When Apple released iOS 18.4 to everyone earlier this year, it came with a big upgrade to the Home app. Users can now add robot vacuums to HomeKit for the first time thanks to the Matter smart home standard.

Here are the robot vacuums compatible with HomeKit…

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Apple plans to enter the foldable smartphone market in September 2026, debuting its first foldable iPhone. We've heard multiple rumors about the design of the upcoming device, but little has been revealed about the operating system or the software features.


Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone‌ Fold will be around 5.4 inches when closed, and approximately 7.6 inches when open, giving it a 4:3 aspect ratio. We did a video featuring a rough ‌iPhone‌ Fold mockup at those dimensions yesterday, which provides an idea of what the device will look like.


When unfolded, the upcoming ‌iPhone‌ will be bigger than any ‌iPhone‌ to date, and not too far off in size from the original iPad mini. The current ‌iPad mini‌ has an 8.3-inch screen size, but the first models had a 7.9-inch display.

Since the ‌iPhone‌ Fold's inner display will be close to an iPad in size, will it run iOS or iPadOS? Will it work like a standard ‌iPhone‌ when the display is closed, and an ‌iPad‌ when it's open? Or will it get something in between?

We haven't heard much about iOS 27 as of yet or what Apple has in store for the ‌iPhone‌ Fold, so it's still a mystery. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that iOS 27 will lay the foundation for the foldable ‌iPhone‌ and future foldables, but that's about it.

With a larger display, the ‌iPhone‌ Fold will probably support some kind of split screen view or multitasking option, perhaps even adopting Slide Over. Apple Pencil support for a 7.6-inch display could make sense, but the ‌iPhone‌ Fold's display will be an awkward middle size between an ‌iPhone‌ and an ‌iPad‌. We haven't heard rumors that the ‌iPhone‌ Fold will work with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, but we also haven't heard rumors that it won't.

‌Apple Pencil‌ support could be useful for quick note taking, sketches, signing documents, editing photos and videos, and more. Steve Jobs famously said "Nobody wants a stylus," but in the years since he touted the ergonomics of the finger, the stylus has evolved. The ‌Apple Pencil‌ isn't one of the tiny plastic pens or imprecise rubber-tipped styluses that were around back in 2007 when Jobs commented on them. It's a writing implement that accurately mimics a pen or a pencil, and it feels natural to use.

Samsung's foldables supported the optional S Pen for many years, but the latest Galaxy Z Fold7 dropped the feature for a thinner and lighter design, which might not bode well for Apple offering the functionality. Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone‌ Fold is going to be somewhere around 4.5mm thick when unfolded, which will make it thinner than Apple's 5.1mm iPad Pro, the thinnest Apple device to date.

Some dedicated Samsung Galaxy Fold users are unhappy with the feature's removal, so there are definitely foldable smartphone customers out there who like the flexibility of being able to use a stylus. Rumors suggest that Samsung is considering bringing S Pen support back to the next-generation Galaxy Fold, which will, coincidentally, have a shorter, wider design to match the iPhone Fold. If Apple implements ‌Apple Pencil‌ support and Samsung doesn't, it's possible Apple will draw some switchers who don't want to use a foldable without a pen option. The opposite is also a possibility, so Apple could lose customers who don't want a foldable without a pen.

Google didn't design a stylus for the Pixel Fold, but it did implement support for the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI), so the device works with third-party USI pens. USI pens don't have the same functionality as the ‌Apple Pencil‌, lacking features like pressure sensitivity, but the basic stylus functionality is there for those who want it.

Apple could do something similar to Google. Add support for the ‌Apple Pencil‌ for those who want it, without making it a primary marketing point. That would make the ‌Apple Pencil‌ available for those who want the extra functionality, but it wouldn't be a necessity. Apple could also design an ‌iPhone‌ Fold-specific ‌Apple Pencil‌ that is sized to the device and able to be charged with it, but it all depends on how Apple wants to market the ‌iPhone‌ Fold.

If it's marketed as an ‌iPhone‌, ‌Apple Pencil‌ support is unlikely. Apple has long championed a touch-first approach, and no ‌Apple Pencil‌ support for the ‌iPhone‌ clearly separates it from the ‌iPad‌. If it's marketed as an ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ hybrid device, ‌Apple Pencil‌ support seems like more of a possibility.

Apple might not be able to implement ‌Apple Pencil‌ support at all because of technical limitations. Rumors suggest that the ‌iPhone‌ Fold is so thin that it doesn't have the space for the TrueDepth camera hardware for Face ID, so Apple is instead adding a Touch ID button to the device. With space at such a premium, a digitizer layer for the ‌Apple Pencil‌ is probably impossible. Apple also needs to take into account how an ‌Apple Pencil‌ would impact ‌iPhone‌ Fold features like the crease in the middle, and that might add too much complication.

Even if the first-generation ‌iPhone‌ Fold doesn't get ‌Apple Pencil‌ support, it could be a feature that Apple adds in the future as display technology improves.

Do you want ‌Apple Pencil‌ support for the ‌iPhone‌ Fold? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "Will the Apple Pencil Work With the iPhone Fold?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has published a fun teaser on the Apple Fitness+ Instagram account, promoting what it promises to be “something big” that will land on the service next year. Watch it below.

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Let’s say you have screenshots of sensitive information sitting on your desktop that you’d like to password protect. You know that images of tax, banking, wire transfer forms, etc. in the clear can easily be viewed by anyone with physical or remote access to your machine, but you’re unsure how to secure them. Unfortunately, macOS Preview doesn’t support file-level password protection, but there are quick workarounds that don’t require third-party software or downloading anything not already on your Mac.

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The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+.

• What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year?


• Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+


• The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here


• 2026 Plans Still Under Wraps-For Now

There are rumors that an AI-based Health+ service will be introduced at some point in 2026, but the Apple Fitness+ post may simply be referencing some kind of fitness program or fitness promotion that's designed to help people meet their New Year's Resolutions. It sounds like an announcement is planned for January 1, 2026.

The Health+ service that's in the works will supposedly incorporate AI for personalized health recommendations and health coaching. Health+ will rely on the LLM version of Siri that Apple has planned, which isn't expected until iOS 26.4 in the spring, so we're probably not hearing about the service in January.


Apple has a "Ring in the New Year" Apple Watch activity challenge that kicks off on January 1, so the Fitness+ announcement could be related to that.
This article, "Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Update, December 30, 4:44 p.m. ET: (RED) has now confirmed that the $3 million donation cap was reached. Find new details below. 

(RED) confirmed today that Apple will donate $5 for every qualifying purchase made via Apple Pay through December 7. Here’s how you can contribute.

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Earlier this year, Apple officially announced CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation version of CarPlay that it first teased way back at WWDC 2022.

CarPlay Ultra began rolling out in May to Aston Martin owners in the United States and Canada. What about other automakers? Here’s what we know.

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This holiday season, Apple donated $5 to The Global Fund for every purchase made using Apple Pay on Apple.com, the Apple Store app, and Apple retail stores in the U.S. and other countries.


The Global Fund this week said that Apple raised a total of $3 million for the organization, which is dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in developing countries.

Apple capped donations at $3 million, so that means Apple customers raised the total possible amount through their purchases. Apple ran the promotion from November 28 through December 7 to fund critical health programs that save lives.

Apple has long supported The Global Fund with similar promotions and through sales of devices manufactured in (PRODUCT)RED colors. Apple has not offered any of its iPhones or accessories in (PRODUCT)RED colorways since the launch of the 2022 iPhone 14 models, but it does raise money each December in honor of World AIDS Day.

Apple has raised more than $250 million for The Global Fund during its 19-year partnership with the (RED) brand.
This article, "Apple Raised $3 Million for Global Fund's AIDS Fight Through Apple Pay Promotion" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple updated its entire lineup of Apple Watch models this year, introducing the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Ultra 3. Here’s what you need to know about Apple Watch SE 3 vs Apple Watch Series 11.

Plus, you can currently save $100 on the Apple Watch Series 11.

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by Roborock: Save on Roborock’s flagship vacuums — but hurry, these deals won’t last long!

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Apple’s Fitness app on iPhone started out as a companion to the Apple Watch’s Activity rings. But recently in iOS 26, Fitness expanded in several ways, including for users who don’t own an Apple Watch. Here are three recent changes that can help complement your new year’s goals.

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A new TrendForce report outlines the challenges notebook makers are expected to face in 2026, with surging memory prices chief among them. Apple, however, is expected to be less exposed. Here are the details.

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It’s not uncommon for new iPhone models to introduce issues for a small subset of users. With iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, it seems a number of users have encountered a strange speaker hiss when charging.

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iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max owners are having trouble with the speakers of their devices, and have complained about a static or hissing noise that occurs when the iPhone is charging.


There are multiple discussions about the issue on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple's Support Community, where affected users say there is a noticeable static noise "like an old radio." Some people report hearing it when playing audio and turning the volume down, while others say the static is audible without anything playing from the speakers. In some cases, there is a low crackle or a hiss when scrolling through webpages when the ‌iPhone‌ is charging, and some people hear the noise at low volumes even when the ‌iPhone‌ isn't on a charger.

Affected users report that the noise can be heard with chargers of all types, including Apple's official chargers. MagSafe charging causes the problem as well, but users report that the static noise is quieter. Unplugging the ‌iPhone‌ from the charger eliminates the sound for users who are experiencing the static noise when charging.


Some ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ users have exchanged their devices for new ones, but have run into the same issue.

One Reddit user has been in contact with Apple support, and says the issue has been forwarded to Apple engineers. Apple is apparently working on a fix, but the iOS updates that have been released so far do not appear to solve the problem. The sound is subtle according to most reports, so it may be a widespread issue that only those sensitive to the noise have noticed.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Users Report Static Speaker Noise While Charging" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Benjamin and Chance return from the holiday break with some classic stories of tech support from the trenches. Also, iOS 26 Hold Assist proves better in theory than in reality based on listener feedback, and we do some Ask9to5Mac to close out 2025. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin and Chance debate what should be 9to5Mac’s Product of the Year. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. 

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Apple has been subject to a lot of criticism over its AI strategy, especially after it delayed several powerful Siri upgrades earlier this year. But a new report may help explain why, in part, Apple’s AI approach differs so much from competitors.

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iOS 26 adds two brand new apps to your iPhone’s Home Screen, here’s how I’m using one of them: the Preview app.

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Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues.


The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data centers, chips, and large language model training. This has fueled criticism that Apple is falling behind in the AI space, particularly as Siri has significantly lagged behind more advanced, capable, and reliable conversational systems.

The report argues that market sentiment toward AI spending is beginning to show signs of skepticism, with questions emerging over whether such large investments can be justified by near-term revenue. Against that backdrop, Apple's decision to limit AI-specific capital expenditures has left it with more than $130 billion in cash and marketable securities, giving the company the option to pursue acquisitions or partnerships if valuations of AI startups fall.

Apple's biggest AI-related move in 2026 will be the long-anticipated overhaul of ‌Siri‌, which is expected to arrive in the spring. The updated assistant is set to be more conversational and capable of completing multi-step tasks. To power it, Apple is believed to be adopting Google's Gemini, reflecting an internal view that large language models may become commoditized and not worth the cost of large-scale proprietary development.

The iPhone is said to be a key strategic advantage. Unlike AI companies that rely on standalone apps or web services, Apple can distribute AI features directly through software updates and system-level integrations across its devices. Efforts by AI companies to build competing hardware face major challenges in manufacturing, distribution, and ecosystem development, areas where Apple has very strong footholds.

The Information also points to recent leadership changes as part of Apple's effort to refocus its AI work. ‌Siri‌ has been placed under Mike Rockwell, who was responsible for launching the Vision Pro headset, following significant delays to the assistant's overhaul. In addition, Apple's AI chief John Giannandrea announced his retirement earlier in December, with parts of his organization redistributed into product-focused teams amid internal concerns about a lack of clear product direction.

While Apple has a history of early but uneven AI efforts, including the original launch of ‌Siri‌ in 2011, The Information argues that these shortcomings have not materially harmed its core businesses. 2026 may be an inflection point in which Apple's cautious strategy could appear prescient if enthusiasm for large-scale AI spending continues to cool and the company finally delivers a more capable version of ‌Siri‌.
This article, "Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Anyone shopping for portable power stations can find up to 65 percent off Anker and Jackery's best accessories this week. Each retailer is hosting a New Year's sale for its most popular charging accessories, with major savings on these high-priced power stations that match Black Friday prices in many cases.

Jackery

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

Jackery's event has up to $3,600 off select portable power stations this week. This includes everything from the smaller Explorer 500 to Jackery's line of HomePower Solar Generators that can power essential home electronics for as long as 30 days.

• Explorer 500 - $359.00, down from $499.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 - $799.00, down from $1,499.00


• Battery Pack 2000 Plus - $799.00, down from $1,399.00


• Battery Pack 3600 - $999.00, down from $2,099.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator - $1,429.00, down from $2,499.00


• Explorer 2000 v2 + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,399.00, down from $2,499.00


• HomePower 3000 Solar Generator + Dual 200W Solar Panels - $1,799.00, down from $2,999.00


• HomePower 3600 Plus Solar Generator - $2,099.00, down from $3,699.00


• Explorer 5000 Plus - $4,099.00, down from $5,699.00

Anker SOLIX

Similar to Jackery, Anker SOLIX is hosting a sale that has up to 65 percent off select portable power stations. Overall, Anker SOLIX has a few more affordable options coming in under $500, as well as numerous high-end stations with various accessories like solar panels and expandable batteries.

• Anker 521 PowerHouse (300W) - $129.00, down from $249.99


• Anker 535 PowerHouse (500W) - $249.00, down from $649.99


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


• SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 + Solar Panel - $649.99, down from $1,298.00


• SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $749.99, down from $1,498.00


• SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station - $1,199.00, down from $2,599.00


• SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station - $1,998.95, down from $3,999.00


• SOLIX F3000 + Expansion Battery + Solar Panel - $2,199.00, down from $5,397.00


• SOLIX F3800 Plus Smart Home Power Kit - $4,693.95, down from $8,897.00

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

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This article, "Jackery and Anker Hosting New Year's Sales With Up to 65% Off" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The next major iPhone software update will be unveiled in less than six months, at WWDC in June. Here are seven new features rumored to be coming with iOS 27.

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One of Apple TV’s best comedies, Shrinking, returns for season 3 very soon, and the newly released trailer shows a lot to look forward to.

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The watch face is easily among Apple Watch’s most important features, and watchOS 26 offers big improvements to watch faces in three main ways. Here’s what’s new.

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Apple this week revealed its annual New Year Sale in Japan, offering Apple Gift Cards worth up to ¥38,000 alongside a free limited-edition AirTag for qualifying iPhone purchases.


The ‌AirTag‌ features a special engraving of a Daruma, a traditional Japanese talisman commonly associated with perseverance, good fortune, and the achievement of goals. The ‌AirTag‌ offer is limited to 65,000 units in total and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.



Customers can receive gift cards worth up to ¥12,000 for eligible ‌iPhone‌ purchases, up to ¥38,000 for Mac purchases, and up to ¥15,000 for iPad purchases. Apple Watch purchases qualify for gift cards worth up to ¥8,000, while AirPods purchases are eligible for gift cards valued at up to ¥12,000.

The promotion will run from January 2 through January 5 and is available through Apple retail stores and the Apple Online Store in Japan. The New Year Sale has become a recurring annual event for Apple in Japan, where holiday retail traditions differ from those in the United States and Europe.
This article, "Apple to Give Away Free Limited-Edition AirTag in Japan" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Optimizing and perfecting my Mac setup is one of my favorite things to do. I love my M4 MacBook Pro, and surrounding it with accessories that improve my productivity is key to my workflow. If you just unwrapped a new Mac, there are tons of ways to upgrade your experience even further.

In fact, almost all of these products are on my desk as I write this story.

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