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- Tuesday May 26
- 08:20 pmAs Chinese phone market reportedly picks up steam, iPhone could be a standout winner
The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) has released its latest report on mobile phone shipments in China, covering April as well as the first four months of 2026. Here are the details. more…07:52 pmNew in iOS 26.6 beta 1: Apple Maps security upgrade, blocked contact alerts
Apple still isn't done with iOS 26, as the first developer beta of iOS 26.6 adds a new contact-related alert, better protection for Apple Maps users, and more.iOS 26.6 beta 1 introduces a new alert related to the Contacts app and makes Apple Maps more secure.While we're all looking forward to the reveal of iOS 27 at WWDC, the iOS 26 software cycle isn't over just yet. Following the public release of iOS 26.5, Apple has now deployed iOS 26.6 developer beta 1.Tuesday's software update increases the build number to 23G5028e, up from the 23F77 build number of iOS 26.5. Though the iOS 26.6 beta is a relatively light release feature-wise, it does include two significant changes: an Apple Maps security upgrade and a new Contacts feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:52 pmNew in iOS 26.6 beta 1: Apple Maps security upgrade, blocked contact alerts
Apple still isn't done with iOS 26, as the first developer beta of iOS 26.6 adds a new contact-related alert, better protection for Apple Maps users, and more.iOS 26.6 beta 1 introduces a new alert related to the Contacts app and makes Apple Maps more secure.While we're all looking forward to the reveal of iOS 27 at WWDC, the iOS 26 software cycle isn't over just yet. Following the public release of iOS 26.5, Apple has now deployed iOS 26.6 developer beta 1.Tuesday's software update increases the build number to 23G5028e, up from the 23F77 build number of iOS 26.5. Though the iOS 26.6 beta is a relatively light release feature-wise, it does include two significant changes: an Apple Maps security upgrade and a new Contacts feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:52 pmNew in iOS 26.6 beta 1: Apple Maps security upgrade, blocked contact alerts
Apple still isn't done with iOS 26, as the first developer beta of iOS 26.6 adds a new contact-related alert, better protection for Apple Maps users, and more.iOS 26.6 beta 1 introduces a new alert related to the Contacts app and makes Apple Maps more secure.While we're all looking forward to the reveal of iOS 27 at WWDC, the iOS 26 software cycle isn't over just yet. Following the public release of iOS 26.5, Apple has now deployed iOS 26.6 developer beta 1.Tuesday's software update increases the build number to 23G5028e, up from the 23F77 build number of iOS 26.5. Though the iOS 26.6 beta is a relatively light release feature-wise, it does include two significant changes: an Apple Maps security upgrade and a new Contacts feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:52 pmNew in iOS 26.6 beta 1: Apple Maps security upgrade, blocked contact alerts
Apple still isn't done with iOS 26, as the first developer beta of iOS 26.6 adds a new contact-related alert, better protection for Apple Maps users, and more.iOS 26.6 beta 1 introduces a new alert related to the Contacts app and makes Apple Maps more secure.While we're all looking forward to the reveal of iOS 27 at WWDC, the iOS 26 software cycle isn't over just yet. Following the public release of iOS 26.5, Apple has now deployed iOS 26.6 developer beta 1.Tuesday's software update increases the build number to 23G5028e, up from the 23F77 build number of iOS 26.5. Though the iOS 26.6 beta is a relatively light release feature-wise, it does include two significant changes: an Apple Maps security upgrade and a new Contacts feature. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:00 pmApple’s FCC filing hints at new over-ear headphones
Apple appears to be gearing up for a refresh of its popular Beats lineup. A new FCC filing has revealed an unreleased "Bluetooth over-ear… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.06:59 pmHow Apple turned to math to defend against next-gen attacks on encryption
Apple says testing missed flaws in new encryption designed to protect against future attacks from quantum computers, so it turned to mathematical proofs to make sure the code works correctly before wider rollout.Apple services my be transitioning to post-quantum cryptography.New research and source code published May 22 detail how Apple verified parts of its post-quantum cryptography stack. The research argues conventional software testing is good, but no longer provides sufficient guarantees for encryption systems used across more than 2.5 billion active devices.The effort centers on corecrypto, Apple's low-level cryptographic library used across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other platforms. Future quantum computers could eventually break many of today's public-key encryption systems, hence the effort.Technology companies are racing to replace older encryption methods before practical attacks become possible. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums06:58 pmThe first iOS 26.6 beta is here, but good luck finding anything new
Macworld Apple has wasted no time in starting to test the next release of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, macOS 26, etc. The 26.6 releases are expected to focus on bugs and security fixes and won’t include any significant new features. It’s possible it will add support for any new hardware that might be announced at WWDC 26, too. What’s new in iOS 26.6 With this first release, the only new “feature” we’ve heard of is a notification to warn users when they’re approaching the limit on blocked calls. We’ll update this article if any user-facing features of note are discovered. iOS 26.6: How to install If you want to test the iOS 26 beta releases but are not a registered developer, follow these steps: Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID. Log in to the Beta Software Program. Click Enroll your iOS device. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta. It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update. iOS 26.6: How to install the developer beta You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.06:56 pmiOS 26.6 adds new alert when you try blocking too many contacts
iOS 26.6 beta 1 arrived today, and with iOS 27 right around the corner, it’s unsurprisingly very light on changes. But one difference was discovered by Aaron Perris: a new alert that appears in iOS 26.6 when you try to block one contact too many. more…06:55 pmmacOS 26 Tahoe Beta: Latest beta and how to get it
Macworld Every year, Apple updates the Mac operating system. The current version of macOS is macOS 26, and Apple runs a beta program, which means developers and registered public testers can try out new features before they are released to the general public later in the year. The beta process doesn’t stop with the full release of macOS in the fall. After macOS 26 Tahoe arrived on Macs in September 2025, development continued with new features rolled out every couple of months. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to do to get your hands on a copy of the new beta of macOS 26, how to install it, and what you should bear in mind if you want to avoid problems. (If you would prefer to use the latest official release of macOS, here’s how to update macOS on your Mac.) Update May 26, 2026: Apple released macOS 26.6 beta 1. macOS beta: Latest version The most recent version of the macOS 26 Tahoe developer beta is version 26.6 beta 1. It was released on May 26, 2026. Following WWDC 2025 on June 9, the macOS 26 developer beta is now available to download for those signed up to the program. The “macOS 26” name is part of a coherent annual naming system along with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Foundry macOS beta: Next beta update New betas tend to arrive every one to two weeks, and more frequently as the full release data approaches. The beta testing program will continue to run after the new macOS 26 software launches in September or October 2025, with Apple continuing to roll out new features. How to get the macOS beta To get the developer version of the macOS 26 beta, you need to be running macOS Sequoia and be registered for Apple’s developer program, either having paid $99/£79 to enroll in Apple’s Developer program (here) or with a free developer account (follow the instructions below for how to register for that). Alternatively, if it’s the public beta you are after, you just need to sign up for the Public Beta program on Apple’s beta webpage, sign the NDA, and enroll your Mac. Details of how to do that are below. As long as you are a registered developer or enrolled in the public beta program, when the relevant macOS Beta becomes available, it will also show up on your Mac. Before you download the beta, a few warnings: We strongly advise that if you aren’t a developer, you don’t download the developer beta. We also strongly recommend that you back up your Mac before you upgrade to the macOS beta. We recommend that you do not run the macOS beta on your primary Mac; ideally, run it in a separate volume. This should minimize any risks to you. How to get a free Apple developer account If you just want a free Apple Developer account so you can access the beta, you can get this via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app on an iPhone: Get the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app on your iPhone. Tap on Account. Tap on Sign In. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. If you wish to actually publish applications to the App Store or receive support, you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a paid account. You can compare the free and paid accounts here. How to register for the macOS public beta The macOS public beta is accessible to anyone with a valid Apple ID. To register, go to the Apple Beta Software Program page. Select the “Sign Up” option. Sign in using your Apple ID. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the registration process. Enrol the Mac you wish to run the beta on via this Apple page. How to download macOS beta Open Software Updates on your Mac. (System Settings > General > Software Updates.) You should see two options: Automatic Updates and Beta Updates. Click on the (i) beside Beta Updates. You can now turn on Beta Updates (if they weren’t already on). Choose the beta you want to download: public or developer. If your account is tied to a different Apple ID than your usual one, you can change that here. Click Done. Now your Mac will check for updates and eventually show the latest macOS Beta as an upgrade. Click on Upgrade Now. Foundry Do I need the macOS Beta Access Utility? Only if you are running macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier. Apple changed the way it delivers betas in Ventura 13.4. If you aren’t yet running that version of macOS you will need to download the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility or macOS Public Beta Access Utility in order to download betas. If you were already running an earlier macOS Public Beta you’ll find the new macOS beta as an upgrade via Software Update. Just click on Upgrade Now. You may have to update to the latest version of your current beta before you can do so, if not follow the steps below to get the beta access utility. If you are enrolled in the Developer Program, go to Apple’s beta download page. Click on Install Profile to download the new macOS Developer Beta Access Utility to your Mac. If you are enrolled as a public beta tester, download the macOS Public Beta Access Utility. Go to Downloads on your Mac and click on the macOS Beta Access Utility to open it. Double-click on the dmg file and the installer will run. Once the new macOS beta is installed Software Update will check to see if there are any updates. Click Update and the latest version will download. You’ll see a prompt to install the latest macOS beta, click on Continue. Agree to the Ts&Cs (more on them below). Click Install. Once you are running the beta, the updates will come through to your Mac automatically; you just need to click to install. You will receive a notification when the next update to the beta is available. Updates will be available via Software Update (in System Settings/System Preferences) FAQ 1. Who can run the macOS beta? Anyone can run the macOS beta, but to do so, you do need to register for either the developer beta, the pubic beta, or both. Apple offers both developer and public beta programs for macOS, enabling all interested users to test pre-release versions of the operating system. While both betas provide early access to new features, they cater to different user profiles based on technical expertise and risk tolerance. Beta software tends to be buggy so the more stable public beta version may be preferable, but even that will not be bug-free. In the past, the developer beta was only available to developers who had paid to join Apple’s Developer Program (which costs $99/£79). However, for a couple of years now, Apple has opened up the developer beta to registered developers with free developer accounts. We explain how to get a free developer account below. If you decide you no longer want to run the beta version of macOS read this: How to remove the macOS beta. 2. macOS public beta vs developer beta Since 2023, the Developer Beta has been available to anyone who registers as a developer, even if they aren’t a paid-up member of Apple’s Developer Program. As a result, people with a basic free developer account can download the new macOS developer beta (we show you how to register below). Whether you should download the developer beta if you aren’t a developer is another question. We don’t recommend you install the developer beta if you aren’t a developer. Instead, our recommendation is to use the public beta (the first version of which usually arrives in July). There are a few differences between the public and developer betas. The public beta is not the same as the beta that is released through the developer program. The public beta typically launches after the developer beta has undergone initial testing and refinement Developers get updates to their beta first, and possibly more frequently. But you should keep in mind that betas are by nature not stable, and because the public beta comes after the developer beta it could be a little safer to install. The most significant difference is probably the motive of the testers: Developers usually have the aim of ensuring their apps work when the updated macOS is released to the general public, while public beta testers are essentially helping Apple detect bugs and offering feedback on the features. Because of this, developers may get to test new features not available in the public beta. If you want to get the public beta the first thing you need to do, if you haven’t already, is join Apple’s beta programs read this for more information: How to become an Apple beta tester. 3. Is the macOS beta stable? By its nature, a beta has the potential to be unstable. Therefore, it’s not advised that you install it on a Mac that you rely on. If you have a second Mac that isn’t mission-critical, then install it there. We strongly recommend that you don’t risk all by putting the macOS beta on your primary macOS, especially not in the early days of the beta development. If you don’t have a second Mac, there are a couple of ways you could run macOS beta on your Mac without running the risk of losing data or finding your Mac stops working: We recommend installing it on a partition, which these days is really a volume (and is much easier to create than a partition was). Read about how to do that here: How to dual-boot Mac: Run two versions of macOS on a Mac. Alternatively, you could install the macOS beta on an external drive and run it on that. We discuss the safety of the macOS beta and the risks you might be taking in more detail in a separate article. If the stability of the beta worries you, then you are probably better off waiting until the final version is out, or at least waiting until testing has been happening for a few months before getting the beta. 4. How to prepare your Mac for the beta Update your software: We recommend you have the latest full version of macOS installed, although Apple says that the macOS Developer Beta Access Utility requires macOS 10.8 or later. Make space: We’d recommend at least 15GB of available space because the macOS betas tend to be very large. If you end up requiring more space, read: How to free up space on Mac. Note that we always recommend that you have at least 10% space free on your Mac at any time, so if you don’t have that, expect problems! Back up: Before you install a beta on your Mac, you should make a backup of your data and files. You can find out how to use Time Machine to back up your Mac. We also have a round-up of suitable backup solutions. 5. How to send feedback to Apple Should you come across an error or a bug, you should use the Feedback Assistant app to provide feedback to Apple. Launch the app and follow the appropriate steps, selecting the area about which you’re providing feedback and then any specific sub-area. Then describe your issue in a single sentence, before providing a more detailed description, including any specific steps that reproduce the issue. You’ll also be able to attach other files. You’ll also have to give permission for the Feedback Assistant app to collect diagnostic information from your Mac. It won’t always be obvious whether something is a bug or just not as easy to use as you might have hoped. Either way, if your feedback is that something appears to work in an illogical way, Apple will want to know that. If you are having trouble with a third-party app, you can let Apple know by reporting it through the 3rd-party Application Compatibility category in the Feedback Assistant. However, we’d suggest that you also provide feedback to the app’s developer, who will no doubt be grateful. 6. Will I be able to update from macOS beta to the final version? Beta users will be able to install the final build of the OS on release day without needing to reformat or reinstall. 7. Can I talk about the beta publicly? According to Apple and the license agreement all beta testers must agree to, the beta is “Apple confidential information”. By accepting those terms, you agree not to discuss your use of the software with anyone who isn’t also in the Beta Software Program. That means you can’t “blog, post screenshots, tweet, or publicly post information about the public beta software.” However, you can discuss any information that Apple has publicly disclosed; the company says that information is no longer considered confidential. 8. How to downgrade from the macOS beta You can always revert to an earlier version of macOS, though depending on how you back up, it’s not necessarily a painless process. Start by making sure the data on your drive is backed up, then erase the drive and install the latest public version of macOS. When you first start up your Mac, you can use the Migration Assistant to import your data from the backup. Here’s a more detailed tutorial on downgrading from the macOS beta and we also have a tutorial on downgrading to an older version of the Mac OS. macOS Sonoma beta timeline To get an idea of what to expect for the macOS 26 beta timeline, here’s how the macOS Sequoia beta rolled out in 2024. The first version of the macOS 15 Sequoia developer beta arrived after the WWDC keynote on June 10, 2024. Beta 2 arrived on June 24. The first public beta of Sequoia arrived on July 15, 2024. Developer beta 4 was released on July 23. The second public beta also arrived on July 23, 2024. Developer beta 5 arrived on August 5 followed by the third public beta. Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta 6 on August 12. The fourth public beta of Sequoia arrived on August 13, 2024. Developer beta 7 and the fifth public beta of Sequoia were released on August 20. On August 28, Apple released the macOS Sequoia 15 beta 8 and the sixth public beta of Sequoia. The release candidate of Sequoia arrived on September 9. The full version of Sequoia arrived on compatible Macs on September 16. There were actually two versions of the developer beta running concurrently. The macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta included Apple Intelligence features that are only available on M-series Macs (a iOS 18.1 beta was also in development separately with Apple Intelligence features for compatible iPhones). Apple started work on the macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta on July 29. macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 2 arrived on August 12. macOS Sequoia 15.1 Beta 3 was released to developers on August 28. Initially, this beta was only for developers, but Apple released a macOS Sequoia 15.1 pubic beta on September 19, 2024, following the release of Sequoia to the general public. Eventually, the macOS Sequoia 15.1 release candidate was released on October 21, and a second release candidate 2 was released on October 24. The final version of macOS Sequoia 15.1 arrived on compatible Macs on October 28. After the macOS Sequoia full release, the beta continued: macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta – arrived September 19, 2024 macOS Sequoia 15.2 beta- arrived October 23, 2024. Including a second set of Apple Intelligence features. The official release of 15.2 was on December 11. macOS Sequoia 15.3 beta – arrived December 16, 2024. Including the ability to create Gemoji. Release Candidate available on January 2. macOS Sequoia 15.4 beta – arrived on February 19, 2025. Included Mail updates and Proximity Pairing with the iPhone. Release Candidate available on March 28. macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta – arrived April 2, 2025. Apple released the Sequoia 15.5 beta 1 to developers. Out May 12, 2024.06:44 pmMy favorite Mac app switcher just got a huge productivity upgrade
A favorite Mac productivity tool gets even better, as rcmd v3 brings faster spaces switching, fuzzy search and workspace restoration. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)06:34 pmGlobal Running Day Challenge coming to Apple Watch next week
June is just around the corner, and with the new month comes the next Apple Watch fitness challenge. more…06:26 pmKeep your coffee at the perfect temp with 62% off this Ember mug
Macworld 6oz Ember Temperature Control Smart Cup View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); The weather’s warming up, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to drink my coffee any other way than scalding hot. The first one, at least. If you want to ensure your coffee stays just the right temp, this 6oz Ember Temperature Control Smart Cup is on sale for its very best price yet after a whopping 63 percent discount, bringing the price down to just under $50. Ember cups have been around for years, but this one’s a bit smaller than some of the original models, with enough room for 6oz of hot coffee. The cup holds your drink between 120 degrees and 145 degrees, simply perfect for coffee and tea. If you’re at your desk, keeping the cup on the charging pad will make it possible to maintain the temperature for however long it takes to drink it. If you don’t move it at all, the cup enters sleep mode after two hours, so you don’t have to worry about it accidental overheating. When you take your cup from room to room, the battery will keep your beverage hot for up to 90 minutes on a full charge. Setting up your mug is a seamless experience, and you can get the app or skip it entirely, as the cup will remember the last-used setting automatically. The scratch-resistant coating is safe to hand wash and IPX7 rated for full submersion. You can order one in copper or black.06:13 pmApple TV’s new space-race thriller does something unique, first reviews here
Star City premieres on Apple TV this week, a spinoff of the space-race drama For All Mankind. Here’s what the first reviews for Star City are saying. more…05:46 pmFirst betas of iOS 26.6, macOS 26.6 arrive as WWDC draws near
Following the conclusion of the 26.5 generation of betas, Apple is now testing iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, visionOS 26.6, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.Apple's hardware that works with the 26-generation operating systems - Image Credit: AppleApple is less than a month away from introducing the next milestone releases of its operating systems, including iOS 27 and macOS 27. However, it still has to manage updates for its current-gen operating systems, too.The 26.5 builds recently concluded its testing cycle with the release to the public on May 11. Two release candidate rounds also took place, with the last appearing on May 8. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums05:30 pmiOS 27 rumors heat up: Revamped AirPods menu, smarter Siri, and more coming at WWDC 2026 | Mac Daily NewsiOS 27 rumors heat up: Revamped AirPods menu, smarter Siri, and more coming at WWDC 2026
What to expect in iOS 27: While this year’s update is reportedly focused more on polish, stability, and refinement than headline-grabbing… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.05:10 pmiPadOS 26.6 beta 1 now available, plus watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, more
Apple has released a new wave of developer beta software today, including beta 1 for iPadOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6, and more. more…05:07 pmApple releases macOS 26.6 developer beta 1
Following the release of mcOS 26.5 earlier this month, Apple has now kicked off the next wave of betas for macOS 26.6. Here are the details. more…05:06 pmApple releases first iOS 26.6 beta for iPhone
Apple has released the first iOS 26.6 beta for developers. iOS 26.6 beta 1 arrives shortly after the official release of iOS 26.5 for iPhone. Apple highlighted 3 enhancements in iOS 26.5, including new wallpapers for your iPhone. more…04:51 pmTyped the wrong macOS password? That brief pause isn’t a glitch
Macworld When you’re starting up or restarting your Mac, everyone knows you’ll need to log in to a user account to continue the startup process. This involves selecting a user account on the Mac and then entering a password. Even if you have Touch ID enabled, macOS will force you to type in your password following a reboot as an extra security measure. If you’re following good security practices, you’ve created a strong password, one that’s practically impossible to figure out in a few seconds or minutes. The one thing about strong passwords is that they can be tricky to type–you’re bound to make a mistake when typing in a passworld like, “T+|Il1imnS∫$&:;,.” When you enter an incorrect login password, you’ve probably noticed that the macOS login box pauses for a second or two and then shakes before you can try again. It’s a brief pause, but it can seem like a maddening one, especially since it instantly logs you in when you get it right. Why does it pause? Aren’t we in an era where Macs immediately know when you’ve typed in the wrong password? That pause is there by design–it’s an important security measure. It’s there to discourage brute force attacks, multiple attempts per second by an unauthorized user to guess your password. You know how you get annoyed by that pause before you can make another attempt to type your password? Imagine how a threat agent feels during that pause. If that threat agent is using automated tools for a brute force attack, the pause cuts down the number of attempts that can be performed, thus cutting down the chances of figuring out your password. Of course, Apple also has security to prevent bad actors from working around this, too. After four wrong attempts, your Mac will lock for a minute; after five attempts, it’ll lock for five minutes; after six attempts, 15 minutes; all the way up to eight hours after nine attempts. Get it wrong a 10th time, and you’ll be locked out for good. So, the next time you miss on your password entry, and you’re anxiously awaiting for the password box to stop shaking, just remember that the Mac is doing that as a precaution. Be glad that someone’s looking out for you. After all, it’s a really quick pause that goes a long way to keeping your Mac safe.