MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Tue, 26 May 2026 08:22:11 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Leaker Pushes Back on Rumors of Pro iPhone's Return to Titanium https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/leaker-pushes-back-on-titanium-iphone-return/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/leaker-pushes-back-on-rumors-of-pro-iphones-return-to-titanium.2482877/ Tue, 26 May 2026 07:47:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/leaker-pushes-back-on-titanium-iphone-return/ Hartley Charlton Fixed Focus Digital

The claim comes from the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," and pushes back on an earlier report from "Instant Digital," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames. Fixed Focus Digital argues that aluminum's thermal properties make it the only practical choice for now, given the processing requirements of AI features. The leaker adds that this is not an Apple-specific issue, noting that Android and Huawei HarmonyOS devices also prioritize aluminum for the same reason.

Instant Digital's earlier report argued that Apple's switch from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro was a compromise solution while it continued to develop longer-term alternatives. The leaker claimed Apple was exploring both liquid metal and revised titanium alloys for future Pro models, with both materials reportedly already earmarked for the upcoming foldable iPhone.

Apple switched away from titanium following overheating complaints on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, although the iPhone Air continues to use it. Fixed Focus Digital's assessment suggests aluminum is more deeply entrenched in Apple's plans than Instant Digital's framing implied, at least for the foreseeable future. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum unibody design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, meaning any material change is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
Tag: Fixed Focus Digital

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]]> iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/iphone-18-pro-10-rumored-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-launching-later-this-year-with-these-10-new-features.2482873/ Tue, 26 May 2026 06:32:43 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/iphone-18-pro-10-rumored-features/ Joe Rossignol iPhone 18 Pro

It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the screen on the devices, which will result in merely a smaller Dynamic Island.

Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of May 2026:
  • Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.

  • Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that Face ID's flood illuminator will be moved under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro models, paving the way for a smaller Dynamic Island on the devices.

  • LTPO+ Displays: The next Pro models are expected to have the same overall design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, including 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras. However, the displays will reportedly use so-called LTPO+ display technology, which should contribute to longer battery life.

  • Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

  • A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.

  • C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.

  • 5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.

  • N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.

  • Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.

  • Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone in September, followed by a standard iPhone 18 model, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air early next year.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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]]> Apple's M5 MacBook Air Hits New Low Price of $899.99 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/m5-macbook-air-new-low-899-99/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-m5-macbook-air-hits-new-low-price-of-899-99.2482871/ Tue, 26 May 2026 06:02:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/m5-macbook-air-new-low-899-99/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $899.99, down from $1,099.00. This deal is available in all colors and as of writing only Amazon has the discount.

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.

This new price is about $50 cheaper when compared to past sales. Amazon also has $149 off the 1TB models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, which match all-time low prices on these devices. Delivery dates vary depending on the color selected, but most will arrive before the end of the month.

$199 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (512GB) for $899.99


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]]> Foldable iPhone Reportedly Facing Mass Production Issues https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/foldable-iphone-facing-production-issues/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foldable-iphone-reportedly-facing-mass-production-issues.2482870/ Tue, 26 May 2026 05:35:06 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/26/foldable-iphone-facing-production-issues/ Hartley Charlton Fixed Focus Digital Foldable iPhone Fixed Focus Digital" claims.


In a post today on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said Apple's troubles are not related to hinge reliability, as was previously reported, but rather due to surface-mount technology (SMT) during pre-assembly, with production yields failing to ramp up. The leaker framed the situation as somewhat concerning, stopping short of suggesting the fall launch is at risk.

The update arrives days after a separate leaker known as "Instant Digital" reported that the device's hinge was consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. Instant Digital described that issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection," though a follow-up post suggested the hinge difficulties were unlikely to affect the expected release window.

DigiTimes reported in April that production was already running roughly one to two months behind schedule, while still maintaining that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital reported in April that price negotiations with Apple's assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.

Whatever the precise nature of the problems, the picture that has emerged across multiple supply chain sources in recent weeks is one of unusual production difficulties. That said, a fall launch does not appear to be at risk; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple is aiming to put it on sale at roughly the same time or slightly later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that "the release is six months away and production has yet to ramp up" and "the timing isn't final."

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000.
Tags: Fixed Focus Digital, Foldable iPhone

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]]> Ferrari Reveals $640,000 EV Co-Designed by Jony Ive https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/25/ferrari-luce-jony-ive-photos/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ferrari-reveals-640-000-ev-co-designed-by-jony-ive.2482860/ Mon, 25 May 2026 19:18:03 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/25/ferrari-luce-jony-ive-photos/ Joe Rossignol Ferrari Jony Ive LoveFrom unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, designed with help from Apple's former design chief Jony Ive.


"Designed with Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson at the creative collective LoveFrom, a singular design language unites the exterior, interior, and interface with clarity and refined simplicity throughout," said Ferrari.

The exterior of the car has a "smooth, continuous, and uninterrupted" design, with a "shell-like form" and "floating front and rear aerodynamic wings."


The interior has "precision-engineered mechanical buttons, dials, toggles, and switches" combined with "multifunctional digital displays."

The three-spoke steering wheel is machined from 100% recycled aluminum.


The four-door, five-seat Luce is powered by four electric motors providing up to 1,035 horsepower, and it is equipped with a high‑capacity 122 kWh battery. Ferrari says the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.5 seconds.

A dedicated app offers climate controls and charging settings, and it displays the car's status.


Luce pricing starts at €550,000 ($640,000) in Europe, with production set to begin in late 2026. The car will launch in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2027.


Apple was rumored to be working on its own electric vehicle for more than a decade, but the project was ultimately canceled in 2024.
Tags: Ferrari, Jony Ive, LoveFrom

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]]> MacBook Ultra: 5 Features That Could Justify the Name https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/25/macbook-ultra-rumored-features-justify-the-name/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-ultra-5-features-that-could-justify-the-name.2482823/ Sun, 24 May 2026 23:40:31 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/25/macbook-ultra-rumored-features-justify-the-name/ Tim Hardwick Featured MacBook Ultra" – positioned above the Pro as Apple's top-tier laptop, suggesting that the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models will remain on sale when it launches.


The MacBook would be just the latest Apple product to carry the Ultra name, which already spans the Apple Watch Ultra and CarPlay Ultra (not forgetting Apple's top-end Ultra-designated silicon chips). This is likely to bring a markedly higher price point for the new machines. It fits into a broader trend at Apple, where the company is seeking to offer more models at more price points, such as the new MacBook Neo at an unprecedented $599 price point.

Below, we've listed the features we are expecting in the MacBook Ultra, which is likely to go on sale either later this year or in early 2027. As things stand, the latter time frame is now looking more likely, owing to the global memory chip shortage.

OLED Display


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo say Apple is readying OLED technology for these models, and industry reports corroborate their claims. Samsung Display is said to be making the panels, and the supplier has invested heavily in an 8.6-generation OLED production line in South Korea. The line recently reached a key milestone for mass production.

The MacBook Pro will utilize hybrid OLED technology, similar to that used in Apple's latest iPad Pro. This display technology combines a glass substrate with thin-film encapsulation, offering improved brightness, contrast, and power efficiency compared to current MacBook Pro models, which use LCD displays with mini-LED backlighting.

Touch Screen


The new ‌MacBook Pro‌ is expected to become the first Mac to support touch input directly on the display. It's a notable shift from Apple's longstanding position against bringing touchscreen functionality to the Mac.

Apple previously experimented with touch controls through the OLED Touch Bar on earlier ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, but the feature was ultimately discontinued following a lukewarm reception. Rather than positioning the ‌MacBook Pro‌ as a touch-centric device like the ‌iPad‌, Apple is reportedly planning to let users move seamlessly between touch and traditional trackpad or mouse input across the system.

This will require updates to macOS to make it more touch friendly, and users will reportedly be able to tap or click on-screen elements, and controls will change based on input method. If a user taps on a menu bar item, for example, it will display a larger set of controls optimized for touch.

Thinner Design


Gurman has reported that Apple is working to make the OLED MacBook Pro significantly thinner, as part of the company's plan to create "the thinnest and lightest products in their categories across the whole tech industry." (Think the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air – two of the thinnest devices the company has ever made.) Indeed, the reporter has said there's a good chance that the next MacBook Pro model will represent a "true overhaul" for the laptop, thanks to the combination of the OLED display and thinner design.

Notably, the MacBook Pro got thicker and heavier with its most recent redesign in 2021. A major highlight was the reintroduction of several ports that were removed in previous iterations in favor of chassis thinness. How Apple will make its redesigned MacBook Pro thinner without removing the functionality it reintroduced fairly recently is the big question.

Dynamic Island


Apple's highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro could ditch the current notch for a display cutout potentially similar to the iPhone's Dynamic Island, according to Bloomberg. Such a move would mirror Apple's iPhone evolution, since the iPhone's notch became the current Dynamic Island starting with the iPhone 14 Pro models in 2022.

As with the iPhone‌, the Mac ‌Dynamic Island‌ will be interactive and it will contextually expand based on the app or Mac feature in use. The change should address long-standing user complaints about the notch, which physically ingresses into the macOS menu bar.

M6 Processor Architecture


The redesigned MacBook Pro models are expected to boast M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, which could adopt a completely new packaging based on TSMC's 2nm process that allows components such as the CPU, GPUs, DRAM, and Neural Engine to be more tightly integrated.

Terms like "3nm" and "2nm" describe generations of chip manufacturing technology, each with its own set of design rules and architecture. As these numbers decrease, they generally indicate smaller transistor sizes. Smaller transistors allow more to be packed onto a single chip, typically resulting in increased processing speed and improved power efficiency.

Based on where the industry's headed, Apple is likely to heavily market the processors as optimized for AI workflows.
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]]> New iOS 27 Rumors Include Revamped AirPods Settings Menu and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/new-ios-27-details-ahead-of-wwdc/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-ios-27-rumors-include-revamped-airpods-settings-menu-and-more.2482813/ Sun, 24 May 2026 13:02:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/new-ios-27-details-ahead-of-wwdc/ Joe Rossignol AirPods iOS 27 WWDC AirPlay Bloomberg Genmoji Mark Gurman next month ahead of a September release. The update is expected to include a dedicated Siri app, expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities in apps like Wallet, Safari, and Shortcuts, an upgraded keyboard with improved autocorrect, the ability to use Apple Maps via satellite connection, and more.


In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed four additional iOS 27 changes related to AirPods, Genmoji, AirPlay, and Siri.

Here are his latest iOS 27 expectations:
  • A revamped AirPods setting menu that is better organized

  • Improved quality for Genmoji and Image Playground creations

  • The ability to set AirPlay alternatives such as Google Cast as default — possibly EU only

  • A new Siri interface with a dark color scheme, similar to Apple's WWDC 2026 graphics
Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote begins on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, so we should learn more about these features in a few weeks.
Related Roundups: AirPods 4, iOS 27, WWDC 2026
Tags: AirPlay, Bloomberg, Genmoji, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)
Related Forums: AirPods, Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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]]> watchOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your Apple Watch https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/watchos-27-rumored-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/watchos-27-will-add-these-new-features-to-your-apple-watch.2482809/ Sun, 24 May 2026 11:53:54 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/watchos-27-rumored-features/ Joe Rossignol Apple Watch watchOS Bloomberg Mark Gurman WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8, and a handful of new features have been rumored already.


The first developer beta of watchOS 27 should be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. The update should be released to all users with a compatible Apple Watch model in September.

Below, we recap watchOS 27 rumors so far.

Improved Heart Rate Tracking


In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said watchOS 27 will include improvements to heart rate tracking, but he did not elaborate.

New Modular Watch Face


watchOS 27 will add new watch faces, including a variant of the "Modular Ultra" watch face that is currently exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, according to Gurman.

New Apple Intelligence Features


On watchOS 26, the following Apple Intelligence features are available on an Apple Watch when it is paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer:

  • Workout Buddy

  • Live Translation in Messages

  • Notification Summaries
When it announced the dates for WWDC 2026, Apple promised to unveil "AI advancements" across its platforms, and it can be reasonably assumed that watchOS 27 will include some additional Apple Intelligence features powered by the iPhone.

New Satellite Features


Apple Watch Ultra 3 has built-in satellite connectivity, enabling Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite without any reliance on an iPhone.

iOS 27 will reportedly include up to five new satellite features, and the following two would likely extend to watchOS 27:
  • Apple Maps via satellite

  • Photos support for Messages via satellite
Amazon last month announced plans to acquire Globalstar, the satellite company that powers Apple's satellite features on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In turn, Amazon announced that it has signed an agreement with Apple to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features.

Stability Focus


Apple is largely focused on "stability, performance, and smaller refinements" for watchOS 27, rather than on major new features and capabilities, according to Gurman. This suggests that the update could include many bug fixes.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, watchOS 26
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station Drops to $104.99 on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/anker-3-in-1-prime-104/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/anker-3-in-1-prime-wireless-charging-station-drops-to-104-99-on-amazon.2482800/ Sun, 24 May 2026 05:28:15 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/24/anker-3-in-1-prime-104/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $104.99 on Amazon this weekend, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price.

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

The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe ‌iPhone‌ charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 ‌MagSafe‌ chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.

$45 OFF
Anker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $104.99


There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including Anker's Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.98, down from $399.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more.

$60 OFF
Anker Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.98

Wall Chargers



Wireless Chargers



Portable Chargers



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


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]]> Apple Preparing New 'Gen AI' Website Ahead of WWDC https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/23/apple-gen-ai-subdomain/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-preparing-new-gen-ai-website-ahead-of-wwdc.2482780/ Sat, 23 May 2026 14:41:37 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/23/apple-gen-ai-subdomain/ Joe Rossignol Featured WWDC Apple Intelligence MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, but it does not yet lead to a live web page. The genai.apple.com subdomain has been added to Apple's domain name servers a few weeks ahead of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, where the company has promised to announce "AI advancements" across its software platforms.


Apple's website already has an Apple Intelligence page, so it is unclear what the company's plans are for genai.apple.com at this time. The subdomain is clearly related to generative AI, which has been popularized by chatbots such as ChatGPT and Claude in recent years.

Apple's next major software releases like iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 are expected to include many new Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized version of Siri with on-screen awareness. Similar to other chatbots like ChatGPT, a dedicated Siri app will reportedly allow users to have back-and-forth conversations.

Apple Intelligence will power a wide range of new accessibility features, such as automatic captions for videos recorded with an iPhone. In addition, Voice Control is gaining support for natural language, allowing users to say things like "tap the guide about best restaurants" in Apple Maps or "tap the purple folder" in the Files app.

Apple Intelligence will make it easier for users to create shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, and it will power a new "Create a Pass" option in the Wallet app. Safari will be able to automatically name tab groups, and Visual Intelligence will be able to scan food nutrition labels and add information from a business card or paperwork to the Contacts app.

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote begins on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Related Roundup: WWDC 2026
Tag: Apple Intelligence
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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]]> New Apple or Beats Over-Ear Headphones Appear in FCC Database https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-beats-over-ear-headphones-fcc/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-or-beats-over-ear-headphones-appear-in-fcc-database.2482760/ Fri, 22 May 2026 16:26:58 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-beats-over-ear-headphones-fcc/ Eric Slivka Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad

These headphones do not appear to be the AirPods Max 2, which carry a model number of A3454, and there is little other information to go on, so it is unclear what these headphones are.


Most of the documents that would reveal details on this A3577 product are being temporarily withheld from publication under a confidentiality request, which is standard for Apple's product filings with the FCC. One figure showing the location of the FCC ID labeling on the product appears to show a generic-looking headphone ear cup, with no identifying design details.


It is possible these are an upcoming Beats product, such as an updated version of the brand's over-ear Beats Studio Pro headphones, but this is purely speculation. The Beats Studio Pro were released nearly three years ago in July 2023, so they could be due for a revision.

We'll share additional information as we learn more.
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]]> Google Appeals Antitrust Ruling, Says Apple Chose Its Search Engine 'Fair and Square' https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/google-search-monopoly-appeal/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-appeals-antitrust-ruling-says-apple-chose-its-search-engine-fair-and-square.2482753/ Fri, 22 May 2026 13:23:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/google-search-monopoly-appeal/ Juli Clover Apple Antitrust Google appealed a 2024 ruling that found it violated antitrust law by paying to be the default search engine on iPhones. In a filing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Google said the district court made an error when concluding that Google's search success was due to anything other than competition on merit.


Google suggested it surpassed competition through better innovation, more investments, and "just working harder," which is why Apple chose Google Search as its default search option on Apple devices.
Whether or not Google has monopoly power, Google did nothing that "harm[ed] the competitive process." It did not impede its rivals' opportunity to make—or Apple's and Mozilla's ability to choose—a better offer. Indeed, there is no finding—or even any evidence—that Google's customers would have chosen a rival, even in the absence of the challenged agreements. Google just prevailed in the marketplace fair and square.

The filing points out that Apple was free to distribute and promote rival search engines, with Google highlighting the alternative browser options that Apple offers in the Safari settings. Google suggests that any "exclusivity" interpreted by the district court was Apple's choice for "sound business reasons."

Google is asking the appeals court to undo the remedies that were put in place to address its search monopoly. Google was told to share search data, offer information on user interaction, and syndicate its results to competing companies, which it will need to start doing barring a successful appeal.

While Google is aiming for the entire ruling to be thrown out, Google also wants generative AI companies like OpenAI excluded from receiving data. Google says AI products "did not even exist" during the period covered in the DoJ's filing, so it makes no sense for them to receive search data. Google further said that AI companies are "already succeeding as wildly as any technology in human history without any need to free-ride on Google's success."

Google pays Apple billions of dollars each year to be the default Safari search engine, and the deal was a major component in the antitrust lawsuit that the U.S. Department of Justice brought against Google. Apple and Google's search engine deal could have been addressed in the remedies applied to Google, but the court did not prevent Google from making search agreements.

While Google is barred from entering into exclusive contracts for search engine distribution, it is still allowed to pay Apple to be a search engine option on iPhone. The DoJ also wanted Google to be forced to sell its Chrome browser and possibly offload the Android operating system, but neither of those consequences were implemented.

The remedies in the DoJ vs. Google case went into effect on February 3, but Google hasn't been required to provide data yet because implementation details have not been worked out. The five-member Technical Committee set up by the judge overseeing the case has not outlined license terms or privacy safeguards, nor has criteria for which companies qualify as competitors been established.

Oral arguments for Google's appeal haven't been scheduled, so we're unlikely to hear more on the issue until late 2026 or early 2027.
Tags: Apple Antitrust, Google

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]]> Aqara Camera Hub G350 Review: 4K Recording, Dual Lenses, Pan-and-Tilt Tracking, and AI Subject Detection https://www.macrumors.com/review/aqara-camera-hub-g350/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/aqara-camera-hub-g350-review-4k-recording-dual-lenses-pan-and-tilt-tracking-and-ai-subject-detection.2482752/ Fri, 22 May 2026 13:07:51 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/review/aqara-camera-hub-g350&post_date=1779491271/ Juli Clover Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad the Camera Hub G350 in March, and it is the first Matter-certified smart camera on the market. Cameras are included in Matter 1.5, and while Apple doesn't support Matter cameras yet, Aqara's camera still works with Apple Home. For Apple users, Matter integration doesn't provide any benefit, but it adds cross-platform support for Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and more.


The Camera Hub G350 is my favorite indoor home security camera that I've tested to date, and not just because it's wearing a cute bunny-ear costume. It records in 4K and has zoom capabilities, plus it has movement tracking and can rotate 360 degrees.

There are two cameras in the G350, and the design makes the lenses look like eyes. If you don't like the cutesy style, you can take off the silicone bunny hood, which makes the G350 look more like a traditional security camera.


You can view the G350's feed through Apple Home, and it connects as a HomeKit Secure Video camera. Footage is stored in iCloud, and as with other ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ (HSV) options, you need an ‌iCloud‌+ plan. The $0.99/month 50GB plan supports a single HSV camera, the $2.99/month 200GB plan supports five HSV cameras, and the higher-tier plans that start at $9.99/month for 2TB storage support an unlimited number of cameras.


Using the G350 with HomeKit limits you to the ‌HomeKit‌ set of features. You can view the feed in the Home app, add the camera to automations, and customize when the camera is recording and when it's not using geofencing. It supports notifications for movement, can recognize people and animals for customized notifications, and it has facial recognition. Unfortunately, though this is a high-resolution camera, HSV is limited to 1080p.


Because the Camera Hub G350 offers so many features that are not available in ‌HomeKit‌, it's not worth getting if you're only going to use it with Apple Home. You need the Aqara app to get the full functionality, but I do think the feature set is worth venturing out of the Home app for.

The wide-angle 4K camera with a 133-degree field of view is the main camera, but there's also a 2.5K HD camera for zooming in up to 9x to get a closer look. The camera feed is clearer than what I get from ‌HomeKit‌ because of the resolution restrictions. This is the only camera I have that has a second lens for zooming in, and the zoom is sharper than what I get from single-lens cameras.


Aqara says the camera has an f/1.6 aperture and 940nm infrared LEDs for night vision, and it does do well in low lighting conditions and at night. Recordings are not as clear as when there's optimal lighting, but the night vision works as expected, offering a grayscale view of what's going on.

The G350 can rotate 360 degrees, and there is an included AI auto-tracking feature. It can recognize people and pets, turning the camera to keep them in view, and zooming in slowly where appropriate. It tilts too, which is helpful for keeping people and pets in view. You can have the camera track motion with AI, but you can also use pan and tilt controls in the app to control it while watching the feed live. I don't need to reinvent the wheel, so Aqara's video showing the panning, tilt, and zoom is embedded below. The camera and the app do work as demonstrated in the video.



The tracking works well, and it can be somewhat creepy to have a camera following you, so it might be a good theft deterrent. It's clear when it's moving to keep you in view, but there is no audible sound when it's panning. It is meant to pan slowly, so there can be a little bit of blur in recordings when the camera is moving or when you use the zoom feature. The Aqara app has an option for selecting preset angles that the camera will quickly pan to so you can see different areas of a room.






The camera has on-device AI processing that can recognize faces, pets, gestures, and select sounds. It can detect coughing, snoring, loud sounds, alarms, a dog barking, and a baby crying, sending alerts when it hears the sound.


I often think that Aqara includes too many features in its products, but it gives people options. The camera supports gestures, so you can trigger scenes that you've set up in the Aqara app with a wave or an OK sign. This is a beta feature, and it's not super reliable, especially when the lighting is bad. I don't know why, but the G350 also has smile detection and will send you a notification when it detects someone smiling. It does successfully detect motion, follow me around, and detect smiles, though the latter feature hasn't worked 100 percent of the time.


For those who don't want footage uploaded to the cloud, there is an option to record to a 512GB microSD card. Footage can be saved to a NAS, you can use Apple Home's ‌iCloud‌ storage, or you can use Aqara's cloud storage. You don't need a subscription for Aqara's cloud storage, but some features are locked behind one.


Aqara has a HomeGuardian subscription service that's $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for a single camera, or double that for unlimited cameras. It adds 90 days of video event history, package and vehicle detection, face detection, AI video summaries, AI video search, fire detection, alarm notifications, unlimited storage space, and video downloads from the app. So you can use local storage or the free cloud storage, but you lose some features.

There is a mode that physically disables the cameras with a cover that makes the "eyes" look like they're closed, which is both cute and useful. This mode also reveals the microSD card slot, and you stick the card in the "mouth." The camera-off mode can be enabled by tapping the little eye icon in the Aqara app. There is a speaker and microphone for two-way conversation.


I cannot think of a camera feature that I want that's not already in the G350, except maybe rich notifications. The motion detection alerts that come from the Aqara app don't provide me with a preview of the motion like my Ring cameras do.


If you have other Aqara devices, the G350 works as a hub for them. I have Aqara thermostats, so this serves as a functional hub and improves connectivity between Aqara products. It's also a Thread Border Router for Thread devices and a Matter Controller. It can use either a 2.4GHz or 5GHz connection.

The Camera Hub G350 is meant to be plugged in all the time, but for some reason Aqara didn't include a power adapter. There's a USB-C cable, but no charger, so you'll need to supply your own. It takes a 10W USB-C power adapter or higher.

Bottom Line


With the pan and tilt features and automatic tracking, the G350 is an excellent indoor camera. It's perfect in a baby's room or for tracking pets, but it also works well for general home security use.

It supports local storage for those who don't want data uploaded to the cloud, and while some features are locked behind a subscription, all of the most useful options are readily available without paying extra.

How to Buy


The Aqara Camera Hub G350 is available from Amazon for $140.

Note: Aqara provided MacRumors with a G350 Camera Hub for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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]]> Searching for 'Disregard' Breaks Google [Updated] https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/google-search-disregard/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/searching-for-disregard-breaks-google-updated.2482749/ Fri, 22 May 2026 11:17:20 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/google-search-disregard/ Juli Clover Google held its I/O developer event, and introduced an AI-forward version of Google Search that the company described as an "intelligent search box" powered by the newest version of Gemini. It turns out Google's all-new version of search semi-breaks when you search for the word "disregard."


Typing "disregard" into Google Search results in Google's AI interpreting it as a system-style instruction instead of a search query. "Understood. Message disregarded," is the result.

You do get standard search results like a Merriam-Webster definition of disregard if you scroll down further, but the AI Overview reply is filled with a bunch of white space that blocks out what's below.

There's a similar response on mobile devices, though with less visible white space.


Using a non-AI search engine like Kagi brings up the expected results for the search, immediately showing the definition instead of reading it as a command.


Words that have a similar meaning like ignore or stop produce the same result with Google's AI Overview. So do other command-like statements such as "remember." Google will likely fix the issue soon, but it's a reminder of the shortcomings of the AI tools that have become impossible to avoid.

Update: A Google spokesperson told MacRumors that the bug is unrelated to Google's I/O Search announcements, and is instead an issue with AI Overviews. "We're aware that AI Overviews are misinterpreting some action-related queries, and we're working on a fix, which will roll out soon," said the spokesperson.
Tag: Google

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]]> MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 17 and a Lifetime Copy of VideoProc Converter AI https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/macrumors-giveaway-iphone-17-digiarty-videoproc/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macrumors-giveaway-win-an-iphone-17-and-a-lifetime-copy-of-videoproc-converter-ai.2482747/ Fri, 22 May 2026 10:02:14 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/macrumors-giveaway-iphone-17-digiarty-videoproc/ Juli Clover iPhone 17 Giveaway Digiarty VideoProc to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 17 and a copy of the VideoProc Converter AI software to use with it.


VideoProc Converter AI is software for editing and managing videos, images, audio, DVDs, and more. It includes a suite of AI features for easy photo and video editing, along with tools for converting, downloading, upscaling, colorizing, enhancing, compressing, editing, recording, and repairing all kinds of media files.


Videos that are blurry, noisy, shaky, or overly compressed can be improved with VideoProc Converter AI's tools for cutting down on noise, improving sharpness, and boosting image quality.


An AI Super Resolution feature uses multiple AI models designed for different kinds of footage. The tool reduces noise and blur, restores detail, sharpens soft footage, and is able to upscale lower-resolution videos up to 4x. 480p or 720p video can be upscaled to 1080p or 4K. A deinterlacing tool improves older interlaced recordings, which is useful for restoring archived footage, improving low-light video, and cleaning up scenes with a lot of motion.


There's also an AI frame interpolation option that adds additional frames to make videos smoother, and it can improve videos up to 480fps for slow motion. It works on older home videos, mixed frame-rate footage, sports clips, gameplay recordings, and action scenes.

A stabilization tool is able to reduce camera shake, plus there are tools for reducing audio noise, correcting color, removing fisheye distortion from videos shot on action cameras, and compressing file size while preserving quality. There are also the standard tools you would expect from video editing software for trimming, cropping, adjusting playback speed, watermarking, fixing audio syncing, and adding filters.


VideoProc Converter AI has tools for photo editing as well. Image AI Super Resolution improves blurry or pixelated images and increases resolution, with multiple AI models available for different image types. With batch processing, it supports editing over 3,000 photos at once.


In older images where faces are blurry, pixelated, faded, or lacking detail, a Face Restoration feature improves facial detail. It can recover clarity in eyes, skin, hair, and facial textures with natural-looking results. AI Colorization is also available for adding color to black and white images, and it adds realistic colors and tones to grayscale photos with a click.


Digiarty optimized VideoProc Converter AI for the Mac, and the software supports hardware acceleration for Apple silicon chips, Intel chips, and NVIDIA and AMD GPUs. Video converting tools use GPU acceleration to speed up encoding and decoding without affecting output quality. The software supports over 320 codecs and formats, and it works with footage from drones, GoPro cameras, professional log formats, 3D videos, and VR videos. It also includes tools for downloading video from social media platforms, DVD backup, iPhone screen capture, recording from a webcam, and green screen recording.

VideoProc gets new features regularly, and recent new additions include improved Video Super Resolution that keeps original colors for natural-looking restoration of low-quality video, new AI models, three AI face restoration models for touching up people in videos without impacting original detail, and audio AI improvements like Noise Suppression for cutting down on background noise in audio and video files.


There is a VideoProc free trial for those who want to try it out. A lifetime license is normally priced at $54.95, but Digiarty is offering MacRumors readers a discount on a lifetime license, dropping the price to $39.95. The lifetime license includes the full range of VideoProc tools, along with software for transferring media between Macs and iPhones and vlog software for editing video for social media. It also includes access to future updates.

Digiarty is offering one lucky MacRumors reader the chance to win an ‌iPhone 17‌ and a lifetime VideoProc license. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


Digiarty VideoProc Giveaway
The contest will run from today (May 22) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 29. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after May 29 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tag: Giveaway
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> iOS 26.5.1 Update for iPhones is Coming Soon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/ios-26-5-1-coming-soon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-26-5-1-update-for-iphones-is-coming-soon.2482746/ Fri, 22 May 2026 09:20:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/ios-26-5-1-coming-soon/ Joe Rossignol iOS 26 MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.


iOS 26.5.1 will almost certainly be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, and it will likely be released by the end of next week.

The logs show that Apple has ramped up testing of iOS 26.6 as well, with a first beta of that update likely to be released at some point in June. iOS 26.6 will likely be a minor update as well. Last year, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 18.6 to developers on Monday, June 16, which was three days after WWDC 2025 ended.

Apple is shifting its attention towards iOS 27, which is set to be unveiled during the WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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]]> Apple Could Reverse Controversial Clear Case Design With iPhone 18 Pro https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-could-reverse-clear-case-design/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-could-reverse-controversial-clear-case-design-with-iphone-18-pro.2482745/ Fri, 22 May 2026 09:18:56 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-could-reverse-clear-case-design/ Hartley Charlton iPhone 18 iPhone 18 Pro iPhone Cases MagSafe Accessories MyDrivers iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max suggest there is a chance Apple may revert back to a more familiar MagSafe ring design, and away from the controversial opaque white panel introduced on last year's iPhone 17 Pro cases.


The images have been circulating on Chinese social media and were spotted by MyDrivers. Where the iPhone 17 Pro clear case drew considerable criticism for replacing the traditional circular ‌MagSafe‌ magnet array with a large opaque white rectangle that covered most of the case's back panel, the cases shown here return to a more open horseshoe or ring-style ‌MagSafe‌ design, leaving the majority of the case genuinely transparent.

If the design is an accurate reflection of Apple's first-party case plans, it would represent a meaningful course correction from a design that many buyers felt made Apple's own "clear" case a misnomer. Accessory manufacturers commonly produce cases ahead of Apple announcements using anticipated details sourced from the supply chain.

‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Clear Case

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Clear Case redesign proved to be highly polarizing at launch. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s Apple logo shifted to a lower position on the rear panel to sit centered within the new rectangular glass section below the camera plateau. As reported ahead of the device's launch, that placement would have been obscured by the traditional circular ‌MagSafe‌ design, prompting Apple to replace the ring entirely with a large opaque white rounded rectangle bearing a centered Apple logo. The result covered most of the lower three-quarters of the case, and forum discussions and reviews described the white panel as a "deal breaker" for some buyers who wanted to show off the color of their phone.

The open horseshoe design suggested by the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ cases takes a different approach seen on some other third-party cases, with a break in the ring at the bottom allowing the Apple logo to remain visible through the case without requiring the large opaque panel. The third-party cases shown in the images are clearly trying to emulate Apple's first-party accessories, and given the negative reaction to Apple's clear cases last year, it wouldn't be surprising if the company opted to move to this design.

Beyond this detail, the replica cases reflect design details consistent with existing rumors about the new models. The standard ‌iPhone 18‌ case features a cutout suggesting a vertical dual-camera layout, in line with reports that the base model will retain a broadly similar rear design to its predecessor. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max cases both show large horizontal camera plateau cutouts consistent with the design established on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be announced alongside the first foldable iPhone in the fall. The ‌iPhone 18‌ is likely set to follow in the spring with the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.
Related Roundups: iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro
Tags: iPhone Cases, MagSafe Accessories, MyDrivers
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple Tops Global Smartphone Market for First Time in a Q1 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-tops-global-smartphone-market-q1/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-tops-global-smartphone-market-for-first-time-in-a-q1.2482729/ Fri, 22 May 2026 08:44:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/apple-tops-global-smartphone-market-q1/ Tim Hardwick Counterpoint Counterpoint Research. It's the first time the company has ever led the market in a Q1.


Apple captured 21 percent of global shipments and grew 9 percent year-over-year, even as the overall market contracted 3 percent. Samsung came in a close second, also at 21 percent on roughly flat shipments, followed by Xiaomi at 12 percent, OPPO at 10 percent, and vivo at 7 percent. Meanwhile, Xiaomi's shipments fell 19 percent year-over-year, while OPPO and vivo declined 4 percent and 2 percent, respectively.

Apple's brand-level milestone follows Counterpoint's earlier finding that the iPhone 17 was the best-selling smartphone model in the world in Q1, during which the iPhone 17 series swept the top three spots in the firm's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker. During Apple's April 30 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said the ‌iPhone 17‌ family was the most popular lineup in Apple's history.

Apart from sustained iPhone 17 demand, Counterpoint credits Apple's brand-level performance to its proactive supply chain management as well as improved sales in China. The firm said Apple's ability to maintain premium pricing and protect margins also helped it weather the ongoing memory chip shortage a lot better than its rivals.


Shortages of DRAM and NAND memory continue to weigh on the market as a whole, as chipmakers prioritize AI data center customers over smartphone manufacturers. Cook has said memory shortages and rising costs will have more of an impact on Apple later in 2026. Counterpoint expects the rest of the year to impact most brands similarly, with the memory crisis potentially stretching all the way into late 2027.
Tag: Counterpoint

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]]> Top Stories: Apple Card AirPods Pro Promo, WWDC 2026 Schedule, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/23/top-stories-apple-card-airpods-pro-promo/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/top-stories-apple-card-airpods-pro-promo-wwdc-2026-schedule-and-more.2482768/ Fri, 22 May 2026 08:20:50 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/23/top-stories-apple-card-airpods-pro-promo/ MacRumors Staff Featured Top Stories

Other popular topics this week included rumors about the upcoming foldable iPhone, tips and tricks for Apple Watch and iPhone, and more, so read on below for all the details!

Top Stories


New Apple Card Holders Can Get Free AirPods Pro 3, But There's a Catch


Late last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that Apple would be launching a new promo to encourage users in the U.S. to sign up for Apple Card: a cash back promotion that would essentially offer free AirPods Pro 3 to new Apple Card customers.


The promo officially launched this week, and while it does offer the free AirPods Pro 3, there is a bit of a wrinkle. The cash back comes in the form of $25 per month over 10 months with a requirement that the Apple Card be used at least 10 times in a given month to qualify for that month's rebate.

Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Schedule, Sends Media Invites


Apple this week provided a schedule for its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 8 and runs through June 12. Apple also sent out invites to members of the media who have been invited to attend an in-person keynote viewing at Apple Park.


Both the invites and schedule confirm that the WWDC 2026 keynote will begin at the usual time, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 1:00 p.m Eastern Time.

MacRumors will be on hand for keynote day and will have full coverage of WWDC announcements throughout the week.

Foldable iPhone Production Stalls Amid Hinge Issues


Trial production of Apple's long-anticipated foldable iPhone, likely called the "iPhone Ultra," has run into a significant engineering hurdle centered on hinge reliability, according to a known leaker.


The leaker known as "Instant Digital" posted on Weibo that the foldable device's hinge is consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. The leaker described the mechanical wear issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection; otherwise, progress will simply have to be stalled for the time being."

The issues are reportedly unlikely to delay the phone's launch, as Apple still has time to get the kinks worked out and ship the device later this year. Rumors have already suggested that availability could come a bit later than that of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max that are expected to be introduced at the same time in September.

Apple Watch: 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know


Apple Watch is now eleven generations in, and packed with useful features that are easy to miss at first glance. To help you get more out of your device, we've rounded up 15 practical tips you might not have discovered yet, including a few that long-time users often overlook.


We also took a look at 10 useful tips and tricks for iPhone that may make your life easier but which can be a bit hidden.

iPhone 17 Pro Named Fastest-Charging Smartphone


Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has been named the fastest-charging phone overall in a recent CNET lab test covering 33 smartphones, with Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra taking the top spot for wired charging speed.


To determine the rankings, CNET's lab team ran each phone through a 30-minute wired charging test starting at 10% battery or less, using the phone's included cable and a wall charger rated at or above the device's maximum supported speed. Phones that support wireless charging went through a matching 30-minute wireless test using a Qi (7.5W), Qi2 (15W), or Qi2.2 (25W) charger matched to the phone's peak supported speed. CNET then averaged the wired and wireless results into an overall charging score.

Apple Re-Releases a Sold-Out iPhone MagSafe Grip in Three New Colors


Apple this week re-released the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone in three new colors, after the original version quickly sold out last year. The accessory is exclusively available on Apple's online store worldwide, with U.S. pricing set at $54.95. The latest color options include Orange Swirl, Glow Blue, and Speckled Stone.


Designed by Bailey Hikawa and produced by PopSockets, Apple says the accessory was created with accessibility in mind, in close collaboration with individuals with a wide range of disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility. The ergonomic grip magnetically attaches to any iPhone with MagSafe, and it doubles as an iPhone stand.

The release comes alongside Apple's annual unveiling of upcoming accessibility features that will be debuting in iOS 27 and related updates, with many of the new features powered by Apple Intelligence.

MacRumors Newsletter


Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
Tag: Top Stories

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]]> The MacRumors Show: WWDC26 Promises Apple Intelligence and Siri Upgrades https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/the-macrumors-show-wwdc26-promises-siri-upgrades/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-macrumors-show-wwdc26-promises-apple-intelligence-and-siri-upgrades.2482739/ Fri, 22 May 2026 07:23:39 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/22/the-macrumors-show-wwdc26-promises-siri-upgrades/ Hartley Charlton Featured Apple Intelligence Siri The MacRumors Show The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote date, the sweeping Siri redesign coming in iOS 27, Apple's latest accessibility feature previews, and the hinge troubles reportedly plaguing the foldable iPhone ahead of its expected launch in the fall.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos

Apple this week confirmed its ‌WWDC 2026‌ keynote for June 8 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the conference running through June 12. The event is expected to introduce ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27, with developer betas available immediately after the keynote and public releases following in September. The focus is expected to be on Apple Intelligence and AI advancements across its platforms. No major hardware announcements have been rumored for the keynote, but we are overdue seeing a new "homeOS" platform for a tabletop or wall-mounted smart home hub, though launch timing remains unclear.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that ‌iOS 27‌ will bring a sweeping ‌Siri‌ redesign, evolving the assistant into a full chatbot designed to compete with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. For the first time, ‌Siri‌ will apparently have a dedicated app, showing a grid or list of past conversations with support for favoriting, searching, and starting new chats, all using iMessage-style chat bubbles.

‌Siri‌ will also purportedly be integrated into the Dynamic Island, where triggering it will show a "Search or Ask" prompt with a glowing cursor; results appear as a translucent card, and pulling it down opens a full conversation mode. ‌Siri‌ is set to replace Spotlight search, though Suggestions will remain and gain access to more user data.

Users will be able to set chats to auto-delete after 30 days, one year, or never. The app could also launch labeled "beta" despite years of development, and is powered by Google Gemini, though Apple is said to be reluctant to emphasize that given Google's reputation as an advertising business.

Separately, Apple this week previewed new accessibility features coming later this year, ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, as is Apple's annual tradition. Among the highlights: VoiceOver Image Explorer uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to generate detailed descriptions of images, scanned bills, and personal records throughout the system; the Action button can now be used to ask questions about what the camera sees, with natural language follow-up supported; and Voice Control is getting a natural language upgrade that lets users describe on-screen elements in their own words rather than memorizing exact labels. Automatic captions for personal videos will also arrive, generated on-device for recorded videos, received from friends, or streamed online. The features are expected to launch with ‌iOS 27‌, iPadOS 27, ‌macOS 27‌, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27 in September.

Finally, Apple's "iPhone Ultra" reportedly hit a new obstacle this week, after Weibo leaker "Instant Digital" posted that trial production has run into a serious hinge reliability problem. According to the leaker, the hinge is consistently failing Apple's quality control under high-frequency open and close testing, eventually producing audible rattling, and the issue "must be solved with absolute perfection, otherwise progress will remain stalled."

That broadly aligns with a DigiTimes report from April that placed production one to two months behind schedule, with mass production now pushed from June to August. Bloomberg's Gurman has pushed back on a Nikkei report suggesting the device could slip to 2027, calling it "off base", and expects the foldable iPhone to land around the same time or soon after the iPhone 18 Pro models; if it does launch in September, supply is expected to be constrained, with some reports suggesting customer availability could slip as late as December.

The foldable iPhone is rumored to be called the "iPhone Ultra" and is expected to start at over $2,000, with one report citing $2,500, which would make it the most expensive iPhone ever. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

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