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Apple's iPhone Event Tagline is Different in Every Country

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:41:10 PDT

Apple today announced it will hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. In the U.S. and several other countries, Apple used "Surprise and Shine" as its tagline for the event, but in other countries, the tagline isn't a literal translation.

Here are the different taglines Apple is using on its regional websites.

U.S., UK, NZ, Australia, Ireland, India, Canada - Surprise and Shine.

Canada, French - Des surprises dans l'air, or surprises in the air.

Brazil - Surpreendente e brilhante, or surprising and brilliant.

Mexico and Latin America - Sorpresas listas para brillar, which means surprises ready to shine.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Staunen und strahlen, or something like wonder/amazement and radiate/shine.

Spain - Un rayo de wow, which means a ray of wow or a flash of wow.

France, Belgium - Un jour nouveau. Bientôt. The French phrase is a little different, translating to a new day, soon.

Italy - L'alba di nuove sorprese, or the dawn of new surprises.

Denmark - Det bliver solstrålende, or something like it's going to be brilliant/sunny. Solstrålende merges two words that mean sunbeam and brilliant.

Norway - Tid for gode overraskelser, time for good surprises.

Sweden - Förväntan. Förundran. Anticipation and wonder.

Finland - Uudenkoitto, which translates to a new dawn or a new beginning.

Poland - Zdumienia i olśnienia, which is surprise and amazement, or astonishment and revelation.

Hungary - Ragyogó meglepetés, radiant/brilliant surprise.

Portugal - O despontar de surpresas brilhantes, which translates to the dawn of brilliant surprises. Despontar is a word used for daybreak or sunrise, though Apple's Translate app says the phrase means "the unfolding of brilliant surprises."

Turkey - Işıltılı. Şaşırtıcı. Heyecanlı or dazzling/sparkling, surprising, exciting.

The Netherlands - Surprise party. Apple left this one in English.

Czechia - Čas těšení, or time of anticipation.

UAE, Saudi Arabia - بدايات تسطع بالمفاجآت, which means beginnings that shine with surprises.

China - 亮新篇，来耀眼, which roughly means a bright new chapter, prepare to be dazzled. The 篇 character can also mean page of a book, which is perhaps an interesting nod to a foldable device.

Hong Kong - 耀目驚喜，亮起新一章, translates to a dazzling surprise, lighting up a new chapter. It uses a different character for chapter and more clearly says surprise.

Taiwan - 驚喜耀現，開新篇, meaning something like a dazzling surprise opens a new chapter.

South Korea - 깜짝 빛날 시간, which translates to something like time to shine with a surprise. 깜짝 is surprise, 빛날 is shine, and 시간 is time.

The different taglines make it clear Apple lets its regional teams write their own content instead of using the same translation worldwide. Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China all use the chapter concept, which is absent from the rest of the world. Many of the European translations use a new beginning or a new dawn, along with the same shining or radiant word in the U.S. version. A new beginning is similar to a new chapter, so the Chinese taglines are probably using that context rather than a book-like chapter context, but there may also be an intentional dual meaning there.

For all of the translations to English, there are multiple interpretations because there are characters or words with multiple meanings in English, or phrases that don't translate, but most have the same general meaning as Surprise and Shine.

Some regional Apple pages haven't been updated with the event info yet, including Japan, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam.

We're expecting Apple to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and the first foldable iPhone at its September 9 event.

Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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Astropad Launches Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 With New Graphite Apple Pencil Tip

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:26:07 PDT

Astropad today launched Rock Paper Pencil 4.0, an updated version of its screen protector and Apple Pencil tip combo made for the iPad.

Rock Paper Pencil offers a paper-like writing experience on a tablet display by pairing a paper-textured screen protector with custom tips for the ‌Apple Pencil‌. The new version of the product comes with two ‌Apple Pencil‌ tips, one with a smooth ballpoint feel and one that mimics a soft graphite pencil. Two of each tip come in the kit for four total.

Astropad says the new graphite tip is meant to feel just like a 2B pencil with a "soft, toothy drag" that's ideal for sketching or shading. It even has the sound of a pencil on paper. The ballpoint tip is meant to feel like a smooth gel pen, and it's suited to writing and linework.

The reusable screen protector remains the same as before, and users can put it on when writing or drawing on the ‌iPad‌ and take it off for other activities like gaming. It uses Astropad's NanoCling technology to attach, and it leaves no residue on the ‌iPad‌'s display because it doesn't use adhesive. The paper-like feel of the screen protector comes from a microscopic texture that adds a small amount of friction to improve control. When not in use, the screen protector can be kept in an included protective storage sleeve.

Rock Paper Pencil is compatible with most iPads, with a list available on the website. The tips work with all ‌Apple Pencil‌ models, including the ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro.

Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 can be purchased from the Astropad website for $49.99. Astropad is also running a "Peel It Off" promo that offers $20 to people who switch to Rock Paper Pencil and share the removal of their old screen protector on social media.

Tags: Apple Pencil, Astropad

Related Forum: iPad Accessories

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Meta Agrees to Limit Teens' Time on Facebook and Instagram, Calls on TikTok and YouTube to Match

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:28:00 PDT

Meta today said it will implement major changes to Facebook and Instagram's child safety features as part of a settlement agreement with almost all U.S. states.

Here's what will change for users under 18 on Instagram and Facebook if the agreement is approved.

Time Limit - Teens will have a two-hour daily time limit on Facebook and Instagram, though it can be overridden by a parent. The two-hour total includes both apps.

Night Mode - Users will be blocked from posting and viewing content between midnight and 6 a.m.

School Mode - Notifications are muted between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Prompts - The apps will send prompts after every 15 minutes of continuous screen time. There will also be prompts when daily usage hits 60 minutes and 90 minutes.

Feed Control - Teens can choose a non-algorithmic feed that does not include personalization through the Instagram and Facebook recommendation systems. Parents will be able to require this setting.

Autoplay Control - Teens will be able to turn off autoplay. Parents can require this setting.

Hidden Likes - Teens won't see the likes and reactions on a post by default.

Filters - Cosmetic surgery and extreme makeup filters won't be accessible to teens.

Age Assurance - ‌Meta‌ plans to strengthen tools it uses to catch accounts belonging to users under 13, as well as accounts used by teens aged 13 to 17 to make sure the accounts have "experiences designed for teens."

Parental Controls - ‌Meta‌ will add new controls for parents, notifying them if a teen links a second account or interacts with suspicious accounts. Parents will also get periodic updates on teen usage.

Direct Messages - Direct messages are exempt from Time Limit, Night Mode, and School Mode.

‌Meta‌ will also pay approximately $18 billion to states to fund online youth safety initiatives, which is far less than its 2025 net income of $60.5 billion. The payment will be spread over a 10-year period, and ‌Meta‌ is withholding $5.3 billion unless TikTok and YouTube implement similar measures. If they do, ‌Meta‌ says it will lower daily usage limits from two cumulative hours across both apps to one hour for each app and expand ‌Night Mode‌ to run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

‌Meta‌ wants YouTube and TikTok to add a one-hour daily limit, night mode, and age assurance measures, as well as pay $5.3 billion each to match ‌Meta‌'s withheld $5.3 billion. ‌Meta‌ posted an open letter calling on TikTok and YouTube to implement the same measures. Teens with restrictions on Instagram and Facebook could instead just move over to TikTok and YouTube, and ‌Meta‌ likely doesn't want to be the only company losing out on revenue.

‌Meta‌ has been in a federal trial over the lawsuit, and had it continued, it could have been forced to pay more. California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey were seeking closer to $200 billion in civil penalties, according to Reuters. The settlement came before ‌Meta‌ CEO Mark Zuckerberg was set to testify, but Florida declined to settle and will continue litigation. New Mexico was also uninvolved because it won its own case against ‌Meta‌ earlier this year.

Tags: Facebook, Instagram, Meta, TikTok

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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 251 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:00:00 PDT

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser that was first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to allow users to test features that are planned for future release versions of the Safari browser.

Apple has not provided notes on what's changed in Safari 251.

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

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

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while it is designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download and use.
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iOS 27: 13 Ways the Messages App is Smarter and Less Annoying

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:47:04 PDT

The Messages app is arguably the most important app on the iPhone, and in iOS 27, Apple is adding some useful improvements. There are some quality-of-life fixes for longtime issues, and new AI features.

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Contextual Suggestions

Messages uses Apple Intelligence to surface one-tap suggestions based on what's being discussed in a conversation. If someone you're talking to asks you to send a photo, Messages recognizes the request and suggests adding the relevant photos.

If someone invites you to an event, Messages offers to add it to your Calendar. If someone asks you to pick something up at the store, Messages will suggest adding it to your Reminders list or to the Notes app.

Messages will also suggest Genmoji you might want to generate based on the conversation.

Write With Siri

There's a systemwide Write with Siri feature that's available in the Messages app. ‌Siri‌ AI can compose entire messages for you, proofread your messages, or give you feedback.

There is a dedicated Write with ‌Siri‌ button above the keyboard where you can get to the new ‌Siri‌ tools.

Smart Reply suggestions also use your writing style so they sound more natural.

Siri AI

‌Siri‌ AI integrates with the Messages app. You can ask ‌Siri‌ to find images, videos, links, addresses, phone numbers, and more in the Messages app, plus ‌Siri‌ can draft message replies and act on info in the Messages app, like adding an event date to the Calendar app.

Drawing

You can use a new Drawing interface in the Messages app to send little sketches and notes. It's available when tapping on the "+" button next to the text bar in a conversation.

The drawing interface is the same as the Markup tool available in apps like Photos and Notes. There's a marker, a pen, a highlighter, and an eraser, plus options to use the tools in any color.

Accidental Recordings

The ‌iOS 27‌ Messages app includes an option to remove the audio button from the text bar. In the Messages section of the Settings app, you can navigate to Show in Text Field to set the right-side button to Record Audio, Start Dictation, or None.

Setting the option to none will prevent you from accidentally recording a voice message with an errant tap.

Tapbacks

Messages now consolidates notifications for Tapback responses, which is useful when you're in a group thread and tons of people are sending emojis.

Sending

When a message fails to send in ‌iOS 27‌, your iPhone will automatically retry sending it. In iOS 26, you get an alert if a message fails, but you have to manually tap to try to send it again.

The Messages app also supports continuous sending of photos, videos, and texts. If you're sending someone a photo and your connection is poor or you go offline, it automatically resumes sending when the connection is restored.

Syncing

Cross-device syncing is improved in ‌iOS 27‌, so conversations will sync more reliably across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. Fewer messages will fail to sync and display properly when you switch between devices.

Messages, read states, reactions, and attachments sync faster.

When you take a photo and then go to the Messages app to send it, you're more likely to see it right away. Apple says the iPhone is faster to add recent camera captures to Messages.

Search

Apple improved its search index across apps like Mail and Messages, so you're more likely to find what you're looking for.

You can also search for conversations in Messages using a phone number or a contact's nickname.

Offloaded Media

If you have photos or videos that have been offloaded to save storage space, you can still find them in the ‌iOS 27‌ Messages app when you search.

Thumbnails are also displayed for offloaded media instead of a placeholder image, so you know what's there.

RCS

In RCS message conversations with Android users, you can now long press on a message to send an inline reply. ‌iOS 27‌ also shows reaction emoji directly on images and videos, a feature that was not functioning in ‌iOS 26‌.

Genmoji

Apple revamped ‌Genmoji‌ creation in ‌iOS 27‌. There's an updated interface for describing an emoji that you want, with options to start from an existing emoji, choose an image from ‌Photos‌, or select a person.

After uploading an image or using a text phrase to create a ‌‌Genmoji‌‌, there's a new "Describe a change" interface for making updates to what you've already created. You can iterate on designs and change individual elements of a ‌‌Genmoji‌‌, tweaking colors and objects. Each change uses the old base instead of regenerating a new ‌‌Genmoji‌‌.

With a series of requests, it is possible to make a complicated, multi-element ‌‌Genmoji‌‌. Along with describing changes, you can add in additional emoji, and the interface makes suggestions on what to do next.

‌‌Genmoji‌‌ output is more consistent, and ‌‌Genmoji‌‌ look more like real emoji with a 3D, cartoonish style by default. There is now an option to change style, so if you don't want the cartoonish look, you can ask for something else like a drawing or a sketch.

Large Conversations

Large conversations load and scroll faster in ‌iOS 27‌, according to Apple.

More on all of the features in ‌iOS 27‌ can be found in our iOS 27 guide.

Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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Apple Event Livestream: Where and When to Watch on September 9

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:30:32 PDT

Following this morning's announcement of the iPhone event that will take place on September 9, Apple added an event placeholder to its YouTube channel.

Apple will stream the "Surprise and Shine" event on YouTube, on the Apple Events website, and in the Apple TV app wherever it is available.

YouTube users can click on the video placeholder and choose the "Notify me" option to get a notification when the livestream is up. Apple also added an event countdown.

If YouTube has your location information, the notification and countdown will be displayed in your local time, so it's a good way to double-check when you will need to tune in to watch the event.

Apple's event will start at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, which is 1 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 p.m. British Summer Time, 7 p.m. Central European Summer Time, and 10:30 p.m. India Standard Time, 1 a.m. China Standard Time (Thursday, September 10), 1 a.m. Australian Western Standard Time, 3 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time, and 5 a.m. in New Zealand Standard Time.

You're also able to add the event to your calendar using the Apple Events website.

For those who are unable to watch the livestream on September 9, MacRumors will have full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive X (formerly Twitter) account so you can follow along with the announcements.

Tags: Apple Event, September 2026 Apple Event

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1-800-APL-CARE Now Connects You With AI Assistant Instead of Human

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:40:19 PDT

If you dial Apple Support's phone number 1-800-APL-CARE from the U.S. or Canada, there is a good chance that an AI-powered support assistant will now answer.

While many of Apple's phone systems already had a basic automated operator, the Apple Support phone line is now using a voice powered by generative AI. The assistant can answer questions and troubleshoot issues with your Apple products, with it able to provide detailed step-by-step instructions. The assistant can still transfer you to a human advisor if it cannot answer a specific question, or if you ask to speak to a real person.

An anonymous tipster claimed that Apple has partnered with Sierra AI on the virtual assistant, but we have not independently confirmed this information.

A concern is that Apple's increasing use of AI for customer service may result in a reduction in human advisors, through fewer job listings and/or layoffs.

It appears that the AI assistant for Apple Support phone calls went live earlier this year. Apple has also been testing a new AI-powered chatbot in its Apple Support app, through a new "Ask" tab that has rolled out to a limited number of users.

Tag: Apple Support

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Leaked Images Give First Look at Apple's AI Servers

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:34:32 PDT

Images claiming to show the inside of an Apple-made AI server, believed to power Private Cloud Compute, surfaced online this week, offering a first look at how the hardware is laid out.

The images were shared earlier this week by the X user @hsuchingpo, an account with a track record of Apple hardware and prototype leaks. Captioned simply "Apple M5 Server," the leaker said the hardware is "most likely" Apple's Private Cloud Compute (PCC) system. Private Cloud Compute is Apple's system for offloading demanding Apple Intelligence requests from a device to the cloud while keeping user data from being stored or shared.

The images show a rack mountable chassis packed with compute modules. Each one has a separate circuit board mounted on a carrier bar and secured with blue and red ejector latches for quick removal. The boards connect into a backplane through gold edge connectors, with heatsinks running through the center of each column and a service diagram taped inside the lid mapping out numbered board positions and Apple part numbers.

苹果M5服务器#apple pic.twitter.com/BJE4W0qPWF
— 徐静环境 (@hsuchingpo) August 24, 2026

Each single chassis holds up to 32 boards. The layout appears to be built around airflow, with heatsinks running down the center and fans at both ends.

One close-up image shows a board with its thermal paste wiped away, revealing an Apple logo printed directly onto a chip package, appearing to confirm the hardware uses Apple's own silicon. Two NAND flash chips sit nearby.

The leaker added that the server cannot manage its own workload independently. In replies, they explained that the hardware "requires use in conjunction with Mac Studio (serves the function of software control)" and apart from Apple, no one can activate it, since doing so needs both a physical control machine and a control account.

Apple produces AI servers domestically at a facility in Houston, Texas, as part of a $600 billion U.S. investment commitment.

Tag: Apple Silicon

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Apple Event Announced for September 9: 'Surprise and Shine'

Juli Clover — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:14:28 PDT

Apple plans to hold its annual iPhone-centric event on Wednesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with select members of the media invited to attend.

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The September 2026 iPhone event will see Apple announce the iPhone 18 Pro, the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and the foldable iPhone, which could be called the iPhone Ultra. There won't be an iPhone 18 this year because Apple is waiting until spring 2027 to launch the more affordable models.

All three new iPhones will use Apple's latest A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process for speed and efficiency improvements. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models could get an upgraded variable aperture rear camera, but will otherwise be similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models. We are expecting price increases due to ongoing memory shortages.

Surprise and shine! It's almost time for the #AppleEvent, on Wednesday, September 9! pic.twitter.com/SLkIcNmLwP
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) August 26, 2026

The foldable iPhone will be Apple's first new form factor since the launch of the 2017 iPhone X. It will have a book-like design, and it will be around 5.5 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. It is wider than it is tall, and will be similar to using an iPad when unfolded. Since the foldable iPhone is so thin, there are compromises, and it will use Touch ID instead of Face ID and it won't have a telephoto camera.

Apple is also going to introduce the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, plus there's a possibility we'll see new smart home devices, including the long-rumored home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and an updated HomePod mini.

Along with new hardware, Apple will give us launch dates for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and other upcoming software updates.

Apple plans to stream the fall event live on its website, on YouTube, and through the ‌Apple TV‌ app. For those unable to watch, MacRumors will be providing full event coverage on MacRumors.com and the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Tag: September 2026 Apple Event

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iPhone 17 Remains World's Best Selling Smartphone

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:19:29 PDT

The iPhone 17 retained its position as the world's best selling smartphone in the second quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research, with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ holding the next two spots on the firm's quarterly ranking.

Data from Counterpoint's Global Handset Model Sales Tracker places the standard ‌iPhone 17‌ at 6% of global smartphone unit sales for the second quarter, building on the top spot it already held in the first quarter. Apple and Samsung filled all ten of the top spots, with a combined 26% share of worldwide unit sales that was two points higher than a year earlier.

Counterpoint tied the growth to regional strength outside Apple's usual core markets, with gains in India, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa, plus a near doubling of sales in South Korea.

The base iPhone 17 model remained the best selling smartphone during the quarter, supported by significant upgrades that narrowed the gap with the Pro models. Meanwhile, strong premium demand drove the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max sales, aided by trade in programs, promotions, and accessible financing options that improved affordability.

Rising smartphone prices across the industry also nudged buyers toward more expensive pricing tiers generally, which largely worked in Apple's favor given its lineup skews upmarket already.

The iPhone 17e took seventh place following its refresh that added MagSafe and increased storage for the same price, boosted by compelling carrier deals in the U.S. and Japan. The iPhone 16 rounded out the list at number ten, leaving Apple with five of the ten slots, which is the same count and nearly the same positions Apple held a year earlier with the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup and iPhone 15.

Samsung's best performer was the Galaxy S26 Ultra in fourth place, which is the first time that Samsung's top tier device has outsold every other Android phone in the second quarter. This is said to partly be a reflection of Samsung steering more marketing spend toward its flagship models to protect margins as costs climb. Samsung's cheaper Galaxy A phones also remained competitive further down the market.

Overall, the smartphone market shrank 11% in the quarter, a contraction Counterpoint links to the ongoing shortages and price rises that has manufacturers concentrating resources on their most profitable phones. Apple and Samsung both grew unit sales against that backdrop, a divergence that is visible in Counterpoint's regional data as well.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17

Tag: Counterpoint

Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)

Related Forum: iPhone

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Apple Explains Why Spotlight Indexing Can Take Days After an Update

Tim Hardwick — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:06:11 PDT

For anyone who's experienced the lengthy post-update indexing process when trialing the beta version of iOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, or visionOS 27: Apple has published a Spotlight support document that explains what's going on.

Apple says indexing can take hours or even days depending on how much data you have stored. It completes more quickly when your device is not in use, and when it is connected to power and the internet. Apple also confirms that the index is stored locally, remains private, and is not shared with Apple or any of your other devices.
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Apple Wallet Driver's License Feature Just Launched in Virginia

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:57:58 PDT

Starting today, Virginia residents can add a digital version of their driver's license to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The digital ID can be used to display proof of identity or age at TSA checkpoints in select airports, at select businesses, and in select apps, but the number of places where it is accepted is still quite limited.

Virginia is the 15th state to implement support for Apple Wallet IDs in the U.S., joining Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, and West Virginia. The feature is also available in Puerto Rico, and it works with Japan's My Number Card.

Apple has been preparing for the feature to go live in North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Utah in the coming months, and years ago it announced that Connecticut, Kentucky, and Mississippi were committed to launching the feature at some point.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards, select Virginia from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process. Then, you can present your digital ID where it is accepted without handing over your device.

You can present an Apple Wallet ID where accepted by simply tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader. Then, you will be able to view the specific information being requested by the TSA or business. Only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested identity information released from your device.

As mentioned, you do not need to unlock, show, or hand over your device to present an Apple Wallet ID in person, ensuring user privacy.

Apple Wallet IDs are generally not accepted by law enforcement, so carrying a physical ID is still legally required for traffic stops. In addition, the number of businesses that accept Apple Wallet IDs is still quite small. At least for now, Apple Wallet IDs are designed to be a convenient alternative where they are accepted.

Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports across the U.S. for domestic travel, according to Apple.

Tag: Apple Wallet

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Pre-Ordering a Mac Mini or Mac Studio? Here's How to Get Money Back at Best Buy

Mitchel Broussard — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:54:44 PDT

Apple yesterday announced the new Mac mini and Mac Studio, and pre-orders have begun on each device ahead of their September 22 launch date. We aren't currently tracking any straight cash discounts on pre-orders, but Best Buy is offering some money back in the form of Best Buy rewards when ordering.

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.

Specifically, My Best Buy Plus and Total members will get 2% back in the form of Best Buy rewards with the pre-order of a new Mac mini or Mac Studio. This offers runs through September 22 and is available to new and existing My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members, which starts at $29.99/year.

Note: My Best Buy Plus/Total members only.

2% BACK IN REWARDS

Mac mini/Mac Studio Pre-Orders at Best Buy

You can find out more about everything Apple announced yesterday in our dedicated post. This also includes the new polishing cloth and a few updates to the Magic Keyboards.

Mac mini

M6 16GB/256GB - $899.00

M6 16GB/512GB - $1,099.00

M6 24GB/512GB - $1,299.00

M5 Pro 24GB/512GB - $1,699.00

Mac Studio

M5 Max 36GB/512GB - $2,499.00

M5 Ultra 96GB/1TB - $5,499.00

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

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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New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Add Genlock Support for Camera Syncing

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:25:41 PDT

Apple's new Mac mini and Mac Studio feature genlock support over USB-C, allowing users to precisely synchronize a display with a camera such as the iPhone 17 Pro, without the need for additional equipment.

It keeps multiple cameras and displays locked to the same timing signal, stopping footage from drifting out of sync during a multi-camera shoot.

Related Roundups: Mac Studio, Mac mini

Buyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Buy Now), Mac Mini (Buy Now)

Related Forums: Mac Studio, Mac mini

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Concept Video Imagines Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Reveal

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 07:06:48 PDT

A new fan-made concept video imagining Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is circulating online, weeks before the company is expected to unveil the device at its annual fall keynote.

The video was created by designer Gunhoo Lee to provide a realistic look at what a brief "iPhone Ultra" reveal could look like, showcasing its 7.8-inch inner display, Touch ID authentication, mechanical hinge, dual battery system, and A20 chip. The features and specifications it depicts track closely with months of corroborated rumors.

Apple's foldable iPhone is widely expected to be announced alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max next month, so the real reveal video isn't far away.

Related Roundup: iPhone Fold

Tags: Concepts, Foldable iPhone, iPhone Ultra

This article, "Concept Video Imagines Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra Reveal" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 27 Tweaks Apple Wallet's U.S. Passport Feature

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:46:25 PDT

iOS 27 tweaks some of the information and menus shown alongside the Digital ID passport feature in the Apple Wallet app.

As a result of these changes and/or a related bug, some iPhone users have seen their Digital ID deactivated on recent iOS 27 beta versions. Apple says affected users must remove the card and re-add it to the Apple Wallet app in order to use it again.

Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

Tag: Apple Wallet

This article, "iOS 27 Tweaks Apple Wallet's U.S. Passport Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Giving Some Mac Mini Customers a Free Upgrade

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:10:59 PDT

Apple has informed some customers who recently ordered a Mac mini with an M4 chip that has yet to ship that it will be upgrading their order to an equivalent version of the new Mac mini with an M6 chip at no additional cost.

Apple's email to customers:

Thank you for your recent Mac order. We know you're looking forward to receiving your purchase.

As you may know, Apple recently announced the new Mac mini. Since your order has yet to ship, we automatically upgraded you to the new Mac mini at no additional cost.

Given the Mac mini now starts at $899 instead of $799 in the U.S., some customers are effectively receiving a $100 discount on the new model.

One customer on social media was delighted to learn that they would not only be receiving the new Mac mini at no additional cost, but also saw their delivery estimate bumped up from October to September. On the other hand, a student emailed us to complain that their delivery estimate was pushed back by several weeks as a result of the free upgrade, as they said they need the computer imminently for their studies. The student said Apple did not offer them a choice to accept or decline the free upgrade.

Apple announced the new Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chip options this week, alongside a new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chip options. Both new Macs are available to pre-order now ahead and launch on Tuesday, September 22.

The previous-generation Mac mini was released in November 2024.

Related Roundup: Mac mini

Buyer's Guide: Mac Mini (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Mac mini

This article, "Apple Giving Some Mac Mini Customers a Free Upgrade" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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New Mac Studio Can Be Clustered Together for Faster AI Performance

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:56:48 PDT

Multiple new Mac Studio units can be clustered together over Thunderbolt 5 and RDMA (remote direct memory access), creating a shared memory pool for running larger AI models.

If four Mac Studio systems are clustered together, Apple says they can deliver 3x faster AI inference than running the same task on a single system, with the shared memory pool helping to load the largest and most demanding frontier-class open-weight models available today.

Related Roundup: Mac Studio

Buyer's Guide: Mac Studio (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Mac Studio

This article, "New Mac Studio Can Be Clustered Together for Faster AI Performance" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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75% of US Adults Aren't Interested in a Foldable iPhone

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:53:46 PDT

Three out of four U.S. adults say they have no interest in buying a foldable iPhone, according to a new survey from CNET.

CNET's survey was conducted online by YouGov between August 13 and 17, polling 2,605 U.S. adults. It found that 75% are not interested in an Apple foldable device, and those who are would not pay anywhere near the rumored $2,000+ price.

Interest is low across every generation surveyed. Boomers (1946–1964) and Gen Xers (1965–1980) are the least interested, at 83% and 77% respectively, while 69% of Gen Z (1997–2012) and 68% of millennials (1981–1996) also said they would pass on a foldable iPhone. CNET noted that a quarter of respondents still expressing interest in the device is a notable proportion for what remains a niche product category.

On average, U.S. adults said they would spend just $781 on a foldable iPhone, about $48 less than the $799 starting price of the standard iPhone 17. Gen Z was willing to spend the most, an average of $919, followed by millennials at $859, Gen X at $690, and Boomers at $572. That mismatch between expected pricing and what buyers actually want to pay highlights just how far a $2,000+ device will sit outside most people's budgets.

Moreover, CNET found that 41% of U.S. adults are rethinking their upgrade plans because of anticipated price increases. Apple raised prices on most of its devices in June, citing the global memory shortage, though iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods prices were untouched at the time. The iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to cost more than its predecessor when it launches for the same reasons.

5% of respondents said they are considering buying an older or cheaper model, 4% are considering switching brands, and 4% are looking at refurbished or used phones. Another 9% said they will only upgrade if a trade-in or carrier promotion covers the cost. 22% of U.S. adults said they have no plans to upgrade anytime soon regardless of what Apple releases, ranging from 16% of millennials to 27% of Boomers.