During the teardown of the , iFixIt observed that Apple might have resorted to a clever solution to streamline production. Here are the details.

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iFixit today took apart the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery pack, an accessory designed to work exclusively with the ‌iPhone Air‌, and discovered something interesting.


The battery inside the accessory has an unusual shape, leading iFixit to conclude that it's possible that Apple is using the same battery for the ‌iPhone Air‌ and the ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery.

iFixit compared the battery in the ‌MagSafe‌ Battery pack to the ‌iPhone Air‌ battery that Apple showed off when introducing the new device, and it does appear to be a close match if not identical.

The battery has a 12.26Wh capacity, and it is 2.72mm thick, which means it is thin enough to fit inside the 5.6mm ‌iPhone Air‌.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery pack is only able to charge an ‌iPhone Air‌ to 65 percent even though it appears Apple is using the same exact battery that's in the iPhone, but that's due to energy transfer loss during wireless charging.

The ‌iPhone Air‌ ‌MagSafe‌ Battery is thicker than the ‌iPhone Air‌, and iFixit speculates that the size was the minimum needed to make it a viable product. The battery inside is protected with plastic and it does not have the same titanium frame as the ‌iPhone Air‌.
This article, "iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Pack Uses Same Battery as iPhone Air" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has brought big changes to the Battery screen inside iOS 26’s Settings app, including a feature that can help prevent excessive iPhone drains.

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Apple customers in Australia and New Zealand are starting to receive their iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max orders, since it is already Friday, September 19 in those two countries.


Orders of the AirPods Pro 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 are also arriving.

Apple fans who ordered a new device will soon be sharing photos and first impressions of the new ‌iPhone 17‌ models on Instagram, Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social networks. If you've received one of the new devices, let us know in the comments below and share pictures and your initial thoughts.

There are no Apple retail stores in New Zealand, so customers in Australia are the first to be able to pick up their new devices or make a purchase in an Apple Store. In-store stock in Australia will provide insight into what we can expect at other Apple locations around the world.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max did sell out during the pre-order period, and online shipping estimates are now into October. We are expecting retail stores to have available supply though, so if you missed pre-ordering, you should be able to get a new iPhone from Apple or from another big box retailer like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy.

After Australia and New Zealand, sales and deliveries of the new ‌iPhone 17‌ models and the other devices will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. Some Apple Stores worldwide are opening early at 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up reserved devices and make walk-in purchases.

Stay tuned to MacRumors, because we'll have hands-on and unboxing videos tomorrow, plus deep dives into the design, cameras, and feature sets of the new devices.
This article, "First iPhone Air, iPhone 17, and iPhone 17 Pro Orders Now Arriving to Customers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The first iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and AirPods Pro 3 pre-orders are now arriving to customers in New Zealand and Australia

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After Apple announced a sweeping set of changes to its App Store rules, the European Commission began confidentially gathering feedback from developers and businesses to assess Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act. They have until Monday to respond.

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Google today said that Gemini AI is being integrated into the Chrome browser for the Mac and PC. Chrome users in the U.S. will get the functionality first, with Gemini able to clarify complex information on any webpage.


There will be a small Gemini symbol in the upper right side of the browser that will offer options like learn about the page or explore a topic when clicked. By default, the Ask Gemini interface will answer questions about the tab that you have open.

Gemini in Chrome is able to work across multiple tabs, which is useful for comparing and summarizing information across several websites. It integrates with Google apps like Calendar, YouTube, and Maps to do things like locate a specific spot in a YouTube video or schedule meetings without leaving a webpage.

Later this month, AI Mode search will be accessible directly from the Chrome address bar with support for long, complex questions.

Gemini in Chrome will also be able to remember websites that you've visited, making it easier to search for a site that you want to revisit. Improved browsing protections are in the works as well, with Google expanding Safe Browsing to put a stop to sites using fake viruses or fake giveaways to phish for info.

In the coming months, Gemini in Chrome will get agentic capabilities, allowing the AI assistant to handle "tedious tasks" like booking a haircut or ordering groceries. You will be able to tell Chrome what needs to be accomplished, and then Gemini will act on webpages to get the task done.

Google also plans to bring Gemini to the Chrome app for iOS, with the feature coming in the near future.
This article, "Google Adds Gemini AI to Chrome" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It’s been a busy week in the Apple world, between reviews of new iPhones and the release of iOS 26.

One of the highlights of new iOS season every year is Federico Viticci’s in-depth review at MacStories. Given the vast nature of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this year, I was even more excited than usual to read his review.

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This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: touch is finally coming to the Mac with next year’s M6 MacBook Pro, plus iPhone 18 design changes and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

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Apple's new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 launch this Friday, September 19, which is either today or tomorrow depending on your time zone.


As shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook, Apple has set up "Pro" and "Air" installations in front of its Apple BKC store in Mumbai, India, to promote the launch of the devices. They almost look like 3D renders in the image, but they are actually real.

Here are a few things to know about iPhone launch days:

• All of the new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods have been available to pre-order since last week, with deliveries to begin this Friday.


• Apple Store pickup is temporarily unavailable, but the option should return on launch day, and there often ends up being surprise in-store availability.


• The new iPhones and Apple Watches will be on display at Apple Stores on launch day.


• Cook and other Apple executives, such as marketing chief Greg Joswiak and retail chief Deirdre O'Brien, typically make an appearance at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City on launch day. It is unclear if Cook has traveled to India this time instead, given the image he shared, or if he is sticking with New York.

Stay tuned for our series of iPhone 17 and iPhone Air how-to articles, and much more.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Launch Day is Near: 4 Things to Know" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, Apple Watch, and AirPods lineups debut tomorrow. Apple is preparing for the festivities with special displays at its retail store, including a stunning design at Apple BKC in Mumbai, India.

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Apple has major new products arriving in users’ hands tomorrow, and it seems several of them will have new software updates ready to install at launch. Shortly after shipping a special build of iOS 26 for iPhone 17 Pro, Apple has now released a firmware update for AirPods Pro 3.

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Apple today released a new version of iOS 26 (23A345) that's available for the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. Reviewers who already have a device will be able to update now, while new iPhone 17 owners will need to update when receiving their devices starting tomorrow.


The new version of ‌iOS 26‌ that Apple released today appears to be limited to the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, but the ‌iPhone 17‌ and iPhone Air will have a launch day update too.

All four iPhones have ‌iOS 26‌ pre-installed, but they have ‌iOS 26‌ 23A330, and not the launch version of ‌iOS 26‌ that came out on Monday. The ‌iPhone 17‌ and the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will need to be updated to ‌iOS 26‌ version 23A341 tomorrow.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will need to be upgraded to ‌iOS 26‌ version 23A345, which is the update that Apple just released.

It's not clear what's in the new version of ‌iOS 26‌ for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max.

The ‌iPhone Air‌, ‌iPhone 17‌, ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will start arriving to customers on Friday, September 19.
This article, "Day One iOS 26 Updates Required for All iPhone 17 Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has released a new version of iOS 26 that’s exclusive to its new iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max arriving in users’ hands tomorrow. Here’s what you should know.

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Gemini in Chrome for Mac and Windows will no longer require an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscription, while Google today also announced a number of upgrades.

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Chance got review units of all the new phones, so we take the opportunity to talk about his hands-on experiences with iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air and the new AirPods Pro 3. Just how good is Apple’s new lineup? Also, Benjamin has eSIM woes in preparation of his iPhone Air delivery. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we react to the initial impressions of iOS 26 now that the redesigned OS is available to a wider audience for the first time. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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Over the past few months, there have been rumors about a more affordable MacBook powered by an iPhone processor launching in late 2025 or early 2026. However, it is not entirely clear yet whether the laptop will have an A18 Pro or A19 Pro chip.


In June, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the lower-cost MacBook would be equipped with the A18 Pro, which debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro models last year. Soon after, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris also discovered evidence that pointed towards the laptop being powered by the A18 Pro, and DigiTimes reported the same.

It is quite possible that Apple has already finalized specs for the lower-cost MacBook, so it very well might be the A18 Pro in the first-generation model.

However, in a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo last week, an account known as "Mobile Phone Chip Expert" claimed that Apple is considering using the A19 Pro chip in the lower-cost MacBook. If so, it is unclear if it would be the 6-core GPU version in the iPhone 17 Pro models, or the 5-core GPU version in the iPhone Air.

"Mobile Phone Chip Expert" was one of the sources who said at least one iPhone 17 model would be equipped with 12GB of RAM, so they have a bit of a track record.

Obviously, the A19 Pro would be faster than the A18 Pro, which has similar performance as the M1 chip. It would also be good news for RAM, as the A19 Pro has 12GB of unified memory, whereas the A18 Pro has 8GB. The entire new Mac lineup has started with at least 16GB of RAM since last year, with the only option with 8GB being the five-year-old MacBook Air with an M1 chip, which is sold exclusively by Walmart for $599.

Both the A18 Pro and A19 Pro lack Thunderbolt support, so the MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports. They would look the same as Thunderbolt ports, but data transfer speeds would be limited to up to 10 Gbps. Plus, only a single external display would be natively supported, but DisplayLink adapters allow for more.

Kuo expects the lower-cost MacBook to have a 13-inch display, and he said potential color options for the laptop included silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

Apple often announces new Macs in October, so perhaps the lower-cost MacBook will debut next month. Otherwise, March 2026 is the next likely timeframe.
This article, "Will the Rumored Lower-Cost MacBook Use an A18 Pro or A19 Pro Chip?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Travel photographer Austin Mann always publishes a fun review of the latest iPhone camera advancements, and this year is no exception: here’s Mann’s latest review of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras, including write-ups on every tentpole new feature.

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Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions.


The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said.

It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. Casey said some of the photos he took with the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max at a concert contained "small blacked-out portions" and "white squiggles."

A spokesperson for Apple told Casey that this issue can happen in "very rare cases when an LED light display is extremely bright and shining directly into the camera." Apple has identified a fix and will be releasing it in an "upcoming software update," the spokesperson said, and hopefully that proves to be iOS 26.0.1.

It is unclear if iOS 26.0.1 will include any other bug fixes or enhancements.

It is also not known when Apple plans to release iOS 26.0.1, but given the new iPhones launch tomorrow, getting the fix out is likely an urgent priority.

watchOS 26.0.1 was already released for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, enabling satellite connectivity in Mexico.
This article, "iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple released iOS 26 to the general public this week with its new Liquid Glass design and a ton of other new features and changes. Now, the company is working on its first bug fix for this year’s software: iOS 26.0.1.

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One of the flagship new features of Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 (review here) is hypertension notifications. But in a welcome surprise, watchOS 26 brings the new hypertension feature to select older Apple Watch models too. Here’s how to set it up, and which models are compatible.

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While we have already rounded up a Apple Watch Ultra 3/, there are some other more rare standout offers to discuss in today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break. Firstly let’s start off with MacBook – we spotted a very rare deal on the 12-/16-Core 24GB model (the most affordable 24GB/1TB M4 Pro you can buy) at $300 off as well as another option for a 32GB M4 MacBook Air at $200 off the list price. Those offers also join a now even lower price Apple’s new 2025 model 25W Qi2 MagSafe Charger at nearly 30% off and a Amazon Renewed Premium discount on the most most affordable iPhone 15 Pro at $430 less than iPhone 17. All of that sits alongside ongoing offers on Beats USB-C cables, Mac mini, and more down below. 

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iOS 26 is here, bringing a Liquid Glass redesign and lots of new features for popular apps. The Maps app got some big updates last year, but even more changes have just arrived. Here are the new Apple Maps features available in iOS 26.

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In iOS 26, you can use AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Pro 3 as a wireless microphone with supported camera apps. Think of it as turning your AirPods into a lapel mic – you get professional-quality audio capture as well as the freedom to move around during recording. Here's how it works.

Setting Up AirPods as Your Camera Microphone

Using AirPods as a microphone in iOS 26 requires just a few quick steps through Control Center. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad before you begin. Note that using AirPods as a camera microphone isn't available in all countries or regions.

1. With your AirPods in your ears, open the Camera app.


2. Switch to Video mode in the Camera app.


3. Open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner of the screen.


4. Tap Camera Controls at the top.


5. Under "Audio & Video," tap Input, then select your AirPods from the pop-up menu. (Note: You might also see Same as System as an option.)

Mic Mode Options

From the same Camera Controls screen, you can also choose from four different microphone modes to suit your recording environment:

• Automatic: Lets your device choose the optimal setting.


• Standard: Default audio processing.


• Voice Isolation: Reduces background noise and emphasizes speech.


• Wide Spectrum: Captures a fuller range of ambient sounds.

Start Your Recording

When you're ready, press the stem on your AirPods to begin recording video. You now have hands-free control over your recording session while your AirPods capture the audio. When you're done, press your AirPods stem again to end the shoot.
This article, "iOS 26: Use AirPods as Microphone When Shooting Video" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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