There’s a new AirTag in town, but you might not know it based on the official product name. Fortunately, there’s a way to distinguish between old and new AirTags.

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Apple is developing a much thinner Face ID hardware module in an effort to reduce the space its facial authentication system takes up in the iPhone Air, a known leaker on China's Weibo social media platform today suggested.


According to Instant Digital, Apple has requested an "ultra-thin" Face ID component from suppliers that will allow the device to accommodate an ultra wide-angle lens in addition to the existing single main lens.

A redesign that includes a second camera is said to be one way that Apple thinks it can address user complaints that the iPhone Air, while an impressive design feat, has led to too many hardware compromises, especially given the $999 price tag.

Multiple technologies are housed in the plateau of the iPhone Air to maximize space for the battery, so Apple would presumably need to redesign the internals considerably to fit in another camera. Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station in November said Apple was focusing on making the device ultra-thin and lightweight in order to do just that.

The claim was soon followed by a report by The Information suggesting a second camera for the device was indeed in development.

For its rumored upcoming foldable iPhone, expected later this year, Apple has reportedly chosen to integrate Touch ID into the side button, rather than use Face ID, in order to make the device as slim as possible. Designing a smaller TrueDepth camera system could arguably see a next-generation model switch over to facial authentication.

Today's leaker speculates that an ultra-thin Face ID module could even eventually find its way into a MacBook, but there are no active rumors that indicate this is something Apple is working on.

In 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple tested Face ID for the iMac, but the technology necessary to embed the authentication hardware into a thin notebook display simply wasn't available, and the biometric system has yet to be added to any Mac.

Around the same time, a marketing employee for Apple argued that Touch ID is more convenient, since the button is near your hands. Of course, that does not rule out the possibility of Apple adding Face ID to a Mac in the future.

The latest claim doesn't point to any imminent product changes – the second-generation iPhone Air is not expected until next year – but it does suggest Apple is actively reassessing how its Face ID hardware is packaged. Watch this space.
This article, "Apple Developing Thinner Face ID for iPhone Air 2, Report Suggests" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The new AirTag that Apple unveiled today features a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous AirTag, according to Apple. However, you need a compatible iPhone model in order to take advantage of this improvement.


The improved Precision Finding requires one of these iPhone models:

• iPhone 15


• iPhone 15 Plus


• iPhone 15 Pro


• iPhone 15 Pro Max


• iPhone 16


• iPhone 16 Plus


• iPhone 16 Pro


• iPhone 16 Pro Max


• iPhone 17


• iPhone 17 Pro


• iPhone 17 Pro Max


• iPhone Air

Precision Finding at longer distances is limited to the iPhone models listed above because both the AirTag and the iPhone need Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which was introduced starting with the iPhone 15 series.

Note that the lower-end iPhone 16e does not have a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode, with an iPhone 11 or newer.

The new AirTag is available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting today, and it will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. In the U.S., pricing remains set at $29 for one AirTag and at $99 for four.
This article, "New AirTag's Improved Precision Finding Requires These iPhone Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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At the end of last week, the long-anticipated transfer to US ownership for TikTok operations in the US officially took place. But it didn’t take long for American TikTok users to start seeing signs of a broken app. Now, we have an official explanation.

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Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break deals are now ready to roll. Starting off with a new 48-hour flash sale at Best Buy, we now have $250 off all black Apple Watch Ultra 2 models alongside some deep deals on official Trail, Alpine, and Ocean bands at up to 44% off. Those offers join this 25% discount on the official black Milanese Loop as well as $120 off AirPods Max (USB-C), and this M3 MacBook Air at $400 less than the M4 model. Everything else awaits below. 

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AirTag 2 is officially here, and one of its tentpole features is improved Precision Finding thanks to an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip. But per Apple’s website, only certain iPhone models are compatible with the improved feature.

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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 Stuff: Stuff helps you get everything out of your head and into a simple, elegant system—closing open loops and reducing mental stress. Use code 9TO5 at checkout for 50% off your first year.

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Apple considered introducing a new Apple Intelligence feature that would dynamically re-arrange apps on the Home Screen.


The detail emerged in a report last week from The Information, which said that subordinates of software chief Craig Federighi approached him with proposals for an AI-powered iPhone ‌Home Screen‌. The feature would dynamically change the locations of apps on the ‌Home Screen‌ according to users' needs. Federighi reportedly rejected the idea, believing that it would disorient users, many of whom rely on knowing the fixed location of apps on their ‌Home Screen‌ for quick access.

With iOS 26, Apple prioritized new ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features that included Live Translation, more powerful Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT image generation in Image Playground, and actions in Shortcuts. Broader and more capable ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features are expected to arrive later this year with iOS 27, such as a Siri chatbot powered by Google Gemini.

The rest of The Information's report focused on how Apple restructured its artificial intelligence strategy under Federighi, accelerating plans to overhaul Siri by relying on external AI models after years of internal delays and organizational friction.

This article, "Apple Considered AI-Powered iPhone Home Screen" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s first M5 products launched just three months ago, but a new report says we could see the M6 chip debut surprisingly soon.

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Apple's AirTag 4-Pack is available for $69.99 today on Amazon, down from the original price of $99.00. Free shipping options have a delivery estimate around January 31, while Prime members should be able to get it delivered a few days sooner.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Overall, this is a solid second-best price on the AirTag 4-pack that's within $7 of the Amazon all-time low price, which we last tracked during the holiday season. We're not tracking any notable deals on the AirTag single pack right now.



Apple just announced a new model of the AirTag, which is set to feature longer range for item tracking, a louder speaker, and the same $99 price tag for a 4-Pack. The first generation model is still a solid Bluetooth tracker, particularly at Amazon's $29 discount this week.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Not Interested in Apple's New AirTag? Snag the First Gen AirTag 4-Pack for Just $69.99" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today confirmed that iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 are on the way. The updates will likely be released this week, so keep an eye out as early as today.


watchOS 26.2.1 was mentioned in Apple's press release for the new AirTag today, and iOS 26.2.1 is mentioned in fine print on the new AirTag's product page.

While these will be minor software updates, they do include a few things:

• The new AirTag requires an iPhone running iOS 26.2.1 or later, according to Apple.


• watchOS 26.2.1 expands the Precision Finding feature to the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. We have not yet confirmed if this is only for the new AirTag, or if it also works with the original AirTag.

Here is what Precision Finding looks like on the Apple Watch:


Beyond that, iOS 26.2.1 might include bug fixes and/or patch security vulnerabilities.
This article, "iOS 26.2.1 and watchOS 26.2.1 Are Coming Soon, Here's What's New" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Two laptops with the latest Intel chips have beaten out the MacBook Pro with M5 chip – but it’s already clear that this will be an extremely short-lived victory.

Benchmark results show impressive multi-core scores for the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 in laptops from MSI and Lenovo …

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Alongside the new AirTag, Apple this morning announced its new Black Unity Apple Watch band. The Apple Watch Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop honors Black History Month and “celebrating the power of connection.”

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Apple has announced a brand new AirTag 2 that’s available to order now, here are the details on the update.

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Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker.


For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com.

The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple. The new AirTag also has an upgraded Bluetooth chip for improved overall range outside of Precision Finding mode.

With an updated internal design, the new AirTag features a 50% louder speaker compared to the previous-generation model, according to Apple.

The external design of the AirTag has not changed, but its weight increased ever so slightly. The accessory continues to be powered by a CR2032 coin cell battery, and the new AirTag has the same IP67-rated water resistance as the original one.

Free personalized AirTag engraving remains available on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app.

The new AirTag is compatible with all existing AirTag accessories, including the FineWoven Key Ring, which still has the same design and color options.

The new AirTag requires an iPhone running an incoming iOS 26.2.1 update or later, per Apple.

watchOS 26.2.1 is also coming, and it expands Precision Finding to the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later. We have not yet confirmed if this is for the new AirTag only or also works with the original model.


The new AirTag is available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting today, and it will be available at Apple Store locations later this week. In the U.S., pricing remains set at $29 for an individual AirTag, while a four pack continues to cost $99.

Apple unveiled the AirTag in 2021, so there was nearly a five-year wait for a new model.

"Since the launch of AirTag in 2021, users from around the world have shared stories of being reunited with lost luggage, keys, bicycles, bags, and more," said Apple, in a press release. "With the help of AirTag placed inside an instrument case, a musician was able to locate their lost instrument and perform that evening, while another user was able to find lost luggage that contained a lifesaving medication."

Apple says the AirTag is the world's best-selling item tracking accessory. It competes with trackers from Tile, Samsung, Pebblebee, Chipolo, and others.
This article, "Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today introduced a vibrant new Black Unity Apple Watch band called the "Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop."



The band features the colors of the Pan-African flag, containing multiple shades of red, green, and black. It is made by weaving recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads using precision-braiding machinery. It is soft with a textured feel, and is sweat and water resistant.

The Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop honors Black History Month and celebrates "the power of connection," according to Apple.

Aligned with this theme, Apple is proud to support organizations that inspire connection and promote creativity through impactful programs in under-resourced communities around the world. This includes grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Urban Arts in New York City, Youth Music in London, Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, and Enactus México in Mexico City. These new grants build upon Apple's long-standing commitment to advancing economic, educational, and creative opportunities in communities globally.

This band, along with previously released Black Unity bands, was designed by Black creatives and allies at Apple.

The new special edition band is available in 42mm and 46mm case sizes, in band sizes from zero to 12. It is available to order now, and will arrive at Apple Stores starting later this week. Apple continues to sell two other Black Unity bands: Unity Bloom and Unity Rhythm.
This article, "Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch Band" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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After CalDigit TS5, which only sports 15 ports.

Although not as powerful as the TS5 Plus, after trying the regular TS5 for the last month, I’d recommend it over its bigger brother for most Mac users. Like the TS5 Plus, it provides 64 GB/s max PCIe bandwidth, up to 140W of Power Delivery, and a heaping helping of I/O. But it also features an additional Thunderbolt 5 downstream port, and it’s $100 cheaper than the TS5 Plus.

Is the CalDigit TS5 the dock you should consider for your Mac? Watch our hands-on video walkthrough as we take a closer look, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more.

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A database containing 149 million account logins has been found sitting unsecured on a cloud service. The records include 900,000 usernames and passwords for Apple accounts.

It was discovered by the same security researcher who found a similar database of 184 million records last year …

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The EU has opened its own investigation into the Grok chatbot generating child sexual abuse material. It’s estimated that Grok generated 23,000 CSAM images in just 11 days.

Despite multiple calls for Apple and Google to temporarily remove both X and Grok from the App Store, neither company has yet done so …

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Confirmation that Microsoft handed over BitLocker keys to the FBI for three Windows laptops is being contrasted with Apple standing up to the same agency back in 2015.

However, the comparison isn’t actually fair, and there is a simple way for Windows users to ensure their encrypted data remains secure …

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Strava appears to be rolling out full route navigation and mapping to its watchOS app, bringing the long-awaited functionality to runners, hikers, and cyclists with Apple Watch for the first time.


The feature, which remains in beta, allows users to select a pre-loaded route, view elevation details, and follow directions directly from their wrist without having to look at their iPhone. Strava users on Reddit noted the feature began appearing over the weekend.

Since this time last year, Strava users have been able to share an Apple Fitness+ workout directly to the Strava app, but the ability to get turn-by-turn directions on an outdoor walk/run or bike ride feels like more of a game-changer for users of the fitness service.

Both paying and non-paying Strava users currently seem to have access to the beta feature, but it's unclear whether it will be reserved for paying subscribers when finalized. Strava has yet to officially comment on the rollout.
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2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months.


Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for this year include a foldable iPhone, a lower-cost MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, and more.

Here is what to expect from Apple this year, according to rumors.

First Half of 2026

The following products are rumored to launch before the end of June.

• iPhone 17e: A spec-bumped successor to the iPhone 16e, with rumored upgrades including an A19 chip, MagSafe, and a Dynamic Island.


• iPad Air: M3 chip → M4 chip.


• iPad: A16 chip → A18 chip or A19 chip.


• MacBook Pro: M4 Pro and M4 Max chips → M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and PCIe 5.0 support for faster SSD speeds.


• MacBook Air: M4 chip → M5 chip.


• Lower-Cost MacBook: A18 Pro chip, 12.9-inch display, and fun color options.


• Mac Studio: M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips → M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.


• Studio Display: Mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and either an A19 chip or A19 Pro chip.


• Home Hub: An all-new smart home hub featuring the more personalized version of Siri, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. Place it on a table or mount it on a wall.


• Security Camera: Apple-designed, HomeKit-enabled security camera accessory to be sold alongside the new smart home hub.

Second Half of 2026

The following products are rumored to launch between September and December.

• iPhone 18 Pro: A20 Pro chip, a narrower Dynamic Island, a simplified Camera Control, variable aperture for at least one rear camera, web browsing via satellite, Apple-designed C2 modem for 5G, and more.


• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The same features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro, but the Pro Max model might be slightly thicker.


• Foldable iPhone: 7.7-inch inner display with a virtually "crease-free" design, 5.3-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and more.


• Apple Watch Series 12: A new chip, design changes, and potentially Touch ID.


• Apple Watch Ultra 4: The same changes listed above for the Apple Watch Series 12.


• MacBook Pro: A major redesign later in 2026, with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, a thinner design, and an Apple-designed C2 modem for built-in cellular connectivity.


• Higher-End AirPods Pro 3: Infrared camera for AI features.

Timing Less Clear

These products are rumored to be unveiled at some point in 2026:

• Apple Glasses: Augmented reality glasses with speakers for music playback, cameras for photos and video, voice control, and potentially health features.


• Face ID Doorbell: A video doorbell with Face ID and HomeKit Secure Video, wirelessly connects to a compatible deadbolt lock.


• iPad mini: A17 Pro chip → A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system, and a water-resistant design.


• Mac mini: M4 and M4 Pro chips → M5 and M5 Pro chips.

The following products were rumored to be updated in 2025, but none of them were, so hopefully they will finally arrive at some point in 2026:

• Apple TV: A17 Pro chip with support for the more personalized Siri, and Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support. A built-in FaceTime camera has been rumored for a future Apple TV, but it is unclear if that will arrive with the next model.


• HomePod mini: S9 chip or newer with support for the more personalized Siri, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red.

For more details, read our Upcoming Apple Products Guide: What's Coming in 2026.

Update: A new AirTag was initially included on this list, but it has now been removed, as Apple has officially announced the next-generation AirTag.
This article, "Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year.

First up will be MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which should be coming soon. Then, the MacBook Pro is expected to receive a major redesign in late 2026 (but 2027 is still not fully ruled out), with rumored features including an OLED touch screen, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a thinner design, and built-in cellular connectivity.

Apple updated the MacBook Pro twice in one year in the past, with the M2 Pro and M2 Max models debuting in January 2023 and the M3 Pro and M3 Max models following in October 2023, so there is precedent for such a thing.

Apple's Creator Studio bundle of apps launches on Wednesday, January 28, and it has been speculated that Apple might use the opportunity to unveil the MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips this week.

As for the MacBook Air, it is expected to get the M5 chip, while the Mac Studio should get higher-end M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.

There have been reports about a new Studio Display being in the works, with rumored features including mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and either an A19 or A19 Pro chip. Last month, the next-generation Studio Display was potentially spotted in a Chinese regulatory database.

Apple also plans to release a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip and an updated Mac mini at some point this year, according to Gurman. The lower-cost MacBook is expected to be powered by a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip.


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Fernando and Jeff discuss the future of Siri and Apple Intelligence after learning it will be powered by Google Gemini models.

9to5Mac Overtime is a weekly video-first podcast exploring fun and interesting observations in the Apple ecosystem, featuring 9to5Mac’s Fernando Silva & Jeff Benjamin. Subscribe to Overtime via Apple Podcasts and our YouTube channel for more.

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