Apple released watchOS 26 yesterday, and if you have a Series 9 or later or an Ultra 2 or later, there are a surprising number of useful new features. Apple could have limited new additions like Sleep Score and Hypertension notifications to the newest Apple Watch models, but now you don't need to buy a new watch to get helpful features.

Design

• Liquid Glass - ‌watchOS 26‌ adopts Liquid Glass, with translucent, glass-like buttons and interface elements. It's most visible with select watch faces, the Smart Stack, and Control Center.


• Control Center - Control Center is customizable, and you can rearrange it and add third-party app controls. If you don't like your changes, you can revert to the original design.


• Smart Stack - The Smart Stack uses a new prediction algorithm and it will prompt you if there is a suggestion that's immediately useful.


• Widgets - Widgets in the Smart Stack are customizable, so you can rearrange them to show what's most important to you first. Third-party apps are supported.

Gestures

• Wrist Flick - There's a wrist flick gesture for things like silencing incoming calls and dismissing notifications one-handed.

Health

• Hypertension Notifications - ‌watchOS 26‌ adds hypertension notifications based on heart rate, letting you know if high blood pressure is detected over time. It's available on the Series 9 and later and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.


• Sleep Score - Sleep Score gives you a number-based evaluation of your sleep quality. It takes into account sleep duration, the number of times you woke up in the night, and when you went to bed.

Fitness

• Workout Buddy - There's an AI-powered Workout Buddy that motivates you during workouts and provides helpful insights.


• Workout app - Apple redesigned the Workout app with an updated layout that makes options like custom workout, Workout Buddy, and Pacer easier to get to.


• Media - There's an Autoplay Media option that will automatically play music that matches your workout. You can also select your own media to have autoplay when a workout is started.

Messages

• Smart Actions - The Messages app can suggest smart actions like location sharing, providing an address, and more based on the context of a text.


• Smart Replies - Smart replies have been improved so you should get more relevant one-tap responses for incoming messages.


• Live Translation - The Messages app supports Live Translation, so incoming texts in another language can be translated to your language.


• Backgrounds - Personalized backgrounds that you create for conversations on iPhone sync to the watch.

Phone

• Call Screening - Call Screening asks callers for more information before your phone or Apple Watch rings.


• Hold Assist - You can use the Hold Assist feature on the Apple Watch. It waits on the line for you so you can do other things.

Watch Faces

• Photos - The Photos watch face uses Liquid Glass for the time, and the size and location of the time adjust based on the image that's being displayed. The shuffle option also uses Featured content from ‌Photos‌.


• Flow - Flow is a watch face designed for Liquid Glass. It features an orb of color with Liquid Glass numbers.


• Exactograph - Exactograph has hour, minute, and second dials for precise time keeping. If you tap on the face, it zooms in on the minutes and seconds dials so you can measure in even smaller increments of time.


• Waypoint - Waypoint is only for the Apple Watch Ultra, but it shows points of interest in relation to where you are.


• Hermes - There's a Hermes Faubourg Party watch face for Hermes watches. It displays different animations based on the time of day.


• Ticking Seconds - More watch faces support the 1Hz refresh rate on the Apple Watch Series 10 and later, showing a ticking second hand even when your wrist is down.


• Gallery - The watch face gallery has a new design that groups faces into collections.

Other Features

• Volume Adjustment - The volume of incoming calls and notifications adjusts based on the ambient sound around you. So if you're in a quiet room, your watch won't have a super loud ring.


• Live Listen - When using Live Listen on a connected ‌iPhone‌, a transcript of what's being said is displayed on the watch.


• Notes - The Notes app is available on the Apple Watch, so you can view existing notes and create new ones.

Read More

For more on the features available in ‌watchOS 26‌, we have a dedicated watchOS 26 roundup.
This article, "26 New Features to Try in watchOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If your Mac experiences an issue that prevents it from starting up properly, macOS Tahoe includes a new Recovery Assistant that can attempt to identify the issue and resolve it, according to an Apple support document published this week.


If your Mac experiences certain behaviors during startup, Apple says the computer might automatically restart and open Recovery Assistant. To use the utility, click on the "Continue" button in the window and follow the on-screen steps.

When the recovery process is complete, Recovery Assistant will indicate that it recovered your Mac successfully, or that it was unable to recover your Mac, or that no known issues were found. Click on "Restart Mac" to complete the process.

If your Mac starts up successfully, Apple says you might be notified to recover your iCloud data.

If your Mac does not start up successfully, it has an issue that Recovery Assistant cannot resolve, and you can then move on to other troubleshooting steps.

Recovery Assistant is also available from the Utilities menu in macOS Recovery mode.

As we reported on earlier this year, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 add a similar Recovery Assistant tool to the iPhone and iPad, and Apple published a support document this week with more details about how the feature works on those devices.
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The Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 are among the latest additions to the Apple Watch lineup, so how do they compare?


Both the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 feature hypertension detection, Sleep Score, sleep apnea detection, speaker playback, an Always-On Retina display, IP6X dust resistance, and more, but there are still significant differences between the two devices. The Apple Watch Ultra focuses on withstanding extreme environments, a high level of durability, extended battery life, and additional features to aid activities like diving and exploration.

With as little as $50 between the 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, some prospective customers will be weighing up whether it is worth spending a little extra to get the 49mm Ultra model. While there is a $400 difference between the GPS-only 42mm aluminum Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra, the high-end model offers a set of features to address specific challenges, so it may even be worth it for some of these buyers.

Apple Watch Series 11	Apple Watch Ultra 3
Rounded design with a thinner casing, display with rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio	Same design as first-generation Apple Watch Ultra
Anodized or polished aluminum and polished titanium casing options	Blasted titanium casing
42mm and 46mm casing size options (vertical)	49mm casing size (vertical)
9.7mm thickness	14.4mm thickness
Weighs 29.3 grams to 41.7 grams depending on casing size and material	Weighs 61.4 grams
Front crystal curves at edges onto shaped casing	Corrosion resistant case with raised edges to protect the flat sapphire front crystal
Aluminum: Ion-X front glass Titanium: Sapphire crystal front glass	Sapphire crystal front glass
Curved display with refractive edge	Flat display
42mm: 1.79-inch display 46mm: 1.99-inch display	2.04-inch display
42mm: 374 by 446 pixel display 46mm: 416 by 496 pixel display	422 by 514 pixel display
42mm: 989 sq mm display area 46mm: 1,220 sq mm display area	1,245 sq mm display area
	Exclusive Wayfinder and Modular Ultra faces
	Night Mode for low-visibility conditions
	Customizable Action button
	86-decibel Siren to attract attention
Single speaker	Dual speakers
Single microphone with voice isolation	Triple-microphone array with beamforming and wind noise mitigation
Aluminum: Wi-fi only and cellular connectivity options Titanium: Cellular connectivity	Cellular connectivity
	Satellite connectivity
	Emergency SOS via satellite
GPS (L1)	Precision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5)
Water resistant to 50m	Water resistant to 100m
Swimproof to 6m	Swimproof and recreational scuba dive to 40m
	Tested to MIL-STD 810H
	EN13319 certification
Always-on altimeter	Always-on altimeter with expanded operating range from –500m to 9000m
1.245–1.403 watt-hour battery	2.313 watt-hour battery
Up to 24 hours normal battery life	Up to 42 hours normal battery life
Up to 38 hours battery life in Low Power Mode	Up to 72 hours battery life in Low Power Mode
Charge 0–80% in about 30 minutes	Charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes
Aluminum: Available in anodized Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishes Titanium: Available in polished Gold, Slate, and Natural finishes	Natural Titanium or Black Titanium finish
Aluminum: Starts at $399 Titanium: Starts at $699	Starts at $799

The Apple Watch Ultra offers specific capabilities to address the requirements of those who need their Apple Watch to provide assistance in challenging environments. If you need a more durable Apple Watch with features like louder speakers, a more reliable GPS, better water resistance, and more, the Apple Watch Ultra is undoubtedly the best choice. The Apple Watch Ultra is clearly better equipped to handle tasks like hiking, diving, and navigation.

The Apple Watch Ultra is also biggest and most feature-rich Apple Watch option available, not to mention that the Ultra form factor offered the first major redesign of the device since its introduction in 2015. For technology enthusiasts, Apple Watch Ultra represents a way to get a new Apple Watch experience with top specifications in several key areas. Features like longer battery life and the Action button are also highly accessible, and will be beneficial to all users. As such, some customers may still be inclined to choose the Apple Watch Ultra 3 over the Apple Watch Series 11, even if they do not need it for use in challenging environments.

As the largest Apple Watch model to date, the size of the Apple Watch Ultra will not be for everyone. If you already prefer the 42mm Apple Watch casing size, the Apple Watch Ultra may be far too large for you. If in doubt, it may be worth heading to an Apple Store and trying on the Apple Watch Ultra in person to get to grips with the size and determine if it is too big and bulky for you. It is worth noting that while the 46mm Apple Watch Series 11 has a display size that is very similar to that of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, it is a much smaller device physically.

Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra's look may not appeal to some buyers. One of the most important differences between the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 is their designs, with the latter boasting a much chunkier, aggressive look with a flat display. The Apple Watch Series 11 has a much subtler appearance and is available in wider range of finishes, but which look you prefer is ultimately a matter of personal preference. If you prefer the idea of a polished finish and are looking for a more fashion-focused smartwatch that pairs well with premium bands, the more aggressive, rugged design of the Apple Watch Ultra may not be for you.

The Apple Watch Series 11 continues to be thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the Apple Watch Ultra. It also charges more quickly, but with a considerably shorter battery life.

If the Apple Watch Ultra is out of your price range but you still want to use your Apple Watch in challenging environments, it is worth bearing in mind that the Series 11 still offers a durable design with a strong front crystal, water resistance, and many of the Apple Watch Ultra's software features like waypoint marking.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has a lot to offer, especially for the subset of users who can take advantage of all of its capabilities, so it is certainly worth considering when purchasing a new model, but the Apple Watch Series 11 is still a compelling all-around option that comes in at a lower price point with a subtler design.
This article, "Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Ultra 3 Buyer's Guide: 30+ Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, and it's now available for all iPhone users with a compatible device. There are a lot of changes and features to learn about, so if you want a quick, easy-to-read list that outlines what's new, we've got you covered.

Design

• Liquid Glass design that reflects light and refracts what's underneath. It's system wide, with dynamic tab bars and toolbars that morph to provide more tools or let you view more of what's on the screen.


• There are new animations for when accessing the Control Center, Lock Screen, and more.


• Buttons, sliders, switches, and other controls have new animations and a reflective Liquid Glass look.


• App icons have a layered glass look, plus there's an option for clear glass-like icons.


• The Time on the Lock Screen adapts to ‌iPhone‌ wallpaper and notifications, and you can make it larger or smaller.


• Buttons, the keyboard, menus, navigation bars, and other UI elements have a more rounded look.

Apple Intelligence

• Live Translation available for calls and texts in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.


• In-person Live Translation with AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3.


• Two or more emoji can be mixed together to create a new emoji.


• Customize Genmoji based on people with expressions that show emotion like happy, sad, and more.


• You can change the hairstyle of ‌Genmoji‌ created based on people from your Photos Library.


• Customize Image Playground creations with expressions and emotion using emoji.


• Generate images in any style using ChatGPT.


• When you ask Siri for help with a device, ‌Siri‌ knows on-screen and on-device context, such as settings, model, and software.


• ‌Siri‌ can take action on responses from ChatGPT, such as playing a song in Apple Music when you ask ChatGPT for recommendations.


• The ‌Siri‌ ChatGPT integration feature now uses GPT-5 instead of GPT-4.

Visual Intelligence

• Ask questions about what's on your screen, from finding products to figuring out what you're looking at. It uses the screenshot interface.


• Summarize, read aloud, or translate text on your screen.


• Add an event to your Calendar from your screen.


• Visual Intelligence can identify more types of objects, including art, books, landmarks, and sculptures.

Music

• AutoMix can smoothly transition from one song to the next using time stretching and beat matching. Apple says it's like a DJ in your pocket.


• Your favorite albums, songs, and playlists can be pinned to the top of the Music app.


• Playlists can be organized into Folders directly on the ‌iPhone‌.


• You can get monthly replay insights rather than just a yearly report.


• There are Translation and Pronunciation guides for lyrics.


• When you AirPlay audio to a HomePod, everyone else in your house can see what's playing, control the music, and change which ‌HomePod‌ speakers are playing.


• The ‌iPhone‌ works as a microphone for karaoke on the Apple TV.

Safari

• Any website can be added to the Home Screen as a web app and will open as a web app.


• New Compact design option for tab bar, but Bottom and Top remain available.


• Advanced Fingerprinting Protection now automatically obscures browser and device data in all browsing modes.

Camera

• Simplified two-button navigation.


• Panoramic photos are captured faster with less motion blur.


• Alert to clean camera lens if it's dirty.


• AirPods work as a Camera remote.


• AirPods can be used to record high-definition audio.

Photos

• The Tab design separating Library and Collections is back.


• You can add 3D movement to 2D photos with Spatial Scenes.


• When searching, you'll now see video thumbnails in search results so you can find a specific video that matches your search term.

Messages

• A custom background can be set for every conversation. You can choose built-in options, use a photo, or generate an image with ‌Image Playground‌.


• Messages supports polls, and Apple Intelligence can suggest a poll when it might make sense.


• There's new on-device spam detection that filters out spam messages. The model that determines what's considered spam is regularly updated with user feedback.


• Unknown Numbers can be filtered into a new list that's out of view. The feature separates out spam, transactions, promotions, and general unknown.


• You can copy and paste just a part of a text message instead of the whole thing.


• Group chats support typing indicators.


• Group chats support Apple Cash payments.


• Search understands natural language and can also show results based on related terms. So if you search for "sand," you might also see results with ocean or beach.


• Unfinished messages are saved in a Drafts filter section.


• When dictating a message or other text, the dictation feature supports spelling out names.

Phone

• Unified layout that aggregates Favorites, Recents, and Voicemails into one screen.


• Hold Assist waits on the line for you.


• Call Screening can ask unknown callers for their name and reason for calling so you can decide whether to answer. You can also ask for more information with Live Reply.


• Filter out spam calls and calls from Unknown Numbers. Unknown Numbers go into a separate list, but you can mark them as known.


• SharePlay works for Phone calls.


• There's an option to report voicemails as spam.


• Incoming voicemails are summarized.


• When traveling, eSIM setup is easier, and travel eSIMs turn off automatically when you return home.


• There's a SIM-based Focus Mode, so if you have two SIMs, you can change your Focus filter options.


• Using the eSIM Quick Transfer feature requires Face ID or Touch ID when Stolen Device Protection is turned on.


• There are seven new ringtones in ‌iOS 26‌, including six variants of the Reflection ringtone and a ringtone called Little Bird.


• You can set a new custom ringtone by saving it to the Files app and using the Share Sheet.

Battery

• Adaptive Power conserves battery when you're using more power than normal. It adjusts performance, background activities, and screen brightness. Adaptive Power is available for ‌Apple Intelligence‌ iPhones.


• You can see how long it will take your ‌iPhone‌ to charge when it's plugged in.


• The Battery UI has been overhauled to provide more information about your battery life from day to day and which apps drain the most battery.

Shortcuts

• Shortcuts can incorporate ‌Apple Intelligence‌ models to summarize text, create images, organize documents, compare documents, and more.


• There are pre-set options to use ‌Image Playground‌ and Writing tools in Shortcuts.

FaceTime

• ‌FaceTime‌ has a new main page with Contact Posters from recent callers.


• Use Unknown Callers filter to block people you don't know from calling you.


• ‌FaceTime‌ calls can detect nudity and blur it out when Communication Safety options are turned on.

Files

• The Files app now has a list view option.


• File folders can be customized with emoji and colors, with changes syncing across devices.


• You can select which app to use to open different file types by tapping and holding then choosing the Open With option.

CarPlay

• Live Activities support.


• Messages supports tapbacks for quick responses, and you can pin important conversations.


• Compact call UI that doesn't block the entire screen.


• Support for getting glanceable information from widgets on the ‌Home Screen‌.


• There's an option to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen over ‌AirPlay‌ when parked, though this requires car manufacturers to implement support.

Maps

• If you have a commute, the ‌iPhone‌ can learn your routine and let you know if there's something that will make you late.


• Your ‌iPhone‌ can also let you know about severe weather alerts for your destination or significant location.


• You can automatically keep a list of all of the places that you've visited for later reference.


• Maps supports natural language search.

Wallet

• The Wallet app supports U.S. passports, and the digital document can be used at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. This isn't live yet, but is coming soon.


• Boarding passes now support Live Activities and have information like airport maps.


• You can track all of your orders, with data pulled from the Mail app.

Games

• There's a new Games app that shows App Store games and Apple Arcade titles.


• Challenges let you compete with friends in single-player games, and you can also team up for multiplayer games.


• Games Overlay lets you adjust settings and see what your friends are doing without leaving a game.

Clock

• You can customize the interval between alarms when using the snooze feature, choosing between 1 minute and 15 minutes.

Home

• HomeKit-enabled thermostats have an Adaptive Temperature option to adjust the temperature when you're on your way home, when you're away, and when you're sleeping. The feature uses on-device intelligence to save energy when you're away.

Notes

• The Notes app supports Markdown import and export, so you can import Markdown formatted files or save and download your notes as Markdown files.


• Math Notes supports three-dimensional graphs when writing an equation starting with z=.

Reminders

• Reminders can suggest items you might want to add to your to-do list from emails, notes, and more.


• There's an option to pull ingredients out of a recipe in Safari and add it to Reminders by sharing text on a page to the Reminders app.


• Reminders can categorize related tasks into sections that are grouped together, such as sorting a grocery list into logical categories.

Podcasts

• Podcasts supports Enhance Dialogue to cut down on background sounds on a per-show basis.


• There's an option to change your listening speed from 0.5x to 3x.

Passwords

• Passwords supports autofilling verification codes from notifications received from apps.


• There's now a timeline of changes you've made in Passwords, so you can see your previous passwords.

Preview

• The Mac Preview app is now available on the ‌iPhone‌.


• PDF AutoFill can fill out PDF forms automatically with your information.


• PDFs can be marked up, resized, and rotated, plus scanned images can be opened in Preview as a PDF.

Feature Notes

Some of the features on this list are limited to newer iPhones, including anything that requires ‌Apple Intelligence‌. Wallet order tracking, Messages polls suggestions, Live Translation, ‌Visual Intelligence‌, ‌Genmoji‌, Reminders suggestions and categorization, and Adaptive Power all require an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, for example.

Spatial Scenes requires an ‌iPhone‌ 12 or later, and lens cleaning reminders require an ‌iPhone 15‌ or later.

In-person Live Translation requires ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, or ‌AirPods Pro 3‌. Supported languages are limited, and include English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Compatibility

‌iOS 26‌ is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and later and the ‌iPhone‌ SE 2.

Read More

For more on all of the new features in ‌iOS 26‌, we have a dedicated iOS 26 roundup that walks through all of the changes. We also have an iOS 26 ultimate guide that includes feature breakdowns and instructions on how to use all of the new additions.
This article, "iOS 26: The Top 100 New Features and Changes" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released new firmware for the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds that came out earlier this year. The updated firmware has a version number of 8A353, an update to the prior 7B30 firmware that came out in March.


The updated firmware adds new functionality when combined with the iOS 26 update. The heart rate monitoring feature in the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 is now compatible with the Fitness app, and wearers will be able to see real-time performance metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and the Burn Bar, features that previously required an Apple Watch.

Both the Apple Watch and ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 can be used simultaneously to provide data to the Health app, and Apple added a new algorithm that improves heart rate reading speeds. If there's a poor fit that's impacting heart rate monitoring, a new alert will suggest adjustments.

Heart rate monitoring in ‌iOS 26‌ can be done with just a single earbud, and the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 can be used for step tracking even when the iPhone is not nearby. Apple also added support for Siri head gestures, so there is now an option to nod your head yes or shake your head no to accept or decline calls, hear or decline text messages, and more.

Most of these features are designed for ‌iPhone‌ users, but the improved heart rate tracking algorithm and fit notifications are also available on Android devices.

The updated firmware can be installed on the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 by connecting them to power and ensuring that they are in Bluetooth range of an ‌iPhone‌, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi. Firmware can be checked on the ‌iPhone‌ by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping the Info button next to the Beats headphones in the list. Android users can download new Beats firmware through the Beats app for Android.
This article, "Apple Releases New Powerbeats Pro 2 Firmware With iOS 26 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 was finally released on Monday, but the software train never stops, and the first developer beta of iOS 26.1 will likely be released soon.


iOS 18.1 was an anomaly, as the first developer beta of that version was released in late July last year, to allow for early testing of Apple Intelligence features. The first betas of iOS 15.1, iOS 16.1, and iOS 17.1 were all released in the second half of September, so it is likely the iOS 26.1 beta cycle will begin this month.

The following new features are expected to be added in future updates, ranging from iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4. These are only the features that are known about so far, so there will obviously be many others added over the course of the next year.

Digital Passport

A future version of iOS 26 will let you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app. Unfortunately, the feature has been delayed.

The so-called "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be available in a "software update," according to Apple's fine print on its iOS 26 page. Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully it arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.

Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.

It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.

RCS Upgrades

Earlier this year, Apple said it planned to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates, and we are still waiting for that to happen. As of the first official version of iOS 26 released this week, the upgrade has yet to be implemented on iPhones.

End-to-end encryption for RCS was announced in March, as part of version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profile, a global standard for RCS features and specifications. This means that Apple has indirectly confirmed that it will support RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which includes not only end-to-end encryption for RCS, but several other iMessage-like enhancements for RCS that were originally introduced in RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.7.

Apple has to wait on carriers to implement RCS Universal Profile 3.0 too, so it is understandable why the process is taking time.

Here are five new capabilities to expect for RCS conversations on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, once Apple rolls out support for RCS Universal Profile 3.0:

• End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices, as has always been the case with iMessage


• In-line replies


• Edit messages


• Unsend messages


• Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, with no special workarounds

RCS support as a whole was added to the iPhone with iOS 18, which supports ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.4. It is effectively a modernized version of the SMS standard, which remains available as a fallback option for text messages over a cellular network.

RCS will be playing catch up with iMessage in many ways. iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have already supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. In addition, iMessage has supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16.

It seems likely that Apple will roll out these RCS upgrades at some point during the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 software cycle.

Personalized Siri

In late July, Apple CEO Tim Cook said his company was making "good progress" on a more personalized version of Siri, and he reiterated the features were on track to launch next year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the new Siri to launch in the U.S. in spring 2026, so Apple is likely aiming for an iOS 26.4 launch.

Apple first announced the personalized Siri features during its WWDC 2024 keynote, but in March it announced that they were delayed. The new capabilities will include better understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.

Weather via Satellite

A little more than three months ago, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris discovered references to an unreleased "Weather via satellite" feature in the code for the first iOS 26 developer beta. However, the feature has yet to be released or even announced by Apple, so it is unclear if it is still coming or if it was scrapped.

The references have not been removed from the code, as of the iOS 26 Release Candidate, so it is possible that Apple will introduce the feature eventually. Perhaps the feature will be added in a follow-up update, such as iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

The feature would let you view the forecast and other weather information in the Weather app, in supported areas without Wi-Fi and cellular range. Apple's other satellite features include Emergency SOS via satellite, Messages via satellite, Find My via satellite, and Roadside Assistance via satellite, with availability varying by country.

Apple has yet to charge a fee for any of its satellite features. Last week, the company announced it is providing existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users with an additional year of free access to the entire suite of satellite features on those devices.

New Emoji

iOS 26.4 will likely add new built-in emoji to the iPhone.

In celebration of World Emoji Day on July 17, the Unicode Consortium previewed some of the new emoji that will be coming with Unicode 17.0.

Here are some of the new emoji:

• Trombone


• Treasure Chest


• Distorted Face


• Hairy Creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)


• Fight Cloud


• Apple Core


• Orca


• Ballet Dancers


• Landslide

Notably, Distorted Face is a popular emoji in Discord servers. It is essentially a distorted version of the embarassed face emoji, also known as Flushed Face.


It typically takes Apple several months to design new emoji in its own style, so the emoji listed above will likely be added to the iPhone in iOS 26.4.

Apple most recently added new emoji to the iPhone with iOS 18.4, an update that came out in late March. iOS 17.4, iOS 16.4, and iOS 15.4 also introduced new emoji over the years, so the timing has become predictable by this point if it holds up.
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Mophie today announced the launch of four new Qi2 wireless chargers that can charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones at up to 15W.


The $60 Powerstation Wireless Slim has an ultra-thin design that's meant to provide extra power without adding too much bulk. It has a 5,000 mAh battery and also includes a 20W USB-C power delivery port for wired charging. It's just 9mm thick, so it pairs well with the iPhone Air or any of Apple's new iPhone 17 models.

Mophie also has a version of the Slim with a built-in stand that is able to rotate 180 degrees, making it ideal for watching videos in either portrait or landscape mode. It is priced at $70, and is 11mm thick to accommodate the stand.

The $80 Powerstation Wireless has a larger 10,000 mAh capacity, but a thicker design than the slim model at 15mm. It too includes a 20W USB-C port for faster wired charging. The $90 Powerstation Wireless with Stand is 2mm thicker, coming in at 17mm, plus it supports 30W wired charging.

Mophie's new wireless chargers can be purchased from the Mophie website or from Amazon.
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Apple released macOS Tahoe on September 15, which means it's now available for all Macs that support it. If you didn't download the new software yet, here are some features that might entice you to upgrade.

• Liquid Glass - macOS Tahoe has a whole new design, and it matches the Liquid Glass that Apple brought to iOS 26. Buttons, navigation bars, widgets, the Dock, menus, side bars, and more all have a more translucent look that reflects the background underneath and refracts light. There are new icon options, including tinted and entirely clear.


• Customizable Control Center - You can rearrange the Control Center in macOS Tahoe, putting what you access most often front and center. You're also able to use multiple Control Center pages, and add third-party app controls like on iOS.


• Customizable Menu Bar - You can also rearrange the Menu Bar, plus add Control Center controls to it. Live Activities from the iPhone will also show up in the Menu Bar now through ‌iPhone‌ Mirroring.


• Spotlight Redesign - Spotlight is very different in macOS Tahoe, and it might take some getting used to. There's no more Launchpad, because the new Spotlight functionality has replaced it. There are four main Spotlight options to access apps, files, complete actions, and access the Clipboard History.


• Clipboard - Spotlight now saves what you copy and paste, so you have a log of what you've been doing that you can go back and reference. You can see your entire history for the day, but it is limited to 24 hours.


• Spotlight Actions - You can use Spotlight Actions to do all kinds of things without opening an app. You can send texts, emails, create shortcuts for features in apps, set timers, create Calendar events, make reminders, and much more, plus there's integration with the Shortcuts app to take things even further. There are quick access phrases you can assign to launch tasks quickly, like CH for bringing up ChatGPT.


• Folder Customization - You can assign colors to folders, and also add an emoji or character to help you better organize your files. Folders get a color tag, which is a useful way to group things together.


• Widgets - You can move widgets from the Notification Center to the desktop for quicker access. This works with widgets from Apple apps and from third-party apps.


• Shortcuts - The macOS Shortcuts app supports creating automations, much like the Shortcuts app in ‌iOS 26‌. You can make Shortcuts that run at a specific time of day, with a trigger action, when an accessory connects, when an action in an app takes place, when the battery drains to a certain level, when activating a Focus mode, and more. It's super powerful when paired with Spotlight's new functionality.


• Phone App - Apple brought the Phone app to the Mac, so you can make calls, accept calls, and use features like Hold Assist and Call Screening. You still need a connected ‌iPhone‌ with Wi-Fi Assist turned on.


• Journal App - The Journal app is new to the Mac, and it makes a lot of sense on a platform that has a full keyboard. It works just like the iOS version of the app, but there are also some added features like the option to create multiple journals.


• Games App - The Games app is also new to the Mac. It's a cross-platform app that aggregates Mac App Store games and Apple Arcade games with your own games library, plus it provides options for playing with friends. There's a new Game Overlay that lets you adjust game settings and connect with friends without exiting the game, and if you're on battery, there's a Low Power Mode so you can play longer.

Read More

For more on the new features in macOS Tahoe, make sure to check out our roundup.
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Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, featuring a new Fusion telephoto camera, a brighter display, the A19 Pro chip, and more. As Apple's premium flagship offerings, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max are the most fully-featured iPhones available.


The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ starts at $1,099 and the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max starts at $1,199. For the Pro model, this is a $100 price increase over last year's model, but there is also no longer a 128GB storage configuration available for this device, meaning that it is effectively only a price hike if you normally buy this model. In fact, if you normally buy the 256GB model, it represents a $100 price cut.

Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR always-on display with ProMotion and the Dynamic Island, the A19 Pro chip, 5G connectivity, a "Pro" rear camera setup, and are available in the same color options. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are eight differences between the devices.

Our guide highlights the crucial differences between the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you. Both models share the same thickness of 0.34 inches (8.75 mm), but otherwise have very different sizes and weights.

	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
Height	5.91 inches (150.0 mm)	6.43 inches (163.4 mm)
Width	2.83 inches (71.9 mm)	3.07 inches (78.0 mm)
Weight	7.27 ounces (206 grams)	8.22 ounces (233 grams)

Other differences essentially come down to display size and battery life. Unlike some previous years, there are no camera differences between the two devices at all for this generation.

‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max
6.3-inch display	6.9-inch display
4,252 mAh battery	5,088 mAh battery
Up to 33-hour battery life	Up to 39-hour battery life
256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage

Pricing is also a key area of difference, with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max reaching almost $2,000 when configured with 2TB of storage.

	256GB	512GB	1TB	2TB
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌	$1,099	$1,299	$1,499
‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max	$1,199	$1,399	$1,599	$1,999

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max represents the most you can get out of an ‌iPhone‌ with the best possible battery life, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and Pro Max are some of the thickest iPhones ever. With a 6.9-inch display, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max is a large and hefty device.

Some may find the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max's size excessive or uncomfortably large to hold, while others will love the larger display for consuming media. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and since the ‌‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max share most of their other features, it comes down to individual taste.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max also offers the longest possible battery life, and offers a 2TB storage option. The added $100 in price for the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max seems fair for its additional display area and battery life, but it is important to weigh up these factors in your personal use case. With added storage, the Pro Max quickly becomes an expensive device.

The most important decision point when choosing between the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max is undoubtedly screen size, but comfort, pocketability, weight, and battery life are also important considerations that will depend based on your personal needs and preferences. If you are hesitant about the size and weight of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, it may be better to stick with the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, but it is otherwise unlikely to disappoint, especially if price is not an issue.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro vs. 17 Pro Max Buyer's Guide: 8 Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The first set of reviews are out for the new Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3, ahead of the devices launching on Friday.


As we already noted in our buyer's guide last week, the Series 11 is a fairly minor upgrade over the Series 10. Apple says the Series 11 offers up to 24 hours of battery life, a six-hour increase over the Series 10. However, while the Series 11 does have a slightly larger battery over the Series 10, Apple also changed its testing parameters to include six hours of sleep tracking per day. So, are the battery gains that noticeable?

According to CNET's Vanessa Hand Orellana, they are:

Apple rates the Series 11 for up to 24 hours of "normal use," and after wearing it through at least three full battery cycles, I can confirm that's accurate. With notifications turned on (heavy Slack-ing and texting), at least one 30- to 45-minute outdoor workout a day, a full night of sleep tracking and some mild flashlight use, I've consistently managed to squeeze between 27 and 32 hours per charge.

TechRadar's Jacob Krol also said Series 11 battery life was promising:

The bigger story is battery life: battery capacity is up 9% on the 42mm model and 11% on the 46mm. Apple rates both models for 24 hours of typical use and up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode. In practice, I pulled my 46mm review device off the charger at 54% one night, slept with tracking enabled, and didn't hit 1% until after 5pm the next day – so I got about 17 hours from half a charge. With light use, a full day and a half is very realistic.

Given the 18-hour battery life figure that Apple advertised for the Series 10 and older was widely believed to be an understatement, though, more scientific and thorough testing is needed to determine any exact year-over-year increase.

What else is new? The cover glass on the Apple Watch Series 11 display is said to offer 2× more scratch resistance compared to the previous generation, but this only applies to aluminum models, as titanium Series 10 and Series 11 models already have a more durable sapphire cover. And if you have a cellular configuration, 5G is now supported.

The new Hypertension Notifications (compatible with Series 9 and newer) and Sleep Score health features (Series 6 and newer) do not require a Series 11.

And that's it — making the Series 11 one of the smallest upgrades ever.

Apple Watch Ultra 3 also gets longer 42-hour battery life, Emergency SOS via satellite directly on the wrist, a slightly larger display, and 5G on cellular models. This makes for a slightly bigger upgrade over the Ultra 2, albeit not significantly.

9to5Mac's Zac Hall offered a good overview of the new Ultra 3 capabilities, including Emergency SOS via satellite, which was previously limited to the iPhone:

In most instances, the connection demo experience works flawlessly. It can't work indoors, and in some cases, you may be able to see the sky, but nearby trees will prevent establishing a connection. This requirement will limit how useful satellite connectivity can be, but it's still impressive that an Apple Watch can even do this now without an iPhone.

The real winner, though, is the Apple Watch SE 3. The budget-conscious model received its first update in three years, and it packs quite a few new features.

Apple Watch SE 3 features an S10 chip, an always-on display, Double Tap gesture support, wrist temperature sensing for retrospective ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, fast charging support, 5G support on cellular configurations, on-device Siri, and many other improvements. It is also compatible with the new Sleep Score feature. And in the U.S., the device continues to start at just $249.

The Verge's Victoria Song said the Apple Watch SE 3 is "the one to buy."

From her review:

The line between the SE 3 and Series 11? For many people, it's now nonexistent.

The skeptic in me believes that the SE 3's glow-up is partly an effort to draw more people into the Apple Watch ecosystem. It's an incredible value, and Apple happens to be coming off five consecutive quarters of declining Apple Watch shipments due to a decrease in consumer demand, fewer models, and ho-hum feature upgrades. You don’t need to be a financial whiz to see the SE 3 will likely do gangbusters in terms of sales.

Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 can be pre-ordered now.

Videos

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Apple Sports was updated today with a Home Screen widget, availability in more countries, and the ability to schedule Live Activities for upcoming events.


The widget lets you view scores and schedules for your favorite leagues and teams at a glance. While the app remains available on the iPhone only, the widget can also be accessed on an iPad and Mac logged in to the same Apple Account.

In addition, the app has been released in eight more countries in Europe, including Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. It was previously only available in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada.

When you schedule Live Activities for upcoming events, they automatically appear on your Lock Screen when the event begins, so you do not miss any action.

Last, the app now supports Ligue 2, Segunda División, Serie B, Primeira Liga, and 2. Bundesliga.

Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues.

Apple Sports version 3.3 is available now in the App Store.
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Apple has now made iOS 26 available to download on compatible iPhone models, and if you just installed the new software, Apple has made some changes and feature additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that you may want to check out.


To download iOS 26 on your iPhone, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then let your device check Apple's servers for the latest software. Wait for the update screen to appear, then hit Update Now. With that done, here are five new things you can do to customize your the Lock Screen in iOS 26.

Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass

In iOS 26, Liquid Glass is Apple's new translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content across system controls, navigation elements, app icons, and widgets. The design represents the most significant visual overhaul since iOS 7, and it also brings a new clock appearance option to your iPhone Lock Screen.

1. Wake your iPhone so the Lock Screen is showing.


2. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


3. Tap the time within the square frame.


4. Tap the new Glass option to switch from Solid.


5. Make any other desired changes to the clock's color and style, then tap Done to finish.

Move Lock Screen Widgets to Bottom

In iOS 18, the row of widgets on your Lock Screen is literally locked in place right below the clock. In iOS 26, however, Customize mode lets you drag them down to the bottom of the screen, so that they hover just above the two quick actions (assuming you have any). The new optional positioning makes tapping a widget during one-handed use a lot easier.

1. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


2. Below the clock, drag the widgets frame to the bottom of the screen.


3. Make any other desired changes to the Lock Screen, then tap Done to finish.

Resize Lock Screen Clock

In iOS 26, Apple has made it so that the clock on the Lock Screen can be expanded to fill more of the display, making it easier to read. This can be done in Customize mode thanks to a new drag handle on the bottom-right corner of the selection frame around the time.

You can make the digits take up half of the screen, though if you have any widgets, they will slide down to the bottom of the display. In addition, if you have a depth effect applied to a photo and pinch to crop, the time will automatically adjust to accommodate the subject. Bear in mind that the ability to expand the time depends on the selected photo – if there's no space above the photo's subject, the drag handle won't appear.

1. Long press anywhere on the Lock Screen, then tap Customize.


2. Rest your finger on the drag handle located at the bottom-right of the clock frame.


3. Drag down to resize the clock, then up to adjust if it's too big.


4. Make any other desired changes to the Lock Screen, then tap Done to finish.

Turn Lock Screen Wallpaper Into a Spatial Scene

In iOS 26, your iPhone can convert 2D images into a 3D Spatial Scene that can be viewed on your Lock Screen.

When you're browsing Lock Screen wallpaper options, iOS automatically suggests photos from your library that are compatible with the feature. And if you manually select a Lock Screen photo that supports Spatial Scenes, you'll see a toggle on the customization screen that lets you enable or disable the effect.


The feature works using generative AI that analyzes your photos to identify different elements and create depth maps. Importantly, it doesn't require Apple Intelligence to function, meaning Spatial Scenes works on iPhone 12 and newer models.

It's hard to appreciate without trying it yourself, but the results are impressive as the image animates when you move your device. Spatial Scenes use machine learning rather than Apple Intelligence, which means the feature is available on iPhone 12 and newer devices.

Make Music Albums Animate

iOS 26 introduces full-screen animated album art on the iPhone Lock Screen for select Apple Music tracks. By tapping the album art in the Lock Screen music player, the artwork expands and animates, creating a more immersive listening experience. While animated album art has been available within the Apple Music app for some time, this marks its first appearance on the Lock Screen. Not all songs support it yet, but the number is steadily increasing. Apple is also opening the Animated Album Art feature to third‑party developers, so expect it to work with apps like Spotify and YouTube Music soon.
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The latest version of popular task manager app Things 3 is now available with comprehensive support for iOS 26 and Apple's other major software updates, introducing a redesigned interface and a range of enhancements.


Things 3.22 features a complete visual refresh tailored for Liquid Glass, with an updated app icon and refined UI elements throughout. The new icon is available in four variants: Default, Dark, Tinted, and Clear.

The interface now incorporates redesigned curves for windows, to-dos, dialogs, and control elements, offering wider spacing and visual transparency in areas such as the sidebar. The release also introduces dynamic interface elements, such as glassy buttons that scale and glow in response to touch. The app's signature Magic Plus button now displays fluid-like deformation when moved.

Things gains full support for the new Windowed Apps mode in iPadOS 26. It supports the creation of new windows via both contextual menu actions—such as right-clicking a list and selecting "Open in New Window"—and through the File menu. Additionally, iPad users can now access a full system menu bar by swiping down from the top of the screen. Things has updated its menu structure accordingly to expose more powerful controls and keyboard shortcuts in this environment.


The widget system has also been updated. Widgets now support new appearance styles, including Dark, Tinted, and the new Clear option. With the latest release, widgets are also supported on the Vision Pro, where they can be placed freely in the user's immersive workspace.

Things 3.22 introduces quick controls on both the Mac and Apple Watch. On macOS, the app adds two Control Center toggles: New To-Do and List (with user-defined destination). These can be added to the Control Center panel or pinned directly to the menu bar for fast access. On the Apple Watch, the New To-Do control allows task creation via swipe, typing, or voice input.

Things also now supports Apple's Writing Tools framework on the Vision Pro. This allows users to edit the text in their task with options to rewrite, summarize, proofread, or reformat content.

The update also expands integration with Spotlight and Apple Shortcuts. On macOS, users can create a new to-do directly from Spotlight by typing "Create To-Do," pressing Return, and entering a title. The task will be added to the Inbox even if Things is not running. Things 3.22 is available now.
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Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 boast a range of new features and improvements that make them a tempting upgrade over previous models, but there's one enhancement that only lives up to its promise if you pair the earbuds with a new iPhone 17.


The third-generation AirPods Pro Charging Case is equipped with a U2 chip – a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that enables Precision Finding. This feature helps you locate the case using the Find My app at longer distances, in the unfortunate event that you lose or misplace your AirPods Pro 3 somewhere around you. The AirPods Pro 3 Charging Case comes with a built-in speaker, so you can also make it play a sound using ‌Find My‌ to more easily locate it.

Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip actually debuted in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but the chip's implementation in AirPods Pro 3 is more advanced. According to Apple, it enables a location-tracking range of up to 200 feet/60 meters, which is up to 3× longer range compared to Apple's first-generation U1 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 charging case, AirTag, and other devices.

However, Apple's claim of a 1.5x increase in the distance of Precision Finding only applies when the AirPods Pro 3 are paired with an iPhone 17 – a detail buried in its marketing footnotes. Apple doesn't explain why the improvement doesn't apply when the earbuds are paired with older devices that also have the U2 chip.

• How to Use Precision Finding to Locate AirPods Pro

Note that Ultra Wideband isn't universally supported worldwide, therefore Precision Finding won't work in some countries. AirPods Pro 3 are available to pre-order now, with general availability starting on Friday, September 19, when the iPhone 17 lineup also launches.

(Thanks, Mostafa!)

Update: An earlier version of this article queried whether iPhone Air also got the 1.5x improvement when paired with AirPods Pro 3, since Apple's website didn't specify. Apple has since updated its website to explicitly names iPhone Air as supporting the improvement.
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More than three years after Apple Ginza moved to a temporary location, the store is set to return to its original home in Tokyo's famous shopping district.


Apple today announced its temporary store in Ginza 8-chōme will be permanently closing on Monday, September 22. At the same time, the company confirmed it will "soon" be opening a new store at its original location in Ginza 3-chōme, in the Sayegusa Building, which was demolished and rebuilt over the past few years.

Apple did not provide a date for the grand reopening, but the temporary store will remain open for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air launch day on Friday. A few years ago, Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien said the new store was slated to open in the second half of 2025, and it seems likely that the company will meet that target.

To celebrate the occasion, Apple has shared a special wallpaper featuring luxurious metallic ribbons woven into the shape of the Apple logo.


To download the wallpaper on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, visit the new store's page on your device of choice. It will be available for a limited time.

Opened in 2003, Apple's original store in Ginza was the company's first retail location outside of the United States. Initially, the five-floor store featured a 27-foot-long Genius Bar, an 84-seat theater, and even an internet cafe where visitors could send emails, or make video calls with Apple's iChat software and iSight camera.

More recently, Apple's temporary store in Ginza has occupied four floors of a newer, eco-friendly building outfitted with wood fins on its glass facade.


Temporary is temporary, though, and Apple's next chapter will unfold at its old corner in Ginza.

"A new story with you," says Apple.

Via: Mac OTAKARA
This article, "'A New Story': Apple Store in Tokyo Returning to Original 2003 Location" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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For the last several months, MacRumors has been working on a series of in-depth feature guides and how tos that walk you through the design changes and updates in Apple's new software.


Our ultimate guide includes all of our iOS 26 coverage, and it is a useful resource for iPhone and iPad users who haven't had a chance to test out ‌iOS 26‌, or those who might want a recap on what's new. We've organized it by app or feature to make it easy to find what you're looking for.

Liquid Glass

Apple's Liquid Glass design brings a big visual change to ‌iOS 26‌. Icons, apps, menu bars, navigation bars, and all other interface elements feature a Liquid Glass aesthetic. It's not just translucency that you have to deal with. There are pop out menus, collapsing navigation bars, and a much more rounded aesthetic.

• iOS 26: Everything You Need to Know About the Liquid Glass Redesign


• How to Reduce Transparency of Apple's Liquid Glass

Lock Screen

The Lock Screen clock has embraced Liquid Glass in a big way, and there are also new options for wallpaper and widgets.

• iOS 26: New Lock Screen Features


• How to Change iPhone Clock to Liquid Glass


• How to Resize the Clock Display on Your Lock Screen


• Move Lock Screen Widgets to the Bottom of Your iPhone Display


• Turn Lock Screen Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

Home Screen

A new design means a new Home Screen, and there are new features for icons, widgets, and wallpapers.

• iOS 26: What's Changed With the iPhone's Home Screen


• Make App Icons Clear on Your iPhone Home Screen


• How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen

Apple Intelligence

Apple is still recovering from the Apple Intelligence Siri delay and the company didn't make a major deal about ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features in ‌iOS 26‌, but there are quite a few additions.

Live Translation auto translates messages and calls, Visual Intelligence now works with what's on your screen, the Wallet app can track all of your purchases, and there are other small additions to be aware of.

• All of the New Apple Intelligence Features in iOS 26


• Here's What's New With Visual Intelligence in iOS 26


• iOS 26 Brings Major Changes to Image Playground

All of the ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features require a device that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max, all iPhone 16 models, and all iPhone 17 models.

Messages

There are a bunch of new features in the Messages app, including the option to set custom backgrounds for each chat. Be warned, other people see the background that you set. Group chats support typing indicators and other features, and you can add polls to chats.

• iOS 26: Every Change to the Messages App


• How to Create Polls in Messages


• How to Selectively Copy Text Within a Message


• Add Custom Backgrounds to Messages Conversations


• Remove Custom Backgrounds in Messages Conversations

Phone

Some of the biggest changes in ‌iOS 26‌ are to the Phone app. There's a whole Call Screening feature that can screen calls from unknown numbers, and a tool that'll wait for you when you're on hold.

• iOS 26: 10+ Features Coming to the Phone App


• How to Get a Callback Reminder for a Missed Call


• Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds


• iOS 26: Here's What You Can Do With Apple's New Games App

AirPods

With an accompanying firmware update, the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 support Live Translation for in-person conversations, plus there are options like pausing audio when you fall asleep and using the AirPods as a remote for the ‌iPhone‌'s Camera app.

• All the new AirPods Features in iOS 26


• Auto-Pause AirPods Audio When You Fall Asleep


• Remotely Control iPhone Camera With Your AirPods

Safari

Safari has an updated layout, a Liquid Glass design, tab bar changes, new privacy features, and more.

• Safari in iOS 26: Everything New From Design to Privacy


• Restore Safari's Old Layout From iOS 18


• How to Add Web Apps or Bookmarks to iPhone Home Screen

Apple Maps

The Maps app can learn your preferred route for your commute and alert you if there's anything that's going to make you late. It's also able to save your location history so you can remember your favorite locations when you travel.

• Apple Maps in iOS 26: Track Your Location History and Get Smarter Route Alerts

Notes and Reminders

The Reminders app has some hidden ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features included, while the Notes app supports 3D graphics with three-variable equations and more.

• iOS 26: What's New With Notes and Reminders


• How to Import and Export Markdown Files in Apple Notes


• Add New Reminders Faster Than Ever

Camera

The Camera app received some of the most notable UI changes, with updates to the menu for switching between modes and for accessing different settings.

• iOS 26 Camera App: New Features and Design Changes


• Remotely Control iPhone Camera With Your AirPods


• Keep iPhone Camera Lens Clean With This Smart Setting

FaceTime

In FaceTime, there's an updated interface with a card-style layout, call screening, an option to block nudity, and support for Live Translation captions.

• iOS 26: Everything New With FaceTime

Apple Music

Apple Music has an AutoMix feature that provides DJ-like transitions for songs, along with Lyric Translation and Pronunciation features.

• iOS 26: Eight New Features in Apple Music


• Use Folders to Manage Playlists in Apple Music


• How to Use the New Music Pins Feature


• How to Enable and Disable AutoMix

Photos

If you hated the unified Photos app in iOS 18, there's good news! Collections and the ‌Photos‌ Library are once again split into two separate tabs. Apple also added support for Spatial Scenes, a feature that gives a 3D look to 2D photos.

• iOS 26 Photos App: Everything That's Changed


• Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

Podcasts

The Podcasts app has a Liquid Glass design, new speed controls, and dialogue improvements.

• iOS 26: What's New With the Podcasts App


• Make Your Favorite Podcasts Easier to Hear


• Fine-Tune Podcast Playback Speeds

Wallet

There are big changes in the Wallet app, including support for digital passports and major improvements to boarding passes.

• iOS 26: 5 New Features in the Wallet App
  


• Save Physical Card Details in Wallet App


• Silence Wallet App Promo and Offer Notifications

Other New Features and Options

• Screen Capture Content in HDR


• Turn Off Full-Screen Screenshot Previews


• Extend iPhone Battery Life With Adaptive Power Mode


• See How Long Your iPhone Will Take to Fully Charge


• How to Customize iPhone Alarm Snooze Duration

Read More

We have a complete overview of all of the new features in ‌iOS 26‌ in one place in our iOS 26 roundup, which is also well worth checking out for all of the smaller details that didn't make it into our guides and how tos.
This article, "iOS 26 Features: The Ultimate Mega Guide" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple this month expanded its music transfer tool to almost all countries where Apple Music is supported, simplifying the transition from services like Spotify to ‌Apple Music‌.


The transfer tool lets users import their playlists and libraries from competing streaming services into ‌Apple Music‌.

Apple initially began testing the transfer tool in Australia and New Zealand in May, and then expanded it to the U.S. and six other countries in late August. It's now available worldwide, with the exception of China Mainland, Myanmar, and Russia, according to a new Apple Support document.

To use the Transfer to ‌Apple Music‌ feature, iPhone and iPad users can go to Settings > Apps > Music and tap on the Transfer Music from Other Music Services option. From there, choose a music service, sign into the service, and decide what to transfer.

Apple says that what can be transferred will vary by music service and what is available in the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog, but it is designed to transfer songs, albums, and playlists. In addition to Spotify, the transfer option works with streaming music services from Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, and YouTube. Apple partnered with SongShift for the transfer functionality.

In cases where an exact match for a song isn't able to be located, Apple will flag the music as Needs Review, displaying alternate versions that can be selected. Apple warns that some content might not be available or have an exact match in ‌‌Apple Music‌‌, and the company also says that only user created playlists can be transferred, not playlists created by another music service.

When going through the transfer process, source playlists and libraries in the other music service are not impacted and remain available.

(Thanks, Erdinc!)
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Roadside Assistance via Satellite is now available in Australia, allowing Australian iPhone users to get help if their car breaks down in an area without Wi-Fi or cellular service.


According to Apple, Roadside Assistance via Satellite can be used in Australia to get help from NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT, and AANT.

Using the feature requires an ‌iPhone‌ 14 or later with satellite capabilities, and iOS 18.4 or later. There continues to be no charge for Apple's satellite services, though customers who use Roadside Assistance will need to pay the fee of the company that responds.

Both Australians and international travelers who visit Australia are able to use the Roadside Assistance feature.

Prior to now, Roadside Assistance via Satellite was limited to the United States and United Kingdom. Apple says that it is working to bring the functionality to additional regions.
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The Apple Watch Ultra 3 replaces the second-generation model that was introduced two years ago in Apple's smartwatch lineup, but how different are the two successive smartwatch generations?


The two Apple Watch Ultra models share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the second generation to save money? This breakdown serves as a way to see all the differences that the Ultra 3 brings to the table.

The Apple Watch Series 11 represents one of the smallest upgrades to the mainstream model ever, while the Apple Watch Ultra 3 provides a bit bigger but still modest change compared to its predecessor.

Apple Watch Ultra 2	Apple Watch Ultra 3
OLED display	Wide-angle OLED display
LTPO2 display	LTPO3 display
410 by 502 pixel display	422 by 514 pixel display
1185 sq mm display area	1245 sq mm display area (5% larger)
S9 chip	S10 chip
LTE and UMTS connectivity	LTE and 5G connectivity
	Satellite connectivity
	Emergency SOS via satellite
2.178 watt-hour battery	2.313 watt-hour battery (6% larger)
Fast-charge 0–80% in about 1 hour	Fast-charge 0–80% in about 45 minutes

Overall, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a fairly minor upgrade over the second-generation model, with the most substantial changes focusing on the display. The new Apple Watch Ultra's display is a little larger, and it now features wide-angle OLED and LTPO3 for better viewing angles and a higher refresh rate when lowered, meaning there is a persistent ticking seconds hand on some watch faces.

It features 5G connectivity for the first time alongside Emergency SOS via satellite, bringing two iPhone features to the Apple Watch. Battery life is slightly better and the device charges to 80% 15 minutes faster, but there are few upgrades of substance.

It will likely not be worth upgrading from an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to an Ultra 3, even though they come two years apart. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 gains all of the same health features as the Ultra 3, and even its S9 chip has the same CPU as the S10; the S10 is simply a more compact version of the S9, so don't expect a performance boost. Owners of the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra from three years ago may have more reason to get the latest device, but it is far from an essential upgrade.
This article, "Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Ultra 3 Buyer's Guide: 10 Upgrades Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max have the iOS 26 Adaptive Power option enabled by default, Apple said today in a support document that explains the feature.


Adaptive Power is meant to adjust the iPhone's power draw on days when you are using more battery power than normal. It can adjust power draw, lower screen brightness by three percent, and limit background activity. It's also designed to activate Low Power mode when the ‌iPhone‌'s battery drops to 20 percent.

While Adaptive Power is available for the ‌iPhone 17‌ models, iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 15 Pro models, it is only turned on automatically on the ‌iPhone 17‌ models. It is off by default on ‌iPhone 16‌ models, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

If you have an ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro or any ‌iPhone 16‌ model and want to opt in to Adaptive Power, you can do so by opening up the Settings app, tapping on Battery, tapping on Power Mode, and then toggling Adaptive Power on.

‌iPhone 17‌ users who want to turn Adaptive Power off can do so using the same steps.

Adaptive Power uses on-device intelligence, which is why it is only available on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence. Apple says that it predicts when you need extra battery life based on recent usage patterns, and it adjusts accordingly. Adaptive Power does not interfere with tasks that require maximum performance, like using the camera or playing games in Game Mode.

All of the ‌iPhone 17‌ models have extended battery life, but the ‌iPhone Air‌ has the lowest battery life of the bunch. It can last for 27 hours when watching videos, but that can be extended to 40 hours with Apple's $99 MagSafe Battery.
This article, "iPhone 17 Series Ships With iOS 26's Adaptive Power Mode Enabled by Default" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26 is now available for everyone to download, and it's a big update. There are significant design changes, and many new features to learn about. Some of the additions need some setup so you can get started, so we've created an ‌iOS 26‌ tutorial that covers what you should do first after installing ‌iOS 26‌.

Set Up Your Lock Screen

You'll see the new Liquid Glass design from the first moment you install ‌iOS 26‌, because it starts at the Lock Screen. Unlock your iPhone and long press to get into the Lock Screen customization features, where you can select new options.


You can turn on a Liquid Glass effect for the time, so select your preferred font and color, then choose the "Glass" option.

If you drag the right hand corner of the clock, you can change its size. The size will adjust dynamically if you have a photos wallpaper selected, but for other wallpapers, you can choose a size.

When selecting a wallpaper, you can use a 2D image to generate a 3D Spatial Scene that uses depth information to separate the subject from the background. Spatial Scene wallpapers show a little bit of motion when you move your ‌iPhone‌, improving the 3D effect.

Make sure you also set up your widgets and your Control Center buttons. In ‌iOS 26‌, you can put your widgets on the bottom of the display, and you're not limited to having them right under the clock.

After everything is customized, save it and then give your ‌iPhone‌ a tilt. You'll see the subtle movement of the Spatial Scene if you selected one, and subtle glints of light reflecting off of the Liquid Glass elements.

Set Up Your Home Screen

There are even more customization options on the Home Screen. Long press, tap on Edit, and then choose Customize to get to the different options.


If you tap on the "Clear" setting, all of your icons will shift to a clear, glass-like look that shows your wallpaper behind them. There are Light and Dark mode options to choose from.

Default uses standard, multi-color icons that have a new stacked glass look. You can also choose Tinted for a unified color that's not quite as transparent as the Clear option. Tinted icons still have a translucent look, but it's subtler.

Apple added buttons so you can choose a tint that matches your ‌iPhone‌ color or your case color if you have an Apple case, so tap on the icons below the color slider if you're interested in those options.

Give Visual Intelligence a Try

The Visual Intelligence feature that's activated with Camera Control now works with screenshots. You can capture a screenshot and then use ‌Visual Intelligence‌ to identify what you're looking at, find products, and get more information.


To use on-screen ‌Visual Intelligence‌, just take a screenshot (press the volume up and side buttons at the same time), then tap on ask, search, or Highlight to Search if you want to select a specific part of an image to ask about.

You can search for products with Google Image Search, Etsy, and more, or ask ChatGPT what you're looking at.

You need an ‌iPhone‌ that supports Apple Intelligence to use ‌Visual Intelligence‌.

Set Up Call Screening

With Call Screening, you can get more information from people calling from an unknown number before you choose to accept a call.


When Call Screening is on, your ‌iPhone‌ asks a caller for their name and reason for calling. The information is relayed to you, and you can decide if you want to accept the call or ignore it.

You can turn on Call Screening in the Phone section of the Settings app. There are also new settings for identifying and filtering out spam calls and spam voicemails.

Choose Messages Backgrounds

The Messages app supports custom backgrounds in ‌iOS 26‌, both for individual conversations and group conversations. You can set a different background for every person or group that you chat with.


To set up a background, tap on the name at the top and then choose the "Backgrounds" option. There are pre-selected settings like sky, water, and aurora, or you can select a color. You can also choose a photo or generate a background using Image Playground.

Backgrounds that you set are changed for every participant in the conversation, so make sure not to choose something that you think is for your eyes only.

If you don't want to see custom backgrounds, you can turn it off in the Messages section of the Settings app.

Turn on Live Translation

Live Translation is a Messages app feature that automatically translates incoming messages from someone that speaks another language. If you regularly chat with someone who doesn't speak your language, you can give it a try.


To turn on Live Translation for a conversation or a group chat, tap on the name at the top and then toggle on "Automatically Translate." From there, anything someone types in another language is translated to your language, and your responses will be translated into their language.

Live Translation for Messages is available in English (US), English (UK), Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).


You can also use Live Translation for FaceTime, where it shows captions with language translations, and the Phone app, where there are spoken translations. AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 also support in-person Live Translation for real-time conversation translations.

Live Translation requires an ‌iPhone‌ that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Make a Genmoji

In ‌iOS 26‌, you can mix two or more emoji together to create a new emoji. If you've had trouble coming up with ideas for Genmoji, the option to combine two characters may be useful.


In the Messages app, tap on the Emoji button and then choose ‌Genmoji‌ to get to the ‌Genmoji‌ interface. You can type in a description, or tap on the smiley face icon to select two or more emoji characters to combine together.

Combining an emotion-related emoji with an object emoji is a good way to get a custom character that has a face or expresses a feeling.

Apple updated ‌Image Playground‌ to take advantage of feeling emoji. You can use an emoji like a happy face or a sad face to change the expression and emotion of an ‌Image Playground‌ creation that features a person.

While in ‌Image Playground‌, you can also try the new ChatGPT integration. You can use ChatGPT's image generation tools to create an image in any style.


Making a ‌Genmoji‌ and using ‌Image Playground‌ requires an ‌iPhone‌ that supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Try the Games App

Apple added a Games app in ‌iOS 26‌, and it comes pre-installed on the ‌iPhone‌. It has all of the games from the App Store, along with Apple Arcade titles, but it also has new features for playing games with friends and challenging them to beat your high scores.

Customize Your Alarm and Ringtones

‌iOS 26‌ includes new variations of the popular "Reflections" ringtone that you can use for everything from calls to messages alerts. To try out the new ringtones, open up the Settings app, tap on Sound and Haptics, and tap on Ringtone.


You'll see the new options if you tap on "Reflection." There's also a new ringtone called "Little Bird" that's worth checking out. It's also easier to set a custom ringtone using the Files app and the Share Sheet.

After you set a ringtone, you can customize your alarm's snooze time. For years, Apple has used a nine minute default snooze time for alarms, but now you can choose anywhere from one minute to 15 minutes as the duration between when your alarm will go off.


To customize an alarm, open up the Clock app, choose the Alarms tab, tap on an alarm or create a new one, and then tap on Snooze Duration to select a duration. You can change the snooze length for all of your separate alarms.

Choose Your Safari Preference

Apple added a new "Compact" view for the Safari Tab bar that tucks several settings out of sight. If you want to change back to your preferred view at the top or the bottom, you can change it in the Safari section of the Settings app.

Read More About iOS 26

If you want to find out about even more features in ‌iOS 26‌, we have a comprehensive iOS 26 roundup that walks through everything new.
This article, "iOS 26 Setup Guide: 10 Things You Should Do First" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple devices that are running iOS 10 or macOS Sierra no longer meet the minimum system requirements for iCloud, according to Apple's updated iCloud support document.


All ‌iCloud‌ features now require iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra at minimum. ‌iCloud‌ services like Keychain, iCloud Photos, ‌iCloud‌ backups, Find My, and iCloud Drive will no longer work on devices that are running iOS 10 or macOS Sierra.

iOS 10 and macOS Sierra launched in September 2016, which means the updates are now nine years old. iOS 10 was the final version of iOS available for the iPhone 5 (2012) and the ‌iPhone‌ 5c (2013), along with the fourth-generation iPad (2012). These devices will no longer be able to access ‌iCloud‌ services.

macOS High Sierra was compatible with all Macs running macOS Sierra, so there are no Macs that are losing ‌iCloud‌ support with the compatibility change unless those Macs have not been updated to the last version of macOS they support.
This article, "Apple Drops iCloud Support for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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After releasing iOS 26 today, Apple has shared a list of nearly 200 changes included in the software update, ranging from new features to minor tweaks.


Keep in mind that 200 changes does not mean 200 new features. The list contains even the smallest of changes across the operating system and Apple's built-in apps.

The vast majority of the changes in the list have already received lots of attention. Here are a few small changes that went somewhat under the radar:

• eSIM Quick Transfer now requires Face ID or Touch ID, with no passcode fallback, when Stolen Device Protection is active.


• In the Messages app, there is now a Drafts folder/filter.


• In the Podcasts app, there are more listening speeds, ranging from 0.5x to 3x. You can save your preferred speed per podcast.

Apple also shared equivalent lists for iPadOS 26 and macOS 26.

Throughout the week, we will be highlighting many of the new features in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and Apple's other software updates, so stay tuned.
This article, "Apple Shares List of Nearly 200 Changes in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In iOS 26, Apple has quietly included seven new ringtones to alert you to calls, messages, and other audible notifications. Keep reading to learn what's new and how to hear the new sounds.


The iconic "Reflection" ringtone – introduced in 2017 alongside the iPhone X – now has multiple alternate versions in iOS 26. While the original tone retains its familiar pellucid xylophone melody, the following new variants bring different energies to the classic:

• Buoyant


• Dreamer


• Pond


• Pop


• Reflected


• Surge

You can find and select the new ringtones in Settings ➝ Sound & Haptics ➝ Ringtone. Tap the chevron next to Reflection to expand the list and reveal the new versions.

The new versions keep Reflection's signature rhythm but each adds its own character and beat. Like the original, they can be used as both a ringtone and an alarm sound. You can listen to the new Reflection mixes yourself right now by hitting play on the embedded X post below.


In an extra Easter egg, Apple also added a new ringtone called Little Bird, which is distinct from the new Reflection options.

• iOS 26: Set a Custom iPhone Ringtone in Seconds

iOS 26 is available to install now on all compatible iPhone models. To check for the update on your iPhone, tap through to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then tap Update Now when the iOS 26 update appears.
This article, "Here Are All the New iPhone Ringtones in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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