Leak reveals details of Apple’s secret roadmap: iOS 26.4, iOS 27, and iOS 28
Macworld All throughout this week, Macworld has been covering discoveries related to Apple’s future plans found in a leaked internal build of iOS 26. After reporting on new devices such as AirTag 2, HomePad, and a new generation of Studio Display, we also saw details about future software such as iOS 26.4 and even iOS 27. The build in question is used internally by engineers to test new, unreleased software features. Although it’s an iOS 26.0 build, it also includes several “flags” that reference features Apple has been planning to release far in the future. A “feature flag” is how Apple identifies features in its iOS code. Engineers can enable and disable flags to turn specific features on and off while they are being developed. They also contain notes about when a particular feature is expected to be ready for a public version of iOS. Read on as we detail what users can expect from future iOS updates based on what we’ve discovered. Refreshed Health app The internal build of iOS 26 seen by Macworld contains multiple feature flags related to major updates coming to the Health app. This includes references to a new layout for categories and simplified metric logging. Apple is rumored to be introducing a new “Health+” subscription next year. A recent Bloomberg report revealed that, as part of the Health app subscription, users will have access to a new AI assistant to answer questions based on health data stored in the app. The redesign of the Health app will likely pave the way for this new paid platform. Credit card autofill for third-party apps Apple is testing a system that detects when a card is added inside a third-party app and then offers to save it to iCloud Keychain. The feature would work in pretty much the same way as Autofill in Safari. Of course, apps will also be able to provide easier access to credit cards stored in iCloud with Autofill. The feature is also set to be released with iOS 26.4 next year, based on code references. Apple is slowly building its Freeform app into a real productivity tool.Apple Folders in Freeform A long-overdue organization feature: the code shows a full folder system coming to Freeform boards, likely syncing through iCloud. Apple has been expanding Freeform quietly, and this is a sign they’re preparing it to behave more like a true productivity app. Users can expect folders in Freeform with iOS 26.4. Sports ‘tier’ for Apple TV Details are unclear, but there’s a new “Sports Tier” feature flag for the Apple TV app. With Apple investing more and more in sports content for its streaming platform, it would not be surprising if the company ended up announcing a more expensive subscription tier for sports fans. The feature is also being targeted for spring 2026, likely with iOS 26.4. Extra security layers Apple has also been exploring adding extra layers of security to its devices with iOS 26.4. One of the feature flags seen in the leaked code hints at a new validation system that will check the integrity of the device before logging into Apple ID and iCloud. This will potentially prevent users from logging into Apple’s online services if the device has undergone any unauthorized modifications, such as jailbreaking.  New Siri with Apple Intelligence As previously reported by Macworld, the new Siri with Apple Intelligence is on track to launch with iOS 26.4 in spring 2026. Users will be able to have more natural conversations with the assistant, which is expected to be integrated with a large language model based on Google Gemini. AirPods may be getting a new Find My feature next year.Andreas Bergsman AirPods features The leaked code suggests new features coming to AirPods. This includes a capability called “Precise Outdoor Location” to pinpoint the earbuds’ location in the Find My app.  Given that the AirPods Pro 3 introduced this year feature an upgraded ultra-wideband chip (U2), it’s reasonable to assume this feature will be exclusive to the newest model. Clues about what’s coming in iOS 27 and iOS 28 In addition to features planned for iOS 26.4, the leaked build also includes references to a few features being developed for iOS 27 and even iOS 28. There are new feature flags tied to improved collections in the Photos app with iOS 27. The update will also introduce a new pairing system for AirPods. It’s unclear how this system will work, given that the current method is already quite simple, but presumably it involves under-the-hood improvements to make pairing even faster and more reliable. For iOS 28, the company plans to add new metrics to sleep tracking with Apple Watch, including time in bed. There’s also a flag that indicates the Health app is coming to the Mac with macOS 28. The big picture While none of these features are guaranteed to ship, Apple’s internal code often reveals the company’s priorities long before public releases. iOS 26.4 is shaping up to be a surprisingly ambitious mid-cycle update, and Apple is clearly laying groundwork for much bigger changes in iOS 27 and iOS 28. As development continues, we expect even more clues to surface, and we’ll keep digging.

Read more »

Deals: M4 MacBook Air $250 off + FREE $25 gift card, exclusive 20% off at Twelve South, leather/Nomad Apple Watch bands, more
Alongside the ongoing Amazon all-time low on AirPods Pro 3, today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is starting with a seriously notable deal on M4 MacBook Air. Now landing back down at the Black Friday price at $250 off, you can also land the 13-inch model with a FREE $25 gift card for the best price of the year. Those offers also join exclusive sitewide savings for 9to5 readers at Twelve South and on all of the sweet leather gear from Bluebonnet. Scope it all out below.  more…

Read more »

Rolling Square TAU 2 mini power bank review: A key ring to recharge your iPhone
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Super-compact power bank Can give iPhone a 30% charge USB-C/Lightning/USB cables built in Cons You probably will forget to charge it Our Verdict The tiny Tau 2 is a great and affordable back-up battery that can squeeze out enough juice to recharge the iPhone to nearly a third of its full potential while weighing next to nothing and taking up barely any space. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$39.90 Best Prices Today: Rolling Square Tau 2 Retailer Price Rolling Square $39.90 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket We’ve seen a lot of tiny power banks go through the Macworld Labs: some super-slim, some able to recharge an iPhone nearly twice over, others with cables included and flashy displays showing you how much battery life is left. One power bank even has a fancy light that might brighten up a cloudy day. GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology makes transistors smaller and therefore devices such as chargers more diminutive. This is now putting quite serious functionality into very small things indeed. And we’ve never seen a power bank as small as the Rolling Square Tau 2, which wants to be the key ring that saves you just as your iPhone’s battery gives up the ghost of the sub-10% you are shocked to realize never got a charge up before you left the house. Where most power banks are bulky—although the latest 5K magnetic power banks are positively skeletal—the Tau 2 is smaller than an AirPods case but hosts a 2000mAh (7.4Wh) battery pack that in our tests refilled an iPhone 16 Pro by just over 30%. We review the best magnetic power banks if you are willing to sacrifice some bulk for greater battery capacity. Simon Jary In size it measures 2.2 x 1.7 x 0.7 inches (5.6 x 4.3 x 1.9cm). It’s a little smaller and lighter (1.7oz vs2.2oz; 49 vs 61g) than an AirPods Pro case. The clever thing about the Tau 2 is that it doesn’t require you to always have a cable on you when you’re out and about—how many people do? If you’re canny enough to pack a cable every time you go out, you should be bright enough to have remembered to charge your phone in the first place. Most of us sometimes fail on both counts. Remove the key-friendly hooked lid to reveal two cables: a USB-C for anything new (iPhone 15 and later) and Lightning for older iPhones and AirPods cases. Simon Jary The Lightning cable even works as MicroUSB—the fiddly little connector that history should have consigned to the dustbin, but which doggedly lives on in cheap Chinese gadgets. If you do still own an iPhone older than the 15, it will offer pass-through charging with USB-C as input and Lightning as output. You can even charge two devices at the same time, which is where a second USB-C cable rather than Lightning could be useful to early adopters. If you have all USB-C Apple gadgets the Lightning cable is rather superfluous. We’d have preferred an option with two USB-C so the pass-through can go both ways, but I do own an older Lightning AirPods case, so it is still useful to me. If only it could charge my Apple Watch too. Maker Rolling Square promises that “you’ll never forget to re-charge it”, which of course is nonsense, but the company does give you options. You can plug in straight into a USB-C charger using its little cable, or power it up via its own its Charging Dock that—with the included double-sided adhesive—can be firmly stuck to a wall, desk, or any clean, flat surface that will hold it. You can also plug it straight into one of your MacBook’s Thunderbolt ports to charge it up from the laptop. Simon Jary If you keep your keys on a hook, just attach the Tau 2’s charging dock right next to it. I’m happy with my AirTag keyring and could connect the Tau 2 to that but prefer to keep the tiny power bank in a pocket in my backpack for emergencies—but you can follow Rolling Square’s recommendation and use it as your main key ring if you fancy. The hook is secure, although not as gripping a fix as an old-fashioned metal ring. The Tau 2 does work with an NFC tag to create a Lost Mode, as well as potentially share your Digital ID via the same route, but to fit better into the Apple ecosystem a FindMy function would be appreciated. Simon Jary Price The Rolling Square Tau 2 is priced at $39.90 / £39.90 / €39,90. Check our price-comparison widget for more live prices near you. Should you buy the Rolling Square Tau 2? I am happy to carry around a slim magnetic power bank in my backpack, and most of the time I remember to keep it charged ready for when my iPhone gives out miles away from a wall charger. But I am sometimes caught out and have to limp around in Low Power Mode on a few percentage points of battery life. The tiny Tau 2 is a great and affordable back-up battery that can squeeze out enough juice to recharge the iPhone to nearly a third of its full potential while weighing next to nothing and taking up barely any space.

Read more »

iOS 26.2 has four new changes I’ve used almost every day
iOS 26.2 is the next major iPhone update, and its launch appears imminent. There are lots of new features coming in the release, including these four changes I’ve been using almost every day. more…

Read more »

Lowest price ever: M4 MacBook Pro drops to $1,249 ($350 off)
Better-than-Black Friday pricing has hit Apple's M4 MacBook Pro, with the 14-inch laptop marked down to $1,249.This blowout M4 MacBook Pro deal is likely to sell out - Image credit: AppleThe $350 discount beats Black Friday pricing by $50, with the laptop in stock in Silver with delivery by Christmas.Buy for $1,249 ($350 off) Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Apple loses its appeal of a scathing contempt ruling in iOS payments case
But Sweeney warns iOS devs are still afraid of "totally illegal" retaliation by Apple.

Read more »

Apple’s iOS 26 push draws cheers from some, frustration from others
What are the real opinions on iOS 26? Find out what other iPhone users say about the new Liquid Glass design and interface. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Switzerland’s Competition Commission opens probe into Apple’s Tap-to-Pay practices
Switzerland’s Competition Commission (COMCO) has launched a preliminary investigation into Apple over its control of contactless… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

How to know when AirPods firmware is updating on your iPhone
Apple just released new firmware for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2, but the installation process isn’t as straightforward as with other products. Here’s how to know when new AirPods firmware is actively updating on your iPhone. more…

Read more »

∞ The Dalrymple Report: Refurbished gear, Apple execs, and 3D printing
With the holidays coming up, Dave and I talk about buying refurbished Apple products and whether or not we woould do it. There has been a shake up at Apple with a couple of executives choosing to retire early next year. We have talked before about how great Apple hardware is, but 3D printing Apple Watches and the process they use takes everything to the next level. Follow this podcast Brought to you by: CleanMyMac: Get Tidy Today! Try 7 days free and use my code DALRYMPLE for 20% off at clnmy.com/DALRYMPLE Show Notes: Buying Apple for Xmas? Consider refurbished Apple announces executive transitions Alan Dye Was in Tim Cook’s Blind Spot Apple’s Johny Srouji 3D printing Apple Watch and why it’s a big deal Shows and movies we're watching The Secret of Crickley Hall, Hulu Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros Hugh Laurie (House, The Night Manager, Chance) joins Apple TV’s “Tehran”

Read more »

Today in Apple history: Apple IPO mints instant millionaires
On December 12, 1980, Apple went public, floating 4.6 million shares of stock at $22 per share. The Apple IPO makes some rich, others angry. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Amazon blowout sale returns the M3 iPad Air to its amazing Black Friday low
Macworld If you missed out on the Black Friday iPad deals, then now’s your best chance to get one for the same great price: The 11-inch M3 iPad Air is $150 off at Amazon right now, which means you can snag one for the lowest price we’ve ever seen: just $449 when you apply the coupon on the listing. This is easily one of our favorite iPads, with a gorgeous 11-inch Liquid Retina Display. The powerful M3 chip delivers a fast performance for creative projects, gaming, multitasking, and general procrastinating. You’ll definitely be able to easily swap between apps. We tested the iPad Air earlier this year and gave it a 4-star rating and our Editors’ Choice award, appreciating its overall performance, the great display, and the excellent design. The recent update to iPadOS 26 makes this iPad Air more Mac-like, with better window management and a better interface, which is always great, because it just makes it better for work and entertainment. So go grab the iPad Air M3 for $449 while this deal still lasts. Buy now at Amazon

Read more »

TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router review: Versatile, portable Wi-Fi router
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros  Lightweight, portable design  Versatile connectivity features  Easy to use Cons  No carrying case  More expensive than a conventional router  Modest, dual-band performance Our Verdict It’s a little more expensive than a conventional router, but the TP-Link Travel Router is one of the few that can actually join you on your travels. It also provides versatile connectivity features that make it a great option for anyone that travels a lot and needs a reliable Internet connection when they’re away from home or the office. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed$139.99 Best Prices Today: TP-Link BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Most Wi-Fi routers are designed to simply sit indoors in your home or office, and are rarely even moved into a different room, let alone carried with you when you’re travelling. There are mobile hotspots that have a more portable design, but these are quite expensive and are primarily designed for business travellers who need to use mobile broadband when they’re on the road. The BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router (model number TL-WR3602BE) from TP-Link is something of an odd man out, as it sits somewhere between these two types of devices. It’s a little more expensive than a conventional router that provides similar Wi-Fi performance, but its portable design and versatile connectivity features will earn their keep when you’re away from home or your office. The Travel Router’s portable design makes it easy to carry with you when you leave home or your office. TP-Link At first glance, the Travel Router does look like a conventional router, consisting of a simple rectangular case with two antennae at the back to transmit the Wi-Fi signal. It’s much smaller than an ordinary router though, and the antennae can be folded flat to reduce the size to just 36mm high, 126mm wide and 93.5mm deep. It’s not quite pocket-size but you can easily slip it into a backpack or briefcase alongside your laptop when you’re travelling. The Travel Router packs a lot into that compact design, though. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi 7, running on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, with a top speed of 3.6Gbps. It doesn’t support the faster 6.0GHz band that is available with Wi-Fi 7 or 6E, but it will be more than adequate for use with most home or office broadband services, or for a spot of email and web browsing when you’re on the road. Admittedly, Apple has been a bit slow in adopting Wi-Fi 7 – even the latest M5 MacBook Pro models are still using Wi-Fi 6E – so if your Apple devices are mostly using Wi-Fi 5 or 6 then there is a less expensive version of the Travel Router that uses Wi-Fi 6 and costs just $99.99/£89.99. The Travel Router can work in a number of different modes, depending on how to want to connect it to the Internet. There’s a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port on the back of the router – with Ethernet cable included – that allows you to connect it to your normal broadband router at home, or perhaps to an Ethernet port in a hotel room, vacation apartment, or conference centre when you’re travelling, which will result in a better connection than joining the local Wi-Fi. There’s a Gigabit Ethernet port as well, to provide a wired connection for a Mac or PC. If there’s no wired network available then you can also connect the Travel Router to an existing Wi-Fi network, such as the public Wi-Fi in a hotel or airport lounge, and then use it to create a separate private network that has its own password to keep your devices secure. Mulitple ports on the back of the Travel Router allow you to connect to the Internet using wi-fi, Ethernet or USB tethering. TP-Link If there’s no Wi-Fi or Ethernet network available then you can use the USB-A (3.0) port on the back of the Travel Router to connect – or ‘tether’ – it to an iPhone or other mobile device so that it can use your mobile broadband to set up a private network that you can share with friends, family or colleagues. This USB-A port has another use as well – one that will particularly appeal to business users. If you’re using Ethernet or Wi-Fi to connect the Travel Router to an existing network, then you can use the USB-A port to connect an external hard drive or solid-state drive, and share it on your own network like a kind of portable NAS drive. There’s a USB-C port on the back panel as well although, somewhat oddly, this can only be used to power the Travel Router. There’s a mains power adaptor in the box – with U.S., U.K. and E.U. plugs also included – but you can also power the Travel Router with a portable battery pack or even from a USB port on a laptop. Using a laptop will drain the laptop’s battery of course, but it’s a useful option to have in an emergency, and we had no problems using our MacBook Pro to power the Travel Router.  Getting started is very straightforward, thanks to TP-Link’s well-designed Tether app. The app allows you simply scan a QR code on the base of the Travel Router to automatically connect to its Wi-Fi network, and then asks whether you want to use Ethernet, Wi-Fi or USB to connect to the Internet. You also have the choice of using the default name and password for the Travel Router’s network – which are printed on the base of the router, and therefore not very secure – or you can create your own name and password for extra security. The app provides some other useful features too, such as an Eco mode that lets you adjust the speed and range of the Travel Router in order to reduce power consumption – which will be handy if you’re powering it from your laptop.  The TP-Link app makes it easy to set up and use the Travel Router. TP-Link.com The performance of the Travel Router will vary, depending on the speed and type of network that it’s connected to, but it ran well when connected via Ethernet to our office network. It provided consistent speeds of 100Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and a very healthy 750Mbps on the 5.0GHz band. Those speeds aren’t going to break any records, but they do match some of the more conventional dual-band routers that we’ve seen recently, so you’re not sacrificing any performance by opting for the more portable design of the Travel Router. Should You Buy The BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router? Not everyone will need a portable router such as this, but the compact, lightweight design of the Travel Router will be very useful for anyone that needs a secure, reliable Wi-Fi network when they’re travelling on business, or simply having a weekend away with friends or family. It’s easy to set up and use, and its versatile connectivity feature ensure that it can cope with a variety of different network connections wherever you go.

Read more »

Hit Apple TV thriller from Slow Horses author lands new season
Hit Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road just aired its season finale last night, but fans didn’t have to wait long to learn the series’ fate. Apple just confirmed that the show is coming back for season 2. Here are the details. more…

Read more »

This app lets you download videos directly from major streamers
Save videos you care about so you can watch them whenever you want with Keeprix streaming downloader. Works with Netflix, YouTube and more. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

Read more »

Apple TV renews acclaimed thriller ‘Down Cemetery Road’ for season two
Apple TV announced a season two renewal for acclaimed thriller “Down Cemetery Road,” starring and executive produced by… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Read more »

MacBook Air hits its best-ever price under $750 as Mac holiday deals heat up
We’ve been keeping you apprised of all the best Mac deals this holiday season, and we have a beauty of an offer to share today. Best Buy has the M4 MacBook Air down to its lowest-ever price of $749, matching Black Friday. The kicker here, however, is that you’ll also score a $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/256GB $749 (Reg. $999) + $25 Best Buy gift card 13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB $949 (Reg. $1,199) + $25 Best Buy gift card And of course, we’re tracking lingering deals on the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and more. So whether you’re tempted by the ultra-slim and cute design of the Mac mini, the portability of the MacBook Air, or the sheer power of the MacBook Pro, there’s something for everyone in this lineup of Mac holiday sales. more…

Read more »

Apple's ghost town, new iPads, smart rings, and Snow Leopard on the AppleInsider Podcast
So many people are leaving Apple that it's a wonder it can still function with only 164,000 employees. But it's still bringing out new iPads, while Pebble has a smart ring, and the legend of Snow Leopard is back again on the AppleInsider Podcast.With all the staff going, Apple might as well demolish Apple Park — image credit: Matthew RobertsThe news is that more senior people are leaving Apple, and the context is that most of them are senior in another sense — they tend to be people who are retiring. While reports of the departures even threatening the future of the iPhone are ridiculous, these were key people who shaped Apple.Nonetheless, Apple is somehow going to manage to bring out new iPads early next year. The latest rumors seem to be settling on the A19 processor coming to the base model — which should mean Apple Intelligence too. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Switzerland opens antitrust probe over iPhone NFC access
Swiss regulators are examining what conditions Apple puts on third-party firms before it allows them to use the same NFC technology that enables Apple Pay.NFC payments are to be investigated by Switzerland's competition regulatorIn June 2024, the European Union forced Apple to open up its NFC payment processes to rivals. Apple then granted the same access to companies in a range of regions including the US, Canada, and Japan in August 2024.Now Switzerland's Competition Commission (COMCO) has announced a provisional investigation into the specifics of this access. COMCO says that this is in part to determine "whether other providers of mobile payment apps can effectively compete with Apple Pay." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Read more »

Mystery solved: Here’s how to tell when your AirPods are updating
Macworld If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably Googled at least once, How do I know when my AirPods are updating? While Apple offers official documentation outlining what’s required to start the process, its guidance remains vague, providing no clear way to confirm whether an AirPods firmware update is actually in progress. Nevertheless, we’ve uncovered a subtle yet reliable indicator that reveals when your AirPods are installing new software. When the charging case’s lid is open and/or the AirPods are in use, the iPhone’s Settings app displays a [your name]’s AirPods panel towards the top of the screen. The panel acts as a shortcut that takes you directly to the AirPods’ settings page, sparing you from going through the Bluetooth menu first. When you return your AirPods to their charging case and close its lid, the AirPods panel disappears from the Settings app’s main page within a few seconds. The AirPods settings panel (seen at right) will remain for a few minutes when AirPods are installing a software update.Foundry However, I’ve discovered a deviation in this behavior that appears to occur only when an AirPods firmware update is in progress. On two separate occasions, the AirPods panel persisted in my Settings app even after I returned my AirPods Pro 3 to their case and closed the lid. The panel stuck around for a few minutes (as opposed to seconds) until the firmware installation completed. Both instances occurred right after Apple had released new AirPods firmware, and I verified the change in build numbers immediately after. The AirPods panel in the Settings app signifies an active connection between your iPhone and AirPods. So, the situation here makes sense, as AirPods piggyback on iPhones to download new firmware packages. As soon as the installation process concludes, the panel disappears, and the build number shows that new firmware has been successfully installed. According to Apple, “firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s connected to Wi-Fi.” So, beyond following the company’s instructions, there’s not much you can do to force a firmware update. But if you keep an eye on your Settings app, you’ll at least be able to know when the new software is being installed. In fact, you can go try it out with the update that just arrived this week.

Read more »