MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:41:46 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Apple 'Welcome Home' Launch: Everything to Expect Tomorrow https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-welcome-home-product-recap/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-welcome-home-launch-everything-to-expect-tomorrow.2491535/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:17:12 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-welcome-home-product-recap?post_date=1791836220/ Juli Clover Featured

Below, we've listed all the rumors we know about the three devices Apple is set to introduce.

HomeView


Apple's home hub, which will be called HomeView, is a multi-function device designed for all of a home's occupants. It's built around Siri AI, and will have an A18 chip and 8GB of RAM.


Here's what rumors suggest it'll be able to do:

  • Answer questions with ‌Siri‌ AI

  • Control smart home devices

  • Display the time and weather

  • Display widgets, including widgets from a connected iPhone

  • Show each user their calendar events and reminders

  • Play music, podcasts, and audiobooks

  • Play videos, TV shows, and movies

  • Show photos, slideshows, and home movies

  • Support video calls

  • Show the news

  • Show messages and emails

  • Display recipes and instructions when completing tasks


The hub will be able to do anything you might want a home assistant device to do, from giving the next steps of a recipe to suggesting dinner ideas and creating a shopping list. It will rely heavily on ‌Siri‌ AI for voice-based input, but it will also have a 6-inch touch display.

The display is square with bezels around the edges, and there are two models. One version can be mounted on the wall, and the other is attached to a half-dome speaker base with a flexible arm for adjusting tilt. The hub isn't expected to have its own App Store, but it will support Apple apps such as Safari, News, Music, Reminders, Calendar, Weather, Messages, FaceTime, Photos, and Mail.

There will be a presence sensor and a camera in the hub, and it will use a variation of Face ID to determine who is nearby to show customized content. It will display information from a linked iPhone, like email messages, but only after authenticating. The sensors in the hub will be usable in HomeKit scenes and automations, so you can use it to trigger lights and other devices when a person walks into the room.

The interface will be heavily widget-based so you can see information at a glance, and it's likely going to look similar to StandBy mode on the iPhone. You will be able to choose your preferred clock face or idle state, along with a home screen of widget options that you can tap to open a full app. If you have multiple hubs, they'll link together for features like multi-room music and intercom functionality. Rumors suggest that it will have better sound quality than the HomePod mini.

There isn't going to be a built-in battery, and the hub will need to be connected to power via an included USB-C port. The speaker-equipped version is expected in multiple colors, including gray, silver, starlight, and rose. The wall-mounted version will be available in silver and gray.

Rumors suggest the hub could be priced somewhere around $350.

Apple TV 4K


Apple isn't updating the design of the Apple TV, so expect the new model to be the same boring black box. What's changing is entirely inside.


The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is going to get a lot more powerful so it can support ‌Siri‌ AI, offering many of the same ‌Siri‌ features that are available on iPhone and iPad in iOS and iPadOS 27.

We're expecting an A19 with 8GB of RAM, along with Apple's N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. The A19 will bring a major upgrade in performance, both for ‌Siri‌ and for gaming. It has ray tracing, mesh shading, and other features that will improve gameplay graphics.

There will be a new ‌Siri‌ Remote with an included speaker to make it easier to find, and we've seen some signs that Apple is working on its own gaming controller under the Beats brand, but there's no word on whether it's ready to launch.

Apple will likely emphasize ‌Siri‌ AI and gaming capabilities when introducing the ‌Apple TV‌. Apple raised the price of the current ‌Apple TV‌ to $199 in June, and the new model will be at least that expensive with the processor and RAM upgrades.

HomePod mini


Like the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, the ‌HomePod mini‌ isn't going to get a new design, but it will have internal upgrades that make it more capable. It's going to get an upgraded S10 chip, second-generation UWB for features like Handoff, and the N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.


You'll need a nearby AI-capable device for ‌Siri‌ AI processing because the HomePod probably won't be able to handle much on-device, but smarter ‌Siri‌ should make for a better experience. ‌Siri‌ AI on ‌HomePod mini‌ will have the context of ‌Siri‌ interactions on other devices, and it's likely conversations will be saved to a connected iPhone's ‌Siri‌ app.

‌Siri‌ AI can answer follow-up questions, handle multi-request queries, and access information from your apps. It'll be similar to having ChatGPT or Claude on a speaker. Though design updates aren't expected, the ‌HomePod mini‌ will get new colors. We're expecting white, blue, black, sage, and pink.

‌HomePod mini‌ pricing went up from $99 to $129 in June 2026, and the new model will likely be priced at $129 too.

LG Accessories


Apple worked with LG to make an LG-branded wired video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, temperature sensor, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and floodlight camera that will work with the home hub and the ‌HomeKit‌ platform.

The accessories are part of an "Apple Home Collection" that will be marketed alongside the HomeView. They won't be ready until later this year at the earliest, but Apple could show them off during the announcement.

Announcement Timing


There's no keynote event for the "Welcome Home" product debut, so Apple is probably going to release a video and an accompanying set of press releases. There's an NYC media event that's going to take place at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 13, and that could be when all of the announcements happen.

The NYC event will let members of the media get some hands-on time with the new devices to share first impressions.

Pre-Orders and Launch Date


Apple could begin accepting pre-orders just after the new devices launch. The ‌HomePod mini‌ and the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K are going to launch on Friday, October 30.

The HomeView won't be available right away and is expected to ship to customers in mid-November.
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]]> Apple Plans Two-Day Event to Showcase Trio of New Macs and iPad Mini https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/new-macs-and-ipad-mini-in-los-angeles/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-plans-two-day-event-to-showcase-trio-of-new-macs-and-ipad-mini.2491534/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 16:49:04 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/new-macs-and-ipad-mini-in-los-angeles/ Joe Rossignol iMac iPad mini MacBook Pro according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Do not expect a traditional Apple Event with a live-streamed video on either of those days, as Gurman said that these will be "experiences" for content creators, similar to one that Apple is holding in New York this Tuesday, October 13.

The following four products are expected to be announced on or around Tuesday, October 27:Apple previously announced that it will be releasing a Mac Studio with 512GB of RAM in "late October," so expect that around the same time.

This will likely be Apple's final major launch in 2026, according to Gurman.

In the meantime, Apple is expected to unveil an all-new HomeView smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and an updated Apple TV 4K on Tuesday, October 13.
Related Roundups: iMac, iPad mini, MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), iPad Mini (Don't Buy), MacBook Pro (Caution)
Related Forums: iMac, iPad, MacBook Pro

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]]> Apple and Pokémon Tease Special Pikachu-Themed Beats Pill Speaker https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/beats-pokemon-teaser/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-and-pokémon-tease-special-pikachu-themed-beats-pill-speaker.2491531/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 16:35:21 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/beats-pokemon-teaser/ Joe Rossignol Beats Pokemon short video teasing a new collaboration with Pokémon, and it appears this will be for a Pikachu-themed Beats Pill speaker.


"Time to catch something new," the video title says. The short clip shows a Beats Pill speaker and Beats and Poké Ball icons side by side.

Earlier this month, Pokémon content creator BritBratTV shared two photos of an alleged Pikachu-themed Beats Pill speaker box at U.S. retailer Target, so that is likely what this teaser video is for. A release date has yet to be disclosed.


Apple re-released the Beats Pill in 2024, after discontinuing the previous version in 2022. In the U.S., the Bluetooth speaker is regularly priced at $149.99.

Pikachu visited Apple Park in August.
Tags: Beats, Pokemon

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]]> You Can Now Set Up Your iPhone Duo Pre-Order - Do It Before Friday https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/you-can-now-set-up-your-iphone-duo-pre-order/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/you-can-now-set-up-your-iphone-duo-pre-order-do-it-before-friday.2491532/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 16:16:49 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/you-can-now-set-up-your-iphone-duo-pre-order/ Tim Hardwick Featured iPhone Duo "Get Ready" service for iPhone Duo pre-orders, allowing customers to pre-select a variety of options to streamline the process of ordering and have a better chance of grabbing one on launch day.


The iPhone Duo launches on October 23, while pre-orders go live on October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time or 8 a.m. Eastern Time. Rather than turn up on the day, however, Apple encourages customers to take action before then and increase the chances of securing their preferred model on day one of sales.

Get Ready is an option available on Apple's online store and in its Apple Store app, and it lets you select a preferred color and capacity ahead of time. It also lets you confirm your carrier status, choose your accessories, pick an AppleCare+ plan, select a trade-in, add a payment method, and set a shipping and billing address.

Get Ready is really helpful because when pre-orders go live, it allows you to essentially perform a one-tap order. That's a real advantage when it comes to iPhone Duo, given that supplies are expected to be limited.

It's been said before about other iPhones, but pre-orders of the iPhone Duo really could sell out within minutes – there have been multiple reports of production issues leading to supply constraints, and users who have completed Get Ready will be able to submit orders faster.

So if you're set on being one of the first to get hold of Apple's debut foldable, make sure to visit Apple's website or Apple Store app and complete the Get Ready process now.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Duo (Coming Soon)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple Announces 'Indie Games Week' on App Store https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/app-store-indie-games-week/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-announces-indie-games-week-on-app-store.2491524/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:16:11 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/app-store-indie-games-week/ Joe Rossignol No Linkback App Store Apple today announced it is Indie Games Week on the App Store, in celebration of the "incredible catalog of imaginative games made by independent teams with big dreams."

Apple said seven acclaimed indie games are debuting on the App Store. No Man's Sky will be making its mobile debut on iPhone and iPad on October 28, and the six other games are Sifu, Vampire Crawlers, Little Kitty, Big City, 9 Kings, Dome Keeper, and Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall.
Tag: App Store

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]]> Amazon Discounting 2026 MacBook Pro by as Much as $600 This Week https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/2026-macbook-pro-600-week/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amazon-discounting-2026-macbook-pro-by-as-much-as-600-this-week.2491523/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:26:39 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/2026-macbook-pro-600-week/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured massive discounts on Apple's newest MacBook Pro models, including $500 off a 16-inch model and $600 off a 14-inch model on Amazon.

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 15-Core M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 2TB SSD has hit $2,399.00 on Amazon, down from $2,999.00. This one is only available in Space Black, and it's a new record low price on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, now priced just $100 more than the 1TB model on Amazon.

$600 OFF
14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/2TB) for $2,399.00


Apple's entry-level 16-inch MacBook Pro has also received a massive discount today on Amazon, coming in at $500 off its new price. This is the 18-Core M5 Pro 16-inch MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD, available for $2,499.00, down from $2,999.00.

$500 OFF
16-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB/1TB) for $2,499.00


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 as we head into the holidays? You can sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!




Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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]]> Apple Watch Ultra 1 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading? https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-ultra-1-vs-ultra-4/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-ultra-1-vs-ultra-4-buyers-guide-is-it-worth-upgrading.2491522/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:07:13 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-watch-ultra-1-vs-ultra-4?post_date=1791824829/ Hartley Charlton Apple Watch Ultra Buyer's Guide Featured Apple Watch Ultra 4 arrives four years after the original model. Across three subsequent generations, Apple added a brighter and larger display, satellite connectivity, new health sensors, more capable chips, and longer battery life. For owners of the original Ultra, are those cumulative improvements enough to justify upgrading now, or can their existing watch last another year?



Both watches retain a 49mm titanium case, an Action button, a siren, dual-frequency GPS, and support for recreational diving to 40 meters. The Apple Watch Ultra 4 starts at $799 in the U.S. Apple discontinued the original Ultra in 2023, and it no longer supports the latest major watchOS release. Here are the key differences between the two models:










































































































































































Apple Watch Ultra (first-generation) ‌Apple Watch Ultra 4‌
Natural titanium finish Natural and black titanium finishes
LTPO2 OLED display with always-on updates once per minute Wide-angle LTPO3 ‌OLED‌ display with 1Hz always-on updates, allowing supported faces to show ticking seconds
Up to 2,000 nits of brightness Up to 3,000 nits of brightness; 1-nit minimum brightness
410 by 502 pixels; 1,185 sq mm display area 422 by 514 pixels; 1,245 sq mm display area (5% larger), with thinner display borders
Flashlight Flashlight boost via Digital Crown
S8 chip S11 chip
1GB RAM 4GB RAM
Neural Engine 4-core Neural Engine
Secure Exclave for isolated audio processing
32GB storage 64GB storage
Single tap, Double Tap, and wrist flick gestures
Siri processed in the cloud via an internet connection On-device ‌Siri‌ for supported requests, including access to and logging of health and fitness data
Dictation Improved on-device dictation
‌Siri‌ AI support
First-generation Ultra Wideband chip Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Play a sound to locate an iPhone; locate accessories using Find Devices and Find Items Precision Finding for compatible iPhone models, AirTag 2, and the AirPods Pro 3 charging case, with distance and direction guidance
Automatic Now Playing controls and Smart Stack media suggestions when near a HomePod
Electrical heart sensor and third-generation optical heart sensor Health Sensing System with new electrical and always-on optical heart sensors
Background heart-rate measurements Background heart-rate measurements every five seconds
Heart-rate variability (HRV) measurements More frequent measurements of overall HRV and Recovery HRV
Overnight Vitals view Overnight and daytime Vitals views
Readiness app
Sleep apnea notifications
Hypertension notifications
Blood Oxygen readings viewable on the watch On affected U.S. models, Blood Oxygen readings are analyzed on the paired iPhone and viewed in its Health app
Step tracking and estimated indoor workout distance More accurate all-day step tracking and indoor workout distance measurements, plus a Steps watch-face complication
Workout Buddy requires a nearby Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone Enhanced Workout Buddy with additional insights and Spanish support
Live Translation in Messages when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone
LTE and UMTS cellular connectivity LTE and 5G cellular connectivity, with improved weak-signal reception through simultaneous use of both antennas
Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My via satellite
Audio Intelligence: Sound Recognition, automatic music identification, Live Rewind, and ‌Siri‌ Recap
Built-in speakers for calls, alerts, and ‌Siri‌ Built-in speakers for calls, alerts, ‌Siri‌, and media playback
Up to 36 hours of normal use Up to 50 hours of normal use
Up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, according to Apple's current comparison page Up to 84 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 12 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking Up to 18 hours of standard outdoor workout tracking
Low Power Mode during workouts, with an optional setting for fewer GPS and heart-rate readings Extended Workout mode: up to 25 hours with full GPS and heart-rate readings; Max Extended Workout mode: up to 45 hours with GPS readings every second
Charges from 0 to 80% in about one hour Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes; 15 minutes of charging for up to 18 hours of normal use; five minutes for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
61.3 grams Natural titanium: 63.0 grams; black titanium: 63.1 grams
Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou Dual-frequency GPS supporting GPS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Supports watchOS 26 Supports watchOS 27, including the ‌Siri‌ app, dynamic app grid, new Smart Stack suggestions, Call Context, and consolidated ‌Find My‌ app
Now discontinued Starts at $799



Existing first-generation Apple Watch Ultra owners can reasonably keep their watch for another year if its battery still covers their usual days and workouts. Losing support for ‌watchOS 27‌ is significant, but it does not prevent the original Ultra from continuing to handle notifications, activity tracking, navigation, and its other existing features. Owners satisfied with those capabilities may prefer to eke out another year of use and wait to see whether next year's model offers a more substantial upgrade.

However, the Ultra 4 is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone already running into the original model's limitations. The new Health Sensing System provides more detailed heart-rate and recovery insights, while sleep apnea and hypertension notifications expand its health capabilities. These changes are most compelling if you will use the additional information to follow changes in your daily condition or adjust your training.

Longer battery life and satellite connectivity strengthen the case for owners who record extended workouts or regularly travel beyond cellular coverage. If your original Apple Watch Ultra now struggles to finish an outing without charging, the improved battery life is a practical reason to replace it. The larger, brighter display, newer gestures, Audio Intelligence, and expanded Precision Finding support also make the cumulative upgrade more noticeable in everyday use.

Software support is a major reason to move on. The original Apple Watch Ultra cannot run watchOS 27, so it misses ‌Siri‌ AI and the latest operating system's other additions. If those features would materially improve how you use your watch, waiting another year means accepting those limitations in the meantime.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 4
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch Ultra (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Watch SE 3 Available From Just $199.99 on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/apple-watch-se-3-199-99/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-se-3-available-from-just-199-99-on-amazon.2491521/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:03:34 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/apple-watch-se-3-199-99/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $199.99 for the 40mm GPS model and increase to $229.99 for the 44mm GPS model.

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.

Both of these are $49 discounts and matches for the record low prices on each device. Only the Starlight Aluminum Case with Sand Sport Band is on sale at these all-time low prices, and Amazon provides a delivery date by October 18 for free shipping options.

$49 OFF
Apple Watch SE 3 (40mm GPS) for $199.99

$49 OFF
Apple Watch SE 3 (44mm GPS) for $229.99


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 as we head into the holidays? You can 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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]]> Tim Cook Visits China for the Third Time in 2026 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/tim-cook-visits-china/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tim-cook-visits-china-for-the-third-time-in-2026.2491520/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:54:50 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/tim-cook-visits-china/ Hartley Charlton China South China Morning Post Tim Cook Tim Cook is visiting China for the third time this year, with talks in Guangdong focused on expanding Apple's manufacturing and sales operations, the South China Morning Post reports.



This is Cook's first China trip in his capacity as Apple's executive chairman. He moved into the position on September 1 when John Ternus took over as CEO. Apple has said part of Cook's work involves relationships with government policymakers.

On October 11, Cook reportedly held talks with Guangdong governor Meng Fanli. Suppliers and partners located in Guangdong play a major role in Apple's business in China, and Cook is said to have expressed interest in doing more locally through smart manufacturing and additional sales channels. Meng said the province would support further expansion, including research and development.

In Guangzhou, a creator used an iPhone 18 Pro to capture martial arts footage while Cook watched. Cook posted "Great to be back in China!" on Weibo on Saturday. Customers also reported a visit to one of Guangzhou's Apple Stores on Sunday.

Cook traveled to Chengdu and Beijing in March as Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary, and addressed the China Development Forum. In May, he was among the business leaders who accompanied President Donald Trump for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The trip comes several weeks after sales of the ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max started. Counterpoint Research put Apple first in China's smartphone sales ranking for September 14 to 20. During their first three days on sale in China, the new Pro phones sold 12% more units than their predecessors had managed over the full first week of availability last year.
Tags: China, South China Morning Post, Tim Cook

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]]> OLED iPad Mini Could Be $200 More Expensive Than Current Model https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/oled-ipad-mini-more-expensive-than-current-model/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/oled-ipad-mini-could-be-200-more-expensive-than-current-model.2491514/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:10:16 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/oled-ipad-mini-more-expensive-than-current-model/ Tim Hardwick iPad mini No Linkback Mark Gurman OLED Apple's upcoming OLED iPad mini will be "considerably more expensive" than the current $599 model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman referenced his own sources indicating a price hike, while saying his guess is that the new device will cost "something closer to $799."

Aside from a new OLED display, the new iPad mini is expected to feature an A20 Pro chip, a landscape FaceTime camera, a redesigned speaker setup, and a water-resistant design. Apple will likely unveil the device alongside new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, Gurman previously reported. See our rumor roundup for all the details.
Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tags: Mark Gurman, OLED
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

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]]> Apple Launches Special Edition AirPods 5 in India https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/apple-launches-special-edition-airpods-5-in-india/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-launches-special-edition-airpods-5-in-india.2491512/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:28:36 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/12/apple-launches-special-edition-airpods-5-in-india/ Hartley Charlton AirPods India a limited edition of the AirPods 5, featuring a rangoli-inspired engraving.


The case's design draws on the traditional Indian art form, arranging a decorative pattern around a heart-eyes emoji. The earbuds cost ₹17,900 (approximately $187), matching the Indian price of the regular AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case.

The celebrations also include free rangoli workshops created with artist Arushi Kathuria. Participants will use Procreate on the iPad with an Apple Pencil, including a custom brush that recreates the appearance of powder. Sessions run from October 14 through November 9 in India and at selected locations in the United States, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Sales of the limited edition AirPods began on October 11 and will continue through to November 11, 2026, subject to stock. Customers can order through Apple's online store and Apple Store app, or purchase at its six retail locations in India.

Apple limits purchases to two pairs per customer and excludes the edition from other AirPods promotions and Business, Education, and Corporate Employee Purchase Plan pricing. Its purchase terms also caution that repairs or replacements may involve standard-edition ‌AirPods 5‌ with Wireless Charging Case, depending on supply.

(Thanks, svish!)
Related Roundup: AirPods 5
Tag: India
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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]]> New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-apple-tv-homepod-mini-2-preorders/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-tv-4k-and-homepod-mini-2-pre-orders-expected-to-begin-this-week.2491501/ Mon, 12 Oct 2026 03:17:03 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-apple-tv-homepod-mini-2-preorders/ Joe Rossignol Apple TV HomePod mini No Linkback HomePod Mini 2 Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini models will be unveiled on Tuesday, October 13 and launch on Friday, October 30.

In a follow-up video, Gurman said he was told that both devices should be available to pre-order starting this week.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini
Tag: HomePod Mini 2
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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]]> New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-tv-4k-homeview-homepod-mini-2-leaks/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-tv-4k-homeview-and-homepod-mini-16-details-just-leaked.2491493/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 19:56:28 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-tv-4k-homeview-homepod-mini-2-leaks/ Joe Rossignol Apple TV Featured HomePod mini Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K.


Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:
  • Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a trademark filing discovered by MacRumors.

  • HomeView is equipped with an A18 chip, which has 8GB of RAM in iPhones.

  • HomeView will support Siri AI for voice control.

  • HomeView will be available in a tabletop version with a speaker base made of metal, as well as a wall-mounted version with a flat, square wall plate.

  • The tabletop HomeView will offer "better sound quality" than the HomePod mini.

  • The tabletop HomeView will be available in four finishes: Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Rose. The wall-mounted version will be limited to Gray and Silver.

  • HomeView will be unveiled this Tuesday, October 13, but the device is apparently not launching until "around mid-November."

  • HomeView will have a selection of Apple apps, but no App Store for third-party apps.

  • HomeView will be accompanied by an "Apple Home Collection" of accessories that brands such as LG and Schneider Electric developed in partnership with Apple. This will include a smart doorbell, deadbolt lock, thermostat, temperature sensor, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a floodlight camera.

  • LG's accessories for the HomeView will not ship "until later this year at the earliest."

  • The new HomePod mini will be equipped with the Apple Watch Series 10's S10 chip, up from the S5 chip in the current model.

  • The new HomePod mini will be available in green, pink, blue, white, and midnight.

  • The new Apple TV 4K will be equipped with an A19 chip, which has 8GB of RAM.

  • The new Apple TV 4K may have built-in microphones for Siri AI.

  • The new Apple TV 4K may have an updated Siri Remote with a built-in speaker that makes it easier to find.

  • The new HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K models will be unveiled on October 13 and launch on Friday, October 30.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini
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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]]> New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-entry-level-ipad-not-expected-until-2027/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-entry-level-ipad-not-expected-until-early-2027.2491484/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 15:57:06 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-entry-level-ipad-not-expected-until-2027/ Hartley Charlton iPad Air iPad Pro iPad mini No Linkback Bloomberg Mark Gurman Apple's next entry-level iPad models, codenamed J581 and J582, will not arrive until early 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

He added that Apple plans a major iPad Air refresh to add an OLED display and a new iPad Pro in 2027. The latter could gain a vapor chamber to improve thermals and performance. A new iPad mini is still expected to arrive at the end of October this year.
Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad Pro, iPad mini
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Neutral), iPad Pro (Caution), iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

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]]> Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/iphone-duo-retail-showcase/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-plans-major-iphone-duo-retail-showcase-but-supply-will-be-limited.2491483/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 15:44:17 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/iphone-duo-retail-showcase/ Hartley Charlton iPhone Duo Bloomberg Mark Gurman iPhone Duo's October 23 launch, but supply will be limited, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Ahead of the October 23 launch, Apple plans to set aside a section of its Fifth Avenue flagship store for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Most locations will add an extra spotlight table for the device, using Apple's white display tables with central posts. Gurman said a new fixture will show how the phone folds and unfolds.

The number of demonstration devices will vary considerably between locations. Fifth Avenue in New York is expected to receive more than 150 units for customers to try and for other displays, compared with nearly 100 at the Apple Park Visitor Center. Non-flagship stores will receive approximately 20 units each on average.

Three other prominent stores will fall between those allocations: Chicago's Michigan Avenue, The Grove in Los Angeles, and Manhattan's Upper West Side. Each is expected to have approximately 30 to 40 devices.

Visitors will be able to explore StandBy on untethered phones in the Avenue display areas along the sides of stores. For comparisons on store tables, Apple has designed a MagSafe stand that accommodates an open ‌iPhone Duo‌ and two conventional iPhones.

The retail preparations come as Apple faces tighter supply than it had anticipated. According to Gurman, around two months ago the company believed production constraints could prevent sales from starting until later in November. It has since assembled sufficient inventory to proceed with this month's release, although stock is expected to remain limited.

Apple is also equipping stores with "Presto" machines adapted for the ‌iPhone Duo‌. Apple's wireless system can install software updates without opening an iPhone's packaging, and will also add the buyer's name to the greeting displayed during the device's first startup. Gurman previously said the personalized greeting will be offered in U.S. Apple Stores in English and Spanish.

‌iPhone Duo‌ pre-orders open October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with sales starting on October 23. The 256GB model starts at $1,999 in the United States.
Related Roundup: iPhone Duo
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iPhone Duo (Coming Soon)
Related Forum: iPhone

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]]> Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-tv-4k-a19-chip-easier-to-find-remote/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-tv-4k-getting-a19-chip-and-a-potentially-easier-to-find-siri-remote.2491479/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 15:08:50 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-tv-4k-a19-chip-easier-to-find-remote/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV No Linkback Mark Gurman Siri Apple's new Apple TV 4K will be powered by a standard A19 chip, up from the A15 in the current 2022 model, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his Power On newsletter, Gurman also said Apple has tested a refreshed Siri Remote with a speaker to make it easier to find between couch cushions.

Apple has also tested built-in microphones for the Apple TV 4K to let users query Siri without the remote or a paired HomePod, though whether this feature and the new Siri Remote will come with the shipping device appears unconfirmed. The new Apple TV 4K arrives in stores on October 30 alongside the new HomePod mini. Apple is expected to unveil both at Tuesday's "Welcome home" event.
Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tags: Mark Gurman, Siri
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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]]> New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/mac-mini-studio-200-off/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-mac-mini-and-mac-studio-receive-up-to-200-price-cuts-at-amazon.2491477/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:44:20 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/mac-mini-studio-200-off/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Mac mini for up to $149 off this weekend, with both the M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini available on sale. You'll also find $200 off the M5 Max Mac Studio below.

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.

One of the best deals is on the M5 Max Mac Studio with 36GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, on sale for $2,299.00, down from $2,499.00. Regarding the Mac mini, you can get the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD Mac mini for $779.99 ($119 off), the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model for $949.99 ($149 off), and similar savings on the M5 Pro model.

$119 OFF
M6 Mac mini 16GB/256GB for $779.99

$149 OFF
M6 Mac mini 16GB/512GB for $949.99

$149 OFF
M5 Pro Mac mini 24GB/512GB for $1,549.99

$200 OFF
M5 Max Mac Studio 36GB/512GB for $2,299.00


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.



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]]> Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-homeview-smart-home-hub-ship-next-month/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-homeview-smart-hub-to-ship-in-mid-november-in-four-colors.2491478/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:40:00 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/apple-homeview-smart-home-hub-ship-next-month/ Tim Hardwick Featured Apple Command Center Apple Home Mark Gurman Welcome home" October 13 event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

HomeView concept image

Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said the HomeView, "at least as of now," will follow the launch of the new Apple TV 4K and new HomePod mini models, which will arrive to customers and in stores on October 30.

The HomeView will be positioned as the Siri command center of an Apple-powered home, pairing a display with an A18 chip. It will come in two versions, including a countertop model with a metal speaker base, offered in space gray, silver, starlight and pink, and a wall-mounted version with a flat, square base, limited to space gray and silver. The HomeView will offer better sound quality than the new HomePod mini, according to Gurman.

The device is controlled primarily by voice, though its screen supports touch input. It supports a limited selection of Apple applications, and there will be no dedicated App Store for it.

The HomeView name first appeared in a trademark filing by a shell company, a discovery reported on Friday by MacRumors and credited by Gurman. The "view" part of the name is said to reflect how the device is meant to be used, in the sense that it's a display that people look at and control mainly with their voice.
Tags: Apple Command Center, Apple Home, Mark Gurman

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]]> New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-apple-tv-4k-homepod-mini-ship-oct-30/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-apple-tv-4k-and-homepod-mini-to-ship-on-october-30.2491474/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:24:03 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/new-apple-tv-4k-homepod-mini-ship-oct-30/ Tim Hardwick Apple TV Featured HomePod mini No Linkback Mark Gurman The new upcoming Apple TV 4K with A19 chip and new HomePod mini with S10 chip will launch on Friday, October 30, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his Power On newsletter, Gurman said the devices will ship to customers and arrive in stores on that day.

Apple is expected to announce the new devices at its October 13 "Welcome home" event, which will also debut "HomeView" – the company's new smart home hub, whose name was first spotted by MacRumors in a trademark filing. The HomeView will ship – "at least as of now" – around mid-November, according to Gurman's sources.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini
Tag: Mark Gurman
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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]]> AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/airpods-max-2-for-429/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airpods-max-2-available-for-429-in-all-colors-on-amazon.2491473/ Sun, 11 Oct 2026 14:05:50 +0000 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/11/airpods-max-2-for-429/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured $429.00 this weekend, down from $549.00. This is a Prime Day sale that has stuck around all these days later, and it's available in all five colors of the AirPods Max 2: Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight.

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.

Stock has begun to dwindle on select colors, so it might be time to make your purchase on this deal if you've been holding off since Prime Day. Apple launched the AirPods Max 2 in March 2026 with the H2 chip, bringing improved ANC, better audio, Live Translation, and more.

$120 OFF
AirPods Max 2 for $429.00


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 as we head into the holidays? You can 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

This article, "AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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