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Report: Apple Plans to Make On-Device AI a Key WWDC Focus

Hartley Charlton — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:16:14 PDT

Apple reportedly plans to use next month's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to highlight its on-device AI capabilities as a competitive advantage, leaning on 15 years of custom silicon expertise to make the case for running AI models locally rather than in the cloud.

People familiar with Apple's plans speaking to The Information say the company is expected to showcase how the chips designed for iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macs give it an edge in processing AI queries directly on devices. While cloud-based processing will remain necessary for complex queries, Apple will position local inference as a privacy-preserving, cost-saving alternative to the massive data center buildouts its rivals have pursued.

As part of its agreement with Google, Apple is apparently set to use a large version of Google's Gemini model to train a smaller, distilled version capable of running locally on Apple hardware. Apple is also said to be scouting acquisitions to help advance its model-shrinking work, with one company it has reportedly considered being Liquid AI, a Massachusetts startup focused on running AI locally on devices.

Some queries will still require cloud processing. Apple is believed to have approved the use of Nvidia's confidential compute technology within Google Cloud to handle processing of the larger Gemini-based model. The security feature encrypts data and AI models during processing, adding a modest performance cost but offering stronger privacy protections.

The arrangement represents a noticeable departure from Apple's original Apple Intelligence announcement, in which the company said all cloud-bound queries would be handled exclusively by its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure running on Apple silicon. Apple is likely to retain the Private Cloud Compute branding despite the change, people familiar with the partnership told The Information.

There are also said to be material limits to how far Apple can push on-device processing. Google's full Gemini model runs into the trillions of parameters, and The Information claims that Apple has struggled to run it on its own Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, which uses the same Apple silicon chips found in Mac computers.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ was first announced at WWDC 2024, but the rollout has been hampered by a tepid response to initial features and a protracted delay to the more personal version of Siri. Apple is now expected to use WWDC 2026, which runs from June 8 to reframe the narrative, reintroduce the delayed features, and debut new ones.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2026

Tags: Apple Intelligence, The Information, WWDC 2026

Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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Amazon Takes $199 Off Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air, Starting at $899.99

Mitchel Broussard — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:59:41 PDT

Earlier this week, Amazon introduced a new $199 discount on the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, and this sale has now expanded to include nearly every model of the computer on sale at record low prices. You can get the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air for $899.99, down from $1,099.00, available in all colors.

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'll find $199 off every model of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air on Amazon, with free delivery around early June for most models. In terms of other 13-inch models, Amazon also has the 16GB/1TB model for $1,099.99, and the 24GB/1TB model for $1,299.99. Both of these represent $199 discounts and are new all-time low prices for each model.

$199 OFF

13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $899.99

$199 OFF

13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,099.99

$199 OFF

13-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,299.99

Regarding the 15-inch models, you'll also find $199 off the larger M5 MacBook Air, with multiple color options on sale for each configuration. Prices start at $1,099.99 for the 512GB model, down from $1,299.00, and rise to $1,499.99 for the 24GB/1TB model, down from $1,699.00. As of writing, we aren't tracking any discounts on the 16GB/1TB model of the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air.

$199 OFF

15-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,099.99

$199 OFF

15-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,499.99

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.

Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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First Look at AI Camera and Photos Features in iOS 27 Revealed

Hartley Charlton — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:24:20 PDT

Apple is planning sweeping AI-driven upgrades to its Camera and Photos apps in iOS 27, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

Image via Bloomberg.

The report offers a first look at the appearance of several major ‌iOS 27‌ features that Apple plans to announce at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8. The images are based on information viewed by Bloomberg and people said to be familiar with Apple's plans.

The Camera app is set to gain a dedicated Siri mode, positioned alongside existing options like Photo and Video. Gurman reports the feature would replace the current Visual Intelligence experience, allowing users to photograph objects and have them analyzed by a third-party AI agent or run through a Google reverse image search. By elevating the capability directly into the Camera app rather than restricting it to the Camera Control button, Apple reportedly aims to increase adoption and help acclimate users to visual AI ahead of future products, including smart glasses and camera-equipped AirPods.

The Camera app is also said to be getting a new "Add Widgets" panel that makes the interface more customizable. The top row of shortcuts currently displayed across capture modes would become replaceable, letting users prioritize more professional controls such as depth adjustments, or surface tools like timers and Night mode more prominently in the interface. Gurman says the changes are aimed at making Apple's camera software more appealing to advanced photographers.

Image via Bloomberg.

The ‌Photos‌ app is set to receive new Apple Intelligence tools called "Reframe" and "Extend." Reframe would allow users to change the perspective of a photo, while Extend uses AI to generate additional portions of an image, such as filling in the lower half of a building that was cut off in the original shot.

Apple is also said to be testing natural language prompt-based photo editing, which would let users request specific edits by voice or text, such as cropping or adjusting colors. Gurman notes that this specific feature may not arrive in the first version of ‌iOS 27‌.

Elsewhere in ‌iOS 27‌, the Shortcuts app is said to be getting a significant overhaul that would allow users to create automations using natural language. Instead of manually building workflows step by step, users can describe what they want to happen; Gurman's example has a user setting up a routine that automatically starts a music playlist and sends a spouse an ETA when they begin driving home from work.

Bloomberg previously reporte ond AI-created wallpapers, a systemwide grammar checker for text input, and a revamped Image Playground app offering improved quality for AI-generated pictures and Genmoji custom emoji. See Bloomberg's full report for more information.

Related Roundup: iOS 27

Tags: Apple Intelligence, Bloomberg, iOS 27, Mark Gurman, Photos

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iOS 27's Siri App and 'Search or Ask' Feature Shown in Leaked Images

Joe Rossignol — Thu, 28 May 2026 05:54:14 PDT

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared a series of re-created screenshots that reveal iOS 27's all-new Siri app and "Search or Ask" functionality.

The images are renders that were created based on information obtained by Bloomberg.

With the Siri app, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to interact with Apple's assistant in both text and voice modes. The app will allow for back-and-forth conversations, complete with messaging history that can be set to expire. Overall, the Siri app would function similarly to chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.

Bloomberg's render of the Siri app:

As rumored, the Siri app has a dark interface by default. There is an "Ask Siri" field at the bottom for text prompts, a microphone icon for switching to voice mode, and a paperclip icon for attaching images and other files. There is also a page that displays past conversations, which can appear in a list or as bubbles on the screen.

iOS 27 will include the long-awaited personalized version of Siri, complete with on-screen awareness and better understanding of your personal context. For example, at WWDC 2024, Apple showed a user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation based on info retrieved from the Mail and Messages apps.

Siri will be more useful when it comes to your personal data. For example, the report said you can ask the new Siri for times you are available for appointments before scheduling something in your calendar. You can also ask Siri to write emails, notes, or text messages using information from your device or the internet.

The new Siri will be built into the Dynamic Island. The report said that iOS 27 users will be able to swipe down from the top center of the iPhone screen anywhere to launch a new "Search or Ask" interface. The ability to say "Siri" or hold down the iPhone's power button for voice-based queries will remain options too.

Bloomberg's render of the "Search or Ask" feature:

The "Search or Ask" interface will include a revamped version of the existing "Siri Suggestions" view that will show frequently used apps, recent web searches, the weather forecast, and shortcuts for actions like recording a voice memo. From there, users can search the web using Apple's new AI-powered search system.

"Search or Ask" results are displayed in a rich text card that pops out of the Dynamic Island, according to the report. For more detailed information, users can swipe down further to open a conversation inside the Siri app.

Given the revamped Siri is powered by Apple Intelligence, it is expected to be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer due to compatibility requirements. Apple and Google reached a deal that will see Gemini help to power the underlying AI models for Apple Intelligence features, including the more personalized version of Siri.

Siri has been able to tap into ChatGPT since iOS 18.2. On iOS 27, Gurman previously reported that a new "Extensions" feature will allow for additional chatbots to be connected, with Gemini and Claude likely to be among the options.

In addition, a Siri mode is coming to the Camera app, and new Apple Intelligence tools like "Reframe" and "Extend" will be added to the Photos app.

Apple is set to unveil iOS 27 and other software updates during its WWDC 2026 keynote, which begins on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Following beta testing, the update should be released in September, bringing the new Siri to the masses.

Related Roundup: iOS 27

Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman, Siri

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Amazon to Acquire Apple's Globalstar Stake in Satellite Deal

Juli Clover — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:32:23 PDT

Amazon is acquiring Apple satellite provider Globalstar, and it has worked out a deal to take over Apple's stake in the satellite company.

According to an FCC filing noticed by PCMag, Amazon is initiating a merger structure. It will create a new subsidiary called Grapefruit Acquisition Sub II to absorb Globalstar's operations, and then the new subsidiary will acquire Apple's equity.

Apple has 20 percent equity and 20 percent voting interests in Globalstar Licensee LLC, a Globalstar subsidiary that operates the satellite system that delivers satellite connectivity to iPhone users in the U.S. Apple invested $450 million in Globalstar back in 2022 to fund Globalstar's satellite buildout for the Emergency SOS via satellite feature. Apple received 20 percent equity and 85 percent of Globalstar's network capacity in return.

Apple's Globalstar stake required Apple and Amazon to enter into separate negotiations, but the two companies worked out a deal. Amazon's Leo satellite network will power existing iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features like Emergency SOS, Messages via satellite, Find My, and Roadside Assistance via satellite. Apple stands to make more money than it invested, and has secured a partnership with a better-established satellite operator.

Amazon will support iPhone and Apple Watch models that use Globalstar's low Earth orbit constellation, and the two companies will work together on future satellite services running on Amazon's expanded Leo network.

Amazon's Globalstar purchase is said to be worth around $11.57 billion, and it is expected to close in 2027 as long as it earns regulatory approval.

Tags: Amazon, Globalstar

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YouTube Will Now Automatically Label AI Videos Even When Creators Don't

Juli Clover — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:26:47 PDT

YouTube today said it is introducing automatic AI detection, with automatic AI labeling applied to videos with "significant photorealistic AI use."

Creators are still expected to manually disclose when realistic AI is used for videos even with the new automatic labeling system. Creators who think their content was incorrectly identified as AI-generated can update the disclosure status in YouTube Studio, but disclosures are permanent for content created with YouTube's AI tools like Veo and Dream Screen or content with C2PA metadata indicating fully generative AI.

YouTube is also improving labeling for AI-generated content, making it clearer when a video has "photorealistic and meaningfully AI altered or generated content."

An AI label will be shown just below the video player and above the description for long-form videos with AI content, and for shorts, the label will appear as an overlay on the video. The updated labeling applies to content that is photorealistic and may fool people, rather than unrealistic content.

Disclosures for content that is "unrealistic, animated, or slightly altered" will continue to be tucked in the expanded description of the video.

Separately, YouTube added a new customizable content feed that users can shape based on interests, moods, or preferred topics. Users can type in a custom prompt covering what they want to see, and a content feed will be generated.

Custom content feeds have been in testing since November, but they are now rolling out to signed-in viewers in the U.S. on the YouTube mobile app and desktop. YouTube search and watch history must be turned on for the feature to work.

Tag: YouTube

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Roku Unveils Redesigned Home Screen

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:40:12 PDT

Roku today announced that its home screen is receiving its biggest redesign in more than a decade. The new home screen will begin rolling out to Roku TVs and streaming devices across the U.S. starting today, with more countries to follow later. The changes will appear automatically, with no software update required.

At the top of the home screen, a new "Top Picks for You" section provides recommendations based on your watch history and what is trending on Roku.

A new AI-powered "Quick Access" section surfaces the apps you use most, such as the Apple TV app. There is still a separate page containing a complete list of apps that you have installed on your Roku device if you need it.

New curated hubs called "Destinations" offer content organized by genres and moods, such as comedy, reality, movies, sports, documentaries, and more.

The menu on the Roku home screen now has a collapsed design with icons, rather than expanded text labels. Roku says this change provides a cleaner canvas for discovering content, but it also results in a large ad being shown persistently on the right side of the screen. Previously, the ad would only appear in certain views.

A new "Shortcuts" section provides quick access to features like Continue Watching, Sleep Timer, Save List, and more, all in one place.

If you are a fan of the Roku City screen saver, there is now an on-screen tile that you can select to view it at any time. You can explore the screen saver's iconic cityscape, plus access Daily Trivia and other mini-games.

Tags: Home Screen, Roku

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Apple Developing iPhone Anti-Snatching Feature That Locks Stolen Phones Instantly

Juli Clover — Wed, 27 May 2026 14:00:53 PDT

Apple is developing a new feature that will lock your iPhone if it's snatched from your hand by a thief, according to Apple code seen by 9to5Mac. The option will use the gyroscope, accelerometer, and other sensors to determine when an iPhone has been grabbed. It'll also rely on a paired Apple Watch to detect when the iPhone has suddenly moved away from the owner's wrist.

Once the iPhone is yanked from your hand, it will lock and activate Stolen Device Protection to prevent thieves from accessing information on it.

Stolen Device Protection adds extra security to your iPhone when you're away from familiar locations like home or work. It requires biometric authentication for actions like accessing stored passwords or credit cards, and there are built-in hour-long delays for actions like changing an Apple Account password.

The feature was originally designed to protect iPhone users from stealthy thieves who observe someone's passcode and then snatch an iPhone. With a passcode, thieves could get into apps and access bank account data and other sensitive information, but Stolen Device Protection prevents that from happening.

Android already has a Theft Detection Lock feature that locks a smartphone in a snatch-and-grab theft situation.

There is no word on when the new feature might be added to the iPhone.
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Meta Wants You to Pay for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Now

Juli Clover — Wed, 27 May 2026 12:53:13 PDT

Meta is rolling out paid Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus, and WhatsApp Plus plans worldwide as of today.

Instagram Plus is priced at $3.99 per month, Facebook Plus is priced at $3.99 per month, and WhatsApp Plus is priced at $2.99 per month. According to TechCrunch, the paid plans provide features like profile customization, super reactions, and story insights.

Instagram Plus lets users see how many people have rewatched a Story, and it adds unlimited audience lists for Stories for creating groups other than Close Friends. Users can spotlight a story once a week for extra views, use Super Heart animated reactions, choose custom app icons, add customized fonts to a profile bio, extend a story beyond 24 hours, and search a story viewer list to see who is watching. Subscribers will also be able to post straight to their profiles without having the post show up in their followers' feeds, and they will be able to stealthily "preview" Instagram stories without showing up as a viewer.

Facebook Plus includes most of the same features as Instagram Plus, while WhatsApp Plus includes app themes, custom ringtones, more pinned chats, list customization, and premium stickers.

Meta head of product Naomi Gleit said the company is also exploring new subscription plans for creators and businesses, along with plans for AI users. The new plans are being offered under "Meta One" branding that combines subscription offerings from multiple Meta platforms.

The $7.99 Meta One Plus plan and the $19.99 Meta One Premium plan are aimed at Meta AI users. Both plans unlock higher compute queries, reasoning, and image/video generation, but Premium offers more capacity, including deeper reasoning for complex tasks.

A Meta One Essential plan priced at $14.99 per month is designed for creators and businesses. It includes a verified badge, impersonation protection, better analytics, and a linksheet that lets users link to their online profiles on the web and on other social media networks. The $49.99 Meta One Advanced plan includes the Essential options plus features in the Facebook feed, optimized scheduling tools, notifications when others reuse a creator's content, higher rankings in Instagram and Facebook search, a bolder Follow button on Reels, and automatic follow invitations for people who engage with a creator or brand's content.

Meta is going to start testing the AI Meta One plans in Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia next month. The business plans will be tested in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Thailand, and Bangladesh starting later this week.

Gleit described Meta One as a place that brings Meta subscriptions "together" across all Meta apps. She said Meta's new plans were "just the beginning with a lot more value to come."

Tags: Facebook, Instagram, Meta, WhatsApp

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Samsung's 2026 Monitors Launch With $50 Discounts and Credit Towards Future Purchases

Mitchel Broussard — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:08:05 PDT

Samsung's newest monitors are now available to purchase this week, including the Odyssey G8, ViewFinity S8, and Movingstyle Essential. All of these are available with a $50 launch discount, plus your choice of extras including up to $300 in Samsung credit on a future purchase, a free Music Studio speaker, or free Galaxy Buds4 Pro.

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

Starting with the Samsung Odyssey G8 monitors, you will find $50 discounts across every model of the new 2026 devices. Prices start at $899.99 for the 27-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor, and also include Samsung's first 6K monitor with the 32-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor for $1,549.99.

$50 OFF PLUS EXTRAS

Samsung 2026 Monitors

Samsung also has a new 40-inch ViewFinity S8 Curved Monitor on sale for $1,349.99 for launch week, as well as the Movingstyle Essential Monitor for $849.99, both $50 discounts. Additionally, the company announced a 27-inch model of the ViewFinity S8, but it's not yet available for purchase.

43-inch Movingstyle Essential - $849.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

27-inch Odyssey G8 5K Monitor - $899.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey G7 4K Monitor - $1,049.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

27-inch Odyssey OLED G8 4K Monitor - $1,049.99 ($50 off), plus $200 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey OLED G8 4K Monitor - $1,249.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit

40-inch ViewFinity S8 Curved Monitor - $1,349.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit

32-inch Odyssey G8 6K Monitor - $1,549.99 ($50 off), plus $300 Samsung credit

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.

Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Apple Just Expanded iPhone Driver's License Feature to 14th U.S. State

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:32:40 PDT

In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.

Starting today, the feature is available in Arkansas, which is the 14th state to offer it. However, it may take some time to roll out to all users.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards, select Arkansas from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

Supported States

The following states offer driver's licenses in the Wallet app:

Arizona (since March 2022)

Maryland (since May 2022)

Colorado (since November 2022)

Georgia (since May 2023)

Ohio (since July 2024)

Hawaii (since August 2024)

California (since September 2024)

Iowa (since October 2024)

New Mexico (since December 2024)
Montana (since August 2025)

North Dakota (since September 2025)

West Virginia (since October 2025)

Illinois (since November 2025)

Arkansas (since May 2026)

The feature is also available in Puerto Rico.

Future States

Apple or local DMV offices previously announced that the following U.S. states had signed on to adopt the feature, but no timeframes were disclosed:

Connecticut

Kentucky

Mississippi

Oklahoma

Utah

Virginia

Participating Airports

Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports in the U.S., for domestic travel. Given that Apple Wallet IDs are not accepted by law enforcement, and lack many other use cases, carrying a physical ID is still necessary.

Here are just some of the airports that offer the feature — there are hundreds of others:

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

Los Angeles International (LAX)

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)

Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)

Travelers should refer to TSA signage to confirm availability of the feature.

Digital Passport

If you live in a state that does not yet offer Apple Wallet IDs, you can now create a Digital ID based on your U.S. passport, and present it at the same participating TSA checkpoints, for age and identity verification purposes during domestic travel. It is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel.

This feature requires iOS 26.1 or watchOS 26.1 and later.

Tag: Apple Wallet

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Atlanta's MARTA Breeze Card Now Available in Apple Wallet

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:06:44 PDT

Starting today, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)'s Breeze Card can be added to the Apple Wallet app, allowing commuters in the Atlanta, Georgia area to tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to pay their fare at train stations and on buses.

To add the Breeze Card to Apple Wallet, open the app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Transit Card and scroll down and select the Breeze Card. Then, follow the on-screen steps to complete the setup process.

Funds can be added to the Breeze Card directly in Apple Wallet, with both pay-per-ride and discounted passes for multiple rides available.

Express Mode allows commuters to simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment reader to pay for their ride, without needing to unlock or wake the device. This mode even works for up to five hours after an iPhone runs out of battery. Express Transit can be enabled per card in the Settings app under Wallet & Apple Pay.

Breeze Card has been available in the Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet apps since earlier this month, but Apple Wallet support was just added now.

Tags: Apple Wallet, Express Transit

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First Cases for Apple's Foldable iPhone Surface Online

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:25:51 PDT

Accessory maker iFunSmart has begun listing the first protective cases for Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, corroborating rumors about the device's design.

Case makers routinely begin mass producing accessories ahead of a new iPhone announcement, working from dummy units or leaked CAD files to size their molds. Their designs are speculative, but they have historically proven accurate to the millimeter, since accessory makers cannot afford to be left without product on launch day. Leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of foldable iPhone dummy units in April, providing the kind of reference template that typically circulates among case manufacturers.

The listings, spotted by French Apple site iPhoneSoft, show an unobtrusive rear camera plateau housing two lenses, a slim profile, and a circular cutout for MagSafe-style magnets. iFunSmart describes the cases as offering military-grade drop protection, integrated N52 magnets, a translucent matte finish, and 1.5mm raised camera lips alongside a 1mm raised screen bezel.

The design broadly corroborates the design outlined in rumors and seen on dummy units, suggesting the foldable's exterior is increasingly clear. Only two camera lens cutouts are present, in line with reports that Apple plans to skip the telephoto camera. A cutout for a Camera Control button is also visible, but there is no Action button. The listing depicts a multi-part case with separate snap-on sections rather than a single-piece shell owing to its folding design.

The presence of magnets in the case does not necessarily mean Apple has built MagSafe into the foldable iPhone itself, and there has previously been speculation that the device could lack the feature. The N52 magnets could simply be embedded into the case to attach to external ‌MagSafe‌ accessories such as wireless chargers and car mounts, without aligning with a corresponding magnet array inside the device.

iFunSmart's listings are likely to be among the first of many. Accessory makers typically flood the market with cases in the months ahead of a new iPhone launch, and further variants from competing brands should appear in the run-up to the device's announcement.

Apple is widely expected to launch the device alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max in fall 2026. Leaks point to a 5.5-inch external display, a 7.8-inch inner display, a folded thickness of around 9.5mm and a thickness of about to 4.5mm when open, the A20 Pro chip with 12GB of memory, dual 48-megapixel rear cameras, and Touch ID in the side button rather than Face ID. The device is expected to start at around $2,000.

Related Roundup: iPhone Fold

Tag: Foldable iPhone

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iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is Just $59

Mitchel Broussard — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:23:15 PDT

Amazon is still offering the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.00, down from $99.00. We started tracking this deal earlier in the month, and it beats the previous low price by about $20.

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

The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is only compatible with the iPhone Air, and it can add up to 65 percent additional charge to the smartphone. The MagSafe Battery supports up to 12W of fast wireless charging, and it sports a thin and light design similar to the iPhone Air.

$40 OFF

iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.00

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.

Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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More All-Black Apple Vision Pro Parts Surface Online

Tim Hardwick — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:32:08 PDT

Images of parts designed for an unreleased all-black Apple Vision headset have been leaked online, courtesy of X account @LusiRoy8.

The image shows what appear to be power strap and audio pod parts that look identical to Apple's existing Apple Vision Pro hardware, except with a dark finish that is not commercially available. The account that shared the images claims that the parts are for a "upcoming" second-generation Apple Vision Pro in black.

It's not the first time we've seen black versions of hardware related to Apple's headset, with images surfacing of similar parts last year. The leaker of those earlier images claimed that Apple has been testing a thinner and lighter mixed-reality headset referred to internally as "Vision Air," featuring a Midnight-colored exterior and reduced weight achieved by switching several structural components and the battery enclosure to titanium.

Apple vison pro 2 upcoming black color pic.twitter.com/bCxtI7Yq5b
— pipfix (@LusiRoy8) May 26, 2026

Apple was widely expected to launch both a lower-cost headset, tentatively dubbed "Vision Air," and a redesigned second-generation Vision Pro. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in October that the company had paused development of all Vision headsets to focus on accelerating work on AI-powered smart glasses.

Gurman recently resisted reports that Apple has walked away from the headset entirely. The reporter says Apple hasn't fully abandoned the Vision Pro, but anyone hoping for a successor will be waiting at least two more years.

Indeed, Apple's smart glasses project is now the focus, and former Vision Products Group members have been reassigned to that team, as well as shoring up its Siri chatbot development. Apple is also busy working on other AI wearables such as the AirPods with cameras and a planned AI pendant.

Apple refreshed the Vision Pro in October 2025 with an updated model featuring an M5 chip.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro

Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)

Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Apple Updates Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 27 May 2026 03:54:43 PDT

Apple today updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, raising values for most current iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models while reducing several Android offers.

The headline iPhone trade-in figure rises from $685 to $695, with every iPhone 16 model gaining value:

iPhone 16 Pro Max: $685 to $695

iPhone 16 Pro: $550 to $560

iPhone 16 Plus: $455 to $465

iPhone 16: $435 to $460

Every current ‌iPad‌ also gains value, with the headline range shifting from $40 to $670 up to $45 to $690:

iPad Pro: $670 to $690

iPad Air: $445 to $460

iPad: $220 to $235

iPad mini: $250 to $265

Mac changes are mixed, with most current models gaining value:

MacBook Pro: $685 to $690

MacBook Air: $485 to $520

Mac mini: $340 to $375

iMac: Unchanged at $355

Despite those increases, the top of Apple's Mac trade-in range slips from $2,090 to $2,045, suggesting a reduction for a higher-end model not shown in Apple's summary table, such as the Mac Pro or Mac Studio. The Apple Watch lineup also gets a mix of revisions:

Apple Watch Ultra 2: $295 to $305

Apple Watch Series 9: $120 to $130

Apple Watch Series 10: Unchanged at $150

Apple Watch Ultra: $215 to $205

Android trade-in offers have largely been cut, with the headline range narrowing from $30 to $370 down to $30 to $360:

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: $230 to $200

Google Pixel 8 Pro: $170 to $165

Samsung Galaxy S23: Unchanged at $125

OnePlus 12: Unchanged at $200

All Apple-listed values are estimates, with final offers determined after the device is received and inspected. Customers can apply trade-in credit toward a new purchase or receive the value as an Apple Gift Card, and Apple will recycle ineligible devices for free.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11

Tag: Apple Trade-In

Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Apple's 'After the Whistle' Podcast to Return for World Cup

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 27 May 2026 03:39:47 PDT

Apple today announced that "After the Whistle with Brendan Hunt and Rebecca Lowe" will return on June 7 for a third season built around the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Hunt is an actor and cocreator of Apple TV's Ted Lasso. Lowe hosts NBC Sports' Premier League coverage and is cohosting FOX Sports' FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast. The two will recap games as the tournament unfolds, with new episodes landing multiple times a week in the hours after notable matches.

The show is produced by Apple News and presented by Verizon, and will be available in audio and video on ‌Apple News‌, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. The first episode arrives on June 7 with tournament previews.

Alongside the podcast, the ‌Apple News‌ app will feature tournament coverage from outside publishers, the schedule, scores, brackets, and player feeds. The free Apple Sports app, which Apple expanded to 90 more countries earlier this month, will offer live scores, stats, and a bracket view for the tournament.

Tags: Apple News, Apple Podcasts, Apple Sports

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Apple Publishes Document to Help Users Tell Creator Studio Apps Apart

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 27 May 2026 03:22:53 PDT

Apple yesterday published a support document to help users distinguish Apple Creator Studio versions of its professional creative apps from the standalone editions sold as one-time purchases.

The confusion stems from Apple's decision to ship two parallel variants of Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, MainStage, Motion, Compressor, and Pixelmator Pro, with one available through the Apple Creator Studio subscription and one sold separately. Both editions share the same name and can be installed on the same Mac at the same time, leaving little to tell them apart at a glance.

Apple's solution is to give the Creator Studio versions of the apps redesigned icons with Liquid Glass. The new support document presents side-by-side icon comparisons for each of the six apps so users can identify which edition they are running or troubleshooting from the Dock or the Applications folder.

Apple does not typically publish a dedicated reference document for telling two of its own apps apart, and the move suggests the dual-version setup has produced enough real-world confusion to warrant public guidance.

Apple Creator Studio launched in January for $12.99 per month or $129 per year, bringing the company's pro creative apps under a single subscription. Apple said that some new features in its creative apps would be available only to subscribers going forward. Pixelmator Pro's inclusion was the first significant sign of how Apple is integrating the Pixelmator team, which it acquired in November 2024.

Tag: Apple Creator Studio

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Apple Releases New Firmware for AirTag 2

Juli Clover — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:46:25 PDT

Apple today released new firmware for its second-generation AirTag item trackers. The firmware has a 3.0.49 version number, up from 3.0.45, and it is the second firmware update that Apple has provided for the ‌AirTag‌ 2.

There is no word yet on what's included in the firmware, but ‌AirTag‌ firmware updates most often address bugs and make other under-the-hood improvements. Apple's prior firmware update tweaked the unwanted tracking sound to make it easier to find an unknown ‌AirTag‌ when using Precision Finding.

Apple will provide details on what's in the 3.0.49 firmware when it updates its firmware support page.

For the original ‌AirTag‌, firmware was distributed on a rolling basis over two weeks, but Apple appears to be pushing firmware updates to all ‌AirTag‌ 2 users at the same time.

You can check your AirTag firmware by opening the Find My app, going to the Items tab, selecting an ‌AirTag‌ in the list, and tapping on the ‌AirTag‌'s name to see its firmware version.

There is no way to force an ‌AirTag‌ update, and firmware is installed over the air via a connected iPhone. To get new firmware, make sure your ‌AirTag‌ is within range of your iPhone, and then wait for the firmware to roll out.

Related Roundup: AirTag

Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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iOS 27 Siri Redesign Will Use Dark Color Scheme, Matching Apple's WWDC Art

Juli Clover — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:30:52 PDT

Apple is redesigning Siri for iOS 27 to accommodate new artificial intelligence features and chatbot capabilities. ‌Siri‌ is getting a dedicated app, integration with the iPhone's Dynamic Island, and a new design scheme.

The graphics that Apple is using to promote WWDC hint at its design plans for ‌Siri‌, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In this week's Power On newsletter, Gurman said the logo Apple uses for its WWDC website features the same colors it will use for ‌Siri‌ animations and input fields in ‌iOS 27‌.

Apple's WWDC site features the Swift bird logo in white on a black background, with subtle highlights in pink, dark blue, purple, and orange. The colors are reminiscent of the current ‌Siri‌ animation that surrounds the iPhone's display when ‌Siri‌ is activated, but the shades are softer and not as saturated.

The ‌Siri‌ interface that Apple is testing uses all dark colors with no light mode available for now. Several of the new ‌Siri‌ UI elements will have a dark background with a cursor that blinks in those same colors.

Apple is creating a dedicated app for ‌Siri‌ for ongoing chatbot-style conversations, and it'll look similar to existing chatbot apps but with a Messages-style aesthetic. When ‌Siri‌ is activated, there will be a pill-shaped animation in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ and a glowing "searching" label while ‌Siri‌ is answering a query. Results are displayed in a translucent panel, and pulling down on the panel will initiate a conversation interface.

Swiping down from the top center of the display will activate a system-wide search interface with a Search or Ask bar for typing or speaking questions to ‌Siri‌.

Apple plans to entirely overhaul ‌Siri‌, and the personal assistant will be able to do far more than before. Apple has licensed Google's Gemini models to power ‌Siri‌ after its own AI models proved inadequate. With Gemini as ‌Siri‌'s backbone, Apple should be able to match many of the AI features that Google offers.

‌iOS 27‌ will be introduced at the WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8.

Related Roundups: iOS 27, WWDC 2026

Tag: Siri

Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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