Apple today released iOS 26.1, the first major update to the iOS 26 operating system that came out in September, iOS 26.1 comes over a month after iOS 26 launched. ‌‌iOS 26‌‌.1 is compatible with the ‌iPhone‌ 11 series and later, as well as the second-generation ‌‌iPhone‌‌ SE.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 26.1 adds a toggle to increase the opacity of Liquid Glass for those who want less translucency. Alarms and Timers now require a swipe to turn them off, and there's finally an option to turn off the Lock Screen Camera swipe.

Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation are available in additional languages, and there are small changes to Settings, Music, TV, Phone, Fitness, Photos, and Safari.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
- Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
- Live Translation with AirPods support for Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean and Italian
- Apple Music MiniPlayer swipe gesture to go to the next or previous track
- Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
- Gain control is available for external USB microphones when recording with local capture
- Local capture files can be saved to a specific location
- Manual workout logging is available directly from the Fitness app
- New Camera setting to turn on or off Lock Screen swipe to open Camera
- Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
- Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit:
https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039

For more on the new features in ‌iOS 26‌, we have a dedicated roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.1 With Liquid Glass Toggle, Slide to Stop Alarm, New Apple Intelligence Languages and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released iPadOS 26.1, the first major update to the iPadOS 26 operating system released in September. iPadOS 26.1 comes six weeks after iPadOS 26.1.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iPadOS 26.1 reintroduces Slide Over, a multitasking feature that was removed with the multitasking overhaul in ‌iPadOS 26‌.

Slide Over works alongside the window-based multitasking functionality in ‌iPadOS 26‌, so you can open up multiple app windows and still swipe over to quickly access a Slide Over app. Only one Slide Over app is supported at a time in iPadOS 26.1, and the feature is accessible by tapping on the green window resizing button and choosing Enter Slide Over.

iPadOS 26.1 also includes almost all of the new features that are in iOS 26.1, such as a toggle to reduce Liquid Glass transparency and Apple Intelligence support for new languages. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

Apple's release notes are below.

Slide Over
- Slide Over lets you keep a window on top of other windows, and easily hide off screen when not in use
- Resizable windows in Slide Over let you choose your preferred size and aspect ratio

Local capture
- Gain control is available for external USB microphones when recording with local capture
- Option to let you choose where local capture files are saved

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
- Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
- Apple Music MiniPlayer swipe gesture to go to the next or previous track
- Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
- New Camera setting to turn on or off Lock Screen swipe to open Camera
- Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
- Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)
- Discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device using Apple Vision Pro app, now available on iPad

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPad models. To learn more, please visit:
https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039

A list of features in iOS 26.1 can be found in our iOS 26.1 launch post, and more info on ‌iPadOS 26‌ is available in our roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases iPadOS 26.1 With Slide Over Multitasking" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.1, the first major update to the macOS Tahoe operating system that came out in September. macOS Tahoe 26.1 comes 49 days after Apple first released macOS Tahoe.


Mac users can download the macOS Tahoe update by using the Software Update section of System Settings.

macOS Tahoe 26.1 adds a toggle that allows you to select a Tinted mode for Liquid Glass, adding additional opacity. There are also improvements to AirPlay and FaceTime, with Apple's full release notes below.

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
- Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
- Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
- Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
- Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: support.apple.com/100100.

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices. To learn more, please visit: apple.com/macos/feature-availability.
Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: support.apple.com/125039.

More information on the features in macOS Tahoe can be found in our macOS Tahoe roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases macOS Tahoe 26.1 With New Liquid Glass Setting and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released visionOS 26.1, the first big update to the visionOS 26 operating system that came out in September.


visionOS 26.1 adds a Vision Pro app for the iPad, allowing users to discover Vision Pro content and spatial experiences. The app also now supports AirPlay for viewing experiences from the Vision Pro on both iPhone and ‌iPad‌.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This release includes improvements and bug fixes, including the expansion of the Apple Vision Pro app to iPad, and updates to Spatial Gallery.

• Discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device using Apple Vision Pro app for iPad when you upgrade to iPadOS 26.1


• Apple Vision Pro app on iPhone and iPad now allows you to turn on AirPlay to view experiences from Apple Vision Pro


• Videos in Spatial Gallery will show playback controls and video length while in immersive view

Additional information on the new M5 Apple Vision Pro and visionOS 26 can be found in our roundup.
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Apple today released tvOS 26.1, an update to the tvOS 26 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 26.1 is available on the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD models, but Liquid Glass is only available on the second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K or later.


tvOS 26 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 26.1 automatically.

Apple shares release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document when new versions are released, but no new features were found during the beta testing process.
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Apple today released watchOS 26.1, an update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.1 comes a month and a half after Apple launched ‌watchOS 26‌.


watchOS 26.1 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.1 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

No new features were discovered in watchOS 26.1 during the beta testing process, and Apple's release notes say the update includes unspecified "improvements and bug fixes."
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Alongside iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1, Apple has released new HomePod 26.1 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and the HomePod mini. The updates come almost seven weeks after Apple released the ‌HomePod‌ 26 software.


According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.1 includes performance and stability improvements.

‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.
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Apple today updated three more of its apps for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, introducing new Liquid Glass-compatible icons for GarageBand, Photomator, and Pixelmator Pro across its platforms.


GarageBand for iPhone and iPad has an overhauled icon featuring a realistic-looking guitar instead of the silhouetted neon guitar icon that Apple previously used. Apple uses this same icon for the Mac, but curiously, the GarageBand for Mac app hasn't been updated yet.

We first saw the new GarageBand icon on Apple's ‌iPhone‌ tech spec pages after the September ‌iPhone‌ event, and now it has rolled out. Apple is also planning new Liquid Glass icons for iMovie, the App Store, Keynote, Numbers, and Pages, but these apps haven't had icon updates yet.

Apple bought Pixelmator, Pixelmator Pro, and Photomator in November 2024, and some of those apps were also updated today. Photomator for Mac, ‌iPhone‌, and ‌iPad‌ got an update with a new icon. The icon actually looks the same on ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, but on Mac, it no longer has the unappealing border design in macOS Tahoe.

Pixelmator Pro for Mac was updated as well, and while it has the same general icon design, it also no longer has the awkward squircle border around it.

With macOS Tahoe, Apple made updates to icon design requirements. App icons that don't comply with the updated size and design rules are displayed with a translucent gray border around them until developers provide updated artwork.
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Apple launched a new App Store on the web today, allowing users to browse through and search for apps across all of its platforms.


The updated apps.apple.com site provides a drop down for each platform, and it includes the Today section with app and game recommendations, categories, and Apple Arcade titles.


There is a search interface for looking up a specific app, and clicking on "View" on any app in the store provides screenshots and information optimized for a web view. The design mirrors the App Store on each of Apple's platforms, but it has a much friendlier web interface.


Apps that you search for on the web can be shared, or you can opt to open an app directly in the ‌App Store‌ if you have it installed.

Prior to now, Apple provided webpages for each app in the ‌App Store‌, but there was no central site for content discovery.
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Apple's planned Apple TV+ rebrand is official as of today, with Apple updating the ‌Apple TV‌+ page on its website to read just "‌Apple TV‌." Apple also shared a short YouTube video announcing the rebrand, featuring a rainbow-colored, animated ‌Apple TV‌ logo and a sound composed by Finneas. "This is just the beginning," reads the title of the video.


On Instagram, Finneas shared the same video, and said that he was honored to create the sound.

Never thought I'd get to do something like this but I am so honored and truly couldn't have enjoyed working on it more. hope this very short piece of music feels like it matches the things I love about Apple so much- They make such beautiful tools. Lucky to use em

The sound that Apple shared today will be played before every Apple original TV show and film, according to an interview that Finneas did with Variety. There are three versions of the mnemonic, including a main five-second long version, a one-second version that Finneas describes as a "sting" that might play for movie trailers, and there's longer-form 12-second version that will play in movie theaters at the start of an Apple Studios original film.

Apple's Head of Music, David Taylor, said that Finneas provided Apple with a "completely original sound that feels cinematic and magical."

The rebrand is still rolling out on Apple products, and the TV app continues to read ‌Apple TV‌+ for now. Apple will likely update all ‌Apple TV‌+ wording in the ‌Apple TV‌ app with the upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 updates.
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Black Friday is just around the corner, and Apple Watch deals have begun appearing ahead of the shopping holiday on November 28. In this article, we'll take a look at all of the best early Black Friday Apple Watch deals, including the new SE 3 and Ultra 3 models.

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

Of course, there is a chance that we could see better deals on these Apple Watch models arrive as Black Friday gets closer. This is a risk anyone has to take while shopping during the holidays, so with that in mind, many of the deals shared below are currently their best prices ever seen. More information on these sales can be found in our Black Friday Roundup.

Best Apple Watch Deals

• Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm GPS) for $199.99 ($49 off)


• Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm GPS) for $229.99 ($49 off)


• Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $699.99 ($99 off)

Apple Watch SE 3

One of the best overall early Black Friday deals is on the new Apple Watch SE 3, which is seeing $49 discounts on Amazon this week. You can get the 40mm GPS model for $199.99 and 44mm GPS model for $229.99, but as of writing only the Starlight Aluminum models are being discounted.

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Notable discounts can also be found on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is available starting at $699.99 for the Black Titanium model with the Black Ocean Band. You can also find a Milanese Loop model on sale for $799.99, both of which are $99 discounts.

Apple Watch Series 11

There aren't many big discounts on the GPS models of the Apple Watch Series 11 yet, but we are tracking a notable markdown on one of the high-end Titanium devices this week.



You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

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Apple sells two 14-inch MacBook Pro models at $1,599 and $1,999, but recently refreshed the lower-cost model with a new chip, so which should you choose?


At face value, the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ is an entry-level model for users who need a machine that is more powerful and versatile than the MacBook Air. The M4 Pro ‌MacBook Pro‌ is a more powerful, high-end model; it comes with better multi-core performance, higher memory bandwidth, and larger quantities of memory, but loses two hours of battery life.

Each ‌MacBook Pro‌ is configurable to add larger quantities of memory and storage. Read on for a detailed breakdown of all of the differences between the two 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.

14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ (With M5)	14-Inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ (With M4 Pro)
M5 with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU	Configurations start with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU
Chip made with TSMC's third-generation 3nm process (N3P)	Chip made with TSMC's second-generation ‌3nm‌ process (N3E)
Based on A19 Pro chip from iPhone 17 Pro	Based on A18 Pro chip from iPhone 16 Pro
Integrated Neural Accelerator in every GPU core	No integrated Neural Accelerators
Metal 4 developer APIs with Tensor APIs to program GPU Neural Accelerators	Metal 3 developer APIs
Third-generation ray tracing engine	Second-generation ray tracing engine
Second-generation dynamic caching	First-generation dynamic caching
Enhanced shader cores	Shader cores
153GB/s memory bandwidth	273GB/s memory bandwidth
16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory	24GB or 48GB unified memory
Single fan	Dual fans
Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports	Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports
Up to 24-hour battery life	Up to 22-hour battery life
70W USB-C Power Adapter (not included in UK and EU)	70W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU) or 96W USB-C Power Adapter (with M4 Pro with 14-core CPU or M4 Max, configurable with M4 Pro with 12-core CPU)
Starts at $1,599	Starts at $1,999

Apple's M4 Pro and M5 chips mark two distinct points in the Apple Silicon timeline, emphasizing different strengths. The M4 Pro is built with TSMC's ‌3nm‌ process, offering up to 14 CPU cores and a 20-core GPU, delivering high sustained performance for intensive professional tasks such as video editing and 3D rendering. On the other hand, the M5 chip uses a refined ‌3nm‌ process and a more advanced architecture focused on efficiency and AI acceleration. Although it has fewer CPU and GPU cores, it features improved neural and graphics performance, with up to 45% faster GPU output and new per-core AI accelerators.

In practice, the M4 Pro remains stronger for traditional multi-core workloads, while the M5 introduces smarter, more efficient silicon optimized for single-core tasks, next-generation machine learning, and graphics capabilities.

Choosing between the M5 and M4 Pro ‌MacBook Pro‌ models ultimately depends on the kind of work you do and how much long-term power you need. The M5 model is better suited to slightly more casual users who need a long-lasting machine with good battery life that prioritizes efficiency over extreme performance. It delivers excellent single-core performance, AI optimizations, and longer battery life, making it ideal for tasks like productivity apps, content consumption, creative work, and software development.

By contrast, the M4 Pro model is aimed more squarely at professionals with sustained, multi-threaded workloads such as video editing, music production, 3D design, or software compilation. Its additional CPU and GPU cores, higher memory bandwidth, and larger memory ceiling allow it to handle bigger projects and more demanding workflows without compromise. While it costs more and drains its battery slightly faster, it offers the headroom creative and technical users often need, even though its chip is older.

In short, the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ is the smarter choice for most users upgrading from a ‌MacBook Air‌ or an older Intel machine, since it offers considerably better hardware. The M4 Pro model remains the right choice for power-users or professionals who regularly push their chip harder and need workstation-level performance.
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Early Black Friday sales are kicking off this week, with Best Buy joining in with deals that will last until this Sunday, November 9. Similar to other retailers, Best Buy's early Black Friday event includes sitewide savings on Apple products, headphones, TVs, monitors, video games, and more.

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

Best Buy's Black Friday Schedule

Best Buy's early Black Friday sale began over the weekend, and new doorbusters will go online every Friday in November. On November 20, the retailer's Black Friday sale will officially begin and run through November 29. We've broken down the schedule below:

• 10/31 through 11/19: Early Black Friday deals


• 11/20 through 11/29: Black Friday sale


• 11/30 through 12/1: Cyber Monday sale

Best Buy's Early Black Friday Sale

You'll find plenty of Apple devices on sale during this event, including MacBook Pro, iPad mini, iPad, MacBook Air, and more. Of course, there are plenty of non-Apple products to shop as well, including the best prices of the year on select TVs and gaming laptops.



Some of these deals will require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership, which begin at $49.99 per year. With My Best Buy Plus you will get free two day shipping, exclusive discounts, and an extended 60-day return window on most products.

Apple

iPad

• 11th Gen iPad - $299.00 ($50 off)


• iPad mini 7 - $399.00 ($100 off)

MacBook Air

• 13-inch M2 256GB - $679.99 ($119 off)


• 13-inch M4 256GB - $799.00 ($200 off)


• 15-inch M4 256GB - $999.00 ($200 off)

14-inch M4 MacBook Pro

• 16GB RAM, 512GB - $1,399.00 ($100 off)


• 16GB RAM, 1TB - $1,599.00 ($100 off)


• 24GB RAM, 1TB - $1,799.00 ($100 off)

Other Deals

• AirTag 4-Pack - $64.99 ($34 off)


• Apple Pencil Pro - $99.00 ($30 off)


• M2 Ultra Mac Studio (1TB) - $2,749.00 ($1,050 off)

TVs

• 65-inch Samsung 4K Smart TV - $399.99 ($70 off)


• 75-inch Insignia QLED Smart Fire TV - $449.99 ($200 off)


• 75-inch Samsung 4K Smart TV - $599.99 ($100 off)


• 55-inch TCL 4K Smart TV - $699.99 ($600 off)


• 86-inch LG 4K Smart TV - $799.99 ($300 off)


• 65-inch Samsung The Frame 4K Smart TV - $1,599.99 ($200 off)

Headphones

• JBL Wireless Earbuds - $79.95 ($30 off)


• Beats Solo Buds - $69.99 ($10 off)


• Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones - $199.99 ($150 off)


• Bose Ultra Earbuds - $199.00 ($100 off)


• Bose QuietComfort Headphones - $329.00 ($100 off)

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

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We began tracking early Black Friday deals this past weekend, and a new discount has now emerged on the Apple Watch SE 3. You can get the 44mm GPS model for $229.99, down from $279.00, a $49 discount and the best price we've ever seen on this brand new Apple Watch.

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.

Specifically, this is the Starlight Aluminum Apple Watch SE 3 with Starlight Sport Loop in Medium/Large. We're also tracking a $49 discount on the 40mm GPS model, available for $199.99 from Amazon.




In addition to the Apple Watch SE 3 discounts, Amazon has $99 off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 right now, which are new record low prices on the wearables. For more holiday shopping discounts, our main post on early Black Friday deals has sales on iPad, MacBook Air, Apple Pencil Pro, and more.

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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Apple will update the MacBook Air with an OLED display for its 2028 incarnation, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman says that he expects the MacBook Air's transition from LCD to OLED to occur with the product's 2028 update, as part of a larger migration to OLED across the company's flagship iPad and MacBook models that includes the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and MacBook Air – and likely in that order.

Apple already uses OLED displays in the iPad Pro. There are apparently no plans to add OLED to the low-cost iPad. The ‌MacBook Pro‌ will be updated with an OLED display when it is next redesigned, perhaps as soon as late 2026, and it will include touch screen functionality, according to Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple is expected to update the MacBook Air with M5 chips early next year and that model will continue to feature an LCD display. If Apple follows an annual upgrade cycle, the first OLED MacBook Air will likely feature M7 chips. Gurman previously reported that Apple has already started early work on an OLED ‌MacBook Air‌.

When the MacBook Air moves from LCD to OLED display technology, it will gain several advantages – brighter screens, deeper blacks with higher contrast, improved power efficiency that can extend battery life, and other enhancements.


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Apple today announced a campaign inviting people across the United Kingdom to design digital Christmas trees on iPad, with the winning artworks to be projected onto the chimneys of London's Battersea Power Station in December.


The "Your Tree on Battersea" campaign encourages participants to "express their creativity on ‌iPad‌" by drawing and submitting original Christmas tree designs. Hosted by British comedian and presenter Munya Chawawa, the project will culminate with 24 winning public entries being displayed on Battersea Power Station's river-facing chimneys and wash towers, alongside digital artwork from artists and public figures, including Sir Stephen Fry and David Shrigley OBE.

Submissions for Your Tree on Battersea open immediately and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on November 23, 2025. The winning entries will be unveiled on December 4 at 5 p.m. on Battersea Power Station's chimneys.

To help participants create and submit their entries, Apple is hosting special 30-minute Today at Apple sessions across all 39 of its UK retail stores from November 6 to November 22. The company added that the same sessions will continue through December 22 "so that the public can get creative on ‌iPad‌ and Apple Pencil throughout the festive season." Participants can also submit their artwork from home using downloadable templates provided by Apple.

Previous years' installations featured commissioned works only, including Bigger Christmas Trees by David Hockney, created on the iPad Pro in 2023, and a Wallace & Gromit animation produced by Aardman on the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024.
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Support for Apple Pay's Express Mode has been added to Edinburgh city's tap-on, tap-off tram network and Lothian bus services in Scotland, enabling passengers to pay for travel without unlocking their iPhone or Apple Watch.


The new functionality went live a couple of weeks ago, and it comes after a similar rollout in August for Greater Manchester, the first time a UK integrated public transport system has implemented Express Mode outside London.

Apart from allowing users to pay for rides without having to wake or unlock their iPhone, Express Mode also bypasses the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Users simply need to hold their ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch near the contactless payment reader until a checkmark appears on the display.

In the Apple Wallet app, users can set a debit or credit card as their default transit option under "Express Travel Settings." When Express Mode is turned on, they only need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a transit reader to pay – no Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode required.


For most people, the card already set as their default payment method in Wallet will automatically be used for Express Mode, but this can be changed anytime in Settings.

Express Mode is available in major cities worldwide, including London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo, and Sydney.

(Thanks, Joseph!)
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We began tracking early Black Friday deals yesterday, and a new discount has emerged on the Apple Watch SE 3 today. You can get the 44mm GPS model for $229.99, down from $279.00, a $49 discount and the best price we've ever seen on this brand new Apple Watch.

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.

Specifically, this is the Starlight Aluminum Apple Watch SE 3 with Starlight Sport Loop in Medium/Large. No other SE 3 devices are being discounted right now on Amazon, or anywhere else, but if we begin tracking more markdowns we'll be sure to share the expanded deals.



In addition to the Apple Watch SE 3 discounts, Amazon has $99 off the Apple Watch Ultra 3 right now, which are new record low prices on the wearables. For more holiday shopping discounts, our main post on early Black Friday deals has sales on iPad, MacBook Air, Apple Pencil Pro, and more.

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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We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon.

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

Specifically, in this article we're sharing all of the Apple products that currently have all-time low prices, or discounts that are at least very close to their record-low prices. Of course, these are early Black Friday deals, so even better discounts could emerge later in the month, but if you're shopping right now these are all the best prices around.

Apple Watch

Series 11

There aren't many big discounts on the GPS models of the Apple Watch Series 11 yet, but we are tracking a notable markdown on one of the high-end Titanium devices this weekend.

Ultra 3

One of the best all-around early Black Friday discounts is on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $99 off select models.

SE 3

The Apple Watch SE 3 received its first major discount on Amazon this week, with $49 off the 44mm GPS model.

iPad

Amazon this week is taking $50 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.





Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 ($50 off) and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $599.00 ($50 off).

iPad mini

Amazon this week has low prices on nearly every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this sale.

M5 iPad Pro

Amazon has the first notable discounts on Apple's brand new M5 iPad Pro, with the entry-level 11-inch model available for $947.00, down from $999.00.





In terms of the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro, this is still one of the only steeper discounts, with others sitting around $25 off. If you're shopping for the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro, you'll find the 256GB Wi-Fi model for $1,249.00 ($50 off), the 512GB Wi-Fi model for $1,449.00 ($50 off), and the 2TB Wi-Fi Nano-Texture Glass model for $2,298.00 ($101 off).

M4 MacBook Air

Amazon and Best Buy are hosting big discounts across the entire M4 MacBook Air lineup, with deals that represent all-time lows across every model of the computer. In total, you'll find $200 off the M4 MacBook Air notebook right now, with both 13-inch and 15-inch models on sale.




Prices start at $799.00 for the 13-inch 256GB model at Best Buy, down from $999.00. If you're looking for the larger model, you can get the 15-inch 256GB computer for $999.00 at both retailers, down from $1,199.00.

Of course, you'll also find all of the 512GB models of the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week.

Apple Pencil

You can get the Apple Pencil Pro available for $99.99, down from $129.00.



We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.

iPhone 17 Cases

Amazon this week brought back big discounts across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup. Items on sale include Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. We're also tracking a few discounts on other accessories like the FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe.

iPhone Air

• Bumper - $29.00, down from $39.00


• Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00

iPhone 17

• Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00


• Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 17 Pro

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00


• Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00


• TechWoven Case - $49.99, down from $59.00

iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Clear Case - $39.99, down from $49.00


• Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00


• TechWoven Case - $49.99, down from $59.00

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This article, "The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026.


Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod mini, which are set for launch soon, will also "help showcase" next year's new ‌Siri‌ and ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features.

The new version of ‌Siri‌ will apparently "lean" on Google's Gemini and include an AI-powered web search feature. Gurman warned "there's no guarantee users will embrace it, that it will work seamlessly or that it can undo years of damage to the ‌Siri‌ brand."

Apple is said to be paying Google to create a custom Gemini-based model that can run on its Private Cloud Compute servers to power ‌Siri‌. Gurman clarified that this doesn't mean ‌Siri‌ will include Google services or Gemini features. Instead, ‌Siri‌ will simply be powered by a Gemini model in the background, enabling it to deliver the features that users expect with an Apple user interface.

Apple will preview iOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and other operating systems at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The updates will apparently focus on major updates to ‌Apple Intelligence‌ and the company's broader AI strategy.

The company is also apparently still running into problems with the launch of ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in China. Despite partnerships with Chinese companies, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ in China is still mired by regulatory issues and the launch is now a "rolling target."


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A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested.


In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day.

The timing of the overnight refresh could simply be related to the holiday season, but there is a possibility that it relates to the launch of new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ models. Gurman notes that inventory of current models has become tight, likely signaling that new versions are on the way. He added that even if they do not launch by the end of 2025, they "shouldn't be far off."

The new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ will apparently "help showcase the new Siri and Apple Intelligence features planned for next year." During its earnings call earlier this week, Apple seemingly suggested that any more new Macs are off the table for the rest of 2025, making the new ‌Apple TV‌ and ‌HomePod mini‌ the most likely candidates for any remaining Apple product releases this year.


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Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store, and the risk of new tariffs.

The "early portion of the year" should see the release of the iPhone 17e, iPad (12th-generation) with A18 chip, iPad Air with M4 chip, MacBook Air with M5 chip, MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and new external displays. Around March to April, Apple should roll out the long-awaited revamped version of Siri alongside a new smart home display with speaker-base and wall-mount options.

In the fall, the company will release new Apple Watches and iPhones as usual. The iPhone 18 Pro models will drop Qualcommm modems for Apple's own C1 chip. The first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is also expected to launch.

The company is likely to debut smart home security products such as a camera in 2026. A new Mac mini with the M5 chip is also expected, along with a new Mac Studio. A new iPad mini with an OLED display should also arrive, but an update to the iPad Pro is not due until 2027.

Before the end of the year, the company could unveil redesigned ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, thinner chassis, touchscreens, and OLED displays. Apple could also preview its smart glasses product before the end of 2026, with suppliers already producing small quantities.


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WhatsApp this week announced that it is adding passkey-encrypted chat backups, allowing users to protect their stored messages using Touch ID or Face ID instead of a 64-digit key.


The feature extends the app's 2021 end-to-end encrypted backup system, which previously required users to create and save a lengthy key to restore chats. With passkeys, authentication uses each device's built-in authentication hardware like ‌Touch ID‌ or ‌Face ID‌, meaning the private cryptographic key never leaves the phone. This makes backups both more secure and much easier to restore.

The rollout is set to be global and gradual over the coming weeks. Users can enable it via Settings → Chats → Chat backup → End-to-end encrypted backup once available. iCloud and Google Drive remain the storage destinations for iOS and Android, respectively. The move continues Meta's broader adoption of passkeys, which WhatsApp first supported for account logins in 2023.
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Apple Watch Ultra 3 has hit a new all-time low price on Amazon this weekend, available at $99 off select models. This includes the higher-end model with the Milanese Loop and a few Ocean Band options.

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.

Specifically, you can get the Apple Watch Ultra 3 with Black Titanium Case and Black Ocean Band for $699.99 ($99 off) and the Black Titanium Case with Anchor Blue Ocean Band for $699.99 ($99 off). Finally, there's the Black Titanium Case with Black Milanese Loop for $799.99 ($99 off).




We've started tracking early Black Friday deals in our main post, also including great deals on AirPods, iPad Pro, and more. 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, "Apple Watch Ultra 3 Hits New Record Low Price of $699.99 ($99 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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