MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Tue, 19 May 2026 16:26:16 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Plex Tripling Lifetime Plex Pass Price to $750 in July https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/lifetime-plex-pass-price-increase/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/plex-tripling-lifetime-plex-pass-price-to-750-in-july.2482621/ Tue, 19 May 2026 15:53:39 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/lifetime-plex-pass-price-increase/ Juli Clover Plex today said that it is increasing the price of its Lifetime Plex Pass option to $750, which is a $500 increase from the current $250 price tag.


Plex said that the updated price reflects the "real, ongoing value" of the software that it plans to build and maintain. The company has considered removing the Lifetime Plex Pass because recurring subscriptions pay for long-term development, but Plex wants to continue to offer it because it's a "valuable option" for many in the Plex community.
Over the years, as our software and product has evolved, the breadth of features and benefits included with your Plex Pass has expanded. This increase ensures we can continue to invest resources into building and maintaining the Plex personal media software, while continuing to offer a Lifetime option.
For those unfamiliar with Plex, it is media server software that lets users stream their library of content from a device with the server software installed to any other connected smartphone, tablet, or TV. The Plex Pass unlocks features like server management, hardware transcoding, offline downloads, mobile syncing, remote streaming, and more.

Plex previously increased the cost of the Lifetime Plex Pass from $120 to $250 in March 2025.

Plex customers who previously bought a Lifetime Plex Pass will still be able to access the benefits and perks associated with a Plex Pass with no change. Customers can purchase a Lifetime Plex Pass for $250 prior to when the price changes.

Plex is also not increasing the price of its subscription Plex Pass, which is $7 per month or $70 per year.

In addition to announcing the upcoming price change to the Lifetime Plex Pass, Plex shared its roadmap. It is working to implement improvements to downloads like grouping by show, and updates to its mobile apps.

The Lifetime Plex Pass price increase will go into effect on July 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. UTC.
Tag: Plex

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]]> Google's First AI Smart Glasses Launching This Fall With iPhone Support https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/google-ai-smart-glasses-iphone-support/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/googles-first-ai-smart-glasses-launching-this-fall-with-iphone-support.2482618/ Tue, 19 May 2026 14:34:12 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/google-ai-smart-glasses-iphone-support/ Juli Clover Google

The glasses will run Android XR, which is Google's platform for smart glasses and AR/VR headsets. There are cameras, speakers, and microphones in the glasses, but there is no display in the lenses.


Google previewed two of the designs coming from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, though there will be other options. Google says the two companies will have "full collections" available when the glasses launch.

The glasses support Gemini AI, with Gemini integrated into all of the available features. Users will be able to say "Hey Google" or tap the side of the frame to bring up Gemini, and Google says the AI can do the following:

  • Gives information about what the wearer sees, like reviews for a restaurant nearby, the name of a cloud formation, or details on a confusing parking sign.

  • Offer sight-based navigation with turn-by-turn directions. Gemini can add stops or locate nearby locations like restaurants based on user preferences.

  • Manage calls, send texts, and summarize messages.

  • Listen to music.

  • Capture photos and videos and edit them with Google's Nano Banana AI image editing engine.

  • Translate speech and writing in real time.

  • Complete multi-step tasks like ordering coffee via DoorDash.

  • Use apps on a connected smartphone with voice-based commands.


Google says that its upcoming glasses will be able to work with iPhones in addition to Android smartphones.

Apple is working on its own AI smart glasses that are expected to have similar capabilities, but rumors suggest Apple's glasses won't be ready until 2027.

In the future, Google plans to launch "display glasses" that have a small display in the lens to relay information from Gemini, but that product is not coming until later.
Tag: Google

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]]> Nintendo's New 'Pictonico' iOS Game Turns Your Photos Into Minigames https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/nintendo-pictonico-ios-game/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/nintendos-new-pictonico-ios-game-turns-your-photos-into-minigames.2482612/ Tue, 19 May 2026 13:25:47 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/nintendo-pictonico-ios-game/ Juli Clover Nintendo new mobile game called Pictonico, which is set to launch on Thursday, May 28. Pictonico turns photos into minigames like those you see in WarioWare.


The app's website features players taking photos of themselves and their friends, with the app altering the photos in different ways. In one example, the person's mouth opens up widely to chomp on corn with a tap, and in another, a person is bundled up with a mummy and the goal is to unwrap the mummy.


There are 80 minigames to play through, at normal, high-speed, and danger zone speeds that make gameplay more challenging. As players progress through the levels, the game will get more difficult. Pictonico can use photos from the Photo Library, or photos taken with the iPhone's camera from the game interface. Nintendo says that photos remain on device and are not sent to its servers.

Pictonico was co-developed with Intelligent Systems, which is the studio that created the WarioWare game series.

According to Nintendo, the game is free to try, with three minigames available at no cost. Unlocking the "Volume 1" games costs $7.99, while a "Volume 2" series is available for $5.99.

Pictonico is available for pre-order from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Tag: Nintendo

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]]> Google I/O 2026 Roundup: Gemini 3.5, AI Search, Android XR Glasses, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/google-io-2026-roundup/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/google-i-o-2026-roundup-gemini-3-5-ai-search-android-xr-glasses-and-more.2482608/ Tue, 19 May 2026 12:04:45 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/google-io-2026-roundup/ Juli Clover Featured Android Gemini Google Google I/O

We've rounded up everything Google announced at I/O across its product lineup.

Gemini



  • Gemini Omni - Gemini Omni is a new model that can create anything from any input, and that is better at simulating gravity and kinetic energy. It combines Gemini intelligence with generative models like Nano Banana and Veo. It supports conversational language video editing, and allows users to upload videos and edit any element in the video. Omni is starting with video, but Google's Demis Hassabis says it will eventually be able to create any output from any input.

  • Gemini Omni Flash - Gemini Omni Flash is the first Omni model that Google is releasing, and it is available starting today in the Gemini app.

  • Gemini 3.5 Flash - Gemini 3.5 Flash is a new model that Google's Sundar Pichai said combines frontier intelligence with action. Flash is better across almost all benchmarks compared to 3.1 Pro, and it is "comparable to the best models" but faster. Gemini 3.5 Flash is available for everyone today across Google's products and APIs.

  • Gemini 3.5 Pro - Google is testing Gemini 3.5 Pro internally, and it's coming next month.

  • Gemini App - Google redesigned the Gemini app with a new Neural Expressive design language that's rolling out today on desktop, iOS, and Android. It features fluid animations, vibrant colors, haptic feedback, and new typography. It's also getting custom regional dialects in the next few months. Gemini Omni is available for paid Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers in the Gemini app today, making it easier to create and edit videos.

  • AI Agents for Gemini - Gemini is getting AI agents, like a Daily Brief agent that presents users with a customized daily digest. Daily Brief is rolling out today for paid subscribers.

  • Gemini Mac App - Mac users will be able to select a bunch of images and documents in Finder, and then press the Function key to give Gemini a voice command on what to do with the files. Google's demo involved sending an email to a dog kennel with the dog's information and image, with info pulled from Finder to generate an email using Gmail in Chrome. Voice support and Gemini Spark are coming to the Gemini Mac app this summer.

  • Gemini for Science - Gemini for Science is a collection of science tools, and there's also a Co-Scientist collaborative AI research partner.


AI Content Identification



  • Identifying AI-generated Images - C2PA content credentials are coming to Gemini and Chrome. Google's tools can tell if an image was captured with a camera or made with AI, and can determine whether an image captured with a camera was edited with AI. Users will be able to right-click on an image in Chrome and ask Gemini whether it was generated with AI.


Antigravity



  • Antigravity 2.0 - Google is launching a new agent-first Antigravity 2.0 app for the desktop that uses Gemini 3.5 Flash. Antigravity is Google's coding tool, and the equivalent of Copilot, Codex, and Claude Code. Gemini 3.5 Flash is 12x faster in Antigravity, which optimizes token use. Antigravity 2.0 is available globally for everyone.


Gemini Spark



  • Gemini Spark - Gemini Spark is a personal AI agent that helps users navigate their digital life. Gemini Spark runs on virtual machines through Google Cloud, and it is able to operate 24/7, with no need to have a laptop open for it to run. It's accessible through the Gemini app, but there will also be options to email or message it. It uses Gemini 3.5 Flash and Antigravity to work on long-running tasks in the background. It integrates with Google tools now, and Google is debuting MCP support for third-party apps in the coming weeks. Gemini Spark can do multi-step ongoing tasks, planning out subtasks and going through the steps. Gemini Spark will be available for Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. next week, and it will work with Chrome later this summer.


Google Search



  • Google Search - Google Search AI Mode and AI Overviews now use Gemini 3.5 Flash. "Google Search is AI Search," was Google's messaging. There's a new Google Search box that's been reimagined with AI, and it changes based on how you're using it and goes "beyond autocomplete" to help you better ask questions. The search box supports images, files, videos, and Chrome tabs as input in addition to text. Pichai said it's the biggest upgrade to the search box in over 25 years, and it's rolling out today. Google is also combining AI Overviews and AI Mode into one interface.

  • Agents in Search - Search is gaining support for creating and managing multiple AI agents. It can keep users updated on what's going on in the world, like changes in the stock market, and send alerts. Search will be able to monitor changes on webpages, so users can get alerts on things like sneaker drops. Information Agents are coming to search in the summer, and Google plans to add more agents.

  • Coding in Search - Agentic coding capabilities are coming to Search. Search will be able to build a custom response on the fly with dynamic layouts, interactive widgets, and more for queries. It uses Antigravity and 3.5 Flash. Search can create tools, trackers, widgets, and dashboards. Generative UI in Search is rolling out this summer for everyone with no charge. Antigravity in Search for building custom experiences is coming in the summer for subscribers first.

  • Shopping in Search - Google has a new Universal Cart coming this summer to Search and the Gemini app. It's an intelligent shopping cart that works across merchants and services. You can add things to the cart when reading Gmail, watching YouTube, or browsing the web, then check out on Google or on third-party retailer sites. Google has a Universal Commerce Protocol and an Agents Payment Protocol for agentic shopping. The payments feature lets AI agents make payments on your behalf using parameters that you set like a brand and price. It's coming to Gemini Spark later this year.


YouTube



  • Ask YouTube - YouTube is getting an Ask YouTube feature, which is similar to the Ask Maps AI feature. It uses Gemini and lets users ask questions. It supports context and follow-up questions, and it's in testing now. It will roll out broadly in the United States this summer.


Google Docs



  • Docs Live - With AI integration in Docs Live, users can speak or write parameters of what they need, and Gemini can create a document. Google's Sundar Pichai said users could "brain dump" and then let Gemini "do the rest." The feature supports text-based commands for creating and editing content.


Hardware



  • Android XR Audio Glasses - The first Android XR audio glasses are coming this fall, providing all-day access to Gemini with responses privately spoken into the wearer's ear. The glasses can be used for taking photos, listening to music, making calls, and tapping into apps. Google worked with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on the design of the glasses, and Samsung on hardware. The glasses will pair with Android and iOS devices.


Miscellaneous Announcements



  • Google AI Ultra Plan - Google has a new $100 Ultra plan, and it's dropping the price of its top-tier Ultra plan from $250 to $200.

  • Android AI Agents - Android Halo lets Android users keep an eye on AI agents, and it shows activity at the top of an Android device. It's coming to Android later this year.

  • Google Pics - Google Pics is Google's new image generating and editing tool in Google Workspace. It can create posters, flyers, infographics, and more, similar to Canva. Content is watermarked with SynthID. Pics is rolling out this summer.

  • Stitch - Stitch is Google's Figma-like tool that lets users build apps and websites. This year, Google is adding real-time collaborative design with Stitch Agent, exports to Antigravity, and publishing directly to Netlify.

  • Google Flow - Google Flow, Google's "AI creative studio" for creatives, is getting Gemini Omni, AI agents for executing multiple actions at once, and custom tools with Flow Tools. New Google Flow features are available today.


Many of Google's new features are rolling out today, with the rest planned for later this year. Apple is going to hold its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and that's when we'll see if Apple debuts equivalent features.
Tags: Android, Gemini, Google, Google I/O

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]]> Apple Sports App Updated With 2026 World Cup Features, Expands to 90 More Countries https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-sports-app-2026-world-cup/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-sports-app-updated-with-2026-world-cup-features-expands-to-90-more-countries.2482601/ Tue, 19 May 2026 10:18:30 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-sports-app-2026-world-cup/ Joe Rossignol Apple Sports FIFA World Cup announced that its Apple Sports app is now available in more than 90 additional countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and many others across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.


The app was already released in North America, South America, and Europe. In total, it is now available in 170 countries and regions around the world.

Apple also said the app offers these 2026 FIFA World Cup features:

  • Tournament bracket view: The clean, scrollable view of matchups and results for each round allows fans to easily track a team's progression from the group stage through their final match.
  • Visual formations: Enhanced game cards feature visual formations for each team's starting lineup to provide deeper tactical insight ahead of each match.
  • One tap to Apple News: Apple News connects fans directly to comprehensive editorial coverage, including the latest headlines.
Apple Sports supports the Live Activities feature, allowing users to follow their favorite World Cup teams and keep track of scores for each match at a glance on the iPhone's Lock Screen or Dynamic Island, and on the Apple Watch.

"The World Cup unites fans across the globe, making it the ideal moment to bring Apple Sports to even more users," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, Apple TV, and Beats. "Apple Sports was designed to be fast and simple, giving fans an easy way to stay on top of scores, stats, and the action that matters most in real time."

The app remains available on the iPhone only.
Tags: Apple Sports, FIFA, World Cup

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]]> Apple 'Shakes Up' Oversight of Product Design Ahead of CEO Change https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-shaking-up-product-design/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-shakes-up-oversight-of-product-design-ahead-of-ceo-change.2482596/ Tue, 19 May 2026 09:55:36 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-shaking-up-product-design/ Joe Rossignol Bloomberg John Ternus Johny Srouji Mark Gurman new role as Chief Hardware Officer, Apple's longtime chipmaking chief Johny Srouji has reorganized the company's hardware development leadership "to speed up work on future devices," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The reshuffling is aimed at bringing chip and product development closer together.

"The hardware shake-up is also meant to better integrate teams working on in-house silicon with those creating products," explained Gurman.

The report said oversight of Apple's product design is moving from Kate Bergeron to two of her longtime deputies: Shelly Goldberg and Dave Pakula. Goldberg was already in charge of Mac product design, while Pakula led Apple Watch, iPad, and AirPods product design, but now they will oversee all of Apple's products.

Apple's product design group is distinct from the industrial design group, the report explained.

"Industrial design drives the overall vision and appearance of new devices, while product design focuses on translating those concepts into actual products that can be shipped to consumers," said Gurman.

Bergeron is gaining oversight of product reliability across all Apple devices, and she will continue to lead the team overseeing which materials are used for products.

With John Ternus set to become Apple CEO on September 1, the report said two of Ternus' former deputies will now report directly to Srouji: Matt Costello, who has led development of Apple's home and audio products, and Kevin Lynch, who runs a special projects group focused on the development of robotics devices.

The report outlines many other role changes, with the reorganization sounding quite significant overall heading into the Ternus era of Apple.
Tags: Bloomberg, John Ternus, Johny Srouji, Mark Gurman

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]]> Apple Taps Virtual Avatar Firm Animato's Expertise and Intellectual Property https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-acquires-animato/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-taps-virtual-avatar-firm-animatos-expertise-and-intellectual-property.2482614/ Tue, 19 May 2026 09:07:43 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-acquires-animato/ Tim Hardwick Animato Apple Acquisition MacRumors.


The acquisition was filed under the EU's Digital Markets Act in January 2026, and appears to be what's known as a "structured acqui-hire." In other words, Apple is able to make employment offers to certain Animato employees and receive a non-exclusive license to the company's intellectual property, as well as acquire its patent applications.
Apple Inc. ("Apple") will have the right to make employment offers to and hire certain employees of Animato, Inc. ("Animato"), receive a non-exclusive license to Animato's intellectual property rights, and acquire Animato's patent applications. Animato develops and distributes software that creates virtual avatars for video chats and tutoring.
Animato was founded in October 2022 by Francesco Rossi, who previously spent seven years at Apple before leaving to start the company.

Animato is best known for a free app called "Call Annie," which launched in April 2023, and gave ChatGPT a real-time animated avatar face, allowing users to have video-style conversations with the AI chatbot.

The app later moved into language learning by offering avatar tutors for practicing English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, and Korean through video conversations.

Animato also came out with a macOS virtual camera app called Animato Studio that let users make themselves appear as fantasy figures and anime avatars during video calls and live streams.

Both App Store listings have since been removed following the acquisition, and the Call Annie website says the app has been discontinued.

It's Apple's second acquisition of a digital avatar company in just over a year. In January 2025, Apple acquired technology, IP, and physical assets from TrueMeeting, a company specializing in the development of digital avatar technology for meetings.

Apple already offers avatar-style technology with Memoji on iPhone and its Personas feature on Apple Vision Pro, the latter of which generates a realistic digital representation of the user for FaceTime calls.
Tags: Animato, Apple Acquisition

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]]> Apple's First Retail Stores Opened 25 Years Ago Today https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/first-apple-stores-opened-25-years-ago/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apples-first-retail-stores-opened-25-years-ago-today.2482589/ Tue, 19 May 2026 08:16:16 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/first-apple-stores-opened-25-years-ago/ Hartley Charlton Featured Retail


Steve Jobs personally guided members of the press through the Tysons Corner store four days before it opened, after Apple announced the retail initiative on May 15. Some 500 visitors lined up before dawn on opening day, with the queue growing to over 1,000 by the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. The two stores, located at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Virginia and Glendale Galleria in California, welcomed over 7,700 visitors and recorded $599,000 in combined sales across their opening weekend.

The decision to enter brick-and-mortar retail came at a precarious moment for Apple. With a market share hovering around 2.8%, the company was struggling to showcase its products through third-party retailers, where Macs were routinely relegated to dusty corners staffed by clerks with limited product knowledge. Jobs believed Apple would never shed its "cult" image unless it controlled the entire customer experience right down to the point of purchase. As he told Walter Isaacson for his biography: "Unless we could find ways to get our message to customers at the store, we were screwed."

To lead the retail push, Jobs recruited Ron Johnson, who had transformed Target's image with his designer merchandise line. Together they refined the store concept in a secret warehouse prototype, working through every detail from the single-entrance layout to the Genius Bar, which Johnson modeled on the service experience at Ritz-Carlton hotels. Gap CEO Mickey Drexler, who had joined Apple's board in 1999, also played a key role in shaping the retail vision.



Skepticism was widespread at the time. Apple's sales had dropped 29% the previous year, Gateway had just shuttered 40 of its own stores, and Channel Marketing analyst David Goldstein publicly predicted Apple would be "turning out the lights on a very painful and expensive mistake" within two years.

By 2003, Apple was recording $3 million in profit per store, per quarter, with approximately 60,000 visitors at each location. Apple Retail hit $1.2 billion in revenue in 2004, breaking the record for the fastest retail operation to reach a billion-dollar milestone. The company today operates more than 500 stores across 27 countries, with each location generating approximately $5,500 per square foot annually, among the highest figures in the retail industry.

The original Tysons Corner store relocated and reopened in a larger, redesigned space within the same mall in May 2023. Apple retail stores in both Tysons Corner and Glendale Galleria locations remain open today.
Tag: Retail

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]]> Best Buy Hosts Memorial Day Sale With Notable Apple and Tech Deals https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/best-buy-memorial-day-sale-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-buy-hosts-memorial-day-sale-with-notable-apple-and-tech-deals.2482586/ Tue, 19 May 2026 07:41:06 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/best-buy-memorial-day-sale-2/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured Memorial Day sale this week, with notable markdowns on Apple devices, TVs, headphones and speakers, monitors, appliances, and much more. This sale is set to last through Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, and you don't need to be a My Best Buy Plus or Total member to see the deals.

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

In terms of Apple devices, you can find solid deals on MacBook Air, iPad, MacBook Pro, Beats accessories, and more. In most cases Best Buy is offering same day pick-up on these products, and there are several free shipping options as well.

SITEWIDE SALE
Best Buy Memorial Day Sale


Some of the biggest discounts you'll find in Best Buy's Memorial Day Sale are on TVs, with major savings from popular brands like Insignia, Samsung, and LG. Best Buy has Samsung's popular line of The Frame TVs on sale, including the 65-inch 2025 model for $999.99 ($600 off) and the 65-inch The Frame Pro for $1,499.99 ($400 off), both of which match record low prices.

Apple



TVs



Monitors



Audio




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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]]> WhatsApp Begins Rolling Out Redesigned Media Share Sheet on iOS https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/whatsapp-redesigned-media-share-sheet-ios/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/whatsapp-begins-rolling-out-redesigned-media-share-sheet-on-ios.2482588/ Tue, 19 May 2026 07:31:07 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/whatsapp-redesigned-media-share-sheet-ios/ Tim Hardwick WABetaInfo WhatsApp

Usually in WhatsApp, sharing media within a chat requires you to tap a plus button to reveal the app's custom share sheet, and then tap into photos to see your full library, which takes over most of the screen.

As spotted by app tinkerer WABetaInfo, the updated media sharing interface makes it easier to directly browse recent photos and videos without losing the thread of the conversation, thanks to a new recents section.

The recents section appears under the share menu icons as a compact 4x4 grid that acts as a horizontal strip that you can swipe through. If you keep scrolling to the end of the strip and still can't find what you're looking for, WhatsApp expands the view and reveals the full media gallery. It can also be quickly invoked by pressing and holding on the plus button in the input bar.

The new interface is showing up for some users of the latest WhatsApp for iOS 26.19.75, but not everyone who updates will see it immediately. It seems WhatsApp is still testing performance before a global rollout for iPhone users.


The latest change follows the recent introduction of WhatsApp's new Plus subscription for power users on iOS. It takes away nothing of the existing free functionality, but adds things like premium sticker packs, new interface colors, and new icons.
Tags: WABetaInfo, WhatsApp

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]]> Apple Re-Releases a Sold-Out iPhone MagSafe Grip in Three New Colors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-selling-iphone-grip-in-three-new-colors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-re-releases-a-sold-out-iphone-magsafe-grip-in-three-new-colors.2482585/ Tue, 19 May 2026 06:32:50 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-selling-iphone-grip-in-three-new-colors/ Joe Rossignol Accessibility Hikawa MagSafe PopSockets 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.

Apple says the grip is made with "premium silicone with a soft touch feel."


Given the accessory is no longer a limited-edition product and is now being mass produced by PopSockets, hopefully supply will be more plentiful this time around. At the time of this writing, Apple's online store in the U.S. is currently showing mid-June delivery estimates for the grip, so there is still a one-month wait.
Tags: Accessibility, Hikawa, MagSafe, PopSockets

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]]> Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses On Sale for Up to 25% Off This Week https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/ray-ban-meta-glasses-sale/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-on-sale-for-up-to-25-off-this-week.2482583/ Tue, 19 May 2026 06:31:10 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/ray-ban-meta-glasses-sale/ Mitchel Broussard Deals major discount across numerous retailers this week, taking 15 percent off the second generation Meta smart glasses, and 25 percent off the first generation. We're tracking these deals at Amazon and Best Buy below, and they are set to last through May 26.

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.

Starting with the new Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2), you can get these sunglasses starting at $322.15, down from $379.00. Both Amazon and Best Buy have this deal, along with numerous other options with different lens colors and frame colors.

$57 OFF
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) Wayfarer for $322.15


For the first generation models, you can get the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer for $223.99, down from $299.00. Both models have a free delivery estimated by the end of this week, with many locations offering same-day delivery on Amazon as well.

$75 OFF
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Wayfarer for $223.99


The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses allow you to take hands-free photos and short videos, listen to music, make phone calls, and ask Meta AI questions. You can also livestream directly through Instagram or Facebook with the glasses.

The big difference between each generation is in improved photo and video quality on the gen 2, plus better battery life. 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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]]> Fortnite Returns to the App Store Worldwide as Epic Signals 'Final Battle' With Apple https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/fortnite-returns-to-app-store-worldwide/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/fortnite-returns-to-the-app-store-worldwide-as-epic-signals-final-battle-with-apple.2482581/ Tue, 19 May 2026 06:08:22 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/fortnite-returns-to-app-store-worldwide/ Hartley Charlton Featured Apple Antitrust App Store Australia Epic Games Epic Games vs. Apple App Store in every country except Australia, Epic Games announced today, as the company declared it is entering the "final battle" of its long-running legal dispute with Apple.


Epic said the decision to push Fortnite back onto iOS globally was prompted by Apple's own words to the U.S. Supreme Court, in which Apple acknowledged that "regulators around the world are watching this case to determine what commission rate Apple may charge on covered purchases in huge markets outside the United States." Epic CEO Tim Sweeney framed the move as a strategic provocation, writing on X that the return marks "the beginning of the end of the Apple Tax worldwide."

The return follows Fortnite's reinstatement to the U.S. App Store in May 2025 after nearly five years off the platform. The return was forced after District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers threatened to require the Apple official overseeing app decisions to appear in court, which prompted Apple to approve the submission. Today's worldwide rollout extends that comeback to most remaining markets, with Epic expressing confidence that an upcoming court-ordered transparency process will expose what the company calls Apple's "junk fees."

Apple knows the U.S. federal court will force it to be transparent about how it charges its App Store fees. Fortnite is returning to the App Store now because we are confident that once Apple is forced to show its costs, governments around the world will not allow Apple junk fees to stand.


In late April, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a stay that had allowed Apple to pause its compliance with rulings on ‌App Store‌ fees, sending the case back to Judge Gonzalez Rogers to determine what commission Apple can charge on purchases made via external links, if any.

Epic said it will "continue to challenge Apple's anticompetitive ‌App Store‌ practices of banning alternative app stores and competition in payments," pointing to regulatory momentum in Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. The company alleged that Apple has "evaded the laws with scare screens, fees and onerous requirements" in each of those jurisdictions.

Australia is the one major market where Fortnite has not returned. Epic said it won its court case there and that an Australian court found many of Apple's developer terms to be unlawful, but Apple continues to enforce those terms regardless. Epic said it cannot return "under an illegal payment arrangement" and is waiting for a court order to compel Apple to comply.
Tags: Apple Antitrust, App Store, Australia, Epic Games, Epic Games vs. Apple

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]]> Apple Previews New Accessibility Features Powered by Apple Intelligence https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/new-accessibility-features-with-apple-intelligence/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-previews-new-accessibility-features-powered-by-apple-intelligence.2482579/ Tue, 19 May 2026 05:26:11 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/new-accessibility-features-with-apple-intelligence/ Hartley Charlton Featured iOS 27 Accessibility Apple Intelligence MagSafe Accessories announced a suite of accessibility updates that use Apple Intelligence to expand capabilities across VoiceOver, Magnifier, Voice Control, and Accessibility Reader, with additional new features for generated subtitles and wheelchair control via Apple Vision Pro.


‌Apple Intelligence‌ powers several of the new features coming later this year:


  • VoiceOver Image Explorer uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to produce more detailed descriptions of images throughout the system, including photographs, scanned bills, and personal records. Users can also press the Action button on the iPhone to ask questions about what the camera viewfinder sees, with follow-up questions supported in natural language.

  • Magnifier brings Apple Intelligence-powered visual descriptions to its high-contrast interface for users with low vision, also accessible via the Action button, with support for spoken commands like "zoom in" or "turn on flashlight."

  • Voice Control gains natural language input so users can describe onscreen elements conversationally, such as "tap the guide about best restaurants" or "tap the purple folder," rather than memorizing exact label names or numbers. Apple says the feature can also help where on-screen elements lack proper accessibility labels.

  • Accessibility Reader gains support for more complex document layouts including scientific articles with multiple columns, images, and tables, plus on-demand summaries and built-in translation that retains a user's custom font, color, and formatting preferences.

  • Generated Subtitles use on-device speech recognition to automatically transcribe spoken audio in uncaptioned video content, including clips recorded on iPhone, received from friends and family, or streamed online, across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and ‌Apple Vision Pro‌. Initially available in English in the U.S. and Canada.

  • Power Wheelchair Control for Apple Vision Pro uses the headset's precision eye-tracking system as an alternative input method for users who cannot operate a joystick, launching with support for the Tolt and LUCI alternative drive systems in the U.S. via Bluetooth and wired connections.



Apple shared a video about the new Voiceover feature:



Apple also announced a number of smaller additions coming later this year:

  • Vehicle Motion Cues are coming to visionOS to help reduce motion sickness when using Vision Pro as a passenger in a moving vehicle.

  • Apple Vision Pro will support face gestures for performing taps and system actions, plus a new way to select elements with one's eyes while using Dwell Control.

  • Made for iPhone hearing aids will gain more reliable pairing and handoff between Apple devices, with an improved setup experience across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.

  • Name Recognition, which notifies users who are deaf or hard of hearing if someone says their name, expands to more than 50 languages globally.

  • Larger Text support is coming to tvOS, allowing viewers with low vision to increase onscreen text size.

  • Sony Access controller is gaining support as a game controller on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, with full button and thumbstick customization and support for combining two controllers.

  • FaceTime gains a new API allowing sign language interpretation app developers to add a human interpreter to an ongoing video call.

  • Touch Accommodations gain a new way to personalize setup in iOS and iPadOS.



Starting today, the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone, an adaptive MagSafe accessory designed by Los Angeles-based designer Bailey Hikawa, is available globally in three new colors via the Apple Store online. The accessory was developed in collaboration with individuals with disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility, and is now available internationally via a partnership with PopSockets.

All of the announced features are expected to arrive later this year. Voice Control's natural language capabilities will be available in English in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Today's announcement is part of Apple's annual tradition of previewing upcoming accessibility features ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which falls on the third Thursday of May each year. While no firm release date is given for the features, they typically arrive with Apple's new operating system updates in the fall. This year that means iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, tvOS 27, and visionOS 27, all of which are expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June before shipping in September.
Related Roundup: iOS 27
Tags: Accessibility, Apple Intelligence, MagSafe Accessories

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]]> India Refuses to Let Apple Pause App Store Antitrust Case https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/india-refuses-to-let-apple-pause-app-store-case/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/india-refuses-to-let-apple-pause-app-store-antitrust-case.2482578/ Tue, 19 May 2026 04:49:35 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/india-refuses-to-let-apple-pause-app-store-case/ Hartley Charlton Apple Antitrust App Store India App Store practices, rejecting the company's attempt to put the case on hold (via Reuters).


The Delhi High Court ruling keeps a probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) alive, which found in 2024 that Apple had abused its dominant position in the iPhone apps market. The CCI wants Apple's financial data to calculate potential penalties, but Apple has refused to hand it over so far.

Apple's argument is largely procedural; it is separately challenging the legality of India's penalty framework in court, and says the CCI should wait until that challenge is resolved. India's updated competition law allows fines to be based on a company's global revenue rather than just local earnings, which given Apple's scale could mean enormous exposure.

The court did not give Apple the pause it wanted, but it did prevent the CCI from issuing a final ruling before July 15, buying the company some time. Apple also succeeded in getting certain documents placed on the legal record, though the court order didn't say what they were.

India is one of Apple's most important growth markets. Counterpoint Research puts the company's iPhone market share there at 9%, up from just 4% two years ago. Apple has also been ramping up iPhone manufacturing in the country through Foxconn and Tata as it reduces its dependence on China. A hostile regulatory environment complicates that ambition.

It is also the latest front in a years-long global battle over ‌App Store‌ rules. Apple faces similar scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe, where regulators and courts have pushed back on its control over app distribution and in-app payments.
Tags: Apple Antitrust, App Store, India

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]]> Apple Still Developing Liquid Metal for Future iPhone Pro Frames https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-liquid-metal-future-iphone-frames/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-still-developing-liquid-metal-for-future-iphone-pro-frames.2482575/ Tue, 19 May 2026 04:13:07 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/apple-liquid-metal-future-iphone-frames/ Tim Hardwick Instant Digital

Apple introduced titanium to the iPhone with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max back in 2023, with the change even becoming the device's defining tagline. The iPhone 16 Pro models also showcased the material, but while the devices were said to be more durable, they also suffered from complaints about overheating. That's when Apple switched to aluminum for the current iPhone 17 Pro models.

In a new Weibo post, however, leaker Instant Digital argues that Apple's switch away from titanium to aluminum is just a compromise solution while it continues to look into the use of liquid metal or an "improved" version of titanium that solves the original material's poor thermal conductivity.

Apple is said to be using both liquid metal and improved titanium alloys in its first foldable iPhone, expected this year, so the leaker's claim may not be completely wide of the mark. The body of the device is said to use a revised titanium material that improves strength while reducing overall weight when compared with existing titanium iPhone frames, despite having virtually the same surface area.

The iPhone Air currently uses a titanium frame, courted for its light weight and strength, and the next model is also likely to have one.

Meanwhile, liquid metal has been described as an "amorphous" material that Apple has been exploring for over 15 years. Apple has reportedly chosen the material, which is manufactured using a die-casting process, as a key component in addressing common issues with foldable devices. The material choice reportedly aims to enhance screen flatness and minimize the crease marks that typically plague folding displays. The alloy's unique properties are said to include high strength, corrosion resistance, light weight, and malleability.

According to Instant Digital, achieving mass production at scale will be extremely difficult, but once the foldable's manufacturing is established, costs could come down, paving the way for future Pro models to adopt it as well.

Unless Apple reverts to a new type of titanium, that is. But don't expect either of these possibilities to emerge for the iPhone 18 Pro models, whose manufacturing materials will already be locked in.
Tag: Instant Digital

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]]> Foldable iPad Said to Share Hinge Design With Upcoming iPhone Ultra https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/foldable-ipad-crease-free-design-iphone-ultra/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foldable-ipad-said-to-share-hinge-design-with-upcoming-iphone-ultra.2482572/ Tue, 19 May 2026 02:38:49 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/19/foldable-ipad-crease-free-design-iphone-ultra/ Tim Hardwick Digital Chat Station Foldable iPhone iPhone Ultra

That's according to Weibo-based Digital Chat Station. The popular Chinese-language leaker implies that Apple's large foldable iPad will create a new market for giant folding tablets, but it's likely to still be some ways off yet.

A report in July last year claimed Apple had decided to pause work on a larger-screened foldable iPad because of development issues, but Bloomberg reported in March that development continues.

According to Bloomberg's previous reporting, Apple wanted to launch the device in 2028, but problems with weight and display technology are likely to cause it to be pushed back until 2029.

The device is believed to have a Samsung-made 18-inch display, and will challenge Apple's long-running tradition of keeping the Mac and iPad as separate devices. Some have referred to it as a foldable iPad, while others have called it an all-display MacBook, but concerns remain about its practicality when it comes to typing.

When closed, the iPad resembles a MacBook, with an aluminum exterior and no outer display. When opened, it unfolds to roughly the size of a 13-inch MacBook Air, but without a physical keyboard. Due to its large display and aluminum chassis, current prototypes weigh about 3.5 pounds, making them considerably heavier than existing iPad Pro models.

An 18-inch OLED foldable display will surely be expensive, too, given that Apple charges $1,299 for the 13-inch ‌iPad Pro. If prices don't come down for components over the next few years, the foldable ‌iPad‌ could cost as much as $3,900. It also sounds like Apple still has work to do to perfect its hinge/crease designs.

Meanwhile, Apple's foldable iPhone, which could take the name "iPhone Ultra," is expected to arrive in the fall alongside Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, barring any last-minute production mishaps. The folding iPhone is said to feature a 5.5-inch display when closed, and a 7.8-inch display when open, plus a super-thin design with minimal crease and a durable hinge.
Tags: Digital Chat Station, Foldable iPhone, iPhone Ultra

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]]> iOS 27 to Let Users Generate Wallpapers and Build Shortcuts With AI https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/ios-27-ai-wallpaper-shortcuts/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-27-to-let-users-generate-wallpapers-and-build-shortcuts-with-ai.2482547/ Mon, 18 May 2026 13:56:38 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/ios-27-ai-wallpaper-shortcuts/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 iOS 27 will include a custom wallpaper generator and an option to automatically create shortcuts using AI, reports Bloomberg.


When choosing a new wallpaper, users will have the option to generate something custom using the Image Playground app. ‌Image Playground‌ is used for generating custom emoji and images that can be used throughout iOS, and it is set to get an upgrade in ‌iOS 27‌.

Apple is testing models that produce more lifelike images, so the version of ‌Image Playground‌ that's used for generating custom wallpapers could be different from the current version.

Shortcuts is also getting a major update, with users able to use natural language to ask Siri to make a shortcut. There is an option for users to tell ‌Siri‌ what they want to accomplish with a shortcut to have the workflow created using AI.

Bloomberg says the Shortcuts app has a prompt that says "What do you want your shortcut to do?" with a text field to enter a description. Shortcuts that are created using AI are then automatically installed and immediately available for use.

Shortcut creation is largely done manually now, and it is a tool that has remained out of reach of many casual iPhone users. A Shortcuts app that's able to work with natural language capabilities will see the app getting more widespread use.

The new Shortcuts app and the wallpaper generation tool will be previewed at the WWDC keynote that's set to take place on June 8.
Related Roundup: iOS 27

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]]> Apple Expanding AI Writing Tools With Grammar Checker in iOS 27 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/ios-27-writing-tools-grammar-checker/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-expanding-ai-writing-tools-with-grammar-checker-in-ios-27.2482545/ Mon, 18 May 2026 13:41:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/ios-27-writing-tools-grammar-checker/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 will include a revamped AI chatbot version of Siri with new capabilities, but Apple is also planning to introduce new Apple Intelligence features across the operating system, reports Bloomberg.


Apple is testing an expanded version of Writing Tools that will do more rewriting and text generation than the current version. There is a "Write With ‌Siri‌" toggle at the top of the keyboard, along with a "Help Me Write" option that comes up when ‌Siri‌ is activated while a text field is open.

Apple is planning to introduce a dedicated AI grammar checker for Writing Tools that will work like Grammarly. When writing in Messages, Mail, and other apps there will be a translucent menu that slides up from the bottom of the iPhone's screen, and it will show suggested revisions next to the original written text.

Users can go through the suggestions and accept or reject them one by one, approve all of the changes at once, or ignore all of the changes. Apple has an option for pausing grammar checking and for moving between different flagged sections of text. Apple already has a spellchecking feature, but the new feature will add grammar suggestions.

The updates to Writing Tools will be unveiled at Apple's June 8 WWDC keynote. Apple is also planning AI updates for the Photos app, Camera app, and more, with details available in our iOS 27 roundup.
Related Roundup: iOS 27

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]]> Apple Design Award Finalists Announced Ahead of WWDC 2026 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-design-award-finalists-2026/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-design-award-finalists-announced-ahead-of-wwdc-2026.2482544/ Mon, 18 May 2026 12:38:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-design-award-finalists-2026/ Juli Clover WWDC

The Apple Design Awards recognize apps with innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement in app and game design.

Delight and Fun - Apps



  • Blippo+

  • Metaballs

  • Grug


Delight and Fun - Games



  • PowerWash Simulator

  • Is This Seat Taken?

  • Ball x Pit


Inclusivity - Apps



  • Guitar Wiz

  • Hearing Buddy

  • Structured


Inclusivity - Games



  • Sago Mini Jinja's Garden

  • Pine Hearts

  • Civilization VII


Innovation - Apps



  • Detail: AI Video Editor

  • NBA: Live Games & Scores

  • D-Day: The Camera Soldier


Innovation - Games



  • TR–49

  • Blue Prince

  • Pickle Pro


Interaction - Apps



  • The Outsiders: Athlete Tracker

  • Moonlitt: Moon Phase Tracker

  • Tide Guide: Charts & Tables


Interaction - Games



  • TR–49

  • Sago Mini Jinja's Garden

  • Grand Mountain Adventure 2


Social Impact - Apps



  • Primary: News in Depth

  • Katha Room

  • Harvee


Social Impact - Games



  • Consume Me

  • Despelote

  • Spilled!


Visuals and Graphics - Apps



  • Tide Guide: Charts & Tables

  • Caradise

  • (Not Boring) Camera


Visuals and Graphics - Games



  • Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

  • Arknights: Endfield

  • SILT


One app and one game will be chosen in each category, with Apple to announce winners during the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference. Winners will receive a physical award and hardware to help them continue to create apps and games.

Links to all of the apps that are nominated can be found on Apple's website.
Related Roundup: WWDC 2026
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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