99, down from $249.99 Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones - $199.99, down from $349.99 Bose Ultra Open-Ear True Wireless Earbuds - $229.99, down from $299.99 Sony WHCH720N Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones - $99.99, down from $179.99 TVs 32-inch Vizio LED Smart TV - $99.99, down from $119.99 43-inch LG 4K Smart TV - $229.99, down from $279.99 55-inch TCL 4K HDR QLED Smart Google TV - $279.99, down from $449.99 TCL 4K HDR QLED Smart Google TV - $379.99, down from $549.99 65-inch LG 4K Smart TV - $399.99, down from $479.99 65-inch Samsung The Frame 4K Smart TV - $1,499.99, down from $1,699.99 Streaming Devices Fire TV Stick HD - $19.99, down from $34.99 Fire TV Stick 4K - $29.99, down from $49.99 Fire TV Stick 4K Max - $39.99, down from $59.99 More Deals Keurig K-Mini Go - $49.99, down from $99.99 Instant Pot 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker - $69.99, down from $129.99 Ninja Professional Plus Blender - $99.99, down from $149.99 You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundups: Apple Black Friday, Apple DealsRelated Forum: Community DiscussionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

New Apple TV Intro Was Made With Practical Effects
The all-new intro sequence for Apple TV was made with practical effects and shot in-camera, Ad Age reports. Rather than using digital techniques, the new sequence was made by shooting large glass versions of the ‌Apple TV‌ logo, with physical motion and changing lighting used to create effects. Apple partnered with TBWAMedia Arts Lab to create the intro. Ad Age released an exclusive look brief behind-the-scenes clip showing some of that process, which was then shared on X: Apple TV’s colorful new branding was built with glass and captured in-camera. pic.twitter.com/Y8T4jXHKH1— Andreas Storm (@avstorm) November 6, 2025 The intro now plays before all ‌Apple TV‌ content. The company has made a one-second-long sting for trailers, along with a five-second-long version for TV shows and a 12-second-long cinematic version for movies. It is accompanied by a new sound composed by Finneas. Earlier this week, Apple's rebrand of ‌Apple TV‌+ was made official, with Apple updating the ‌‌Apple TV‌‌+ page on its website to read just "‌‌Apple TV‌‌" and updated app icons rolling out across devices.Tag: Apple TV PlusThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Announces Next Swift Student Challenge Ahead of WWDC 2026
Apple today announced it will accept submissions for the 2026 Swift Student Challenge from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, February 28. The annual Swift Student Challenge gives eligible student developers around the world the opportunity to showcase their coding capabilities by using the Swift Playground or Xcode apps to create an interactive "app playground." Apple said winners will be selected based on submissions that "demonstrate excellence in innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity." A subset of Distinguished Winners with "truly exceptional" submissions will be invited to visit Apple in Cupertino, California for three days in summer 2026, with travel and lodging included. Distinguished Winners are typically invited to attend Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, at the company's Apple Park headquarters. Apple has yet to announce WWDC 2026 dates, but the weeklong conference is typically held in June. WWDC 2026 is where Apple will announce iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, visionOS 27, and other software updates. Apple's announcement highlights three past Swift Student Challenge winners.Tags: Swift Student Challenge, WWDC 2026This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Amazon Introduces Ultra Low Prices on Previous Gen Apple Watches, Starting at $159.99
Amazon is providing a few record low prices on previous generation Apple Watch models this week, with up to $119 off select devices. This includes savings on the second generation Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 10. Apple Watch SE 2 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. Prices start at just $159.99 for the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE, then increase to $189.99 for the 44mm GPS model. Both of these are $89 discounts on the wearables, and all-time low prices on each device. You can find Midnight, Silver, and Starlight case color options at these prices for both sizes. $89 OFFApple Watch SE 2 (40mm GPS) for $159.99 $89 OFFApple Watch SE 2 (44mm GPS) for $189.99Apple Watch Series 10 Amazon also has a few discounts on the Apple Watch Series 10, with $119 off these models. You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $279.99, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $309.99, down from $429.00. The 42mm GPS model is only available in Jet Black Aluminum, but the 46mm GPS model has Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver Aluminum options available at this low price. $119 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (42mm GPS) for $279.99 $119 OFFApple Watch Series 10 (46mm GPS) for $309.99 You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Qualcomm Now Relies on Android as Apple Modems Roll Out
Qualcomm is gradually reducing its dependence on Apple, as growing demand for premium Android smartphones becomes the main driver of its chip business, according to a new report from DigiTimes. Qualcomm's semiconductor arm, known as Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), apparently recorded strong year-over-year growth in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, led by rising Android device sales and increasing chip content per device. DigiTimes cited remarks from President and CEO Cristiano Amon, who said that non-Apple QCT revenue rose by 18% during the quarter. The global smartphone market is said to be undergoing a structural transition toward more advanced, feature-rich devices, with users in both mature and emerging markets upgrading to higher-end models. This shift has driven up average selling prices and boosted demand for Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon processors, which now feature enhanced AI, camera, and connectivity capabilities. Qualcomm's strategy of embedding more value into devices is now apparently central to its long-term growth, reducing its reliance on Apple orders over time. The company's deepening partnership with Samsung was also a key factor. Amon said Qualcomm currently provides modems for about 75% of Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, a significant rise from approximately half in earlier years. Some Galaxy models, such as the Galaxy S25 series, use Snapdragon modems exclusively. The update comes as Apple is expected to move away from Qualcomm's modem chips over the coming years. Apple has been developing its own in-house 5G modem technology since acquiring Intel's smartphone modem division in 2019. The iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and iPad Pro now contain Apple's C1-series custom modems rather than Qualcomm chips. Qualcomm previously announced that it would continue to supply Apple with Snapdragon modems through 2026, but the relationship is widely expected to diminish after that point as Apple's own modems proliferate through its device lineup.Tag: QualcommThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple to Remove iPhone-Apple Watch Wi-Fi Sync in EU With iOS 26.2
Apple in iOS 26.2 will disable automatic Wi-Fi network syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch in the European Union to comply with the bloc's regulations, suggests a new report. Normally, when an iPhone connects to a new Wi-Fi network, it automatically shares the network credentials with the paired Apple Watch. This allows the watch to connect to the same network independently – for example, when the iPhone isn't nearby – without the user needing to enter the password manually. The feature's removal appears to be Apple's response to the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) interoperability requirements, which Apple has publicly criticized on more than one occasion. Under the DMA, regulators want Apple to open iPhone Wi-Fi hardware access to third-party accessories by the end of 2025. The year-end compliance deadline coincides with next month's release of iOS 26.2. But rather than comply with the requirement, Apple is apparently disabling the feature entirely for EU users. Apple reportedly confirmed the decision to French publication Numerama. In terms of the practical impact, it's likely to be limited for most users. Apple Watch will surely still connect to Wi-Fi networks when the paired iPhone is nearby, but users may be required to manually connect to Wi-Fi by typing in the password when the iPhone is out of range. Afterwards, the Wi-Fi network's credentials will presumably be stored on the watch. Apple has previously warned that complying with EU interoperability requirements could give "data-hungry companies" access to sensitive information, including notification content and complete Wi-Fi network histories. Apple has explicitly called out Meta for making multiple unreasonable interoperability requests under the DMA that if allowed could compromise user security and privacy. Apple filed an appeal against the interoperability rules at the EU's General Court in Luxembourg on May 30, targeting the Commission's March decision that requires Apple to make iOS more compatible with rival products including smartwatches, headphones, and VR headsets.Tags: European Commission, European UnionThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iOS 26.1: Bring Back the Tap-to-Stop Alarm Button
Apple has changed how you dismiss iPhone alarms in iOS 26.1, and your morning muscle memory may have needed tweaking as a result. By default, the Clock app now requires a slide gesture to stop an alarm from the Lock Screen, replacing the previous tap-to-stop button that was redesigned in iOS 26. Snoozing still works with a simple tap, but turning off an alarm entirely demands the extra swipe motion. The change appears designed to prevent accidental dismissals when you're reaching for your phone in the morning. By requiring a more deliberate action, you're less likely to silence your alarm when you meant to hit snooze. If you don't like the change, you can revert the alarm interface back to the previous Stop button by following these steps. Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Accessibility. Under "Physical and Motor," tap Touch. Swipe to the bottom of the menu and toggle on Prefer Single-Touch Actions.The change will take effect the next time you set an alarm. If you want to revert back to the slider, simply toggle off Prefer Single-Touch Actions.This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

2026 iPhone Air Could Feature Two Rear Cameras, Says Leaker
Apple's next-generation iPhone Air could feature two rear cameras instead of one, according to a Chinese leaker with sources within Apple's supply chain. The Weibo-based account "Digital Chat Station" claims that Apple is evaluating a dual-lens setup for the next version of its ultra-thin iPhone, with a 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide camera joining the existing 48MP Fusion Main camera, similar to the base iPhone 17. However, the leaker says that the second-generation device will keep the distinctive horizontal camera plateau, suggesting the second lens will sit alongside the existing one, unlike the dual-lens vertical arrangement on the iPhone 17. Multiple technologies are housed in the plateau of the iPhone Air to maximize space for the battery, so Apple would presumably need to redesign the internals considerably to fit in another camera. Apple will reportedly continue to focus on making the device ultra-thin and lightweight. Apple will release a second-generation iPhone Air alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, according to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, the first-generation device has apparently not been selling well, so Apple's plans could change. Digital Chat Station has a decent track record for Apple rumors. They accurately revealed that the ‌iPhone‌ 15 and ‌iPhone‌ 15 Plus would feature a slightly smaller 48-megapixel sensor than the ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 15 Pro Max, as well as the display panel design of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 back in 2020.Related Roundup: iPhone AirTag: Digital Chat StationBuyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Buy Now)This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple Stops Signing iOS 26.2 Beta 1 for iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and Cellular M5 iPad Pro
A day after seeding the first developer betas of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, Apple has stopped signing it for the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and cellular models of the new M5 iPad Pro, preventing those devices from installing the update. The exact reason for the change is unknown, but all three devices use either the C1 or C1X modem, Apple's new custom cellular chips, so it's possible Apple has identified a specific bug related to iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 with that chip and is preventing users who have yet to update from being affected by it. The updates will continue to show for users on those devices enrolled in the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 developer beta programs, but the updates will now fail to install. It's unknown how long it will take for Apple to address whatever issue it has discovered, at which time we should see revised developer betas for these C1 and C1X devices. Update: Creative Strategies analyst Max Weinbach notes that his cellular M5 ‌iPad Pro‌ experienced an issue with the update that forced his device into recovery mode, where he was able to restore it to iPadOS 26.1Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26Related Forum: iOS 26This article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Apple's 2026 Smart Home Revamp: All the Rumors
It's been over a decade since Apple's HomeKit smart home platform launched, and it is overdue for an update. ‌HomeKit‌ and the Home app can no longer keep up with AI-powered solutions from other companies like Google and Amazon, but that's set to change with a smart home revamp that Apple has planned for 2026. Home Hub Apple is working on a home hub or "command center" that will serve as a centralized location for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, getting the weather, looking things up with Siri, displaying photos, making notes, viewing calendar events, and more. The device has an all-display design that resembles an iPad, with a 7-inch display. It's said to be similar in size and shape to two iPhones placed side-by-side, but Apple is designing two variants. The first version is designed to be mounted on a wall, while the second version has a speaker base that looks similar to a HomePod mini and can be placed on a desktop or countertop. The home hub will have its own operating system, and while there won't be an App Store, Apple apps will be available as widgets. Built-in sensors will be able to determine when someone is near the home hub, and the features displayed will change based on presence. If no one is by the hub, it might show information like the time and temperature, but if someone approaches, it could shift to an interface for adjusting the temperature. Presence detection will enable features like turning on the lights when someone enters the room, and it might also be able to tell one person from another. The home hub will play music, and it does have a camera that can be used for video calls. Touch-based interactions will be available for widgets, but the hub will be heavily reliant on ‌Siri‌ voice commands. ‌Siri‌ could have a personified look on the hub, with one design described as a version of the Mac Finder icon. While screen-based smart home devices like the Echo Show are available for under $200, Apple could price the home hub somewhere around $350. Price could vary for the version with the speaker base and the wall mounted version without it. Apple is aiming to launch the home hub sometime in the March to April 2026 timeframe. LLM Siri Apple has held off on launching the home hub because it is waiting to debut the smarter, more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that's been in the works since Apple Intelligence features launched in iOS 18. The original plan was for a better version of ‌Siri‌ to come out in an iOS 18 update, but Apple decided ‌Siri‌ just wasn't good enough to do what it wanted. ‌Siri‌ was delayed so Apple could overhaul the underlying architecture that powers the personal assistant. The new ‌Siri‌ will be more similar to ChatGPT or Claude than the ‌Siri‌ of today, incorporating large language models to answer complex queries and complete more complicated tasks. Here's what Apple originally promised ‌Siri‌ would be able to do with ‌Apple Intelligence‌: Personal Context With personal context, ‌Siri‌ will be able to keep track of emails, messages, files, photos, and more, learning more about you to help you complete tasks and keep track of what you've been sent. Show me the files Eric sent me last week. Find the email where Eric mentioned ice skating. Find the books that Eric recommended to me. Where's the recipe that Eric sent me? What's my passport number? Onscreen Awareness Onscreen awareness will let ‌Siri‌ see what's on your screen and complete actions involving whatever you're looking at. If someone texts you an address, for example, you can tell ‌Siri‌ to add it to their contact card. Or if you're looking at a photo and want to send it to someone, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to do it for you. Deeper App Integration Deeper app integration means that ‌Siri‌ will be able to do more in and across apps, performing actions and completing tasks that are just not possible with the personal assistant right now. We don't have a full picture of what ‌Siri‌ will be capable of, but Apple has provided a few examples of what to expect. Moving files from one app to another. Editing a photo and then sending it to someone. Get directions home and share the ETA with Eric. Send the email I drafted to Eric. This summer, Apple software engineering chief Craig Federighi said that transitioning ‌Siri‌ to new architecture was a success, and that the personal assistant is going to be an even bigger update than expected. "The work we've done on this end-to-end revamp of ‌‌Siri‌‌ has given us the results we needed," Federighi told employees. "This has put us in a position to not just deliver what we announced, but to deliver a much bigger upgrade than that we envisioned." Apple decided to use AI technology from Google, so ‌Siri‌ will in part be powered by a Google Gemini model that Google designed for Apple. ‌Siri‌ will be as capable as Gemini since it is using the same underlying technology, but Apple will run the model on its own Private Cloud Compute server with no information provided to Google. The new version of ‌Siri‌ is expected to be ready for an iOS 26.4 update planned for the same March or April timeframe rumored for the home hub. HomePod mini and Apple TV We're supposed to be getting updated versions of the ‌HomePod mini‌ and the Apple TV at some point between now and early 2026. Both devices will get chip upgrades, and in the case of the ‌Apple TV‌, it could gain support for some ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features. New Apple-designed networking chips will be included, but neither device is going to get a design update. The ‌HomePod mini‌ and the ‌Apple TV‌ are linked to Apple's smart home platform and serve as smart home hubs for Matter, the cross-platform protocol that opens up the number of smart home accessories that are compatible with ‌HomeKit‌. Apple Security Cameras Rumors suggest that Apple is designing its own indoor security cameras that will connect to ‌HomeKit‌ and interface with the planned home hub. Cameras designed directly by Apple would offer unique integrations with Apple devices, and would offer greater privacy than competing devices because of Apple's dedication to privacy and security. The first cameras could come out as soon as late 2026, and we could see other accessories like doorbells follow. Read More More on Apple's plans for the smart home hub can be found in our Apple Hub guide, while details on ‌Siri‌ can be found in our LLM Siri guide.Tag: Apple Command CenterThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

iOS 26.2 Adds Safari Search Engine Choice Screen in Japan Ahead of New Law
With iOS 26.2, Apple is adding a prompt that allows iPhone users in Japan to select a preferred search engine. As noted on Reddit, the option to choose a search engine comes up after installing iOS 26.2 for the first time. ‌iPhone‌ users in Japan can select from Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, or Ecosia, the same options available globally in the Safari settings. In most other countries, Google is the default search engine and there is no prompt to choose a different option when the ‌iPhone‌ first starts up. While ‌iPhone‌ users outside of Japan can choose one of the other options, doing so requires going into the Safari section of the Settings app to make a change. According to court documents, Google pays Apple roughly $20 billion per year to be the default search engine on Apple devices, which helps to explain why Apple does not offer an up-front choice in most countries. Japan recently established guidelines that say Apple has to present a neutral choice screen for selecting a search engine during initial setup, hence the new functionality. While Google is the dominant search engine in many countries, Yahoo Japan is widely used in the country. iOS 26.2 also appears to include support for installing alternative app marketplaces in Japan, which is also required by the Japan Fair Trade Commission's Mobile Software Competition Act. Japan's new rules go into effect on December 18, 2025, which is around the time that iOS 26.2 will see a public launch.Tag: JapanThis article, "" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Read more »

Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – MTS
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Nov 26, 20:00 - 21:30 PSTNov 25, 13:24 PSTScheduled - The MTS network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 26 November 2025 at 20:00 PST until 26 November 2025 at 21:30 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to MTS Russia handsets.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Delays to XL network in Indonesia
Nov 25, 13:07 PSTUpdate - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to XL network in Indonesia. 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.Nov 25, 13:00 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with . Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

Read more »

KHI (Karachi) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 21:00 UTC  -  Dec 4, 01:00 UTCNov 25, 19:32 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in KHI (Karachi) datacenter between 2025-12-03 21:00 and 2025-12-04 01:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

BOM (Mumbai) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 21:00 UTC  -  Dec 4, 01:00 UTCNov 25, 19:20 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in BOM (Mumbai) datacenter between 2025-12-03 21:00 and 2025-12-04 01:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

LAX (Los Angeles) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 10:00 - 14:00 UTCNov 25, 18:58 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in LAX (Los Angeles) datacenter on 2025-12-03 between 10:00 and 14:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

EWR (Newark) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 07:00 - 11:00 UTCNov 25, 18:32 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in EWR (Newark) datacenter on 2025-12-03 between 07:00 and 11:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

MIA (Miami) on 2025-12-04
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 4, 07:00 - 11:00 UTCNov 25, 18:48 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in MIA (Miami) datacenter on 2025-12-04 between 07:00 and 11:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

SMS Delivery Delays to Vodafone in United Kingdom
Nov 25, 10:05 PSTInvestigating - We are experiencing SMS delivery delays when sending messages to Vodafone in the United Kingdom. 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.

Read more »

NVT (Timbo) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 05:00 - 09:00 UTCNov 25, 17:40 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in NVT (Timbo) datacenter on 2025-12-03 between 05:00 and 09:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

ARI (Arica) on 2025-12-03
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 3, 05:00 - 09:00 UTCNov 25, 17:44 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in ARI (Arica) datacenter on 2025-12-03 between 05:00 and 09:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

SIN (Singapore) on 2025-11-25
Nov 25, 17:45 UTCIn progress - Scheduled maintenance is currently in progress. We will provide updates as necessary.Nov 25, 17:28 UTCScheduled - We will be performing scheduled maintenance in SIN (Singapore) datacenter between 2025-11-25 17:45 and 2025-11-26 00:00 UTC.Traffic might be re-routed from this location, hence there is a possibility of a slight increase in latency during this maintenance window for end-users in the affected region. For PNI / CNI customers connecting with us in this location, please make sure you are expecting this traffic to fail over elsewhere during this maintenance window as network interfaces in this datacentre may become temporarily unavailable.You can now subscribe to these notifications via Cloudflare dashboard and receive these updates directly via email, PagerDuty and webhooks (based on your plan): https://developers.cloudflare.com/notifications/notification-available/#cloudflare-status.

Read more »

Web Analytics weekly emails not sent
Nov 25, 17:40 UTCIdentified - Weekly emails for Web Analytics data were not sent to subscribed users.

Read more »

Indonesia SMS Carrier Partner Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 10, 01:00 - 03:00 PSTNov 25, 07:27 PSTScheduled - Our SMS carrier partner in Indonesia is conducting a planned maintenance from 10 December 2025 at 01:00 PST until 10 December 2025 at 03:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Indonesia handsets.

Read more »

United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Vodafone
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Nov 25, 15:00 - 18:45 PSTNov 25, 07:37 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Vodafone United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 November 2025 at 15:00 PST until 25 November 2025 at 18:45 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent API request failures for Vodafone United Kingdom customers.Impacted Product: Lookup Identity MatchWe are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

Read more »

United Kingdom Account Security Carrier Partner Maintenance – Three
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Nov 25, 13:00 - 22:00 PSTNov 25, 07:20 PSTScheduled - Our carrier partner Three United Kingdom is conducting a planned maintenance from 25 November 2025 at 13:00 PST until 25 November 2025 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 MatchAndAttributesWe are aware of the short notice and are working with our Carrier Partners to provide earlier notification where possible.

Read more »

Audit Log v2 (beta) Delays
Nov 25, 14:57 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare Audit Log v2 (beta) processing is running behind, causing some delay in timely delivery of audit data.These delays do not impact analytics for DNS or Rate Limiting.

Read more »

On Call Engineers are Investigating an Issue with Flex Instances
Nov 25, 06:45 PSTUpdate - Our engineering team is actively investigating an issue with Flex Instances and Taskrouter. We will provide another update in 1 hour or as soon as we have additional information.Nov 25, 06:32 PSTInvestigating - Our monitoring systems have detected a potential issue with Flex instances. Our engineering team has been alerted and is actively investigating. We will update as soon as we have more information.

Read more »

Russia SMS Carrier Maintenance – Beeline
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Nov 27, 13:00 - 16:00 PSTNov 25, 05:26 PSTScheduled - The Beeline network in Russia is conducting a planned maintenance from 27 November 2025 at 13:00 PST until 27 November 2025 at 16:00 PST. During the maintenance window, there could be intermittent delays delivering SMS to Beeline Russia handsets.

Read more »

Twilio Flex Plugins Database in US1 Region – Maintenance
THIS IS A SCHEDULED EVENT Dec 5, 17:45 - 19:15 PSTNov 25, 05:15 PSTUpdate - We’re conducting a planned maintenance in US1 region between 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM Pacific Time on 12/05/2025. During the maintenance window, We would be updating Flex Plugins database in US1 region. There are pre and post update activities around this maintenance and hence this longer maintenance window. The actual database cut-over is expected to take approximately 5 minutes. Monitoring: Our team will closely watch the system performance during and after this maintenance window as well to ensure everything runs smoothly. Contingency plan: In the unlikely event of encountering any issues, we are prepared to immediately revert the changes. Should a rollback be deemed necessary, then there could be a short downtime of approximately 5 minutes.Nov 25, 05:10 PSTScheduled - We’re conducting a planned maintenance in US1 region between 5:45 PM to 7:15 PM Pacific Time on 12/05/2025. During the maintenance window, We would be updating Flex Plugins database in US1 region. There are pre and post update activities around this maintenance and hence this longer maintenance window. The actual database cut-over is expected to take approximately 5 minutes. Monitoring: Our team will closely watch the system performance during and after this maintenance window as well to ensure everything runs smoothly. Contingency plan: In the unlikely event of encountering any issues, we are prepared to immediately revert the changes. Should a rollback be deemed necessary, then there could be a short downtime of approximately 5 minutes.

Read more »

Digital Experience Monitoring (DEX) Issues
Nov 25, 12:54 UTCInvestigating - Cloudflare is investigating issues with its Digital Experience Monitoring (DEX) suite. Some statistics may be missing from the dashboard and the API.We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly.

Read more »