Deadline reports that Apple has acquired the pitch for a feature adaptation of the 2024 bestseller “The Teacher”. Here are the details.

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Planning holiday travel or a winter getaway? Your iPhone already has everything you need for reliable, flexible, instant, and global connectivity wherever you travel. You just need the right travel companion to unlock it.

Nomad eSIM is your best travel companion for seamless connectivity in over 190 countries. 9to5Mac readers can save 30% with promo code MAC30. The offer is valid only until December 16, so be sure to act quick!

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iOS 26.1 recently introduced a big change for how you turn off alarms and timers, replacing the ‘Stop’ button with a new ‘Slide to stop’ action. Here’s how to get the button back.

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Apple should be able to collect a reasonable commission on purchases made using external links included in iOS apps, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled today (via Reuters). The U.S. Court of Appeals partially reversed sanctions imposed on Apple after Apple was found to have willfully violated an injunction in the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple legal battle.


Since April, Apple has been forced to let developers offer links to non-App Store purchase options in their apps, with no control over the design of those links. Apps like Spotify can advertise deals and direct customers to their websites, something that was not previously allowed.

Apple has not been able to charge any commission at all for purchases made using these in-app links, but that's going to change in the future. The appeals court says that Apple should be able to charge a fee that covers its necessary costs and intellectual property.

Apple is not going to be able to start charging a commission immediately, though. The case has been sent back to the district court so that a reasonable fee can be determined.

In our view, as the April 30 Order is written, it is more like a punitive criminal contempt sanction than a civil contempt sanction or modification of the Injunction. The biggest problem with the commission prohibition is that it permanently prohibits the compensation that Apple can receive for linked-out purchases of digital products, regardless of whether the commission is itself prohibitive.

Rather than coercing Apple to comply with the spirit of the Injunction with a reasonable, non-prohibitive commission, the district court used blunt force to ban all commissions, abusing its discretion.

Some other aspects of the initial ruling were also found to be too broad, so there are other updates in store. Here's an overview of what's changing:

• Fees on links - Apple will be able to charge a reasonable commission


• Link design - Apple can restrict developers from making external links more prominent than in-app purchase options. Specifically, Apple can restrict a developer from putting buttons, links, or other calls to action in more prominent fonts, larger sizes, larger quantities, and more prominent places than buttons for in-app purchases. Apple has to allow developers to place buttons in "at least" the same fonts, sizes, and places as Apple's own.


• Link language - Apple may restrict developers from using language that violates its general content standards, if such standards exist.


• Link access restrictions - The original court ruling prevents Apple from restricting certain categories and developers from using links, such as subscriptions provided using the News Partner Program. The appeals court says Apple is not specifically enjoined from excluding developers participating in the VPP and NPP programs.

Apple created a situation requiring court oversight because after the original ruling ordered it to allow in-app links, Apple didn't charge a reasonable fee for purchases made using those links. Apple charged developers 27 percent instead of 30 percent, knowing that developers would also need to pay a fee for payment services. Almost no developers opted in to Apple's link program because it ended up being more expensive than the in-app purchase fees.

The appeals court agreed that there was clear and convincing evidence of civil contempt, and it declined to vacate the injunction. With the exception of changes to fees and link design, the rest of the injunction will remain in place because Apple made external links "as hard to use as possible," which "flies in the face of the Injunction's spirit."

The appeals court recommends that the district court calculate a commission that is based on the costs that are necessary for its coordination of external links for linked-out purchases, along with "some compensation" for the use of its intellectual property. Costs should not include commission for security and privacy.

While Apple is not able to charge any commission until the district court approves an appropriate fee, the appeals court suggests that both Apple and the district court should work to settle on a fee "expeditiously." The full text of the ruling is available here.
This article, "Apple Wins Ability to Charge Fees on External Payment Links as Appeals Court Modifies Epic Injunction" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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VSCO is rolling out an AI-powered upscaling tool as part of its recently announced AI Lab set of features. Here’s how to try it for free.

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Benjamin and Chance talk about two more Apple executive departures since last week’s episode, and a rumored third that appears to be staying for now. There’s also exciting details about the next Apple Studio Display, Apple might be able to enlist Intel to manufacture Apple Silicon chips, Fitness+ is using AI for language dubbing, and more. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, the duo talk about Netflix’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros, and why Apple would never interested in a deal like this. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. 

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Apple has defeated the total ban on charging a commission on web-based purchases that originate from links inside iOS apps. However, a fair rate will need to be established or agreed upon before Apple can resume charging a commission on linked-out purchases.

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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: iPhone 18’s Face ID upgrade, AirTag 2 rumors, the latest on Apple’s new Studio Display, and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.

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Following a period of limited waitlist access, Opera Neon, the company’s subscription-based AI-powered browser, is now generally available. Here’s what it can do.

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Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21.


There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested and is close to release.

The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.
This article, "Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has just released brand new firmware updates for AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2. Here are the details.

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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: Give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Till the end of the month, 9to5Mac listeners get 30% off with code 9to5Xmas. 

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The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products.


Here's what's supposedly coming:

• An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. ‌AirTag‌ pairing is already fairly simple, but there's room for improvement with the naming and emoji selection.


• Detailed battery level reporting.


• An "Improved Moving" feature that Macworld speculates will allow users to find the precise location of an ‌AirTag‌ when it's moving. Precision Finding in the current ‌AirTag‌ can't handle movement well.


• A feature for improving tracking in crowded places.

We've been hearing rumors about a new version of the ‌AirTag‌ for years now, and it's supposedly getting upgraded tracking with a new Ultra Wideband chip. The new chip will improve Precision Finding range, and it could also add these new tracking capabilities.

So far, there have been no rumors of a redesign, so the ‌AirTag‌ 2 will presumably look like the original ‌AirTag‌. It will continue to feature a replaceable battery, though it could also get upgraded speakers that are harder to remove.

The ‌AirTag‌ is apparently labeled "2025AirTag" in the ‌iOS 26‌ code, which suggests that Apple might have been planning to release it in 2025. At this point, it's not clear when it will launch, but it's looking like we might get it in early 2026.

Macworld also spotted signs of the next-generation HomePod mini with S10 chip, a smarter version of Siri, and references to the home hub device that Apple is working on. We've previously seen extensive rumors about all of these products, and rumors suggest we'll see them around the March or April timeframe.
This article, "Apple AirTag 2: Four New Features Found in iOS 26 Code" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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OpenAI has officially announced its GPT-5.2 upgrade to ChatGPT. This is the so-called “code red” reaction to Google Gemini that OpenAI calls its “most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work.”

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Apple’s Always On Display has been fairly consistent since it debuted on iPhone 14 Pro. With iOS 26, Apple quietly changed how it works in a way that may not be obvious.

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Google Labs today announced “Disco” as an experiment to “shape the future of web browsing.” The first flagship feature of this AI browser is the Gemini 3-powered “GenTab.”

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A new AirTag was long rumored to launch in 2025, but that hasn’t happened yet. When the upgraded AirTag 2 product does arrive though, a new leak has revealed five improved features it could bring.

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Whether you’re a music creator or simply a fan, you might be interested to learn which moments in a song grab the most user attention. That’s exactly what Shazam’s newly launched ‘Popular Segments’ feature reveals.

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Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon.


Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week.

iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted eight new features in particular.

Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen

A new slider in the Lock Screen customization menu lets you adjust the opacity of Liquid Glass for the clock, allowing you to decide how clear or frosted it appears.

This comes after iOS 26.1 added "Clear" and "Tinted" options for Liquid Glass overall.

Offline Lyrics in Apple Music

iOS 26.2 adds offline lyric support to Apple Music, allowing you to view a song's lyrics even when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Sleep Score Revisions

iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2 have revised Sleep Score ranges:

• Very Low: 0-40 (previously 0-29)


• Low: 41-60 (previously 30-49)


• OK: 61-80 (previously 50-69)


• High: 81-95 (previously 70-89)


• Very High: 96-100 (previously 90-100)

Apple says sleep scores are calculated based on how long you slept, the consistency of when you fell asleep, and the frequency and duration of waking up during the night. The feature is available in the Health app on all iPhone models compatible with iOS 26, and in the Sleep app on all Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 26.

Alarms for Reminders

iOS 26.2 lets you set alarms for reminders in Apple's Reminders app.

When adding a reminder, selecting a time and then toggling on the "Urgent" option will cause an alarm to go off at the designated time.

Apple Podcasts Enhancements

Apple's Podcasts app has three new features on iOS 26.2, including automatic chapters for episodes, timed links on the screen, and the ability to view other podcasts that a podcast mentions right from the audio player and the transcript.

Apple News Revamp

In the Apple News app, there is now a dedicated "Following" tab, and buttons for quick access to topics like sports, puzzles, politics, business, and food.

iPhone Screen Flash for Notifications

Starting with iOS 26.2, your iPhone's screen can flash when you receive a notification. Previously, this setting was limited to the LED camera flash on the back of the iPhone.

In the Settings app, under Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts, there are now options for LED Flash, Screen, and Both. Or, you can keep the setting turned off.

AirPods Live Translation in EU

iOS 26.2 makes Live Translation on AirPods available in the EU.

Live Translation allows you to understand someone who is speaking a different language than you. For example, if you speak English, and someone is speaking to you in French, Siri can tell you what they are saying in English through your AirPods.

The feature works best when both participants in a conversation are using Live Translation on AirPods. If you are talking with someone who is not wearing AirPods, you can display a live transcription in the other person's language on your iPhone.

Live Translation is available on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The feature launched in the U.S. and select other countries with iOS 26, but it was not available in the EU until iOS 26.2, as Apple said it needed additional time to ensure compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act.

• iOS 26: Use Live Translation With AirPods

In addition to compatible AirPods, users need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence turned on and Apple's Translate app installed.

As of iOS 26.1, Live Translation on AirPods supports the following languages:

• English (U.S.)


• English (U.K.)


• French (France)


• German (Germany)


• Portuguese (Brazil)


• Spanish (Spain)


• Chinese — Simplified (China)


• Chinese — Traditional (China)


• Japanese


• Korean


• Italian

iOS 26 also has a built-in Live Translation feature in the Messages, Phone, and FaceTime apps, with no AirPods required.
This article, "iOS 26.2 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features on Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Watch Series 11 is all-time low at $199 shipped! Stock has been coming and going, but Amazon keeps bringing back the deal so get in there while you can. 

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Apple is likely done launching new products this year, but the company has plenty in the works for 2026, including four new iPhone models—one of which is expected to arrive very soon.

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App age verification isn’t just a theoretical concept being debated in Congress. A number of laws have already passed that require platforms to verify age for users in select states.

For example, the Twitter/X alternative Bluesky went offline for me in August rather than comply with an age verification law where I live. This week, I can use the app again — as long as I share a bit of personal information with a third-party service I’ve never heard of.

This is likely a preview of what to expect for more apps in more places going forward.

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There are plenty of holiday deals for AirPods shoppers this year, but the standout offer by far right now is on AirPods Pro 3.

Amazon has now dropped the price on AirPods Pro down to their lowest ever at $199, a whopping $50 off the regular price of $249. That’s an incredible, unprecedented savings on Apple’s latest-generation headphones.

Plus, we’re tracking deals on AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Max, and various Beats products. Head below for all the details.

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Shazam today announced it is rolling out a new Popular Segments feature that reveals exactly which part of a song is most popular with listeners.


For example, the image above shows that the given song was most discovered around 30 to 35 seconds into the track during the preceding week. This was the moment in the song when the most people asked Shazam to identify the song.

More details about the feature:

Popular Segments spotlights the key moments within a track that drove the most Shazam activity within the past week. Available for top tracks ranking on Shazam's charts and based on Shazam tag volume, this interactive feature displays relative segment popularity throughout a song, allowing users to hover over the graph and reveal precise time markers and corresponding segments.

Shazam says Popular Segments will provide both listeners and artists with helpful insights into what makes songs resonate.

The feature will begin rolling out today on the Shazam.com website across desktop and mobile platforms, according to Apple. The announcement did not indicate if the feature will be coming to the Shazam app on the iPhone and iPad.

Shazam is a popular music identification service that Apple acquired back in 2018, and it has Apple Music integration. In addition to being available on the web and as an app, Shazam powers a Recognize Music control in Control Center on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also use Shazam via Siri voice commands.

Last month, the Shazam app for iPhone was updated with a Liquid Glass design.
This article, "New Shazam Feature Will Reveal the Most Popular Moment of a Song" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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