Best Mac setups for streamers and content creators
If you want to be a successful content creator, take notes. These are the best Mac setups for streamers and content creators. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Best Prime Day iPad deals: The best early discounts
Macworld Best iPad deals at Amazon U.S. $150 off 13-inch iPad Pro $50 off iPad Air Best iPad deals at Amazon U.K. £30 off 13-inch iPad Air £130 off 1TB 13-inch iPad Pro Amazon Prime Day is starting early this year: it runs from June 23-26, 2026. We expect a steady stream of excellent Apple deals across the four days, and if you’re looking for a new iPad, this is a great opportunity to bag one at a low price. While Amazon always offers some kind of savings on Apple’s line of tablets, it’s been a while since we’ve seen any spectacular discounts on its latest lineup. For example, the $499 iPad mini, which regularly saw $100 savings across the board, hasn’t dipped below $400 in months. The same goes for the iPad Air, which we’re used to seeing for $100-$150 off. So we’ll be on the lookout for any major discounts on those models. The one model that has seen a steady discount is the A16 iPad, which is Apple’s cheapest tablet. Just note, this model doesn’t support Apple Intelligence or any of the new Siri AI features coming in iPadOS 27 this fall. That doesn’t mean it’s not a great tablet for under $300, and if you’re buying one for a child, you’re probably better off without those features anyway. Of course, Prime Day isn’t just for iPads. If you’re looking for a new iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, or set of AirPods, check out our big roundup of the Best Apple Prime Day Deals. For more standard iPad deals from other stockists and resellers, take a look at the iPad deals roundup that we update monthly. There are also savings to be had on iPad accessories and headphones. Best Amazon Prime Day iPad deals Here’s our pick of the very best iPad deals for Prime Day. They won’t last long, so move fast! iPad (A16) Apple Apple’s A16-based iPad is already a bargain at its usual $349 price. Amazon regularly discounts it to $299, and we’ve seen it drop as low as $274 during previous Prime Day and Black Friday sales. Just remember, this is Apple’s only tablet that doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, so if you want the new Siri AI, you’ll have to buy a mini or an Air or wait for the next-gen model rumored to arrive this fall. U.S. Prime Day price: The A16 iPad was $299 at Amazon earlier this week, but strangely, the entire line is now listed as out of stock. That probably means they’re holding back stock for Prime Day sales, so keep checking back, but in the meantime, you can buy one at Best Buy for $299. A16 iPad (128GB): TBD U.K. Prime Day price: Amazon U.K. is selling the A16 iPad for £310, a savings of £19 on its £329 RRP. A16 iPad (128GB): £310 iPad mini Apple Apple hasn’t updated the iPad mini since 2024, but it’s still a fantastic tablet and the best of its class. It’s more portable than either the A16 iPad or 11-inch iPad Air, and fully capable of running Apple Intelligence and iOS 27 in the fall. We’ve seen it as low as $380 in the past, but recently it’s hovered around $25 off, so anything in the $400 range will be a great time to buy one. U.S. Prime Day price: You can save $25 on the iPad mini right now, which is something, but a far cry from its usual sale event pricing – we’ve seen it drop to $349. We’re expecting to see the iPad mini drop to at least $399 for Prime Day, so we recommend waiting until prices drop further. iPad mini (128GB): $474 U.K. Prime Day price: The pricing situation is similar on Amazon’s U.K. site, which is selling the iPad mini for around £25 off. We recommend waiting for a better price. iPad mini (128GB): £474 M4 iPad Air Apple Inc The iPad Air is Apple’s only tablet to get an update in 2026, and we haven’t seen much in the way of significant savings yet. The various sizes and storage configurations have been hovering at $40-$50 off for several weeks, so we expect Prime Day to bring lower prices of around $100 off. But if you want a full-sized tablet, the Air represents the sweet spot for screen size and performance. U.S. Prime Day price: Amazon hasn’t yet cut the price of the iPad Air beyond its usual discount, but you can save $40-$50 if you need one now. 13-inch iPad Air: $749 U.K. Prime Day price: Amazon has cut £20-£30 off the price of most iPad Air configurations, with the 11-inch iPad Air already dipping to the lowest prices we’ve seen for the iPad that was introduced in March, but like the U.S. store, we expect prices to drop further once Prime Day begins. 13-inch iPad Air: £768.99 iPad Pro Apple Inc The iPad Pro is Apple’s best tablet, with the fastest chip, most RAM, and best display. It’s probably more tablet than you need, but if you don’t mind paying a premium, you’ll be getting an incredible tablet. Amazon recently cut prices by $100 or more across all models and configurations, so it’s a good time to buy one. U.S. Prime Day price: Amazon is currently slashing up to $150 off, which is the best we’ve seen in a while. M5 iPad Pro (512GB): $1,349 U.K. Prime Day price: Amazon has dropped most prices by £50-£100. Those are decent price cuts, but there could be better deals in store for Prime Day. We have already seen the lowest price to date on the 1TB 13-inch iPad Pro with £130 off. M5 13-inch iPad Pro (1TB): £1,769 Watch List: The Prime Day iPad deals we are looking out for Based on recent reviews and pricing trends for Apple’s iPads these are our buying recommendations: ModelLowest Ever $ PriceLowest Ever £ PriceBuying AdviceiPad $271.29£299The standard iPad is the best value option, especially if it falls to, or below, $299/£299. There are trade-offs to consider, including lack of support for Apple Intelligence, though.iPad mini$349£399The iPad mini is the most powerful compact tablet on the market and if you value the small size and find it for less than $399/£399 take advantage.11-inch iPad Air$519.99£578.99The iPad Air offers high-end performance and portability without the premium price of the iPad Pro – if you can find it for less than $560/£570, all the better.13-inch iPad Air$699.99£768.99The 13-inch iPad Air is ideal for users who need a large screen for multitasking or creative projects, but do not require the features of the Pro model. An easy recommendation at $699/£699, if it drops to that level.11-inch iPad Pro$799.97£929We think this is the best tablet on the market for power users and creative professionals. If the price dips below $800/£869 we recommend buying.13-inch iPad Pro$1,149£1,169.1If you want the ultimate iPad laptop and find the 13-inch iPad Pro for around $1,149/£1,149 we recommend it.   Best iPad Deals Right Now Check below to find the best price we are seeing right now for each configuration compared to the best price we have ever seen and the full price. We’ll start with U.S. prices. U.K. readers can find the best prices in the section below. We indicate in bold where the current price matches the lowest. U.S. deals iPadDealLowestMSRPA16, 128GBOut of stock $271.29$340A16, 256GBOut of stock $349.72$449A16, 512GBOut of stock $499$649 iPad miniDealLowestMSRPA17 Pro, 128GB$474 Get the deal$349$499A17 Pro, 256GB$569 Get the deal$479$599A17 Pro, 512GB$769 Get the deal$679$799 iPad AirDealLowestLowestM4, 11-inch, 128GB$559 Get the deal$519.99$599M4, 11-inch, 256GB$649 Get the deal$609.99$699M4, 11-inch, 512GB$839 Get the deal $836.50$899M4, 11-inch, 1TB$1,049 Get the deal$1,016.50$1,099M4, 13-inch, 128GB$749 Get the deal$699.99$799M4, 13-inch, 256GB$839 Get the deal$699.99$899M4, 13-inch, 512GB$999 Get the deal$999$1,099M4, 13-inch, 1TB$1,199 Get the deal$1,199$1,299 iPad ProiPad ProLowestMSRPM5, 11-inch, 256GB$936.50 Get the deal$799.91$999M5, 11-inch, 512GB$1,103 Get the deal$999.99$1,199M5, 11-inch, 1TB$1,449.99 Get the deal$1,399.99$1,599M5, 11-inch, 2TB$1,897 Get the deal$1,799$1,999M5, 13-inch, 256GB$1,217.50 Get the deal$1,149$1,299M5, 13-inch, 512GB$1,349.99 Get the deal$1,341$1,499M5, 13-inch, 1TB$1,747 Get the deal$1,723$1,899M5, 13-inch, 2TB$2,149 Get the deal$2,083.12$2,299 U.K. deals MSRPDealLowestRRPA16, 128GB£309.97 Get the deal£299.00£340A16, 256GB£399 Get the deal£399£449A16, 512GB£595 Get the deal£579£649 iPad miniDealLowestRRPA17 Pro, 128GB£474.97 Get the deal£399£499A17 Pro, 256GB£569 Get the deal £544.97£599A17 Pro, 512GB£769 Get the deal£739.97£799 iPad AirDealLowestRRPM4, 11-inch, 128GB£578.99 Get the deal£578.99£599M4, 11-inch, 256GB£678.96 Get the deal£678.96£699M4, 11-inch, 512GB£869.95 Get the deal£869.95£899M4, 11-inch, 1TB£1,099 Get the dealNA £1,099M4, 13-inch, 128GB£768.99 Get the deal$768.99£799M4, 13-inch, 256GB£867.17 Get the deal £867.17£899M4, 13-inch, 512GB£1,060.09 Get the deal£1,060.09£1,099M4, 13-inch, 1TB£1,253 Get the deal£1,253£1,299 iPad ProDealLowestRRPM5, 11-inch, 256GB£944 Get the deal£929.00£999M5, 11-inch, 512GB£1,124 Get the deal£1,099£1,199M5, 11-inch, 1TB£1,599 Get the deal NA£1,599M5, 11-inch, 2TBOut of stockNA£1,999M5, 13-inch, 256GB£1,199 Get the deal£1,169.10£1,299M5, 13-inch, 512GB£1,384 Get the deal£1,349£1,499M5, 13-inch, 1TB£1,769 Get the deal£1,769£1,899M5, 13-inch, 2TBOut of stockNA£2,299 Which iPad should you buy? There’s an iPad for everyone.Foundry iPad: Best for students and budget buyers. iPad mini: Ideal for commuting, reading, and taking handwritten notes. iPad Air: Ideal for most people. iPad Pro: Best for professionals and artists. Apple sells four categories of this product: there’s the baseline iPad, the iPad mini, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. For dedicated buying advice (including whether or not this is a good time to buy) read about the Best iPad to buy and if you are a student, take a look at Best iPad for Students. iPad A16: Best Value iPad This is the baseline model, the cheapest iPad Apple sells, and normally we’d recommend it for those who just want a tablet for media consumption and browsing the internet on the sofa. But now isn’t a good time to pick up the A16 iPad, which came out in March 2025 and doesn’t support Apple Intelligence. An A19 model was expected to launch in the first half of this year, which obviously didn’t happen–but an update is definitely overdue, and could land any time. In other words, look for a solid discount (anywhere below $300/£290 for the 128GB model is worth considering), or wait. We recommend: Apple iPad (A16) Price When Reviewed: $349 Best Prices Today: $299 at Best Buy US | $299.99 at Target | $329 at B&H iPad mini: Best for Portability This is the smallest and most portable model. The current (7th-gen) iPad mini came out as long ago as October 2024, but thanks to its A17 Pro chip it does support Apple Intelligence, so there’s less motivation for Apple to replace it. Nevertheless, an 8th-gen iPad mini is likely to land before the end of 2026. On Amazon U.S. the lowest we’ve ever seen the 128GB model is $349, but anything below $400 is a solid deal. On the U.K. store, meanwhile, deals have historically been a little scarcer. The low point is £399, so Brits should be looking for somewhere in that range. We recommend: Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) Price When Reviewed: $499 (128GB; Wi-Fi only) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi only) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $479 at Best Buy US | $487.39 at Walmart | $489 at B&H iPad Air M4: Best overall The intermediate model, with excellent features, strong specs, and two choices of screen size. The current 8th-gen model came out in March 2026 so there’s no danger of it getting replaced any time soon. The 11-inch Air has been as low as $520 in the past, so look for a similar discount. The 13-inch Air’s lowest ever price is just under $700. We recommend: Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M4, 2026) Price When Reviewed: $599 Best Prices Today: $559 at B&H | $559 at Walmart | $559.99 at Target iPad Pro: Best for Creatives The top-end model. Very expensive but equipped with the very best specs and features. Mainly targeted at creative pros. The M5 iPad Pro (in two screen sizes) came out in October 2025; new M6 models are likely to arrive in spring 2027. The 11-inch Pro (with 256GB) once dipped briefly under $800, but that was something of an anomaly; anything under $900 is worth considering. The 13-inch Pro’s lowest ever price on Amazon was just under $1,150. We may not see any deals as good as that this time, but aim for $1,200 or lower. We recommend: Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M5, 2025) Price When Reviewed: $999 Best Prices Today: $936.5 at Walmart | $999 at Apple | $999 at Apple United States Prime Day iPad deals to avoid Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry When deciding whether to shop for an iPad deal, we recommend you keep a few things in mind: If you’re considering an iPad as a laptop replacement, remember that adding a keyboard case can nearly double the cost, making it more expensive than a more powerful Mac. The arrival of the MacBook Neo has also weakened the value proposition of Apple’s entry-level tablets. The iPad (A16) is currently the only tablet in Apple’s active lineup that does not support Apple Intelligence. If AI features are important to you, consider the iPad mini (A17 Pro) or an iPad Air with an M1 chip or newer instead. Deals on older or refurbished iPads can be tempting, but check software support before buying. iPadOS 27 drops support for more older models than any previous release. Avoid paying extra for a Cellular model unless you truly need it. The 5G version typically costs more than $100 extra and may require a monthly data plan. If you usually carry an iPhone, using Personal Hotspot is often a much cheaper alternative. Casual users should also think twice before jumping on an iPad Pro (M5) deal. Unless you need the additional capabilities for demanding creative or professional workflows, the iPad Air delivers similar everyday performance at a significantly lower price. Likewise, don’t pay extra for the iPad Pro’s nano-texture glass unless you regularly work in bright or uncontrolled lighting conditions. While it can be valuable for creative professionals, most users who primarily use their iPad indoors won’t notice enough benefit to justify the added cost. Should you buy an iPad during Prime Day? Prime Day is widely considered one of the best times of the year to buy Apple products, alongside Black Friday, and with Apple saying it is going to have to raise prices, we think it might be the last time we will see low prices in a while. While we do expect Apple to update the iPad and iPad mini at some point in 2026, it’s only the iPad A16 that we would recommend not buying because it doesn’t support Apple Intelligence and therefore misses out on many of the most attractive features coming in iPadOS 27 later this year. There are a few other things to consider before making a purchase: Prime membership is required: Many of the best deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. If you’re not already subscribed, you might be able to take advantage of Amazon’s 30-day free trial or you could sign up for a month and cancel afterward. As well as getting free two-day shipping, Prime customers also get access to Prime Video and Music. Prime memberships cost $139 / £95 annually, or $14.99 / £8.99 / AU$6.99 every month. Other sales: If you miss Prime Day, you’ll have another chance to save during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days in October, followed by Black Friday sales in November. Student Discounts: Students can take advantage of Apple’s “Back to School” promotion, which runs from June to September in the U.S. and July to October in the U.K, to get free AirPods with the purchase of a qualifying iPad or Mac. Students and educators can save significantly through the Apple Education Store. For example, students can save $50/£50 on the iPad Air and $100/£100 on the iPad Pro when shopping at Apple’s U.S. Education Store or Apple’s U.K. Education Store. Compare Prices: Amazon isn’t always the cheapest option. Retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy frequently run competing promotions around the time of Prime Day, so it’s worth comparing prices before buying. Prime Day is available in multiple countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. Why you can trust Macworld’s recommendations The Prime Day iPad deals picked here are all chosen by our editors, who have decades of experience with Apple devices. We’ve reviewed everything we recommend, and we won’t tell you to buy something that’s not an actual deal. The deals we’ve selected are all at or near all-time lows, and we’ve selected what we think is the best configuration for each product type. We know Apple is expensive, so we’ve chosen products at prices we would be willing to pay, so you can trust that our recommendations will steer you in the right direction—and save you big bucks. Prime Day 2026: More outstanding Apple deals Throughout the Prime Day sale, we constantly check Amazon’s listings to find the best deals. We’ve tested all of the models we recommend here and only select the very best deals—so if you see an iPad listed here, you’ll know it’s at or near its all-time low price. And it’s not just iPads. For more Amazon Prime Day coverage, check out our other Apple deal roundups: Best Apple Prime Day Deals Best Amazon Prime Day AirPods deals Best Amazon Prime Day iPad deals Best Amazon Prime Day Apple Watch deals Best Amazon Prime Day MacBook & Mac deals See all our Prime Day Apple Deals coverage @macworld.com Avoid getting screwed on Prime Day primeday #apple ♬ original sound – Macworld – Macworld

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Apple price hikes could kick in as early as next week
Macworld While most of the consumer tech industry has struggled to cope with rising component costs, Apple and its customers have remained largely unscathed, thanks to market leverage and preferential supplier contracts. But that state of affairs, as we’ve pointed out in the past, cannot last forever. Earlier this week, Macworld reported on an interview with Tim Cook in which the outgoing Apple CEO compared the RAM crisis to “a hundred-year flood” and acknowledged that the situation is unsustainable. Price rises “are unavoidable” for Apple, he admitted, without clarifying how soon this would happen, or which product lines would be affected. Perhaps, optimistic customers hoped, it wouldn’t happen until the iPhone launches in the fall, or even later than that. But one respected analyst thinks otherwise. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, discussing Cook’s comments on Twitter/X yesterday, said the price hikes are probably “fairly imminent” and that “this is happening soon.” That in itself isn’t much more detailed than what we got from Cook, but Gurman also specifies that the increases are “not a fall thing” and are likely to be tied in with the company’s back-to-school sale, which is slightly delayed from its usual start. (Last year, the promotion began in the U.S. on June 17.) It could happen as soon as next week, in other words. Regarding Apple price hikes, have to imagine these are fairly imminent. No other reason to flag them now. I’d also note that Apple back to school sale is very imminent, and it could make sense to tie these together as a buffer. Either way this is happening soon. Not a fall thing.— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 18, 2026 How can Gurman be so confident in his prediction? His rationale is partly connected to the school sale, which he says could be used as a buffer to ease the shock for customers. But his main reason appears to be Cook’s willingness to speak at all. “No other reason to flag them now,” he muses. It’s not good news, then. But on the plus side, Amazon’s Prime Day sale is also imminent, and this usually includes lots of tempting deals on Apple products. It could be the last chance to get Apple gear this low for a while, so be sure to stay on top of the latest price with our Prime Day topic zone.

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iPadOS 27 beta review: Your iPad, now with Siri AI
Siri AI and system optimizations are the focus of iPadOS 27, but that's enough for iPad's usual in-between year. Power users will notice the changes the most.iPadOS 27 reviewThe iPad operating system has been on a predictable tick-tock upgrade cycle where one year is significant and the other minimal. Apple focused on Siri AI for its OS 27 releases, but iPadOS 27 still has a few new and useful upgrades.As an iPad-first user, I'm most interested in how iPadOS might affect my workflows each year. I do have a Mac mini for recording a video podcast, and my Apple Vision Pro is still used regularly for focused work, but the iPad is where I live. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iPhone factory right back in the spotlight as India opens new contamination probe
After a conflict between guards and farmers nearly ended in violence, Tata's Indian iPhone factory is now facing health authority accusations of contamination.Tata's iPhone component production facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India. Image Credit: TataEarly on June 15, 2026, India's Tamil Nadu Pollution Board (TNPCB) was reportedly threatening to force a shutdown of Tata's iPhone plant. It followed a series of inspections that reportedly found contaminated wastewater had reached local wells.Tata was also accused of failing to respond to the TNPCB's complaints, but then on June 16, the case was dropped. Tata said first that its independent study showed it was following regulations, and then that the India regulator had now "dropped any further course of action on this issue." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple’s silence about HomePod and Apple TV at WWDC spoke volumes
Macworld WWDC 2026 was almost entirely focused on AI announcements. Apple introduced Siri AI, expanded the capabilities of Apple Intelligence across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and spent a significant amount of time discussing how AI enables new ways for users to interact with their devices using natural language. But as I watched the event, there was one glaring omission. I couldn’t stop thinking about two major products that Apple didn’t mention during the keynote: HomePod and Apple TV. There wasn’t even a small teaser of what’s coming for Apple’s home accessories. And honestly, that silence says a lot. Because if there’s one thing WWDC 2026 made clear, it’s that Apple’s future AI ambitions require far more powerful hardware than the company’s current smart home devices can deliver. Apple Intelligence has outgrown the current HomePod After all the AI announcements at WWDC 2026, the current HomePod lineup now seems like a thing of the past, stuck in another era of Siri. The HomePod mini still runs on the S5 chip from the Apple Watch Series 5, while the 2nd-generation HomePod uses the S7 chip originally introduced in the Apple Watch Series 7. Both are perfectly capable of playing music, handling timers, and controlling HomeKit accessories. However, these chips were never designed for modern AI workloads. And after seeing what Siri AI can now do in iOS 27, it’s becoming obvious that Apple’s smart home products need a massive hardware refresh. The new Siri isn’t just answering simple commands anymore. It understands conversational context, remembers previous interactions, analyzes content on-screen, and integrates deeply with apps and personal data. This requires significantly more memory and processing power than any current HomePod has. The new Siri AI has the same requirements as Apple Intelligence: the A17 Pro or M1 chip or later. But to get a more advanced AI model, you need a device with the A19 Pro or M3 chip or later. On the Apple Watch, which uses the same SiP as the HomePod, support is limited to devices with the S9 chip and later. This is probably why Apple avoided talking about both the HomePod and Apple TV at WWDC. The rumored HomePad suddenly makes a lot more sense For months now, rumors have suggested Apple has been working on an entirely new smart home category. Macworld previously revealed references in leaked code pointing to a mystery Apple smart home accessory with a display, app support, and deeper HomeKit integration. Other leaked references also pointed toward updated HomePod mini hardware and new wireless technologies being tested internally. Other sources have claimed that these products have been ready for some time but have had their release delayed. After WWDC 2026, it became clearer that Apple was waiting for Siri AI before updating its smart home accessories. Apple clearly wants Siri AI to become a central interface layer across its ecosystem, and the rumored HomePad would instantly become the perfect product to showcase all the capabilities of Apple’s new assistant. A device with a larger display, a more powerful chip, and deeper AI integration could finally give Apple a proper AI-focused home hub. Right now, the HomePod sits in an awkward position compared to competitors. Amazon and Google already treat their smart displays as AI-first devices. Apple’s current HomePods still largely behave like traditional smart speakers with limited voice commands mostly focused on music and basic commands. But with Siri AI, HomePods would become much more useful. Not only would you be able to ask it to play your favorite songs in a more natural way, but you could also ask about things related to your messages, emails, and calendar without having to pick up your phone. Apple TV + Siri AI The same problem applies to the Apple TV. According to recent rumors, Apple has been working on a new Apple TV model powered by the A17 Pro chip. That’s a massive leap compared to the current Apple TV hardware, which still runs on the iPhone 13’s A15 chip. When this rumor first surfaced, some people thought there was no need for a device mainly designed for streaming to have such a powerful chip. Of course, games would benefit from the improved GPU in the A17 Pro chip, but there’s probably another side to the story. The A17 Pro chip would also allow Apple to bring Apple Intelligence support to Apple TV. And in this new era of Siri AI, that would make perfect sense. Imagine being able to ask Siri contextual questions about what you’re watching, having AI-generated recommendations based on conversations happening in Messages, or controlling your smart home naturally through the TV without outdated voice commands. Those experiences require far more powerful hardware than the current Apple TV was originally designed around. And just like with HomePod, Apple wasn’t ready to talk about those ambitions publicly yet since the current hardware isn’t capable. This new era could begin later this year Apple didn’t skip the HomePod or Apple TV at WWDC because it forgot about those products or because they aren’t important. The company clearly knows Siri’s reputation in the smart home space hasn’t been great. The old version of Siri struggled with conversational requests, misunderstood commands frequently, and often felt unreliable compared to newer AI assistants. That’s why Apple seems to be waiting for new hardware that can deliver the same Siri AI experience that the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs already offer. And this new hardware may arrive later this year. Given that there are clear references to these devices in the code of the latest version of iOS, and that other sources have already confirmed that new versions of the HomePod and Apple TV have been ready for quite some time, the announcement is now imminent. And what better time to announce these new products than after the official launch of iOS 27 and Siri AI this fall? More than just software updates, we may finally see the announcement of products designed with Siri AI in mind. And that’s incredibly exciting for those of us who rely on Apple’s smart home ecosystem.

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If you’re reading this, you might be running iOS 27
Macworld The iOS 27 developer beta 1 was released less than two weeks ago. Usually, we here at Macworld don’t recommend that you install early betas on your primary devices, especially on machines you use for work. Early betas often have user interface quirks, and the OS itself can be unstable compared to official releases to the general public. Betas are used by Apple to iron out the kinks and fix any hidden pitfalls. You absolutely are not obligated to be a beta tester. That being said, it’s easier than ever to participate in the early testing, even if you aren’t truly a developer. (Apple also offers a public beta program, where the betas tend to be more stable.) Also, Apple has made downloading the beta no more complicated than a regular update and removed the fee for developer testing. So, there are no real obstacles to installing the beta, other than whether your devices fit the requirements. By the look of things, there’s a very good chance that you’re already using the iOS 27 beta 1. According to Google Analytics logs for Macworld and our sister site in Germany, Macwelt, several of our readers have already taken the plunge and installed iOS 27 on their iPhones. Combined visits for the sites from iOS 27 devices were about 2 percent, a small but not-insignificant number. Those numbers are similar to the week following WWDC last year, when everyone wanted to try out Liquid Glass. Interestingly, a search in Google Analytics for iOS 26.0 or iOS 26.0.0 results in no data recorded–it was as if the system didn’t even exist at that point. If you recall, WWDC25 was when Apple switched its OS nomenclature to a year-based system, so last year, instead of iOS 19, we got iOS 26. Something in the iOS 26 beta was registering as iOS 19 in Google Analytics. As you can easily see, one week after WWDC last year, there were slightly more visits to our sites from the iOS 26 beta 1 than this year. This by no means suggests that iOS 27 is generally unpopular, as Apple made some changes to the user-agent data sent to websites with the early versions of iOS 26. To prevent fingerprinting, Safari does not specify a specific iOS version from iOS 26 onwards. This led to a misunderstanding by web analytics firms that reported that iOS 26 was unpopular. In fact, the change in Safari was responsible for the distorted results by website logs. Nevertheless, visits to Macwelt and Macworld show that there is considerable interest amongst enthusiasts in trying out the new system. Ultimate success will likely be gauged by the adoption rates of iOS 27.2 and 27.3, when Apple releases its own figures in late January or early February 2027.

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Best iPhone 17 cases for iPhone 17, 17 Pro & 17 Pro Max, 17e and Air
Macworld Before you even start the setup on your new iPhone 17—be it an iPhone 17, 17e or Air, 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max— you should consider what type of case you need to protect it in. However good Apple’s new Ceramic Shield 2 shell is, it won’t be up to protecting your phone if dropped or scraped. A case just makes sense—and can look fantastic, too. Some are even ultra glamorous. Cases come in more shapes and sizes and with more functionality than you’d believe. Hit these links to jump straight to our recommendations, reviews and tests to find the perfect case for your iPhone 17, 17e, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max and Air. Or read on for more case advice before reaching the product charts. Cases for the most recent iPhone 17e have started to appear (keep reading) and we’ll add more here when they arrive. Best clear iPhone 17 cases Best stylish iPhone 17 cases Best protective cases for iPhone 17 Best leather and leather-alternative iPhone 17 cases Best iPhone 17 cases with wallet Best iPhone 17 battery cases Best iPhone bags Best iPhone 17 camera grip cases Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone 17? You may have heard that Apple’s new-generation Ceramic Shield 2 front cover promises 3x better scratch resistance, and for the Pro and Pro Max models Ceramic Shield also protects the back of iPhone, delivering 4x better resistance to cracks than the back glass on previous models. Does that mean that you no longer need a case? A case will keep your iPhone looking at it’s best, which will be a benefit when and if you come to sell it. Also, note that neither the plain iPhone 17 nor Air feature the same level of back protection. Do I need an iPhone case for iPhone Air? The iPhone Air is so thin it seems a shame to bulk it up in a protective case. It’s also tough at resisting bending but it is still just as vulnerable to drops and everyday dings. Most cases reviewed here have a variant for the iPhone Air but there are especially thin cases such as the super-slim Thinborne iPhone 17 Case and Pitaka Ultra-Slim Case, or consider the Nomad Magnetic Leather Back that misses the sides altogether and protects just the back. Why you need an iPhone case The primary function of a phone case is to protect your high-cost but fragile device from physical damage—caused by accidental impacts such as shocks from drops and scrapes that can leave your phone with a cracked screen, scratches, dents, a shattered back or internal harm. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh! Just being pulled from your pocket many times a day causes gradual wear that adds to the unseen damage from UV exposure and other environmental factors. Environmental protection safeguards against water and dust damage that can degrade or destroy your precious phone. Putting your iPhone into a case doesn’t make it indestructible, but it will reduce the risk of everyday or unexpected damage that might otherwise save a costly repair or full replacement. Which type of iPhone case to choose As nice as Apple makes its phones look there are only a handful of colors, so a case also offers aesthetic personalization through design (there are thousands to choose from) and customized style. Love the Cosmic Orange iPhone Pro but want to save money with the basic iPhone 17 model? Why not just buy a bold orange case for the 17, such as the Beats iPhone 17 Rugged Case in Sierra Orange? Choosing the right case material (be that silicone, leather, Graphene or Kevlar) is also key—depending on whether you are after better grip, more robust protection or luxurious leather. Cases can also add functionality, with handy features such as stands for hands-free viewing or wallet holders for carrying cards and cash. If you ever wirelessly charge your phone, make sure the case is MagSafe compatible—most are these days. Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 17, 17e, Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max If covering up Apple’s iPhone offends your inner Jony Ive, look for a clear, transparent case that keeps the iPhone’s looks as wonderful as they were straight out of the box. Why pick out a Sky Blue iPhone Air or Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max, only to cover it up in a black plastic case or something with badly drawn flowers on it? With a Clear case, you get decent protection without ruining the look of the phone—although Apple has rather mucked this up with its own version; see review below. If you want a plain black case or flowery pattern instead of Apple’s small palette of colors, we have plenty for you to choose from further down this feature. Apple iPhone 17 Clear Case with MagSafe – Simple but flawed clear iPhone 17 case Pros Made by Apple Shows off iPhone 17’s color Cons Basic protection Ugly on Pro / Pro Max Open bottom section Expensive Price When Reviewed: $49 Best Prices Today: Retailer Price $49 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket MagSafe compatible: Yes Weight: 29g Camera edge: 2mm Button covers: Plastic Colors: Clear Available for: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max Amazon: All iPhone 17 models Amazon UK: iPhone 17 | iPhone Air | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 17 Pro Max This simple, rigid iPhone 17 protective case from Apple is thin and light. By design, clear cases shouldn’t disguise the color of your iPhone that you chose when you purchased it. The Apple Clear Case is made from a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and other flexible materials, with a scratch-resistant coating on both the inside and outside. While it’s more protective than silicone cases and features a robust-looking 2mm camera lip, you can find tougher cases, which we have reviewed below. While the Clear Case for the basic iPhone 17 is as you’d expect, Apple has somewhat ruined the idea of a “clear” case for its Pro and Pro Mac versions of the iPhone 17, which feature a slab of white plastic at the back under the camera area. It’s white whatever color of iPhone 17 Pro or Max that you own. This is because Apple added its second-generation Ceramic Shield glass as a separate panel on the back of the Pro models—it’s on only the front of all the 17 family. To keep the back design visually balanced, the Apple logo was repositioned slightly lower. The white slab on Apple’s clear case is related to this adjustment and the alignment of the MagSafe magnets. Customers are already complaining that Apple should have created cases with a block in the color of the phone. If your iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max is orange or deep blue that slab of white is, well I’ll say it, ugly. The bottom of the Clear Case is nearly fully open, which reduces the level protection. For the iPhone Air Apple has another not really clear solution: the iPhone Air Bumper. This protects the edges of the phone and matches the Air’s color but leaves the back exposed. With a raised bezel it will also stop the screen touching the surface when laid flat. You can choose the bumper color to match your iPhone Air or select another color if you are feeling adventurous. Apple also sells the iPhone Air Case with MagSafe in Frost or Shadow, with a 0.9mm back panel that’s reinforced with a polycarbonate frame. The inside is lightly frosted, while the exterior is finished to a high gloss. At 29g it’s super light, and while the rigid case adds a little bulk, it’s worth a little compromise for that layer of protection. All materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time. There are also cheaper clear cases, which we have also tested for you. But the Apple badge is a sure sign of quality, as you’d expect.

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Stop typing, start talking—Voibe Offline Voice Dictation is faster & on sale for a one-time $80
Macworld TL;DR: Voibe is a privacy-first voice dictation tool for Apple Silicon Macs that works offline, runs locally, and lets you dictate text up to 3x faster than typing for a one-time $79.99. Some thoughts move faster than fingers. If you’ve ever had a great idea while typing an email, drafting content, writing notes, or prompting ChatGPT—only to feel your fingers struggling to keep up—you’ll understand the appeal of Voibe. Available now for just $79.99 (reg. $199), Voibe is a voice dictation app built specifically for Apple Silicon Macs. Instead of tapping away at a keyboard, you simply hold a key, speak naturally, and watch your words appear on screen. The big difference? Privacy. Unlike many dictation tools that send audio to the cloud for processing, Voibe works entirely on your Mac. Your voice never leaves your device, which means faster responses, no internet dependency, and fewer privacy concerns. It’s also surprisingly versatile. Voibe works in virtually any Mac app where you can place a cursor, making it useful for emails, documents, notes, messages, project management tools, and even AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. If you’ve ever wished you could “brain dump” ideas directly into an AI prompt, this is a pretty satisfying way to do it. The productivity angle is compelling, too. Voibe claims users can dictate up to three times faster than they type, which can add up quickly if writing is part of your daily workflow. Perhaps the best part is that this isn’t another subscription waiting to charge you next month. Pay once, get lifetime access, and continue using it across your workflow as long as your Mac is running. For Mac users who spend a lot of time turning thoughts into text, Voibe is a genuinely useful shortcut. Get lifetime access to Voibe on sale for just $79.99 (reg. $199). Voibe Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

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Mac game developers need to enable this in Steam to avoid a 32-bit problem
If Mac game developers miss these settings, their brand new game for Apple Silicon will be listed as unplayable on anything after macOS 10.15 Catalina. Here's how to tell Steam that your game is compatible, and where the flags are.Steam's macOS Catalina warning Valve Software's gaming storefront, Steam, is the biggest of its kind when it comes to PC and Mac gaming. It is essential for any game developer targeting those platforms to put a build on Steam, due to the sheer size of its audience.However, while Steam is relatively simple for gamers to use, the back-end is considerably more complex. For a developer starting out, there are many things that can be missed when putting their game onto Steam for the first time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Epic Games and Coalition for App Fairness slam new App Store terms in Brazil
Following Apple’s announcement that developers will be able to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and use alternative payment methods in Brazil, Epic Games and the Coalition for App Fairness criticized the company’s new terms. Here are the details.

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‘Sugar’ season 2 premiere is now available to stream on Apple TV
The first episode of Sugar season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV. Here’s what to expect from the show’s return.

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‘Sugar’ season 2 premiere is now available to stream on Apple TV
The first episode of Sugar season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV. Here’s what to expect from the show’s return.

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Apple will fix CarPlay’s most annoying shortcomings in iOS 27
From native video apps to wireless reliability fixes, iOS 27 delivers CarPlay's most meaningful update in years. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Top 20 most streamed artists on Apple Music revealed
It should come as no surprise that Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, and Kendrick Lamar are among the top 20 most streamed artists of all time on Apple Music. Check out the full list.Apple Music has shared its top 20 artists of all timeApple Music launched on June 30, 2015, and it celebrated 10 years of streaming with a top 500 songs list. A year on, the streamer has shared a new metric.The new chart is the top 20 artists of all time on Apple Music, shared by Chart Data on social media. It's an official endorsement, as Apple Music's account reposted it and replied with a heart and trophy emoji. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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AltStore PAL now available in Brazil as Apple flips the switch on alternative marketplaces
Brazilian users can now download AltStore PAL on their iPhones, as Apple has officially enabled alternative app marketplaces as part of a broader set of changes to the app distribution and payment rules in the country. Here are the details.

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9to5Mac Daily: June 18, 2026 – iOS 27 app features, Beats firmware fix
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by Backblaze: Backup you can rely on. Save 20% with code 9to5daily.

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iPhone Air 2 could bring key upgrades to win over skeptics
The iPhone Air 2 could arrive next spring with an ultra-wide camera and better battery life. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

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Drake, Taylor Swift, and Future are the 3 most streamed artists in Apple Music history
ChartData published an interesting chart today, featuring Apple Music’s Top 20 most streamed artists of all time. Here is the list.

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Apple Watch shipments surged 21% during Q1 2026, per report
According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, Apple Watch shipments comfortably outpaced the rest of the smartwatch market during the first quarter of 2026. Here are the details.

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Vince Gilligan reveals the current status of ‘Pluribus’ season 2
Speaking to Deadline alongside Rhea Seehorn, ‘Pluribus’ creator Vince Gilligan offered an update on the progress of season 2. Here’s what he said.

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Tim Cook Confirms Apple Will Raise Prices Due to Memory and Storage Costs
Outgoing CEO Tim Cook has confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that Apple is being forced to raise prices due to skyrocketing costs of memory and storage chips. What might that mean for your next Apple device purchase?

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Fruit Specs Slices and Dices Apple Product Features
Need to know which Apple devices or operating system versions support a specific feature or compare features across products? Glenn Fleishman’s Fruit Specs website makes answering such questions fast and—if you’re like us—kind of fun.

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New unpatchable exploit targets Apple devices with A12 and A13 chips
Researchers at Paradigm Shift have published the technical details of usbliter8, a new unpatchable iPhone BootROM vulnerability that enables arbitrary code execution on devices powered by Apple’s A12 and A13 chips. Here are the details.

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Apple Original Films to bring beloved children’s book ‘Little Santa’ to the screen
Apple Original Films today announced it has landed “Little Santa,” a new animated feature based on the popular and beloved children’s book… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Spotify’s new ticket reservation system for artist superfans goes live in the U.S.
Spotify today launched Reserved, a new Premium feature that gives eligible fans access to concert tickets before they go on general sale. Here are the details.

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Spotify’s new ticket reservation system for artist superfans goes live in the U.S.
Spotify today launched Reserved, a new Premium feature that gives eligible fans access to concert tickets before they go on general sale. Here are the details.

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Spotify’s new ticket reservation system for artist superfans goes live in the U.S.
Spotify today launched Reserved, a new Premium feature that gives eligible fans access to concert tickets before they go on general sale. Here are the details.

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Apple TV’s new comedy series ‘Brothers,’ starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, debuts September 23rd
Today, Apple TV announced that its new eight-episode comedy, “Brothers,” will make its global debut on Wednesday, September 23 with… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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watchOS 27 adds new Apple Watch trick that I’ve been loving
Apple Watch is becoming a better single-handed device in watchOS 27 thanks to a convenient new tap gesture. Here’s what it does.

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