MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Tue, 19 May 2026 08:24:38 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com 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


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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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]]> Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Schedule, Sends Media Invites https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/wwdc-2026-schedule-invites/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-announces-wwdc-2026-schedule-sends-media-invites.2482542/ Mon, 18 May 2026 11:03:22 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/wwdc-2026-schedule-invites/ Juli Clover Featured WWDC Apple Park.


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

Apple says the keynote event will be available to stream on Apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. We'll also be providing live coverage at MacRumors.com for those who are unable to watch.

Apple also plans to host the Platforms State of the Union for developers at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and video sessions and guides will start coming out after the keynote event. Group Labs and Q&A sessions will be hosted by Apple engineers and designers throughout the week, providing more insight into the new software coming at WWDC 2026.

‌WWDC 2026‌ will see Apple unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and more. An updated version of Siri that's smarter and more like a ChatGPT-style chatbot will be unveiled, along with multiple design changes to accommodate ‌Siri‌'s new abilities. We have an in-depth look at what's coming in iOS 27 in our dedicated roundup.
Related Roundup: WWDC 2026
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry

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]]> Apple Watch Ultra 4 Could Get Redesign and Blood Pressure Monitoring https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-watch-ultra-4-redesign-and-blood-pressure/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-ultra-4-could-get-redesign-and-blood-pressure-monitoring.2482534/ Mon, 18 May 2026 09:08:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-watch-ultra-4-redesign-and-blood-pressure/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Ultra Featured DigiTimes Health and Fitness Health Technologies DigiTimes.


Apple will apparently add a new high blood pressure notification feature to the Apple Watch that uses the optical heart-rate sensor on the back of the device to analyze how blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, sending alerts when an abnormal pattern is detected. The feature is said to be under FDA review.

It is not entirely clear how it differs from the Hypertension Notifications feature Apple introduced with watchOS 26 last fall, which itself uses the optical heart sensor to analyze blood vessel responses over 30-day periods. DigiTimes says that earlier Apple Watch models already had some blood-pressure sensing capabilities, and the new feature appears to represent a more refined or clinically validated implementation of that underlying hardware.

After this, Apple's next health monitoring capabilities are expected to focus on noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring, a capability Apple has been pursuing for a number of years, pending government approval.

The report is largely consistent with a DigiTimes report from last year, which said at least one new Apple Watch model would feature a "significant redesign," with supply chain sources pointing to exterior design changes including eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern on the back of the device. Today's update describes the changes more forcefully, calling it a "full redesign" alongside a "significant upgrade to sensing functions."

According to market observers cited by the report, the redesign could boost Apple Watch shipments by 20% to 30% compared to 2025. The sensor upgrades are expected to be a major boost for Taiwan-Asia Semiconductor (TASC), Apple's exclusive supplier of sensor components, with large-volume orders anticipated as early as July.

Apple Watch Ultra 4 is expected to be announced alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra" in fall 2026.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 3
Tags: DigiTimes, Health and Fitness, Health Technologies
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch Ultra (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> New Apple Card Holders Can Get Free AirPods Pro 3, But There's a Catch https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-card-holders-can-now-get-free-airpods-pro/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-card-holders-can-get-free-airpods-pro-3-but-theres-a-catch.2482531/ Mon, 18 May 2026 08:11:52 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/apple-card-holders-can-now-get-free-airpods-pro/ Hartley Charlton AirPods Pro AirPods Pro 3 Apple Card Apple Card holders the chance to earn back the cost of AirPods Pro 3 through monthly cash rebates, but there is a recurring spend requirement attached.


Customers who open a new Apple Card account and purchase ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ directly from Apple by June 15 will qualify. Starting July 1 and running through April 30, 2027, cardholders can earn $25 in Bonus Daily Cash each month, up to $250 total, but only in months where they make at least ten purchases on the card. Each qualifying purchase must be at least $0.01, and the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase itself does not count toward the monthly ten-purchase threshold.

The offer is open to new ‌Apple Card‌ applicants only, and is not available to existing cardholders or anyone with a pending application. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase must be made directly from Apple, either online or in an Apple Store. Refurbished products, purchases through third-party retailers, international transactions, and business bulk orders are all excluded. The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase cannot be made entirely with an Apple Gift Card or Apple Account balance.

All ‌Apple Card‌ payment options are eligible, including paying in full or financing via ‌Apple Card‌ Monthly Installments, and any trade-in applied to the purchase does not affect eligibility. Returning the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ purchase may result in forfeiture of the offer.

The ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ are priced at $249 and were introduced alongside the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025.
Related Roundup: AirPods Pro 3
Tags: AirPods Pro 3, Apple Card
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

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]]> Anker's Newest Prime Chargers Hit Their Lowest-Ever Prices on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/amazon-ankers-prime-chargers-3/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ankers-newest-prime-chargers-hit-their-lowest-ever-prices-on-amazon.2482529/ Mon, 18 May 2026 07:45:45 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/amazon-ankers-prime-chargers-3/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $104.99 on Amazon, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price.

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

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

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


There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including Anker's Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.99, down from $399.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more.

$60 OFF
Anker Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.99

Wall Chargers



Wireless Chargers



Portable Chargers



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.



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]]> Foldable iPhone Production Stalls Amid Hinge Issues https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/foldable-iphone-production-stalls/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foldable-iphone-production-stalls-amid-hinge-issues.2482528/ Mon, 18 May 2026 07:29:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/foldable-iphone-production-stalls/ Hartley Charlton iPhone Fold Foldable iPhone Instant Digital Trial production of Apple's long-anticipated foldable iPhone, likely called the "iPhone Ultra," has run into a significant engineering hurdle centered on hinge reliability, according to a known leaker.


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

The hinge has been a key focus of Apple's foldable development for years. Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo first reported that the device would use Liquid Metal components in the hinge mechanism, with Dongguan EonTec serving as the exclusive supplier of the amorphous alloy. Instant Digital subsequently elaborated that the material, also known as metallic glass, features a disordered atomic structure that is more resistant to bending and deformation than traditional metals, and more durable than titanium alloy. This makes it suitable for a foldable's hinge.

Apple has previously used the material only in small components such as SIM ejector pins, so the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ would mark its first major use in a critical mechanical part. A subsequent report in January corroborated the liquid metal hinge plans, noting that Apple has been exploring the material for over 15 years, tracing back to a 2010 licensing deal with Liquidmetal Technologies.

Screen creasing is a concern that has followed the foldable smartphone category since its inception. Instant Digital says Apple has essentially accepted some degree of crease as inevitable, but that test results have demonstrated the device can maintain a visually crease-free state over the long term. That aligns with previous reporting: leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" reported in February that production orders had been placed with a crease depth under 0.15mm and a crease angle under 2.5 degrees. Apple has reportedly pursued eliminating the crease "regardless of cost," with engineering solutions including a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure designed to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers, and advances in optically clear adhesive to keep display layers in precise alignment.

A follow-up post from the leaker suggested the hinge difficulties are unlikely to push back the device's expected release window somewhat, noting that there is still ample time remaining. That is broadly consistent with earlier reporting: DigiTimes reported in April that production was running roughly one to two months behind schedule, but that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Apple is expected to announce the foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models at its September event, though some reports suggest customer availability could slip as late as December.

In a third post, Instant Digital offered a note on the device's experience, suggesting that despite its larger form factor the foldable feels like an iPhone rather than an iPad when in use. The leaker added that the screen size offers limited practical utility for a stylus, casting doubt on whether Apple Pencil support would be a meaningful feature for the device.

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, with an A20 chip, C2 modem, Touch ID power button, and two rear cameras. Pricing is rumored to sit at around $2,000.
Related Roundup: iPhone Fold
Tags: Foldable iPhone, Instant Digital

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]]> AMC+ Premium for $29.99: Stream Shudder, BBC America, and More for a Year https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/amc-premium-for-29-99/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amc-premium-for-29-99-stream-shudder-bbc-america-and-more-for-a-year.2482526/ Mon, 18 May 2026 07:08:03 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/amc-premium-for-29-99/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured 74 percent off your entire first year of the service via Amazon channels. This knocks the price of AMC+ Premium down to $29.99 per year, down from $109.99 per year.

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

This is the Premium tier of the subscription service, allowing you to stream without ads (with limited exceptions), access to six live TV channels, and the ability to download and watch programs on the go. It also features full access to Shudder, BBC America, and Sundance Now.

74% OFF
AMC+ Premium via Amazon for $29.99/Year


To get the deal, you can follow this link on Amazon and click "select plan" under the AMC+ Premium tier option. From there, you can select the Annual option to add the AMC+ Premium subscription to your channels list for just $29.99 for one year.

Shoppers should note that the price will increase to $109.99 per year at the end of your first year unless canceled. This discount is expected to expire on May 25, so be sure to lock in the sale soon if you're interested.

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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]]> Sony's 10th Anniversary 'Collexion' Over-Ear Headphones Leaked https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/sony-10th-anniversary-collexion-headphones-leaked/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/sonys-10th-anniversary-collexion-over-ear-headphones-leaked.2482524/ Mon, 18 May 2026 06:32:38 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/18/sony-10th-anniversary-collexion-headphones-leaked/ Tim Hardwick Sony OnLeaks. They're expected to launch tomorrow, coming just a year after the company's WH-1000XM6 series.


From what we can tell based on the leaked materials, the changes are largely design-based. The new cans have a thicker leatherette padding than their predecessors, as well as larger ear cups, while the buttons are more separated and the microphone grilles get more breathing room. But it's the headband stems that stand out. Depending on the color choice, they're glossy black or chrome-on-white. The touch control surface has also been moved to the side and rear of each cup.

The biggest difference though is said to be a more robust design. Durability was reportedly a recurring complaint with the XM6's, so Sony has reinforced the stems by making them a single piece of polished metal rather than a fork. A purse-style carry case comes along for the ride, as does a headphone cable, but a USB-C charging cable may not be included (the leaked materials are contradictory on this point).

Battery life on a single charge sounds roughly comparable to the XM6's, with up to 24 hours of playback with acoustic noise-canceling enabled and 32 hours with ANC off. There's also a five-minute quick-charge feature that gets you 1.5 hours of battery life.

Sony says it has partnered with three world-class mastering studios for the driver tuning, including Battery Studios, Sterling Sound and Coast Mastering.

The new headphones will be available on Tuesday for $649 in the United States – $200 more than the cost of the XM6 headphones at launch, suggesting they are being marketed as a luxury product. It's only a short step up from the category occupied by Apple's $549 AirPods Max, which received a refresh earlier this year with a H2 chip.

(Via HotEUDeals.)
Tag: Sony

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