Act surprised, but it is looking increasingly likely that Apple TV’s most successful movie to date might get a sequel. Here are the details.

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watchOS 26 brought a variety of big and small updates to the Apple Watch, but one I’ve been increasingly loving is the new wrist flick gesture. Here’s how it works and what I’ve been using it for.

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Amazon's Alexa+ AI assistant is rolling out to all U.S. Amazon Prime subscribers beginning today, with the service available at no additional cost.


Amazon says that Prime subscribers can access Alexa+ with the Alexa app, Alexa-enabled devices, or the Alexa.com website. Prime members can access Alexa+ by saying "Alexa, upgrade to Alexa+," or by logging into their Amazon account on the Alexa website.

Alexa+ has been in testing since February 2025, offering a smarter, more personalized, and more proactive assistant experience. Amazon says Alexa+ is much more capable than the prior version of Alexa thanks to its updated architecture that uses large language models from Amazon Nova and Anthropic.

Alexa is able to do things like order takeout, make restaurant reservations, book rides, and schedule home repairs, plus it can control smart home products and answer questions like any other chatbot. It integrates with Amazon services, and can integrate with hardware like Ring cameras.

Amazon Prime in the U.S. is priced at $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and Alexa+ is considered one of the Prime benefits. Customers without Prime can try Alexa+ through a limited, free chat experience on Alexa.com and in the Alexa app. Subscribing solely to Alexa+ costs $19.99 per month, which makes no sense for anyone since Prime is cheaper.

Amazon's revamped Alexa+ experience is seeing a wide rollout a couple months ahead of when Apple is expected to debut a more powerful, personalized version of Siri. ‌Siri‌ is going to get an update in spring 2026, likely in iOS 26.4.

Alexa and ‌Siri‌ were two of the original large-scale voice assistants, so it will be interesting to see how Alexa+ compares to the revamped version of ‌Siri‌ when ‌Siri‌ launches.
This article, "Amazon's Alexa+ Now Free for All U.S. Prime Members, Beating Apple's Smarter Siri to Market" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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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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As part of its broader manufacturing push in India, Apple is expanding supplier training to include Swift coding, robotics, automation technology, and smart manufacturing. Here are the details.

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Popular strategy game Civilization VII is set to launch on Apple Arcade tomorrow, allowing ‌Apple Arcade‌ subscribers to play on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.


Sid Meier's Civilization VII ‌Apple Arcade‌ Edition features the Civilization VII base game experience, with mouse support, controller support, and intuitive touch controls available. Players take on the role of one of many legendary leaders from history, aiming to build the greatest empire the world has ever known.

Gamers will construct cities and control armies to expand their territory, conquering or cooperating with rival civilizations for the resources to evolve and discover new technological breakthroughs. Multiplayer gameplay is not supported at launch, and DLC add-ons are not available. Large map sizes are limited to devices that have at least 8GB RAM.

Along with Civilization VII, ‌Apple Arcade‌ is also gaining musical rhythm adventure Felicity's Door, puzzle game I Love Hue Too+, and classic video arcade title Retrocade. Retrocade is available on the Vision Pro as well as the ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌.

‌Apple Arcade‌ is Apple's subscription gaming service, priced at $6.99 per month. The service allows up to six family members to share a single subscription, and games feature no in-app fees or ads.
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If your Apple CarPlay connection randomly drops out while driving, the cause might not be your iPhone, cable, or car.

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Last year, I spent some time BenQ RD280UG shine.

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After the FBI raided a Washington Post reporter’s home and seized multiple devices, Lockdown Mode prevented them from accessing her iPhone. Here are the details.

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Tim Cook recently called out one specific AI feature—visual intelligence—as being among the most popular Apple Intelligence capabilities so far. And rumors indicate that later this year, it could get a lot more powerful.

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Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026.


The new series:

• Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026


• Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026


• Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026


• Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026


• Cape Fear — June 5, 2026


• Lucky — July 15, 2026

The new films:

• Eternity — February 13, 2026


• Outcome — April 10, 2026


• The Dink — July 24, 2026


• Mayday — September 4, 2026


• Matchbox: The Movie — October 9, 2026


• Way of the Warrior Kid — November 20, 2026

We have provided a brief overview of each new show and film below.

New Series

Imperfect Women

Based on Araminta Hall's novel of the same name, "Imperfect Women" is a psychological thriller that "examines a crime that shatters the lives of a decades-long friendship of three women." The series stars Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara.

Margo's Got Money Troubles

"Margo's Got Money Troubles" is described as "a bold, heartwarming, and comedic family drama" that follows recent college dropout and aspiring writer, Margo (Elle Fanning), the daughter of an ex-Hooters waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) and ex-pro wrestler (Nick Offerman). Margo has a new baby, mounting bills, and dwindling ways to pay for things.

Widow's Bay

Apple says "Widow's Bay" blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.

Widow's Bay is "a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England," but "something lurks beneath the surface." Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys) is desperate to revive his struggling community, but as tourists start arriving, it appears that local residents might have been right about the island being cursed after all.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed

Billed as a darkly comedic thriller, "Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed" follows newly divorced mom Paula (Tatiana Maslany).

"Convinced she witnessed a murder — while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis — Paula begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self."

Cape Fear

A mini-series, inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg: "A storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance."

Lucky

Based on Marissa Stapley's bestselling novel, "Lucky" centers on a young woman (Anya Taylor-Joy) who "left behind the life of crime she was raised in years ago, but must now embrace her darker, criminal side one final time in a desperate attempt to escape her past."

New Films

Outcome

"Outcome" is a dark comedy that centers on Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves), a Hollywood star facing extortion. With the support of his lifelong friends Kyle (Cameron Diaz) and Xander (Matt Bomer), and his lawyer Ira (Jonah Hill), Reef tries to make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged in hopes of identifying the blackmailer.

Eternity

"Eternity" is a rom-com: "In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive."

The Dink

In this comedy movie, "washed up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck's (Ed Harris) suburban country club. Desperate for his father's approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck's vendetta against the new craze taking over the club: pickleball."

Mayday

Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up in "Mayday," a "genre-bending, action-packed buddy comedy movie that flips the spy thriller on its head."

"When hotshot U.S. Navy pilot Lieutenant Troy 'Assassin' Kelly (Reynolds) is sent on a top-secret mission into Russian territory at the height of the Cold War, the operation implodes, leaving him stranded behind enemy lines. Discovered by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), a gruff ex-KGB agent with a penchant for American culture, Troy thinks he's toast — but could an unlikely alliance between the two lead to Troy's rescue and a bond neither saw coming?"

Matchbox: The Movie

Inspired by the Mattel toys, "Matchbox: The Movie" is an "action-packed, globetrotting adventure about a group of friends since childhood who have their lives upended when undercover CIA agent Sean (John Cena), their long-absent former leader, returns to their small town and unwittingly gets them embroiled in a frantic international pursuit to save the world."

Way of the Warrior Kid

A drama film based on the 2017 children's novel of the same name by Jocko Willink: "Middle school has been a nightmare for Marc (Jude Hill), a good kid who's bullied by his classmates and feels like he's behind in everything, from academics to P.E. to just making friends. That changes when his injured Uncle Jake (Chris Pratt), a decorated Navy SEAL, comes to spend the summer and recuperate with Marc and his mom, Sarah (Linda Cardellini)."
This article, "Apple TV Announces 12 New Shows and Films Coming This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Earlier this week, Anker debuted its new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with a launch discount on Amazon. If ordered this week, you can clip the on-page coupon on Amazon to get the accessory for $119.99, down from $149.99.

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.

The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.




There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including the Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock back at its all-time low price of $339.99, down from $399.99. You can find this accessory and more on sale in the lists below, and note that as of writing only the new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station requires an on-page coupon.

Wall Chargers

• 6-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $79.99, down from $109.99


• 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $89.99, down from $99.99


• 6-in-1 Prime USB-C Charging Station - $79.99, down from $109.99


• 14-in-1 Prime Thunderbolt 5 Dock - $339.99, down from $399.99

Wireless Chargers

• Qi2 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charger 2-Pack - $25.98, down from $39.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Station - $89.99, down from $109.99


• 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $99.98, down from $149.95


• 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station (NEW) - $119.99 with on-page coupon, down from $149.99

Portable Chargers

• MagGo Nano Power Bank 5,000 mAh - $45.99, down from $54.99


• MagGo Power Bank 10,000 mAh - $63.99, down from $79.99


• SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $169.99, down from $249.00


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $429.00, down from $799.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $849.00, down from $1,499.00

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, "Amazon Discounts Anker's Newest Prime Chargers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In celebration of Super Bowl LX this weekend, Apple is counting down to the Apple Music Halftime Show with Bad Bunny. The company has shared exclusive content featuring Bad Bunny on Shazam, Apple Music, and more.

Plus, Apple Invites has added an “exclusive visual” featuring Bad Bunny.

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Update, 4:22 p.m. ET: Apple says the issue has now been resolved. The original post follows below.

Apple Developer’s System Status page reports that Xcode Cloud has been experiencing issues since yesterday. Here are the details.

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Apple has just shipped the RC (release candidate) versions of its forthcoming 26.3 software updates, including tvOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, and more.

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Apple today provided the release candidate (RC) version of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after the launch of the third beta. The RC is the version of ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 that will be provided to the public as long as the final testing phase uncovers no major bugs.


Developers can download the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

There's no word yet on what's included in ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3, and no new features have been found during beta testing so far.

We'll likely see Apple release ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 next week.
This article, "macOS Tahoe 26.3 Release Candidate Now Available" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today seeded the release candidate (RC) versions of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the third betas. The RCs represent the final versions of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 that will be provided to the public if no bugs are found in the updates.


Registered developers can download the updates from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting the Software Update option.

iOS 26.3 adds a tool for transitioning from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

Apple's transfer process supports moving photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number, and more.

The update also includes a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the European Union, and there are some minor changes to the Weather wallpaper. More information on what's changed can be found in our iOS 26.3 beta feature list.

With the RC now available, Apple will likely release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 next week.
This article, "Apple Seeds iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Release Candidates" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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After three beta releases, Apple is moving macOS Tahoe 26.3 to the Release Candidate stage, ahead of the upcoming official release in the coming days. Here’s what to expect from the update.

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Apple has released the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate for iPhone. iOS 26.3 introduces an easier way to switch between Android and iPhone, tweaks to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper gallery, and more.

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Apple’s beta cycle for its 26.3 updates is officially wrapping up, as the iPadOS 26.3 RC (release candidate) is now available for testing. Here’s what that means.

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Apple today provided developers with the release candidate versions of upcoming watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3 updates for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple provided the third betas. The release candidates are the final version of the updates that will be provided to the public as long as no bugs are found.


The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.

We don't know what new features might be added in watchOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, and tvOS 26.3, and nothing new has been discovered so far. Apple doesn't typically provide release notes for betas, so we might not know what's new until the software updates see a public launch unless there are outward-facing changes.

The software updates will likely launch next week now that RCs are available.
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About a month ahead of first Grand Prix of the season, Formula 1 fans can now link their Apple TV account with F1.TV, in order to start enjoying the F1.TV platform at the Premium tier at no extra charge; Premium used to cost $129 per year.

This rollout is part of Apple’s exclusive streaming partnership deal with Formula 1 in the United States. To get started, sign up to Apple TV here and then go here to link it to your F1.TV account.

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Apple is expected to release a new version of the Studio Display sometime in the first half of the year. This will mark its first update since originally debuting alongside the Mac Studio in 2022.

However, a new rumor suggests the Studio Display 2 might not have a most-wanted feature after all…

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Apple reportedly plans to release a new Studio Display this year, and it has once again been rumored that the monitor's maximum refresh rate will be 90Hz.


In November 2024, an anonymous listener of the Relay FM tech podcast "Upgrade" claimed that Apple was developing 90Hz display technology that could be used for the next Studio Display, as well as future iPad Air and iMac models. A higher refresh rate can make videos and scrolling look smoother to the eye, but 90Hz would stop short of the 120Hz refresh rate that iPhone, iPad, and Mac models with ProMotion support can achieve.

Now, a MacRumors tipster has backed up that claim, based on alleged information from an internal build of iOS 26 that was leaked online. Indeed, they believe the next Studio Display is likely to max out at 90Hz rather than 120Hz.

Apple's existing devices typically have up to 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, so 90Hz would be unusual for Apple. However, while there is no explicit confirmation, the tipster claimed that multiple code strings and display controller references in the internal iOS 26 build suggest the next Studio Display will max out at 90Hz.

The tipster believes that a 90Hz refresh rate would make sense due to bandwidth considerations. Thunderbolt 5 can support 5K resolution at 120Hz without any compression, but they think Apple likely wants to ensure there will be plenty of remaining bandwidth for connecting other devices and peripherals to the new Studio Display.

The current Studio Display has a 60Hz refresh rate.

Apple plans to release a new version of the Studio Display "in the first half of 2026," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Last month, an unreleased Apple monitor with the model number A3350 surfaced in a Chinese regulatory database, and it is likely the Studio Display 2.

There have been many reports about a new Studio Display being in the works, with rumored features including mini-LED backlighting, a higher refresh rate of up to 90Hz or 120Hz, HDR support, and an A19 chip or A19 Pro chip.

This rumor still warrants some skepticism for now. In addition, the internal iOS 26 build is from early 2025, so Apple's plans may have changed since then.
This article, "Apple's Studio Display 2 Rumored to Have Up to 90Hz Refresh Rate Instead of 120Hz" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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