MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:48:59 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Siri Settlement Approved: Apple to Pay Owners of Some iPhone Models https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/apple-to-pay-owners-of-these-iphone-models/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/siri-settlement-approved-apple-to-pay-owners-of-some-iphone-models.2485863/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:10:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/apple-to-pay-owners-of-these-iphone-models/ Joe Rossignol Apple Intelligence Apple Lawsuits Siri Siri AI agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout.


Apple's settlement has now received preliminary approval from a judge, according to a July 17 court document. However, there is no settlement website yet, and it may take months before eligible customers can begin submitting claims. In other words, no action is required from eligible customers at this time, but stay tuned for updates.

Below, we have answered some key questions regarding the lawsuit.

Why Was Apple Sued?


In June 2024, Apple previewed new Siri capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence, including 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.

Apple advertised those Siri features in product presentations, on its website, in a TV commercial starring actor Bella Ramsey, and elsewhere.


In March 2025, Apple delayed the launch of the personalized version of Siri, leading to the company being hit with a class action lawsuit alleging false advertising.

In a statement, Apple touted a range of other Apple Intelligence features it had already released. Nevertheless, Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit "to stay focused" on "delivering the most innovative products and services to our users."

Apple finally announced "Siri AI" at WWDC 2026 last month, and the revamped assistant is available to test on the iOS 27 developer beta, with a public beta to follow this month. iOS 27 should be released in September, at which point "Siri AI" will finally be available to all users with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer.


Am I Eligible?


To be eligible to submit a claim, you must reside in the U.S. and have purchased any iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 model between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025.

The full list of eligible iPhone models:

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • iPhone 16

  • iPhone 16e

  • iPhone 16 Plus

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

It is unlikely that individuals who submit a claim will still need to have physical possession of an eligible iPhone model. However, there is a possibility that proof of purchase or other information will be required, such as the device's serial number. Exact requirements will be outlined on the settlement website, which is still not live.

How Much Will Apple Pay Me?


According to the terms of the settlement, each person who files an eligible claim will receive a per-device payment of $25, but this amount could increase up to $95 if the total number of claims submitted is lower than anticipated.

Where and When Can I Submit a Claim?


Over the coming months, a settlement website is expected to go live with an online claims form.

Eligible class members will be notified by email within approximately 45 days after the settlement received preliminary approval, according to the court documents. Even if you are not notified but are a U.S. resident who purchased one of the above iPhone models within the above dates, you are still eligible if you meet the criteria.
Tags: Apple Intelligence, Apple Lawsuits, Siri, Siri AI

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]]> Unpatchable iPhone 11 Exploit Sparks Legal Battle https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/unpatchable-iphone-11-exploit-sparks-legal-battle/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/unpatchable-iphone-11-exploit-sparks-legal-battle.2485862/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 07:58:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/unpatchable-iphone-11-exploit-sparks-legal-battle/ Joe Rossignol Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad a boot ROM vulnerability affecting Apple's A12 and A13 chips, but it has since removed the blog post after being sued by digital forensics firm Magnet Forensics.


In a complaint filed in Georgia federal court this month, Magnet Forensics alleged that the security vulnerability revealed by Paradigm Shift was substantially the same as the one its former employee Mario Del Gaudio worked on before joining Paradigm Shift. Accordingly, Magnet Forensics alleged that Del Gaudio exposed its trade secrets.

Apple's A12 and A13 chips power the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 series, along with select other devices. A boot ROM vulnerability cannot be patched with an iOS update, as it involves code permanently embedded in the chip's read-only memory.
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]]> Meta Launches Free 'Facebook Verified' Badge to Confirm Real Users https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/meta-launches-free-facebook-verified-badge/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/meta-launches-free-facebook-verified-badge-to-confirm-real-users.2485859/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:55:12 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/meta-launches-free-facebook-verified-badge/ Hartley Charlton Facebook Meta Meta today announced Facebook Verified, a free badge designed to confirm that a Facebook profile belongs to a real person rather than an AI-generated fake.


The feature uses a selfie-based verification process: users record a short video selfie, which ‌Meta‌ checks against their existing profile photos to confirm a match. ‌Meta‌ says the process is free and typically takes just a few minutes to complete, though accounts must meet the company's trust and safety standards to qualify.

Facebook Verified is limited to users 18 and older who are in good standing with ‌Meta‌'s Community Standards around fraud, scams, and deceptive practices, and who show no evidence of inauthentic behavior. The badge is not available for Pages or ProMode accounts, positioning it squarely as a personal-profile feature rather than one aimed at creators or businesses.

Once verified, the badge will appear on Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profile, with ‌Meta‌ planning to extend it to Feed posts over time. There is no subscription fee for the feature, and the badge carries across the platform once a user has completed the one-time verification process.

The launch is separate from ‌Meta‌ Verified, the company's existing paid subscription that bundles a verified badge with extras like impersonation protection and direct account support. Facebook Verified is free and narrower in scope, aimed specifically at signaling humanity rather than offering premium account features.

Facebook Verified is rolling out in phases, starting in select markets, with ‌Meta‌ planning to expand availability globally over time.
Tags: Facebook, Meta

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]]> Fire Reported Near Apple Park https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/fire-reported-near-apple-park/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/fire-reported-near-apple-park.2485858/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:30:29 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/fire-reported-near-apple-park/ Joe Rossignol Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad

The fire occurred outside of a building known as Apple Forge 1, which spans 18920 to 18922 Forge Drive. While one person on social media described the damage as "huge," the photos they shared only show damage to some fencing on the property. The incident report was marked as closed after 45 minutes. It is unclear if there were any injuries.

We have reached out to Apple for comment.
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]]> Claude Voice Mode Gains Opus and Sonnet Model Support https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/claude-voice-mode-opus-sonnet-model-support/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/claude-voice-mode-gains-opus-and-sonnet-model-support.2485855/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 05:10:49 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/claude-voice-mode-opus-sonnet-model-support/ Tim Hardwick Anthropic

Voice mode lets users hold full spoken conversations with the chatbot rather than having to type prompts and read responses. Users can switch between Claude's models mid-conversation, and can also move between text and voice in the same chat without losing context. With the addition of Opus and Sonnet support, users will be able to hold longer and more complex conversations, including providing feedback on the communication style.

In addition, Claude's Voice mode can now also tap into connected tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and Slack, so Claude can check a calendar or summarize an email thread out loud, for example. Users with free accounts can connect one tool, whereas paid plans support more.

According to Anthropic's support documentation, the models available in voice mode now follow the user's subscription plan, and voice conversations start on whichever model the user last selected in text chat.

Claude's voice mode language support was extended beyond English earlier this year, with French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish available in beta. Users have to manually select a language in the app.


Voice mode works on iOS, Android, desktop, and the web, but Anthropic says it is designed to work best on phones. Voice conversations count toward standard usage limits and Anthropic's newest Fable model is not yet supported.

Meanwhile, OpenAI yesterday launched ChatGPT Voice in its desktop app, powered by a model it calls GPT-Live, which the company says can direct multiple agents running in ChatGPT Work or Codex by voice alone. The feature is rolling out on macOS and Windows to paid plans.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect ChatGPT Voice's recent rollout.
Tag: Anthropic

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]]> WhatsApp Rolls Out Redesigned Message Bubbles for iOS https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/whatsapp-redesigned-message-bubbles-ios/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/whatsapp-rolls-out-redesigned-message-bubbles-for-ios.2485854/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:19:25 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/whatsapp-redesigned-message-bubbles-ios/ Tim Hardwick WhatsApp WhatsApp is rolling out a new design for message bubbles on iOS, reports WaBetaInfo. The platform's message bubbles are rounder than before with a softer shape – similar to iMessage – while shared media files appear without the original borders, giving them a cleaner look.

The message bubble update follows several Liquid Glass-based design changes that came to WhatsApp's chat interface on iPhone and iPad last month.
Tag: WhatsApp

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]]> Apple Seeking 20% OLED Panel Price Cut for iPhone 18 Pro Max https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/oled-panel-price-cut-iphone-18-pro-max/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeking-20-oled-panel-price-cut-for-iphone-18-pro-max.2485852/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:31:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/24/oled-panel-price-cut-iphone-18-pro-max/ Tim Hardwick iPhone 18 Pro OLED The Elec The Elec.


According to the Korea-based report, Apple has proposed paying around $70 for OLED panels, but it might end up paying even less. Industry estimates suggest that Samsung Display and LG Display will supply the panels for around $66.50 each. That would be a roughly 20 percent drop from the prices paid for iPhone 17 Pro Max OLED panels.

The report says that the price Apple has paid for iPhone OLED panels has fallen with each new generation. However, this year's reduction is unusually steep, especially considering that the iPhone 18 OLED panel is expected to require greater manufacturing complexity – Apple will be using Samsung Display's latest M16 OLED material set, which improves luminous efficiency, lifespan, and color performance.

Smartphone makers across the board are said to be trying to offset rising memory costs by reducing procurement expenses for other components, including display panels and camera modules.

According to market research firm UBI Research, Samsung Display is expected to supply 46 million OLED panels for Apple's iPhone 18 lineup this year, comprising 2 million for the standard iPhone 18 model, 18 million for the iPhone 18 Pro, and 26 million for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. Meanwhile, LG Display is forecast to supply 41 million panels, including 1 million for the standard model, 19 million for the 18 Pro, and 21 million for the 18 Pro Max.

Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro models in September alongside its first foldable iPhone, followed by the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027. Analysts suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could start at $1,299 and $1,399, respectively. In other words, a $200 jump over their predecessors, with rising memory and storage costs largely to blame.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tags: OLED, The Elec

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]]> 10 iOS 27 Performance Improvements You'll Actually Notice https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-performance-improvements/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/10-ios-27-performance-improvements-youll-actually-notice.2485833/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:02:58 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-performance-improvements&post_date=1784854968/ Juli Clover iOS 27 iOS 27, Apple focused on making improvements to iOS performance, optimizing everything from system animations to AirDrop transfer speeds. iPhone performance is smoother and faster on all iPhones able to run ‌iOS 27‌, which includes the iPhone 11 and newer.


There are over 80 ‌iOS 27‌ improvements Apple announced, with 10 of the most useful listed below.

App Launching


Apps launch up to 30 percent faster in ‌iOS 27‌, and that includes Apple's own apps and third-party apps. When you're opening apps dozens of times a day, less loading time adds up and makes the system feel faster.

Apple says it tested the app launching speed improvements using an iPhone 11 Pro Max running iOS 26.4.2 and ‌iOS 27‌.

Optimized CPU Scheduler


iOS includes a CPU scheduler that manages computational resources across workloads as you use your iPhone. Apple says it optimized the CPU scheduler in ‌iOS 27‌ to more efficiently handle performance-intensive tasks.

Apple extended CPU scheduler optimization all the way back to the iPhone 11, which is part of the reason even old iPhones feel faster with the update installed.

Apple is often accused of making old iPhones slower with new iOS updates, but there are noticeable speed improvements in ‌iOS 27‌ so we likely won't hear that complaint this year.

Better Wi-Fi to Cellular Transitions


iPhones are better at determining when to transition from Wi-Fi to a cellular connection, and from a cellular connection to Wi-Fi. When you're connected to your home Wi-Fi and walk out the door, you'll see less connectivity loss as your device changes networks.

Apple says the iPhone is better about choosing the best available Wi-Fi or cellular connection to help you stay connected.

Rebuilt Search Index


Apple rebuilt its search foundation in ‌iOS 27‌, giving Spotlight, Photos, Mail, and other apps a more comprehensive index of content that stays updated throughout the day.

In the Mail app, there's a new ranking system that surfaces more relevant emails for search queries instead of listing results by date. You'll see up to five ranked Top Results now.

Photo Load Time


When you take a photo and then open up the ‌Photos‌ app, your just-captured image appears more quickly so you can edit it or share it. Apple says photos and videos load up to 70 percent faster in the ‌Photos‌ library, which it tested with a ‌Photos‌ app that had a 50,000-asset library.

Waiting on a photo to unblur when you quickly swap over to the ‌Photos‌ app is a small annoyance, but cutting down on load time makes taking a photo feel much faster.

Recent camera captures are also added more quickly in the Messages app photo picker.

Automatic Message Resending


When a message, photo, or video fails to send in iMessage, your iPhone will automatically retry sending it instead of throwing up a red exclamation point and forcing you to manually try again.

Sending photos and videos when you have a poor connection also does not pause a Messages conversation while the content sends. Each photo or video has its own progress bar, and your texts will still go through while you wait for images and video to upload.

Faster Camera Launch in Low Power Mode


When you have Low Power Mode turned on, the Camera app can launch slowly. That's been fixed in ‌iOS 27‌, and it loads faster than before.

The Camera also draws less power in Low Power Mode.

Faster Keyboard Loading


The emoji and sticker keyboards load more quickly, so there's no longer an irritating pause when you want to use an emoji. The keyboard is something you use frequently, so this is a time-saving improvement.

Mail Badges


If you're tired of unread Mail badges popping up when you have read all your emails, ‌iOS 27‌ addresses the issue. The Mail app badge is now less likely to show an inaccurate number of unread emails.

Bluetooth


Apple says it improved Bluetooth power management in ‌iOS 27‌, an update relevant to AirPods, Apple Watch, CarPlay, speakers, and other Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth accessories should draw less power for some minor improvements to battery life.

Other Useful Improvements



  • AirDrop transfers are up to 80 percent faster, and AirDrop is faster to find nearby recipients

  • Text recognition in images and documents is quicker

  • Safari has enhanced power efficiency and web apps are faster

  • Unlocking an iPhone, scrolling through Home Screen pages and App Library, and scrolling in Control Center are all smoother

  • The Lock Screen no longer goes to sleep when you're scrolling through notifications

  • Wireless ‌CarPlay‌ is more reliable


iOS 27 Launch


‌iOS 27‌ is being beta tested right now, and can be downloaded by developers and public beta testers. It will launch this fall alongside new iPhone models.

Read More


For more on the new features in ‌iOS 27‌, we have a dedicated iOS 27 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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]]> iPhone Driver's Licenses May Soon Expand to New State https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/iphone-drivers-licenses-utah/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-drivers-licenses-may-soon-expand-to-new-state.2485832/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:58:38 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/iphone-drivers-licenses-utah/ Juli Clover Apple Wallet MacRumors discovered signs of a Utah ID in Apple's backend, suggesting Apple is moving forward on implementing support.


Utah already offers a mobile driver's license option through a standalone app, but there is no Apple Wallet integration. Utah's mobile driver's license FAQ page still says that it is still in the initial planning process of adding Utah IDs to Apple Wallet, but it may not be up to date.

The site also says that when Apple Wallet integration launches, iPhone users who already use the mobile app for their Utah ID will be able to download it to Apple Wallet.

Apple announced plans to add Utah driver's licenses and IDs to the Apple Wallet app way back in 2021, but no integration has materialized. Utah was one of the first states Apple mentioned when rolling out the feature.

Other states planning to add support for driver's licenses in Apple Wallet include Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

Multiple states have already implemented support, as has Puerto Rico.

  • Arkansas

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • Illinois

  • Iowa

  • Maryland

  • Montana

  • New Mexico

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • West Virginia


Digital IDs and licenses are accepted at select TSA checkpoints across the United States. It can also be used at some business venues and in select apps that require ID verification for services or purchases.

In states that do not support licenses in the Wallet app, iPhone users can add their U.S. passport to the Apple Wallet app with the iOS 26 Digital ID feature.
Tag: Apple Wallet

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]]> ChatGPT's Apple Health Integration Now Rolling Out to U.S. Users https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/chatgpt-apple-health-integration/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/chatgpts-apple-health-integration-now-rolling-out-to-u-s-users.2485827/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:54:05 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/chatgpt-apple-health-integration/ Juli Clover Apple Health ChatGPT OpenAI Health in ChatGPT feature that integrates medical records and Apple Health data is rolling out to ChatGPT users in the United States as of today.


OpenAI announced plans for a health feature that used data from Apple Health and other sources back in January, but it was in beta and was not made widely available.

Health in ChatGPT can draw on health information connected by the user to compare lab test data, summarize changes since a prior appointment, track medications, and explore how sleep, activity, and workouts impact health.
With your permission, ChatGPT can consider relevant information you have connected, such as medications, lab results, recent visits, sleep, and activity, alongside the goals and context you share. This added context can make everyday conversations more useful. For example, ChatGPT can consider a dietary restriction when helping you choose a restaurant, or a recent injury when planning lower-impact weekend activities with your family. You can ask follow-up questions, add context, or correct information that is incomplete or out of date.

OpenAI says the feature is meant to help users understand their health information in context and keep track of what's changed over time. Users can get to the Health section from the ChatGPT sidebar.

Connected medical records and Apple Health information are not used to train OpenAI's models or target ads, nor are conversations that use health data. ChatGPT will ask for permission before using connected medical records and Apple Health information to personalize a response.

For users who would prefer not to connect health records, the Health section in ChatGPT works without them and can answer health-related questions.

Health is rolling out to logged-in ChatGPT users who are 18 years and older in the U.S. on web and iOS. The feature is available to Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans.
Tags: Apple Health, ChatGPT, OpenAI

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]]> Emergency SOS via Satellite Expands to Two More Countries https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/emergency-sos-via-satellite-two-more-countries/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/emergency-sos-via-satellite-expands-to-two-more-countries.2485828/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:50:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/emergency-sos-via-satellite-two-more-countries/ Joe Rossignol Emergency SOS via Satellite iPhone Satellite Features Emergency SOS via satellite is now available in Andorra and Iceland, according to an updated Apple support document.

Available on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Emergency SOS via satellite allows you to text emergency services when you are in a supported area without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity. The feature requires iOS 26.4 and watchOS 26.4 or later in Andorra and Iceland.
Tags: Emergency SOS via Satellite, iPhone Satellite Features

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]]> Geekbench 7 Launches With Redesigned Multi-Core and GPU Benchmarks https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/geekbench-7-launch/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/geekbench-7-launches-with-redesigned-multi-core-and-gpu-benchmarks.2485824/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/geekbench-7-launch/ Juli Clover Geekbench Primate Labs launch of Geekbench 7, the newest version of the popular benchmarking suite for CPU and GPU performance.


There's a redesigned multi-core benchmark in Geekbench 7 that's meant to better represent how applications work in the real world. A workload only runs in multi-threaded mode if the task it models runs multi-threaded in real applications.

Primate Labs says users can expect a multi-core score that's a more relevant measure of how a device performs when doing actual work.

Along with updates to multi-core testing, a revamped GPU benchmark focuses on machine learning and content creation to reflect how GPUs are used today. The GPU benchmark has tests that track faces and apply real-time filter effects to video, upscale images with machine learning, and blur backgrounds in video conferencing streams. New GPU image editing and synthesis tests are available, like RAW image processing, LUT-based video color grading, path tracing, and fluid simulation.

Nvidia's CUDA is once again a supported API alongside OpenCL, Vulkan, and Metal.

The new version of Geekbench uses more challenging data sets to better reflect how people use their computers today. The File Compression and PDF Viewer workloads have more variation, and developer and image processing tests have more assets and different image formats.

Geekbench 7 adds media workloads for testing audio and video encoding, decoding, and processing. The Whisper speech recognition, AV1, and Opus tests mimic video conferencing, screen sharing, and content consumption workloads.

There's also a Game Physics workload that uses the Jolt Physics engine used by popular video games. Primate Labs added an expanded Photo Editor test with a richer set of real-world edits, and the Photo Library workload supports importing and processing image formats like JPEG XL and DNG.

Geekbench 7 is available for iOS, macOS, and other platforms. The app remains free for personal use, and the Pro version is 20 percent off the regular $99 price through August 6.
Tags: Geekbench, Primate Labs

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]]> Apple Pay Promo Offers Discount on Columbia Gear https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-pay-columbia-promo/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-pay-promo-offers-discount-on-columbia-gear.2485823/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:38:05 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-pay-columbia-promo/ Juli Clover Apple Pay Apple Pay Promo Apple Pay users know about the latest promotion, which offers $20 off purchases of $120 or more from sportswear company Columbia.


The $20 discount is valid when making a purchase from the Columbia website and using ‌Apple Pay‌ to check out. The discount is not available in Columbia retail locations, and products from the Amaze Puff Collection and the ROC Collection are excluded.

It also can't be combined with other discounts like the Columbia back to school sale for teachers and students.

‌Apple Pay‌ users can take advantage of the promotion through August 7.
Related Roundup: Apple Pay
Tag: Apple Pay Promo
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

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]]> 'The Morning Show' Returning to Apple TV for a Final Season Next Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-tv-the-morning-show-final-season/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-morning-show-returning-to-apple-tv-for-a-final-season-next-year.2485822/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:32:19 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-tv-the-morning-show-final-season/ Joe Rossignol Apple TV Service Apple today announced that "The Morning Show" will return to Apple TV for a fifth and final season at some point in 2027.

"The Morning Show" was one of the first shows available on Apple TV when the streaming service launched in 2019, with an ensemble cast starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Mark Duplass, and others set to return for the final season of the workplace-oriented drama.
Tag: Apple TV Service

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]]> Opera One Browser Adds Vertical Tabs - Should Safari Follow? https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/opera-one-adds-vertical-tabs-chrome-firefox/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/opera-one-browser-adds-vertical-tabs-should-safari-follow.2485820/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:52:03 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/opera-one-adds-vertical-tabs-chrome-firefox/ Tim Hardwick Opera Browser Opera One browser just pushed an update adding a Vertical Tabs option that moves the tab bar from the top of the window to a resizable panel down the left-hand side.


The feature aims to solve the perennial horizontal tab problem where too many open tabs makes each one shrink to an unreadable sliver of the webpage's favicon.

By contrast, in the vertical layout, page titles always stay legible. Opera's existing Tab Islands feature – where tabs that came from the same page or browsing session are grouped into a collapsible section in the tab strip – carries over from the standard view, and the panel collapses when screen space is tight.

Opera has also built Google Lens directly into the start page search bar with this update, so now an image search can be started by uploading a file, dragging and dropping, pasting from the clipboard, or entering a URL. Both features are live now in Opera One.

Opera is a late arrival to the vertical phenomenon that has slowly been making inroads across the wider browser landscape. Microsoft made vertical tabs generally available in Edge back in May 2021, and the feature has been popular with users on both Windows and macOS.

Mozilla followed in March 2025 with Firefox 136, which introduced vertical tabs as part of a redesigned sidebar. Firefox also allows the strip to be moved to the right edge of the window, if that's your preferred style.

Google was the last of the big names to make the same move. Chrome began rolling out vertical tabs in April, making full page titles readable and tab groups easier to manage, even at double-digit tab counts.

Apple's Safari browser features Tab Groups, which can be navigated from the sidebar and do give a vertical list of sorts, but there's never been a dedicated vertical tabs mode. Do Safari users want one, or are Tab Groups enough? Let us know in the comments.
Tag: Opera Browser

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]]> 5 Reasons to Buy the iPhone 17 Now Instead of Waiting for iPhone 18 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/5-reasons-buy-iphone-17-not-waiting-iphone-18/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/5-reasons-to-buy-the-iphone-17-now-instead-of-waiting-for-iphone-18.2485819/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:26:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/5-reasons-buy-iphone-17-not-waiting-iphone-18/ Tim Hardwick Featured iPhone 17 iPhone 18

1. iPhone Price Hikes Almost Certain


Analysts suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could start at $1,299 and $1,399, respectively. That would represent a $200 jump over their predecessors, with rising memory and storage costs (i.e. the AI buildout) largely to blame. Meanwhile, the foldable iPhone price could start at north of $2,000. Apple has already increased the price of all of its iPhone models in Japan. The iPhone 17, by contrast, is still selling in the U.S. and other regions at the price Apple set last September (from $799). At this point, upcoming price hikes for the next-generation models seem inevitable, and there's no guarantee that the iPhone 17 series will be spared.

2. Some iPhone 18 Models Still a While Away


Under Apple's expected new split-launch strategy, only the iPhone 18 Pro models and the foldable arrive this September. The regular iPhone 18, lower-cost iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 aren't expected until spring 2027, so anyone holding out for the regular iPhone 17's direct successor will be sat waiting for several months longer than usual.

3. The Base iPhone 18 Could Be a "Downgrade"


One leaker has repeatedly claimed that Apple will reduce the standard iPhone 18's display and chip specifications to control costs, which could see it potentially sharing more components with the cheaper iPhone 18e. And even with a rumored bump to 9GB of RAM, the lower-end models reportedly still won't support two new iOS 27 features. Nothing is certain yet, but if Apple is cutting corners for its next more affordable and base models, then the iPhone 17 or iPhone 17e could be the better-specced option, especially given the expected price difference.

4. Some iPhone 18 Upgrades Remain Uncertain


Several of the more eye-catching iPhone 18 Pro rumors may not play out at launch. An early report claiming that the iPhone 18 Pro would ditch the Dynamic Island for a hole-punch camera has completely lost steam, while the foldable iPhone's rumored 24-megapixel under-display camera may not be ready this year, and a truly crease-free folding screen looks more like "nearly crease-free" in practice. In other words, waiting doesn't guarantee that you'll get everything the rumor mill is predicting.

5. Your Trade-In Is Worth More Today


Trade-in and resale values on older iPhones typically slide once a new generation is announced, which means the iPhone in your pocket is likely at its peak value right now. Waiting until September to upgrade would mean paying more for the new, pricier model and getting less for the old one, which would be a double hit on your wallet.

None of this means Apple's iPhone 18 lineup won't be worth the money. But if you're upgrading from a pre-2025 iPhone and the foldable isn't something you're considering, then an iPhone 17 series model might still be the smarter option.
Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone 18
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple Watch Series 11 GPS Models Now $100 Off on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-watch-100-off-amazon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-11-gps-models-now-100-off-on-amazon.2485811/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:51:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-watch-100-off-amazon/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. This sale includes a handful of 42mm and 46mm GPS aluminum models, but cellular devices are a bit more rare this time around.

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.

You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models and three of the 46mm GPS models on sale at these all-time low prices.

$100 OFF
Apple Watch Series 11 (42mm GPS) for $299.00

$100 OFF
Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS) for $329.00


Compared to past sales, these are both solid second-best prices on the Apple Watch Series 11 and come within $20-$30 of those previous all-time low prices. Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.



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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Apple Maps to Help Power Autonomous Driving in Ford's 2027 EV https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-maps-power-driving-in-ford-ev/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-maps-to-help-power-autonomous-driving-in-fords-2027-ev.2485808/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:27:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/apple-maps-power-driving-in-ford-ev/ Hartley Charlton Apple Maps Ford announced announced that Apple Maps will power the navigation system in Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, launching in 2027 at a price point around $30,000.



The integration leverages Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK, allowing Ford to embed ‌Apple Maps‌ directly into the vehicle's displays while maintaining the ability to customize the experience to match Ford's design language. Drivers will get turn-by-turn directions using natural language search, real-time traffic and incident information, and intelligent EV routing that includes battery preconditioning. The mapping data will also support Ford's development of an enhanced version of BlueCruise, the automaker's hands-free highway driving capability. Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services and Health, said:

Apple Maps delivers the best map experience in the world, and we're excited to bring the power of Maps' navigation technology to Ford's innovative Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we're bringing Maps further into drivers' daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles.


The MapKit for Automotive SDK represents one of Apple's biggest automotive pushes to date beyond CarPlay and ‌CarPlay‌ Ultra. The SDK gives automakers access to Apple's mapping data and allows them to integrate navigation as a native vehicle feature rather than simply mirroring an iPhone app. Apple maintains privacy protections in automotive use, with the company not collecting users' location data or activity tied to individual identities through the vehicle's mapping system. Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company's CEO, said:

Our new midsize electric vehicle will be priced around $30,000 and redefines what advanced technology can be — simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers. We're proud to embed Apple Maps' navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, giving customers the ultimate navigation experience alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture. Apple Maps has delivered a world-class product, and we're honored to be among the first to embed it directly into a vehicle, helping define intuitive, capable driving.


Ford is among the first automakers to directly embed Apple's navigation engine rather than relying on ‌CarPlay‌. ‌CarPlay‌ will still be available on Ford vehicles, Apple said, providing an additional input method for drivers who prefer iPhone integration.

The UEV Platform will roll out beginning in 2027, with the $30,000 pricing targeting mainstream buyers seeking affordable electric vehicle options from a major U.S. automaker.
Tags: Apple Maps, Ford

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]]> Google Fined $1 Billion by EU for Search Bias and App Store Restrictions https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/google-fined-1-billion-by-eu/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-fined-1-billion-by-eu-for-search-bias-and-app-store-restrictions.2485806/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:39:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/google-fined-1-billion-by-eu/ Tim Hardwick App Store European Commission European Union Google

The European Commission found that Google had broken the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by using its dominant position in the search market to favour its own services, like shopping and hotel deals, over those of rivals.

The Commission also said that the company had abused its position by preventing developers from directing users to cheaper ways to buy apps and app subscriptions on websites and alternative app stores.

Google has been fined €460 million over its search practices and €430 million for its app store rules. Going forward, the Commission ordered the company to treat third-party services in search results "fairly and without discrimination" and to allow developers to offer users alternatives outside Google's app store. From the EU press release:


As part of today's two decisions, the Commission has ordered Google to bring the non-compliance to an end.

In particular, Google must implement measures to:
  • Treat third-party services that feature on Google's search results in a fair and non-discriminatory manner by reference to its own services, and

  • Allow app developers distributing their apps via Google Play Store, both technically and contractually, to freely communicate, promote offers and conclude contracts with users not only within but also outside the Google Play app store.


The Commission said that changes already made by Google to rectify the situation represented "substantial progress towards compliance." Google has also reportedly proposed and started testing changes to how it presents shopping ads and content related services, such as sports.

Google is required to comply with the Commission's decisions within 60 days, otherwise it risks periodic penalty payments of up to 5 percent of its total worldwide turnover. Google made revenues of just over $400 billion last year. It could still decide to appeal the decisions.

Apple is fighting a similar battle with the bloc's regulators. The company was fined €500 million ($573 million) last year for restricting App Store developers from directing users to alternative offers, and earlier this month the EU's General Court separately rejected its challenges to its designation as a gatekeeper for the App Store and iOS.
Tags: App Store, European Commission, European Union, Google

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]]> Foldable iPhone Still Faces Production Hurdles, Report Says https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/foldable-iphone-still-faces-production-hurdles/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foldable-iphone-still-faces-production-hurdles-report-says.2485804/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:18:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/23/foldable-iphone-still-faces-production-hurdles/ Hartley Charlton iPhone Fold DigiTimes Foldable iPhone Foxconn DigiTimes, even as Foxconn carries out what supply chain sources describe as "final mass-production adjustments."


The report says Apple has assigned Foxconn to lead the device from new product introduction (NPI) through to mass production, citing the assembler's experience with precision structural components and large-scale production tuning. One industry source claimed Foxconn is the only Apple partner with a realistic chance of meeting the expected production target.

The framing sits somewhat against recent reporting. Foxconn began trial production in April, Apple subsequently raised its order to around 10 million units on the back of resolved hinge and circuit board problems, and just two weeks ago a China Securities Journal report aggregated by DigiTimes said the device was already in mass production with no delay envisaged. Today's report instead says the engineering validation phase may have caused a delay of one to two months, with the hinge structure and display durability testing remaining the principal bottlenecks.

The foldable iPhone is still, at the very least, expected to be unveiled alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September, with a book-style design, an inner display of around 7.7 to 7.8 inches, a 5.5-inch cover screen, a thickness of roughly 4.5mm, and a starting price above $2,000.
Related Roundup: iPhone Fold
Tags: DigiTimes, Foldable iPhone, Foxconn

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