MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:18:14 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Home Hub Code Hints at Face-Based Profile Switching https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/home-hub-ambient-sending/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/home-hub-code-hints-at-face-based-profile-switching.2487867/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:53:28 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/home-hub-ambient-sending/ Juli Clover Featured Apple Command Center macOS Tahoe 26.7 update.


The accessory will show Personal Content for different users in the home, with options to select a profile via Control Center or the Settings app on the device. The home hub is expected to have an operating system similar to tvOS, so the Control Center and profile selection options might look like those on the Apple TV.

It sounds like the home hub can switch between profiles automatically using some combination of cameras and sensors, based on the mentions of ambient sensing. The device is rumored to include cameras and a presence-sensing feature to determine when someone is in the room, so it will be able to tell who is near it and switch profiles appropriately.

Here are some of the code strings.

  • Sorry, I'm not sure who you are. To access your Personal Content, you'll need to select yourself in Control Center.

  • Before I can help with that, you'll need to enable Personal Content. In the Settings app, tap on your name, and turn on Personal Content.

  • I'm not sure who's speaking. Please come in front of this device and ask again.

  • Sorry, since this device hasn't seen you in a while, you'll need to ask again in front of the camera.

  • To access your Personal Content, you'll need to select yourself in Control Center and temporarily allow ambient sensing to verify your identity.


There are also mentions of a wall-mounted version of the home hub, confirming that there will be two models. The other version will include a speaker base.

Rumors suggest the home hub will have a square, 7-inch display. It will run apps and have a main home screen with quick-access widgets. We could see the home hub announced as soon as September.
Tag: Apple Command Center

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]]> Apple Won't Change Hide My Email Domain After Backlash https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-hide-my-email-domain/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-wont-change-hide-my-email-domain-after-backlash.2487866/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:17:23 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-hide-my-email-domain/ Juli Clover Featured iCloud today said it is reversing its decision and will not change the email domain used for the iCloud+ Hide My Email feature.


Emails sent using Hide My Email will continue to use the same icloud.com domain that Apple uses for standard ‌iCloud‌ emails.

In June, Apple said it would unify the email domains used by Sign in with Apple and Hide My Email under a single private.icloud.com domain. iPhone users expressed concern that moving Hide My Email to a private.icloud.com domain instead of icloud.com would let platforms easily block iCloud aliases. Using the same domain for ‌iCloud‌ and Hide My Email makes it hard for services to block the disposable ‌iCloud‌ addresses because doing so would also block legitimate users.

Apple said after further consideration and reviewing feedback from the community, it will not make the change. Sign in with Apple addresses will be issued through private.icloud.com instead of privaterelay.appleid.com starting later this year. There will be no update for Hide My Email addresses.

Sign in with Apple addresses created before the change will continue to be forwarded without interruption. Apple says developers with apps or websites that use Sign in with Apple should make sure their systems allow the private.icloud.com domain in addition to privaterelay.appleid.com.

Hide My Email is a paid ‌iCloud‌ feature that allows users to generate unique email addresses for each website or service, with options to deactivate and delete those addresses at any time. Hide My Email addresses are forwarded to a user's real email address, which is hidden from the site or service.
Tag: iCloud
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

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]]> Apple Holds Farewell Party for Tim Cook as Ternus Prepares to Take Over https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-tim-cook-farewell-party/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-holds-farewell-party-for-tim-cook-as-ternus-prepares-to-take-over.2487865/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:58:55 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-tim-cook-farewell-party/ Juli Clover Tim Cook Tim Cook will step down as Apple's CEO on Tuesday, September 1, and ahead of that date, Apple hosted a farewell party for him. According to The Information, the party took place on August 23, just a day before Cook celebrated his 15th anniversary as Apple CEO.


Approximately 200 people celebrated Cook at the Caffé Macs cafeteria on the Apple campus, and band OneRepublic performed. Several speakers shared tributes to Cook, including Steve Jobs' wife Laurene Powell Jobs, former Apple COO Jeff Williams, Apple services chief Eddy Cue, and incoming CEO John Ternus.


Cook is not leaving Apple, despite the party. Next Tuesday, he will become Apple's executive chairman, where he will "assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world." Cook will spend less time in the spotlight in his new role.

Ternus has been at Apple since 2001, serving as senior vice president of hardware engineering since 2021. Apple's September iPhone event will be his first major product launch as CEO.

Insiders at Apple told The Information that continuity is the focus of the transition from Cook to Ternus, with few things to change. Cook's executive assistant will stay on and work for Ternus.
Tag: Tim Cook

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]]> Apple Releases macOS Golden Gate Beta 7 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-releases-macos-golden-gate-beta-7/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-releases-macos-golden-gate-beta-7.2487855/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:35:05 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-releases-macos-golden-gate-beta-7/ Juli Clover Featured macOS Golden Gate macOS Golden Gate, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the sixth beta.


Developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ by going to System Settings > General > Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

‌macOS Golden Gate‌ includes multiple design improvements. Liquid Glass opacity has been improved to increase readability, there's a slider for controlling the level of transparency, and changes to shadowing make it easier to tell when a window is active. Apps now have uniform toolbars, edge-to-edge sidebars, and less rounded corners, plus there are fewer icons in menu bars.

Siri has been transformed into ‌Siri‌ AI, a chatbot-style assistant that combines general world knowledge, your personal data, and onscreen awareness to answer questions about anything and find information for you. ‌Siri‌ lives in Spotlight, and you can ask questions with the new Search or Ask interface.

There's also a ‌Siri‌ app where you can chat with ‌Siri‌ and view past conversations, and on newer Macs, you can set a custom voice for ‌Siri‌ with personalized pace and expressivity. Visual Intelligence is now on the Mac so ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about what's on your screen, and a Write with ‌Siri‌ feature lets ‌Siri‌ generate text or give feedback on your writing.

There are AI photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, an option to use AI to automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app that can generate photorealistic images.

More on all of the new features in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ can be found in our macOS Golden Gate roundup.
Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate

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]]> Apple Seeds Seventh iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Betas to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-ios-27-beta-7/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-seventh-ios-27-and-ipados-27-betas-to-developers.2487854/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:34:02 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-ios-27-beta-7/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming one week after Apple released the sixth betas.


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

‌iOS 27‌ introduces Apple's smarter version of Siri, ‌Siri‌ AI. ‌Siri‌ AI is a chatbot similar to ChatGPT, incorporating general world knowledge, personal data from apps like Messages and Mail, and onscreen awareness to answer questions and find information for you.

There are new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Safari, Shortcuts, Wallet, and Passwords, plus Apple added a standalone ‌Siri‌ app that houses ‌Siri‌ conversations. Write with ‌Siri‌ is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new ‌Siri‌ mode.

Apple improved the look of Liquid Glass and added a slider for customizing transparency. There are multiple performance improvements to speed up iOS, so everything feels faster, even on older iPhones. Apps launch quicker, AirDrop transfers are faster, the keyboard pops up more quickly, and devices are better at transitioning between Wi-Fi and Cellular to keep you connected.

For more on what's new in ‌iOS 27‌, we have a dedicated iOS 27 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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]]> Apple Seeds watchOS 27 Beta 7 to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-watchos-27-beta-7-to-developers/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-watchos-27-beta-7-to-developers.2487860/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:30:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-watchos-27-beta-7-to-developers/ Juli Clover watchOS watchOS 27 to developers, with the update coming a week after the launch of the sixth beta.


The beta can be downloaded through the Watch app on the iPhone with a free developer account. The Apple Watch will need to be on the charger, connected to Wi-Fi, and have a battery level of 50 percent or above for new software to be installed. The beta is available for all Apple Watch models compatible with ‌watchOS 27‌ except for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

‌watchOS 27‌ gains Siri AI, the smarter, more capable version of ‌Siri‌. ‌Siri‌ can hold back-and-forth conversations, plus it has access to general world knowledge and your personal data to answer questions and find information. ‌Siri‌ AI on Apple Watch requires an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, including the iPhone 15 Pro and later.

There's a new Dynamic app grid that highlights ‌Siri‌ suggested apps, and more intuitive Smart Stack Suggestions. You can find your parked car, see pinned messages, get noise alerts, and view identity and transit cards.

Liquid Glass has been updated to improve legibility, and Workout Buddy works on the Apple Watch even when an iPhone isn't nearby. Workout Buddy also gains new metrics like progressive increases to distance, pace, or duration. Apple added a new all-in-one Find My app with support for Precision Finding, and there are performance optimizations that improve battery life.

More on what's new in ‌watchOS 27‌ is available in our watchOS 27 roundup.
Related Roundups: watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Seeds Seventh visionOS 27 Beta to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-visionos-27-beta-7/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-seventh-visionos-27-beta-to-developers.2487857/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:29:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-visionos-27-beta-7/ Juli Clover Vision Pro

visionOS 27 can be installed by opening the Settings app, going to Software Updates, and opting into Beta Updates.

visionOS 27 introduces Siri AI, the smarter and more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that's similar in capability to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude. On the Vision Pro, ‌Siri‌ can answer questions about anything the wearer is looking at, and there's a new ‌Siri‌ orb that can be placed anywhere in wearer's virtual space.

Panorama photos can be turned into spatial environments, and there's a new Icelandic Thórsmörk environment that features dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers, along with the northern lights. Web Environment support allows developers to create 360-degree environments in Safari for a more native Vision Pro browsing experience.

App windows are now curved to provide a more immersive workspace, and Control Center has been reorganized to make system controls easier to find. Apple added a smaller widget size, and notifications automatically expand when the wearer looks at them.

More on what's new in visionOS 27 is listed in our Vision Pro roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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]]> Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 7 to Developers https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-tvos-27-beta-7-to-developers/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-seeds-tvos-27-beta-7-to-developers.2487859/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:27:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-seeds-tvos-27-beta-7-to-developers/ Juli Clover Apple TV

The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required.

tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center.

AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is faster, and apps and animations are smoother. You can also now see AppleCare coverage details in the Settings app.

More on the features in tvOS 27 can be found in our Apple TV roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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]]> Apple Watch Series 12: Everything to Expect Next Month https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-watch-series-12-everything-to-expect/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-series-12-everything-to-expect-next-month.2487847/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:55:45 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-watch-series-12-everything-to-expect/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Featured

Apple has not altered the Apple Watch's design since the Series 10 arrived in 2024, and it is not expected to change this year either, making 2026 the third year of the current case. This isn't unusual since every Apple Watch casing design has lasted through three successive generations before being refreshed.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes the Series 12 will continue a run of "modest upgrades," with virtually everything of significance happening internally. Here are all of the features and changes rumored for the device so far:


  • New chip: Last year's Apple Watch Series 11 retained the same S10 chip as its predecessor for the first time, and the S10 chip is itself functionally the same as 2023's S9 chip. After three generations of the same chip, the Apple Watch Series 12 is highly likely to deliver the first meaningfully new chip for the device in years. Evidence of this has also been spotted in internal Apple code. The new chip will likely be branded as the "S11," but it could be the "S12" if Apple wants to keep its numbering in line with the series.

  • Longer battery life: A known leaker on the Chinese social media platform Weibo said in May that Apple is prioritizing battery life with the Series 12, pursuing a physically larger battery as well as efficiency gains elsewhere in the device. Apple rates the Series 11 at up to 24 hours on a charge, or up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode.

  • Health and fitness improvements: Gurman referred to a number of health and fitness upgrades for the device without detailing them. DigiTimes pointed to a new blood pressure notification feature awaiting FDA clearance, which would build on the hypertension notifications Apple introduced last year, and claimed at least one high-end model is due a significant sensing upgrade involving eight sensors arranged in a ring.

  • Ceramic case option: Gurman reported this month that the Apple Watch's distinctive ceramic casing is set to return either this year or in 2027, and the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami" since claimed it will arrive with the Series 12. The finish has been absent from the lineup for six years and would give Apple a high-end case option above titanium for the first time since 2020.

  • New colors and bands: Gurman expects to see the device unveiled with a fresh collection of case finishes and band options.



Leaked code related to the Apple Watch Series 12 included references to "AppleMesa," Apple's codename for Touch ID, prompting rumors that a sensor could sit under the display or in the side button. The same leaker who flagged the battery focus denied the claim, arguing that it would add cost and consume internal space better given over to the battery. Gurman said he does not expect any significant design changes to the Series 12 or Ultra 4, which a fingerprint sensor would almost certainly require, so the rumor seems unlikely to pan out.

A rumor about a new sensor embedded in the band looks similarly improbable. Kosutami claimed in July that the Series 12 could ship with at least one health sensor in a band, which would be a first for the product. Every existing model houses its sensors in the case itself, and no other source has corroborated the claim.

The Apple Watch Series 12 is expected to be announced alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra." There is not expected to be a new Apple Watch SE this year.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Don't Buy)

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]]> iOS 27: All the New Safari Features https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-safari/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-27-all-the-new-safari-features.2487846/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:42:25 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-27-safari?post_date=1787596945/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 iOS 27, and it includes multiple new Apple Intelligence features. From automatically organizing tab groups to custom extensions, Safari is getting useful new capabilities.


Automatic Tab Organization


Safari uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to organize your open tabs into relevant topics, grouping like concepts together to make it easier to browse your open tabs.


If you're searching for a new couch while also planning a weekend trip, websites that you open for each topic are grouped together. Automatic sorting can be enabled by tapping on the icon with three lines in the upper right of the display while in tab view and turning on the Automatically Create Topics setting.

This same Safari menu also lets you see all of the groups and filter by topic so you can open just the tabs related to a specific topic while avoiding the other tabs.

There is a new "Resume Browsing" section of the Start Page that lets you continue browsing topics you recently closed or topics you have open on other devices.

You can also group pages you've saved to Bookmarks and Reading List by topic.

Custom Extensions


You can use AI to create Safari Extensions in ‌iOS 27‌ with Apple's new Create an Extension option.


In the Safari settings accessible from the left of the URL bar, tapping into Create an Extension brings you to an interface where you can type in whatever you want an extension to do. Apple also includes suggestions in categories that include Boost Productivity, Improve Focus, Get Creative, and Develop and Design. Some of Apple's extension suggestions:

  • Create a citation for the current webpage and copy it to my clipboard

  • Create a 3-minute focus timer for the page

  • Set the minimum font size to 14pt

  • Turn the page into pirate speak

  • Style websites like 90s websites with bold colors and type

  • Every time I open a new tab, draw me a different flower

  • Highlight and show the dimensions of webpage elements when I tap on them

  • Enter the design mode for a website so that I can edit the contents


Notify Me


Safari can monitor a website for changes and alert you when new information is detected. Apple says it's useful for monitoring when concert tickets go on sale or watching for a product to be restocked.


To use it, navigate to a website, then tap on the settings icon to the left of the URL bar, and choose the Notify Me option. You can type in what you want Safari to watch for and set a frequency and a time.

At most, Safari will check websites once per hour, with daily, weekly, and monthly checks also available.

Passwords


The Passwords app can use Safari to automatically change flagged weak and compromised passwords, turning them into strong passwords.


The feature uses ‌Apple Intelligence‌ to automatically navigate to eligible websites, sign in, and update your password with a tap.

Ask to Browse


Apple added new parental controls in iOS 27, including an "Ask to Browse" feature that requires children to get parental approval before visiting a new website.

Performance Improvements


Apple says Safari's power efficiency has improved, so it will drain less battery. Web apps and start page content load faster, JavaScript handling is faster, and animations and graphics are smoother.

Compatibility


Safari features like automatic tab grouping, custom extensions, and custom notifications require ‌Apple Intelligence‌. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ is available on the iPhone 15 Pro and later.

Availability


‌iOS 27‌ is available to both developers and public beta testers, so you can try it now. The update will launch in the fall alongside new iPhone models.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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]]> Amazon Offers Up to $150 Discounts on M5 MacBook Air https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/amazon-150-discount-m5-macbook-air/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amazon-offers-up-to-150-discounts-on-m5-macbook-air.2487844/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:01:26 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/amazon-150-discount-m5-macbook-air/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured up to $150 off multiple models of the M5 MacBook Air, focused mainly on 13-inch models this time around. These are solid second-best prices on the M5 MacBook Air in the wake of Apple's summertime price hikes.

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.

In terms of 13-inch models, Amazon has the 16GB/1TB 13-inch MacBook Air for $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00. This one is available in two colors on Amazon, and it's accompanied by the 24GB/1TB model for $150 off.

$100 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,499.00

$150 OFF
13-inch M5 MacBook Air (24GB/1TB) for $1,649.00

$100 OFF
15-inch M5 MacBook Air (16GB/1TB) for $1,699.00


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



Deals Newsletter


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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced? https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/iphone-18-pro-iphone-ultra-apple-event-when/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-18-pro-and-iphone-ultra-when-will-apple-event-be-announced.2487843/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:45:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/iphone-18-pro-iphone-ultra-apple-event-when/ Joe Rossignol iPhone 18 Pro Apple Event iPhone Ultra

This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not expected to be announced until around March 2027, as part of a new launch strategy.

Australian media outlet ChannelNews recently published an "exclusive" report claiming that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event will take place on Tuesday, September 8. However, this date is questionable, as Apple has never held its iPhone event one day after Labor Day. Historically, there has always been at least a two-day gap between the holiday and the event, so it is more likely to fall on Wednesday, September 9 or later this year.

In his Power On newsletter yesterday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the event will indeed take place "on or around" Wednesday, September 9 this year.

If the event were to fall on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9 this year, pre-orders would ordinarily begin on Friday, September 11. However, that Friday will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, so Apple may want to avoid starting pre-orders that day out of respect. Perhaps for the same reason, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus pre-orders began on Saturday, September 12 instead of Friday, September 11 in 2015.

It would be a lot smoother for Apple to skip the week of Labor Day and the 9/11 anniversary entirely and hold its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra event the following week instead. This would also allow for an extra week of production for the first-of-its-kind iPhone Ultra. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that the event will take place in the first half of September, which would make Tuesday, September 15 the latest possible date.

If the event falls on Monday, September 14 or Tuesday, September 15, then pre-orders would likely begin on Friday, September 18, and the devices would likely launch Friday, September 25. It remains to be seen if the iPhone Ultra is available at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro models, but it might be limited to the U.S. at first either way.

Since 2020, iPhone event videos have been pre-recorded, but in recent years Apple has invited select reporters to the Steve Jobs Theater to watch the video in person. Afterwards, attendees receive hands-on time with the new devices.

The table below provides an overview of dates for the last six iPhone events, with 2020 being an outlier due to the COVID-19 pandemic.












































iPhone Series Announcement Date Event Date Delta (Days)
iPhone 17 Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Tuesday, September 9, 2025 14
iPhone 16 Monday, August 26, 2024 Monday, September 9, 2024 14
iPhone 15 Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Tuesday, September 12, 2023 14
iPhone 14 Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Wednesday, September 7, 2022 14
iPhone 13 Tuesday, September 7, 2021 Tuesday, September 14, 2021 7
iPhone 12 Tuesday, October 6, 2020 Tuesday, October 13, 2020 7

Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tags: Apple Event, iPhone Ultra

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]]> AirTag 2 4-Pack Hits New Low Price of $79.99 on Amazon [Updated] https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/airtag-2-85-amazon/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airtag-2-4-pack-hits-new-low-price-of-79-99-on-amazon-updated.2487758/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:02:00 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/airtag-2-85-amazon/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $79.99 this week on Amazon, down from $99.00. This deal is on the 4-Pack of the AirTag 2, and it's a new record low price for the accessory, beating the previous low by about $9.

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.

We're also tracking a smaller deal on the AirTag 2 1-Pack, available for $24.00, down from $29.00. This is another record low price on the AirTag 2, and both have estimated delivery dates of August 28.

$5 OFF
AirTag 2 (1-Pack) for $24.00

$19 OFF
AirTag 2 (4-Pack) for $79.99


The new AirTag is equipped with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, enabling the Precision Finding feature to work up to 50% farther away from an item compared to the previous-generation model.

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.

Update: When we originally posted this article, the price of the AirTag 2 4-Pack was $85.00, and Amazon has since sweetened this deal to the new all-time low price of $79.99.



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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Apple Store App Rolling Out 'Early Preview' of New Shopping Assistant https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-store-app-virtual-shopping-assistant/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-store-app-rolling-out-early-preview-of-new-shopping-assistant.2487839/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:56:14 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-store-app-virtual-shopping-assistant/ Joe Rossignol Apple Store received access to an "early preview" of a new AI-powered virtual shopping assistant.


Once it is available, you can open the chatbot by tapping on the speech bubble with two sparkles in the bottom-right corner of the app. Then, you can ask questions about Apple products, your existing Apple Store orders, trade-in values, payment options, and more, or simply tap on one of the common topics on the page to begin.

MacRumors was first to report that the Apple Store app would be getting an AI shopping assistant, based on a new privacy policy added to Apple's website. The policy states that Apple uses your personal information to personalize the chat experience, provide relevant responses, and if you opt in, to improve the assistant.

Apple has yet to officially announce this feature, so it seems to be quietly testing it with a smaller number of users for now. Many of our staff members do not have access to the chatbot, so if you do not see it yet, know you are not alone.
Tag: Apple Store

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]]> iPhone 20's Curved Glass Design to Be Made Like iPhone Air https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/iphone-20-curved-glass-to-be-like-iphone-air/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-20s-curved-glass-design-to-be-made-like-iphone-air.2487838/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:42:09 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/iphone-20-curved-glass-to-be-like-iphone-air/ Hartley Charlton iPhone Air 20th-Anniversary iPhone Fixed Focus Digital iPhone Air, according to the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital."


In a new post on Weibo, the leaker said that ‌iPhone Air‌ manufacturing equipment has been modified to produce more rounded glass components for next year's 20th anniversary iPhone, which has helped to reduce Apple's manufacturing costs. The leaker added that overall heat dissipation and thinness have both improved substantially as a result of the changes.

The claim builds on the leaker's earlier report that a supply chain facility had finished renovations ahead of "iPhone 20" production, with manufacturing quality expected to land somewhere around that of the first-generation ‌iPhone Air‌. The ‌iPhone Air‌ is Apple's thinnest iPhone to date at 5.6mm and uses a polished titanium frame with a glass back.

The report adds incremental detail to a redesign that has been rumored for well over a year. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is aiming for a "mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display" to mark the iPhone's 20th anniversary, with curved glass wrapping around all sides of the device.

The 20th-anniversary iPhone models are expected to launch in the fall of 2027, following the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and ‌iPhone Air‌ 2 in the spring.
Related Roundup: iPhone Air
Tags: 20th-Anniversary iPhone, Fixed Focus Digital
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Air (Neutral)

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]]> Tim Cook Replaced Steve Jobs 15 Years Ago Today, Steps Down Sept 1 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/tim-cook-replaced-steve-jobs-15-years-ago-today/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tim-cook-replaced-steve-jobs-15-years-ago-today-steps-down-sept-1.2487834/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:38:17 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/tim-cook-replaced-steve-jobs-15-years-ago-today/ Tim Hardwick Steve Jobs Tim Cook 15 years ago today, Tim Cook was appointed Apple CEO following Steve Jobs' resignation on August 24, 2011. On September 1, Cook will step down and incoming CEO John Ternus will take over, ahead of Apple announcing new iPhone 18 Pro models and its first foldable iPhone.

Ternus joined Apple as part of its product design team in 2001. He became VP of hardware engineering in 2013 and senior VP in 2021, and has overseen AirPods, Mac, iPad, and iPhone development in that time. Cook will remain at Apple as executive chairman, where he will engage with policymakers and help Apple navigate regulatory pressure.
Tags: Steve Jobs, Tim Cook

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]]> Apple Preparing to Increase iPhone Prices https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-preparing-to-increase-iphone-prices/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-preparing-to-increase-iphone-prices.2487831/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 04:17:31 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/apple-preparing-to-increase-iphone-prices/ Hartley Charlton iPhone 18 Pro Bloomberg Mark Gurman Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Apple raised prices on almost every major product category two months ago, with affected Macs and iPads rising about 23% on average. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone faces the same memory and chip supply chain issues affecting Apple's other products, so a price increase "remains inevitable."

Apple has apparently been closely observing how Samsung and Google respond to higher component costs. Both companies raised prices on their latest smartphones by about $100. Matching that increase would put the iPhone 18 Pro's starting price at $1,199, up about 9% from the current iPhone 17 Pro's $1,099 starting price.

Given the severity of the memory crunch, Gurman says that is a "fairly modest bump," suggesting Apple is absorbing some of the added costs itself. The company has already warned of pressure on gross margins this quarter, which is a sign it is not passing on all of its growing expenses to customers.

Apple still has good reason not to push too far. A $100 increase would keep the iPhone broadly in Samsung's pricing territory and avoid the "sticker shock" of the steeper hikes imposed on the Mac and iPad. Nevertheless, Gurman says that Apple has room to go higher, since the Mac and ‌iPad‌ price increases were far larger and the iPhone has a loyal customer base to draw on. The new Apple Upgrade subscription program could also soften the blow by allowing buyers to spread the higher cost across monthly payments rather than paying the full price upfront.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman

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]]> How Apple Leaked Itself https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/how-apple-leaked-itself/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/how-apple-leaked-itself.2487786/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 03:00:44 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/24/how-apple-leaked-itself/ Tim Hardwick Featured Mark Gurman raft of unannounced products, from home devices to iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and Macs. It's not the first time we've seen this kind of thing, but the sheer amount of references – including a video showing off AirPods with cameras – is a bit unusual.


Code references to unreleased products turn up in early Apple betas quite regularly, but macOS Tahoe 26.7 was a Release Candidate, which means that – barring something unexpected – it's the final version of the software, just provided to developers a few days early for testing. In other words, it isn't meant to include anything Apple hasn't already rubber-stamped as good to go. So what happened?

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has offered what he believes to be the most likely explanation.

When Apple prepares an update, it doesn't assemble the software release from a single line of work. Instead, it merges separate development branches of code, including bug fixes, assets, and features, into the branch that ships to users. It also maintains internal builds containing software suppport for hardware that it hasn't announced yet so that it can be written and tested well ahead of a potential launch.

According to Gurman, one of those internal builds most likely got inadvertently merged into the branch destined for release. As a result, "something that was supposed to remain inside Apple got tangled up with the shipping software – and made it all the way to the release candidate," he writes. It suggests someone inside Apple got confused as to which versions they were merging. Or was it AI that made the mistake? We'll likely never know. Either way, expect all the references to be stripped out of the public release.

With one exception – the AirPods with cameras – all of the product references in macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC had appeared in previous software, but they still go to show that Apple continues to work on several rumored products. Meanwhile, the camera-equipped AirPods aren't expected until 2027, and the hardware shown in the video is believed to be a version that Apple has already shelved in favor of a newer model.
Tag: Mark Gurman

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]]> Apple Retail Stores Preparing for New Home Product Launches https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/23/apple-stores-prepare-new-home-products/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-retail-stores-preparing-for-new-home-product-launches.2487769/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:20:20 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/23/apple-stores-prepare-new-home-products/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV Featured HomePod mini Apple Command Center Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is reorganizing parts of its brick-and-mortar stores this fall to make room for new home products.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the teams responsible for store layouts are preparing changes to the "Avenues," or the perimeter walls in Apple's newer stores, where accessories like HomePod, Apple TV, AirPods, and Beats are displayed alongside third-party accessories.

The work is said to involve rearranging sections of the Avenues and adding accessory bays for upcoming new devices.

Apple is already believed to have an upgraded Apple TV and a new HomePod mini coming up. Gurman said in July that both were nearly ready, with faster chips for Siri AI but no major design changes. Rumors indicate an A17 Pro chip or better in the new Apple TV, and an S9-series chip, improved sound, and a red finish for the HomePod mini, the current version of which is now over 2,000 days old.

All of that being said, Gurman says the scale of the retail changes suggests prep-work for the launch of its long-awaited home hub with a display (aka the rumored HomePod with Display or "HomePad").

Gurman reported last month that the smart home hub will arrive at some point between October and early next year. It's expected to have a 7-inch square display, and will be sold with either a tabletop base or a wall mount. There's also said to be an all-new operating system built around tvOS with Siri AI powering the device.

Code strings uncovered in macOS Tahoe 26.7 last week suggest the home screen will use a Widget Gallery similar to the iPhone's Lock Screen customization options. The code also indicates that the new device's home screen could have many of the same options for icons, widgets, and clock faces, with widgets from a linked iPhone suggested automatically.

Apple will need a dedicated space where customers can see how the hub works, what its purpose is, and how it fits into the wider home setup, Gurman reports.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini
Tag: Apple Command Center
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), HomePod Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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]]> M6 iMac Coming This Year in New Colors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/23/m6-imac-this-year-new-colors/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m6-imac-coming-this-year-in-new-colors.2487768/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 11:36:39 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/23/m6-imac-this-year-new-colors/ Tim Hardwick Featured iMac Mark Gurman iMac models with an upgraded chip and new color options, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the new version is likely to be an updated 24-inch model with an M6 chip, replacing the existing M4 model that arrived in October 2024.

New colors are also said to be on the menu, though Gurman does not say what they are. The current ‌iMac‌ comes in seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.

Otherwise, no major design changes are expected. Apple is reportedly developing a 24-inch ‌iMac‌ with an OLED display, but this won't arrive for several years.

"All signs point to the M6 models being close to launch," says Gurman, with the new models expected to arrive before the end of the year.
Related Roundup: iMac
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iMac

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