MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Sat, 09 May 2026 07:52:42 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com AirPods Max 2 Available for $509 in All Colors on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/airpods-max-2-for-509-all-colors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-max-2-available-for-509-in-all-colors-on-amazon.2482145/ Sat, 09 May 2026 07:51:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/airpods-max-2-for-509-all-colors/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $509.00 this weekend on Amazon, down from $549.00.

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.

This is a match of the all-time low price on the brand new AirPods Max 2 headphones. Free delivery has the AirPods Max 2 arriving around May 11, while Prime members may be able to find quicker options in select locations.

$40 OFF
AirPods Max 2 for $509.00


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


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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Top Stories: iOS 26.5 Coming Soon, Goodbye $599 Mac Mini, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon-goodbye-599-mac-mini-and-more.2482140/ Fri, 08 May 2026 19:14:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/09/top-stories-ios-26-5-coming-soon/ MacRumors Staff Featured Top Stories

This week also saw Apple making more changes to its Mac mini and Mac Studio offerings amid product shortages, while the company is weighing how it can meet strong demand for the new MacBook Neo, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories


Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone


iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple's release notes for the update, which is expected to be released next week.


As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out.

The second new feature added in iOS 26.5 is "Suggested Places" in Apple Maps. This section of the app provides recommendations based on your location and recent searches, and it will start showing ads in the U.S. and Canada later this year.

Third, a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that "dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors" is available to download on iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5. Released alongside a new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance watch face, Apple says the wallpaper celebrates LGBTQ+ communities around the world.

Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro


Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026, but depending on your needs and interests, you might want to skip this generation because there's something better in the works.


The M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models have faster chips, but the same design that Apple has used since 2021. An updated design with new display technology and faster performance is coming in late 2026 or early 2027. Check out our overview of everything rumored for this upcoming "MacBook Ultra."

Apple Stops Selling Mac Mini With 256GB of Storage, Starting Price Rises to $799


Apple last week stopped offering a 256GB storage option for the Mac mini worldwide. As a result, the desktop computer now has a higher starting price.


In the U.S., for example, the Mac mini now starts at $799 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, whereas it previously started at $599 with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Apple is also continuing to cut other configurations of the Mac mini and Mac Studio as the company has been hit by related issues of memory shortages throughout the industry amid strong demand from customers looking to use these machines for AI-related purposes.

Apple Was Caught Off Guard by MacBook Neo's 'Off the Charts' Demand


Apple's most affordable MacBook ever appears to be a resounding hit with customers, based on comments shared by CEO Tim Cook last week.


On an earnings call last Thursday, Cook said that customer response to the MacBook Neo has been "off the charts" since the laptop was unveiled in March. "We could not be happier with how things are going at the moment," he said.

Apple has been struggling to meet customer demand for new laptop, and the company is said to be running out the A18 Pro chips used to power them. With Apple rumored to be considering ordering another run of the chips that will add to the cost, plus rising memory costs, tech columnist Tim Culpan believes Apple could be considering dropping the entry-level $599 configuration of the MacBook Neo and perhaps offering it in some additional colors.

iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Keep Aluminum Finish Amid Durability Complaints


The iPhone 18 Pro will reportedly carry over the same anodized aluminum finish introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, despite concerns from some users about its durability.


According to the Weibo leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," surface chipping on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has become a common complaint, and that users who have sought recourse from Apple have been told they cannot claim it, with the company classifying the issue as an inherent characteristic of the aluminum alloy material and normal wear and tear. Crucially, they added that the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ will "continue to utilize this same design approach" despite its weaknesses.

Separately, a fresh leak of a CAD render for the iPhone 18 Pro lends support to circulating rumors of a smaller Dynamic Island.

iPhone 18 Might Look a Lot More Like an 'e' Model, Leaker Claims


The standard iPhone 18 and the lower-cost iPhone 18e are said to share components, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," as further evidence that Apple is narrowing the gap between the two devices.


In recent posts on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said that certain parts are interchangeable between the two models, adding that the information originates from a reliable manufacturing source. The leaker described the component overlap as confirmation that the specification convergence between the ‌iPhone 18‌ and iPhone 18e is real and measurable at the supply chain level. "Take it from me: The standard ‌iPhone 18‌ model has been downgraded and its launch delayed—this decision is final and will not change," they added.

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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]]> Apple's AirTag-Sized AI Pendant: Five Features Rumored So Far https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/ai-pendant-five-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-airtag-sized-ai-pendant-five-features-rumored-so-far.2482119/ Fri, 08 May 2026 15:39:32 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/ai-pendant-five-features/ Juli Clover AirTag Featured Apple AI Pin

1. It'll Look Like an AirTag


Apple's design plans could change, but rumors suggest the device is a pin or pendant that looks similar to an AirTag. It's been described as having a thin, flat, circular disc shape, with an aluminum and glass shell. A physical control button is included on one edge.

Apple wants the final version of the device to be about the same size as an ‌AirTag‌, but because of the hardware inside, it could be thicker.

It sounds like the wearable will be versatile. It could have a clip to attach to clothing like a pin, but there's also supposedly a hole in the device so it can be worn as a necklace. Rumors have referred to it as both a pin and a pendant.

2. There Will Be Cameras


Apple's AI wearable is going to have at least one camera, but rumors are mixed on exactly what the camera will be used for.

Bloomberg says the pin will have a low-resolution camera that gives it info about its surroundings rather than a camera for capturing photos and videos. The camera will be always-on and processing visual data, but users will not be able to use it for images.

The Information reports there will be two front cameras, one with a standard lens and one with a wide-angle lens for capturing photos and videos.

Apple's AI device will rely heavily on Visual Intelligence, which is currently an iPhone feature that uses the camera to provide users with more information about places and objects around them.

3. Siri is the Brain


Rumors have described Apple's wearable as an AI pin or pendant, because it's going to be reliant on artificial intelligence. It's one of several AI-equipped devices that Apple is working on, and it will give wearers a way to interface with Siri without having to use an iPhone.

The camera on the pin will give ‌Siri‌ insight, and ‌Siri‌ will be able to answer questions about what the wearer is looking at or the wearer's surroundings.

Apple is planning to completely overhaul ‌Siri‌ in iOS 27, turning the personal assistant into a much smarter chatbot on par with Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT.

4. iPhone Required


While the AI wearable will have a chip inside, it will be a smaller chip that's similar to the H2 in the AirPods. It won't use a high-powered chip, and most processing will need to be done on the iPhone.

The pin is not meant to be a standalone device, and it will instead be marketed as an iPhone accessory.

5. It'll Listen, But Might Not Talk Back


To listen for voice requests and to pick up sounds around the wearer, the AI pin will have a microphone. Apple has not yet decided whether to add a speaker for back-and-forth ‌Siri‌ conversations and audio playback.

If there's no speaker, responses might be directed to the wearer on the iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods.

Release Date


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said this week that the AI wearable could see a launch as soon as 2027.
Related Roundup: AirTag
Tag: Apple AI Pin
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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]]> A Closer Look at watchOS 26.5's New Luminance Watch Face https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/watchos-26-5-luminance-face/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/a-closer-look-at-watchos-26-5s-new-luminance-watch-face.2482117/ Fri, 08 May 2026 15:39:04 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/watchos-26-5-luminance-face/ Juli Clover watchOS

You can select 1 to 12 colors from a palette that has every color of the rainbow, some in-between shades, and black, white, brown, and gray.


The colors you pick are distributed across the watch face in a gradient, available in either radial or linear styles. The first style looks like a starburst, while the second style is a series of rectangular lines.


The dial can be set to Rectangle for edge-to-edge color, or Circle for a smaller dial that supports four complications.

As with most of Apple's faces, the Luminance face is animated. When the wrist is down, it shrinks into slim lines of color on a black background, but when the wrist is raised, the full color palette is displayed. Colors will also shift slowly.


Apple's pre-selected colors represent different Pride flag colors, but with the deep customization options, the Pride Luminance face can match clothing, show off support for sports teams, or just display your favorite colors.


iOS 26.5 also has a matching Pride Luminance Wallpaper option that can be customized in the same way. You can choose up to 12 colors for the Lock Screen and Home Screen. On the Lock Screen, the colors collapse onto a black background when the device is locked.


To get the new watch face, you need iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5. Apple has released RCs, and the public versions of the updates are expected as soon as next week.
Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12 and watchOS 27: What to Expect Later This Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-rumors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-what-to-expect-later-this-year.2482115/ Fri, 08 May 2026 13:05:57 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-watch-series-12-and-watchos-27-rumors/ Joe Rossignol Apple Watch Apple Watch Ultra watchOS

Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 models are expected to be released in September, and we have outlined some of the key rumored hardware and software changes below. A new Apple Watch SE is not expected this year, as that model was just updated last year and it typically goes two to three years between refreshes.

Apple will unveil watchOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8, and a developer beta will likely be available immediately afterwards. A public beta typically follows in July, and the update should be widely released in September.

Touch ID


Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, according to internal Apple software code that leaked online last year.

Touch ID would likely be built into the Apple Watch's side button, enabling users to unlock the device with their fingerprint instead of a passcode.

Even though new Touch ID references were discovered within the code, there is no guarantee that Apple will move forward with this plan either this year or ever. In addition, credible sources such as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have yet to mention Touch ID coming to the Apple Watch this year.

New Chips After One-Year Hiatus


While the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 all contain the same S10 chip as the previous year's models, the leaked Apple code indicated that the Series 12 and Ultra 4 will get a new chip. It is unclear if the chip will have S11 or S12 branding, but performance improvements are expected either way.

New Modular Watch Face


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

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.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, watchOS 26
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution), Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Could Soon Be Buying iPhone and Mac Chips From Old Frenemy Intel https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-intel-preliminary-chip-deal/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-could-soon-be-buying-iphone-and-mac-chips-from-old-frenemy-intel.2482105/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:44:56 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-intel-preliminary-chip-deal/ Juli Clover Featured Intel The Wall Street Journal.


Intel would make chips based on Apple chip designs, much like TSMC. Prior rumors on Intel's Apple talks have suggested Intel could make some of the lower-end processors used in Apple devices, including the lowest-end M-series chip used in select iPad and Mac models.

Before Apple adopted Apple silicon, it used Intel-designed chips for its Macs, but had to deal with continual chip delays. Apple now designs its own Arm chips that are manufactured by TSMC, allowing it to provide updates at a more regular cadence.

Intel makes its own chips, but it also makes chips for other companies. Apple has not previously eyed Intel as a supplier because it has lagged behind other chip makers like TSMC and Samsung, and because of the history between the two companies. Intel replaced CEO Pat Gelsinger with Lip-Bu Tan last year, and Tan has led an effort to revitalize Intel's chip manufacturing business.

Tan has been focusing on Intel's most advanced process node, 14A, which will reach production in 2028. Intel has been seeking customers for its 14A 1.4nm node. Intel also makes 18A chips built on a 1.8nm node, along with chips built on older process nodes.

Apple has been working to diversify its supply chain, because Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is currently its sole Apple silicon manufacturer. During Apple's latest earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said iPhone 17 models had been constrained during the quarter because Apple could not get enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.

TSMC is one of the world's largest chip manufacturers, and along with making chips for Apple, it makes chips for other companies like Nvidia. With the AI boom and huge demand for AI servers, TSMC has more limited capacity for chips made for consumer devices, and Apple has less leverage to convince TSMC to make its chips.
Tag: Intel

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]]> Warning: Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption Starting Today https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/instagram-end-to-end-encryption/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/warning-instagram-dms-lose-end-to-end-encryption-starting-today.2482110/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:37:13 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/instagram-end-to-end-encryption/ Juli Clover Instagram

Meta can potentially see what's in messages shared between users on Instagram, and that information can be shared with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

End-to-end encryption has been an opt-in messaging feature on Instagram since 2023, but Meta quietly removed it. Meta told The Guardian earlier this year that it is removing the encryption feature because not enough people adopted it. At the same time, Meta did not turn it on by default, nor did the company alert users that it was an option. Sending an encrypted message required turning it on for each individual conversation by tapping into a buried per-conversation setting. Meta also never rolled the feature out to all Instagram users.

"Very few people were opting in to end-to-end encrypted messaging in DMs, so we're removing this option from Instagram in the coming months," Meta said. Meta suggests that people who want end-to-end encryption should use WhatsApp, which is another messaging app that it owns. iMessage and other apps like Signal that are not Meta-owned also offer end-to-end encryption.

Law enforcement agencies and child safety advocates have long pushed for Meta to remove encryption, but Meta could also be getting something out of the feature's removal. It's possible the company will be able to use direct messaging content for advertising algorithms or training chatbots. Meta says that content in DMs is not used for targeted ads right now, but there is wording that allows for product improvement.

Meta's decision to remove Instagram's end-to-end encryption comes 11 days before the Take It Down Act takes effect. The actf will require platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery like deepfakes within 48 hours of a takedown notice, but with E2EE in place, Meta can't access the content needed to comply.

Instagram users who have end-to-end encrypted chats have been given instructions on how to download media or messages that they want to keep.

Last year, Meta started using private generative AI conversations to personalize content and customize ad recommendations for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger users, so there seems to be little limit on the data that it will use to generate revenue. WhatsApp and Messenger continue to have end-to-end encryption for the time being.
Tag: Instagram

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]]> Best Apple Deals of the Week: Shop Popular Mother's Day Accessory Deals, Plus AirPods Max 2 for $509.99 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-5-8-26/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-shop-popular-mothers-day-accessory-deals-plus-airpods-max-2-for-509-99.2482096/ Fri, 08 May 2026 12:34:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/best-apple-deals-of-the-week-5-8-26/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured
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.

Mother's Day Deals



  • What's the deal? Save on popular accessories and more

  • Where can I get it? Anker, OtterBox, ZAGG, and more

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here


Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10, and multiple popular accessory companies are hosting big discount events to mark the holiday. You'll find savings on Anker charging accessories, OtterBox iPhone cases, ZAGG screen protectors, and much more in the list below.

  • Anker - Get up to 40% off charging accessories

  • AT&T - Get iPhone 17 Pro Max for up to $1,100 off

  • Best Buy - Save on everything from wearable tech to TVs and more

  • Belkin - Get up to 30% off

  • Casetify - Buy two get 20% off

  • Grid Studio - Get 15% off sitewide

  • Hyper - Get 20% off select products

  • Nimble - Get 20% off with code MOM20

  • OtterBox - Get 25% off sitewide

  • Verizon - Get iPhone 17, iPad, and Apple Watch Series 11 for no cost when switching

  • ZAGG - Get 25% off screen protectors and cases


AirPods Max 2



  • What's the deal? Take $40 off AirPods Max 2

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$40 OFF
AirPods Max 2 for $509.00


Amazon this week introduced a new record low price on the AirPods Max 2, now available for $509.00, down from $549.00. This sale is available in all five colors of the headphones.

MacBook Pro



  • What's the deal? Take up to $216 off M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$216 OFF
14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $1,983.94

$150 OFF
16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $2,549.00


Amazon is offering a few all-time low prices on Apple's M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro this week, with up to $216 off select models.

iPhone Air MagSafe Battery



  • What's the deal? Take $39 off

  • Where can I get it? Amazon

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$39 OFF
iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.99


Following a few steep discounts on the iPhone Air last month, we're now tracking a new all-time low price on the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery on Amazon. You can get the accessory for $59.99, down from $99.00, beating the previous low price by about $20.

Samsung Sale



  • What's the deal? Save on Samsung's best monitors, TVs, and more

  • Where can I get it? Samsung

  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

UP TO $1,099.99 OFF
Samsung Monitor Sale

$800 OFF
65-inch The Frame for $999.99

$1,000 OFF
75-inch The Frame Pro for $2,199.99


Samsung this week is offering big discounts across multiple product categories, including its most popular monitors and TVs. This sale precedes the announcement of Samsung's newest line of 2026 monitors, and if you sign up with your e-mail and phone number, you can lock in $50 savings on the upcoming monitors.

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 Seeds Second iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Release Candidates to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-seeds-ios-26-5-rc-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-second-ios-26-5-and-ipados-26-5-release-candidates-to-developers.2482103/ Fri, 08 May 2026 10:16:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-seeds-ios-26-5-rc-2/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 26 iOS 27

Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any ‌Siri‌ updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads in the Apple Maps app.

Apple is continuing to test end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple included the feature in the iOS 26.4 beta, but removed it before the update launched to the public.

There is a new Pride wallpaper to go along with the Pride Apple Watch band for this year.

More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our iOS 26.5 beta features guide. iOS 26.5 is likely to see a launch next week.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, iOS 27
Related Forum: iOS 26

This article, "Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Release Candidates to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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]]> MacRumors Giveaway: Win a MacBook Neo and Accessory Kit From Plugable https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/macrumors-giveaway-plugable-may-2026/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macrumors-giveaway-win-a-macbook-neo-and-accessory-kit-from-plugable.2482102/ Fri, 08 May 2026 09:58:45 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/macrumors-giveaway-plugable-may-2026/ Juli Clover Featured MacBook Neo Giveaway Plugable to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a MacBook Neo and a Plugable ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory kit that includes the UD–6950PDH USB-C Docking Station, USBC–9IN1E USB-C Hub, and the PS–30C1 30W power adapter.


Plugable makes a wide range of accessories for Apple devices, and it is perhaps best known for its hubs and docks. There are several dock and hub options that work well with Apple's new low-cost ‌MacBook Neo‌, and Plugable's solutions are affordable.

The UD–6950PDH USB-C 14-in–1 Dock is priced at $180, and it adds multiple ports to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac. There's a 5Gb/s USB-C port that also provides power for accessories, four 5Gb/s USB-A ports (one of which can power peripherals), microSD and SD card reader slots, a 100W USB-C port for charging a connected MacBook, a 1Gb/s Ethernet port, two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, and a K-Lock for security.


The dock supports two 4K 60Hz displays connected via HDMI or DisplayPort, and it uses DisplayLink software to get around display limitations on the ‌MacBook Neo‌ and other Macs. Even though the ‌MacBook Neo‌ only supports one external 4K display natively, with the dock, it can power two displays.


For those who only need a single display, Plugable has the $50 9-in–1 USB-C Hub. It connects to the ‌MacBook Neo‌ or another Mac via USB-C, adding several useful ports. Unlike the dock, it does not need an external power source because it is bus-powered.


The hub has a 10Gb/s USB-C port, an HDMI 2.0 port, microSD and SD card slots, a USB 2.0 port, two 10Gb/s USB-A ports (one offers 15W charging for accessories), a USB-C port for 125W passthrough charging to the connected Mac, and a Gigabit Ethernet port. Plugable currently has a 15% discount on the 9-in–1 Hub on Amazon.


Plugable's ‌MacBook Neo‌ accessory lineup is rounded out with a compact $24 USB-C Charger Block, which comes in either black or white. The power adapter provides 30W for the ‌MacBook Neo‌, which is ideal. It uses GaN technology so it's small in size, and it has collapsible prongs, making it ideal for travel. Plugable is offering a 16% discount on the power adapter on Amazon this week.


We have a ‌MacBook Neo‌ and a Plugable accessory kit to go along with it for one lucky MacRumors reader. 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(s) and send the prize(s). 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 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.


Plugable Giveaway (U.S. Only)The contest will run from today (May 8) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 15. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after May 15 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: MacBook Neo
Tag: Giveaway
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Neo

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]]> The MacRumors Show: Is Apple Downgrading iPhone 18 Due to Memory Shortage? https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/the-macrumors-show-is-apple-downgrading-iphone-18/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-macrumors-show-is-apple-downgrading-iphone-18-due-to-memory-shortage.2482097/ Fri, 08 May 2026 07:47:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/the-macrumors-show-is-apple-downgrading-iphone-18/ Hartley Charlton Featured Featured (sticky) iPhone 18 The MacRumors Show The MacRumors Show, we talk through how the global memory shortage is forcing Apple's hand across multiple key products, killing configurations, delaying launches, and prompting spec decisions that would have seemed unlikely a year ago.

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The pressure originates outside Apple's control. JPMorgan analysis cited by the Financial Times found that memory could account for as much as 45% of an iPhone's component costs by 2027, up from around 10% today. Companies like Nvidia are reportedly outbidding consumer electronics makers for limited DRAM supply from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, while cloud firms are locking in capacity with multi-billion-dollar upfront commitments. Apple, which buys memory for roughly 250 million iPhones per year, has shifted from a position where it could dictate terms to one where it must compete for supply, and component prices are being driven up as a result.

The consequences are already visible in the Mac lineup. Apple last week removed the Mac mini's 256GB storage option, pushing its starting price from $599 to $799. Days later, it eliminated Mac mini models with 32GB and 64GB of RAM and stripped the M3 Ultra Mac Studio to a single 96GB configuration, with delivery estimates for remaining Studio models at 9 to 10 weeks. The ‌Mac Studio‌ had already lost its 512GB memory option in March, and multiple configurations became entirely unavailable in April. On Apple's April 30 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook acknowledged that both machines would be "hard to get for months to come" and said Apple expects "significantly higher memory costs" in the current quarter.

The MacBook Neo was sold out through April and Cook described demand on the earnings call as "off the charts." The ‌MacBook Neo‌ uses binned A18 Pro chips, adopting manufacturing rejects from the iPhone 16 lineup with one GPU core disabled, repurposed rather than discarded to keep costs low enough to hit the $599 price point.

Apple's initial production target is believed to be about five to six million units, but demand has since pushed the company to instruct suppliers to prepare for at least 10 million. TSMC's N3E production lines, where the A18 Pro was made, are now running at maximum capacity, with AI-related orders consuming much of the available output. A fresh manufacturing run for the A18 Pro would yield fully functional chips rather than defective ones, raising the per-unit cost before any expedited manufacturing premium is applied.

Apple is now said to be weighing up its options for the ‌MacBook Neo‌. The company is purportedly considering cutting the 256GB entry-level model, which would push the effective starting price up by $100 without changing any existing configuration's price, the same mechanism used with the ‌Mac mini‌. Separately, Apple may be considering new color options to soften any price increase.

Upcoming products are apparently being reshaped too. Weibo leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" has claimed in a series of posts that the standard iPhone 18 is being downgraded as a cost-cutting measure, with both display and chip specifications affected. Most recently, the leaker said certain parts are interchangeable between the ‌iPhone 18‌ and the lower-cost iPhone 18e. For context, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e differ meaningfully: the standard model has a larger ProMotion display, Dynamic Island, Ultra Wide camera, five-core GPU, and significantly better battery life, but it looks like there could be fewer differences with the next generation.

A follow-up post framed the new split launch strategy, under which the ‌iPhone 18‌ ships in spring 2027 rather than alongside the Pro models in the fall, as a deliberate commercial mechanism to smooth out demand. By extending the ‌iPhone 17‌'s flagship run, Apple is also said to be creating conditions under which a lower-specced successor will be more palatable. The split launch itself has been widely reported since last year, with Ming-Chi Kuo and Nikkei among those to have corroborated it.

The launch of the rumored all-new high-end MacBook Pro or "MacBook Ultra" with an OLED display and touchscreen has also apparently slipped. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said early 2027 is now looking more likely than late 2026 due to Apple's constrained memory supply.

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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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our answers to your listener questions about the future of Apple's product lineup, the software and services shaping the ecosystem, and our own personal histories with the company and its devices.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kayci Lacob, Kevin Nether, John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also email us at podcast@macrumors.com or head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Tag: The MacRumors Show
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple Now Requires UNiDAYS Verification for Education Discounts in U.S. and Canada, Adds Apple Watch https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-edu-store-unidays-verification-us/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-now-requires-unidays-verification-for-education-discounts-in-u-s-and-canada-adds-apple-watch.2482085/ Fri, 08 May 2026 07:15:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-edu-store-unidays-verification-us/ Juli Clover Apple Watch Featured

Apple is also adding the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 to its Education Store, which means students and teachers are now eligible for up to a 10 percent discount on Apple's most popular wearable.

Students and educators in the three countries can use the UNiDAYS app or website to verify their academic status with an email address from an educational institution, a student or staff photo ID, or another valid educational document.


Eligible customers who homeschool can also be verified by UNiDAYS. Verification requires an identity document like a driver's license or passport, and a homeschool document, such as a Letter of Intent or Letter of Acknowledgement. Most customers will be verified instantly, with UNiDAYS providing a decision in under 24 hours when manual review is required.


Once confirmed through UNiDAYS, students and educators in the U.S., Canada, and Chile will be able to purchase the Apple Watch and other Apple devices at Apple's discounted educational prices. Apple's Education Store offers special pricing on Macs, iPads, and the Studio Display, along with accessories like the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil.

Apple did not previously have an established academic status verification system in the U.S. or Canada, which meant that anyone could technically purchase from the Education Store. Apple's sales policies said that it routinely audited customer purchases to verify purchase conditions were followed. Apple briefly used UNiDAYS in the U.S. in 2022 to verify student status, but it was removed after a few days following complaints about issues with the verification process.

Apple's Education Store discounts are available to employees of K–12 institutions, faculty and staff of higher education institutions, students attending or accepted to higher education institutions, and parents purchasing on behalf of children attending or accepted to a higher education institution.

In addition to the U.S., Canada, and Chile, Apple has added the Apple Watch to the Education Store in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, France, Germany, India, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the UK.

Apple also expanded UNiDAYS verification requirements to Australia, Hong Kong, and Turkey yesterday.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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]]> Grok AI Voice Mode Arrives on Apple CarPlay https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/grok-ai-voice-mode-apple-carplay/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/grok-ai-voice-mode-arrives-on-apple-carplay.2482093/ Fri, 08 May 2026 05:41:19 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/grok-ai-voice-mode-apple-carplay/ Tim Hardwick CarPlay Grok Grok Voice mode for Apple CarPlay, allowing CarPlay users to ask the chatbot questions and make requests directly from their vehicle dashboard, handsfree.

grok
Previously, Grok for iPhone displayed a placeholder app in CarPlay saying the handsfree support would be coming soon. Grok comes built-in on Tesla vehicles, but now almost any other car can access it.

Apple started permitting third-party voice-driven conversational apps to integrate with ‌CarPlay‌ in iOS 26.4, but developers must add support for the feature and obtain a special entitlement from Apple.

Apple requires apps to use its voice control template for CarPlay. Whenever voice-based services are active, apps must display the voice control interface and can include up to four action buttons. However, Apple says chatbot apps should not show text or imagery in response to queries.

Grok Voice mode joins ChatGPT and Perplexity, which arrived on CarPlay in March and April, respectively.


‌CarPlay‌ has supported third-party apps for years, but Apple restricts the types of apps permitted on the platform to reduce driver distractions. Apple maintains a list of approved app categories, including audio, communication, EV charging, and navigation apps.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Grok
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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]]> Apple Warns Canada's Bill C-22 Could Force Encryption Backdoors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-warns-canada-bill-force-encryption-backdoors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-warns-canadas-bill-c-22-could-force-encryption-backdoors.2482088/ Fri, 08 May 2026 04:19:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/apple-warns-canada-bill-force-encryption-backdoors/ Tim Hardwick Apple Privacy Apple Security Canada Encryption

Proposed by Canada's ruling Liberal Party, Bill C-22 contains provisions that could be similar ​to a UK data access provision order sent to Apple last year, depending on how they are implemented.

Back in February 2025, the British government demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud. Apple refused, and instead pulled its Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature from the United Kingdom.

U.S. officials later said Britain had dropped the request after the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, raised concerns that it could violate a cloud data treaty and tap into US citizens' data.

Apple now finds itself in a similar standoff across the Atlantic. Canadian law enforcement ​officials say Bill C-22 would help them investigate security threats earlier and act more quickly. But Apple has pushed back against the proposed legislation. The company provided Reuters with the following statement:

"At a time of rising and pervasive threats ‌from malicious ⁠actors seeking access to user information, Bill C-22, as drafted, would undermine our ability to offer the powerful privacy and security features users expect from Apple. This legislation could allow the Canadian government to force companies to break encryption by inserting backdoors into their products – something Apple will never do."
Meta also argued that the bill contained "sweeping powers, minimal oversight, and lack of clear safeguards" that could end up making Canadians less safe, rather than more.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has consistently insisted that providing back-door access past its encryption for authorities would open the door for "bad guys" to gain access to its users' data. Cyber security experts agree that it would only be a matter of time before bad actors discover such a point of entry. Apple's stance was enhanced in 2016 when it successfully fought a US order to unlock the iPhone of a shooter in San Bernardino, California.

The Canadian bill is currently being debated in the House of Commons.
Tags: Apple Privacy, Apple Security, Canada, Encryption

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]]> Spotify Now Plays Personal Podcasts Generated by Your AI Agent https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/spotify-personal-podcasts-ai-agent/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/spotify-now-plays-personal-podcasts-generated-by-your-ai-agent.2482086/ Fri, 08 May 2026 03:26:36 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/08/spotify-personal-podcasts-ai-agent/ Tim Hardwick Spotify

After you install the Save to Spotify CLI from GitHub and sign into your Spotify account, you can prompt the agent to generate a custom audio piece, like a daily news digest, a study guide pulled from class notes, or a weekly itinerary. Once generated, it appears alongside your music and regular podcasts in Your Library.

Here's how Spotify frames it. From the company's newsroom post:
People are already starting to use their agents to create personal audio that guides their day: from summaries of class notes before an exam to briefings of what's on their calendar. And they're asking for a way to listen to it on Spotify, where they already listen to everything else.

Now, we're making it possible to save and play Personal Podcasts on Spotify. Your agent can generate a daily briefing, private to you, and it's saved alongside everything else in Your Library. And as always with Spotify, it's seamlessly integrated across the devices you use.
Spotify offers a few use case examples to get you started, such as a morning briefing that flags upcoming meetings, checks the weather, and recommends a commute podcast, or a progressively deeper audio series built from saved articles and personal notes for learning a new subject.

The feature remains in beta but is available worldwide to eligible Free and Premium subscribers, though Spotify cautions that there are usage limits during the testing period.

The CLI tool launch follows Spotify's release last month of a Claude integration that lets users connect their Spotify account to the chatbot and ask for personalized music and podcast recommendations directly in a conversation.
Tag: Spotify

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]]> OpenAI's Codex Now Works in Chrome With New Extension https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/openai-codex-chrome-extension/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/openais-codex-now-works-in-chrome-with-new-extension.2482075/ Thu, 07 May 2026 17:42:31 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/openai-codex-chrome-extension/ Juli Clover Chrome OpenAI

With the extension, Codex can use the browser to test web apps, get context across multiple tabs, use web DevTools, and more without taking over the browser from the user.

OpenAI says that after it launched Computer Use in the desktop Codex app, it saw that most common workflows happened in the browser. The Chrome extension should make it faster and easier for Codex to help with browser-based work that plugins or APIs can't handle.

According to OpenAI, Codex has more than 4 million weekly active users, an increase of 8x since the beginning of the year. The Chrome extension is part of OpenAI's broader effort to make Codex more useful for work people do daily, while keeping it useful for developers.

The Chrome extension can be installed through the Codex Plugins menu.
Tags: Chrome, OpenAI

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]]> Perplexity's New Mac App Brings Personal Computer to Pro Users https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/perplexity-mac-app-personal-computer/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/perplexitys-new-mac-app-brings-personal-computer-to-pro-users.2482072/ Thu, 07 May 2026 14:56:35 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/perplexity-mac-app-personal-computer/ Juli Clover Perplexity today launched a new Mac app with support for its hybrid local-cloud AI agent Personal Computer, plus it expanded Personal Computer access to Pro and Enterprise users, so it is no longer limited to just Max subscribers. Perplexity describes Personal Computer as a "personal orchestrator" that hybridizes local and server environments for security and productivity.


Personal Computer is available in the new Mac app, which Perplexity says gives users access to queries, conversations, and dictation. While all Mac users can download the new app, access to Personal Computer still requires a paid subscription.

Personal Computer can access the Mac's file system and native Mac apps to create and execute entire workflows, plus it can access the web. It can see active apps and work across any Mac app, but files are created in a secure sandbox, and its actions are auditable and reversible.

When paired with the Comet browser, Personal Computer can operate web-based tools without the need for direct connectors.

Pressing both Command keys on a Mac activates Personal Computer, and it responds to text or voice commands and displays useful quick actions automatically. Personal Computer can do things like complete each task on a to-do list, sort a messy downloads folder, compare local files against information on the web, and more.

Though it has access to what's on a user's Mac natively, Personal Computer processes intense tasks on Perplexity's servers, so a high-performance Mac isn't needed to run it. Personal Computer works on any Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, though Perplexity says running Personal Computer on a Mac mini creates the best experience because it allows the agent to run continuously.

Perplexity's older Mac app will be deprecated in the coming weeks.
Tag: Perplexity

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]]> Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 243 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-243/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-243-with-bug-fixes-and-performance-improvements.2482067/ Thu, 07 May 2026 14:03:19 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-243/ Juli Clover Blurb Safari Technology Preview released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.


‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 243 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility, Animations, CSS, Editing, Encoding, Forms, HTML, JavaScript, Media, Networking, PDF, Rendering, SVG, Scrolling, Spatial Web, UI, Web API, Web Extensions, Web Inspector, WebAssembly, WebGPU, and WebRTC.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser from Apple's website. Complete release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
Tag: Safari Technology Preview

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]]> Apple Faces £3 Billion UK Trial Over iCloud Lock-In Claims https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-icloud-lock-in-uk-lawsuit/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-faces-£3-billion-uk-trial-over-icloud-lock-in-claims.2482066/ Thu, 07 May 2026 13:57:01 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-icloud-lock-in-uk-lawsuit/ Juli Clover iCloud United Kingdom iCloud, to the detriment of third-party cloud storage providers. British consumer group Which? first filed the lawsuit in late 2024, and is asking for £3 billion for UK Apple customers.


Apple wanted to exclude non-paying ‌iCloud‌ users from the lawsuit, but the tribunal denied Apple's request in a 2 to 1 majority. The lawsuit will go to trial, and will cover both paying and non-paying ‌iCloud‌ customers.

Apple users get 5GB of free storage for photos, messages, and other content on the iPhone, but are encouraged to subscribe to Apple's higher-tier ‌iCloud‌ storage options when the 5GB limit is exceeded. Which? claims that Apple favors its own cloud storage option, and makes it difficult for customers to use alternative cloud storage providers.

Which? sued Apple on behalf of all Apple ‌iCloud‌ users in the UK, regardless of whether they pay for an ‌iCloud‌ subscription plan. Normally, a customer that has not lost anything would not be eligible for a damages payment, but Which? has taken a unique approach.

The tribunal said the lawsuit raises a "novel" legal question, because it is not aware of another case where damages have been requested for "forgone consumer surplus." Forgone Consumer Surplus (FCS) is a legal theory that in this case argues people who were priced out of an ‌iCloud‌ subscription because of Apple's alleged market abuse have suffered a tangible loss because they did not have the opportunity to buy a service they wanted at a fair price in a competitive market.

The 200GB ‌iCloud‌ tier that costs £2.99 might have only cost £1.99 at a "fair" price, for example. Which? argues that a customer who would have theoretically paid £1.99 for the service but was not able to do so because the actual £2.99 price was unaffordable suffered a £1 loss, even though the customer paid nothing. Lawsuits for damages are usually more straightforward, covering paying customers who experienced clear harm from inflated pricing.

While two members of the tribunal sided with Which?, the other took Apple's side. The justice who argued against FCS warned that the case could lead to a flood of cases with secondary claims from non-purchasers based on hypothetical willingness-to-pay calculations.

Apple owes no damages at this point, and is now facing a trial to determine whether it abused its position and gave ‌iCloud‌ preferential treatment on iOS.

All UK consumers who are eligible are automatically included in the claim unless they opt out. Eligible consumers include those who obtained ‌iCloud‌ services from November 8, 2018, to the present. Which? estimates that Apple could owe UK customers an average payout of £70.

Which? wants Apple to settle the claim without litigation by offering consumers their money back and opening up iOS to let users choose a cloud provider.
Tags: iCloud, United Kingdom
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

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]]> Apple Reportedly Working on All-New AirTag-Sized Wearable With iPhone Integration https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-still-working-on-pendant-report/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-reportedly-working-on-all-new-airtag-sized-wearable-with-iphone-integration.2482061/ Thu, 07 May 2026 12:47:50 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/07/apple-still-working-on-pendant-report/ Joe Rossignol AirTag Apple Pendant Bloomberg Mark Gurman Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


In a report today, Gurman said development of the all-new wearable accessory trails AirPods with cameras, which have apparently reached an advanced testing stage.

Apple also continues to work on smart glasses, according to his report.

Given the report was focused on the AirPods with cameras, no further details were provided about the pendant or the smart glasses. However, he has shared many details about the two products in his previous reporting, as recapped below.

Gurman previously described the pendant as an "AirTag-sized" accessory that would be reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin. However, it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product.

Humane AI Pin

The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice commands, but it would lack a display and laser projector, according to the report. The pendant is said to have its own chip, but performance is limited, so the device will apparently rely heavily on a paired iPhone for processing.

Apple is said to be debating whether to add a speaker to the accessory.

The pendant would attach to a person's clothing with a clip, or you could insert a cord or chain into a hole in the device and wear it as a necklace.

In January, The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu were first to report about Apple's so-called AI pin or pendant project, which remains in an early stage of development inside the company. According to both reports, the device could launch as early as 2027, but there is still a chance the project could be canceled.

The pendant would likely work with some of iOS 27's revamped Siri features.

As for the smart glasses, he said Apple plans to unveil them in late 2026 or early 2027, but that they will not be released until next year either way.

Like the Meta Ray-Bans, Gurman said Apple's glasses will have built-in cameras that let users capture photos and videos. He also expects the glasses to have speakers and microphones for music, phone calls, and notifications announced by Siri.


Apple is apparently focused on tight iPhone integration and premium build quality.

He did not provide too many details about the iPhone integration, but he does expect the cameras on the glasses to be able to feed data to Siri and Apple Intelligence, and this should help to improve features such as turn-by-turn walking directions.

As for build quality, he said Apple is designing its own plastic frames, with the company allegedly testing at least four potential designs:
  • A larger rectangular frame, similar to Ray-Ban's Wayfarers

  • A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook

  • Larger oval or circular frames

  • Smaller oval or circular frames
Apple is exploring a range of color options, including black, ocean blue, and light brown, and the glasses may have vertically-oriented oval camera lenses, he said.

Meta uses glasses frames from Ray-Ban, the popular brand owned by Italian company EssilorLuxottica, while Google and Samsung are reportedly working on smart glasses in partnership with the American eyewear company Warby Parker.

Unlike the latest generation of Meta Ray-Bans, Gurman does not expect Apple's first smart glasses to be equipped with an in-lens augmented reality display.
Related Roundup: AirTag
Tags: Apple Pendant, Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)

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