MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://www.macrumors.com Apple, iPhone, iPad, Mac News and Rumors Wed, 22 Jul 2026 12:49:15 PDT en hourly 1 https://www.macrumors.com Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 248 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-248/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-248-with-bug-fixes-and-performance-improvements.2485772/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:25:56 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-releases-safari-technology-preview-248/ Juli Clover Blurb Safari Technology Preview 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.


‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 248 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility, CSS, Editing, Forms, Images, JavaScript, Media, Navigation, Networking, Rendering, SVG, Scrolling, Security, Storage, Web API, Web Inspector, WebDriver, and WebRTC.

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.
Tag: Safari Technology Preview

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]]> Second iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 Public Betas Now Available https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-seeds-ios-27-public-beta-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/second-ios-27-and-ipados-27-public-betas-now-available.2485770/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:19:44 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-seeds-ios-27-public-beta-2/ Juli Clover Featured iOS 27 iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, allowing anyone with a compatible device to download and test the new software. The second betas come a week after Apple seeded the first betas.


You can get started by signing up on Apple's beta website and then opting in to the public beta by going to Settings > General > Software Update and choosing the ‌iOS 27‌ or ‌iPadOS 27‌ Public Beta option.

‌iOS 27‌ introduces Siri AI, a more capable version of ‌Siri‌ that can search the web, access your personal information, see what's on your screen, and take actions in and across apps. ‌Siri‌ in ‌iOS 27‌ is more similar to Claude or ChatGPT than the prior version of ‌Siri‌, with a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app for back-and-forth conversations. You can use ‌Siri‌ AI if you have a device that supports Apple Intelligence.

Apple updated the Liquid Glass design that debuted last year, adding a slider to adjust the transparency level and refining its look. There are new AI features in many of Apple's apps. Visual Intelligence moved to the Camera app and supports new features like getting the nutritional information for a meal or splitting a bill, and ‌Siri‌ is able to generate text for you or help you refine your writing with Write with ‌Siri‌.

There are new AI photo editing tools in the Photos app, Safari can organize your tabs automatically, and you can create Shortcuts and Safari extensions using natural language commands. AirPods have custom EQ, the Home app supports 4K video cameras, and there are new child safety controls for parents.

Apple made dozens of improvements to device performance, and everything feels faster, even on older iPhones. Apps launch quicker, AirDrop transfers are faster, the keyboard loads quicker, and more.

Additional information on the new features in ‌iOS 27‌ can be found in our dedicated iOS 27 roundup, with info on ‌iPadOS 27‌ available in our separate iPadOS 27 roundup.
Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

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]]> Switching From iPhone to Android Just Got Easier With Android 17 https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/iphone-android-17-switching-simpler/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/switching-from-iphone-to-android-just-got-easier-with-android-17.2485765/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:05:33 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/iphone-android-17-switching-simpler/ Juli Clover Android Google

Google says the upgraded method allows Google Accounts, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, and eSIMs to be transferred. It also supports photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendars, like the prior version of the switching tool. Data transfers require an iPhone with iOS 26.3 or later.

Both Apple and Google had to implement iPhone and Android transfer tools that work without an app to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. When you set up a new Android smartphone or iPhone, there are now simple built-in options to transfer data from a competing platform. Before the on-device transfer options, Google and Apple offered apps for moving data.

The Digital Markets Act requires services to offer data portability to prevent lock-in to an operating system. It also forced Apple and Google to implement a simplified eSIM transfer process.

Android 17 with the new data transfer method has been rolling out to select Pixel devices since June and will also come to Samsung's newly announced Galaxy Z Flip8 and Z Fold8 smartphones.
Tags: Android, Google

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]]> Hands-On With Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, the Closest Thing Yet to a Foldable iPhone https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/samsung-galaxy-z-fold8/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/hands-on-with-samsungs-galaxy-z-fold8-the-closest-thing-yet-to-a-foldable-iphone.2485753/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:00:16 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/samsung-galaxy-z-fold8/ Juli Clover Featured Foldable iPhone Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, and the new Galaxy Z Fold8, which has a design similar to what we're expecting from the foldable iPhone coming this September. We were able to take a look at the new Samsung foldables ahead of launch.

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The Galaxy ZFold 8 Ultra has a 6.5-inch cover screen when closed, and an 8-inch display when it's unfolded. Both displays are OLED with 120Hz refresh rates. The device is just 4.1mm thick when open.

Samsung included a three-camera setup with a 200-megapixel wide lens, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and 30x Space Zoom. There are also two selfie cameras, one on the cover screen and one on the main display.

Samsung's Z Fold8 has a 7.6-inch display when open and a 5.5-inch display when closed, and it looks like Samsung read the foldable iPhone rumors and beat Apple to it. It has a passport-style form factor, so it's not as tall as prior Samsung foldables. It's wider and more square than the designs Samsung used in the past.

The aspect ratio of the unfolded Z Fold8 makes it feel similar to using an iPad mini, which feels more natural than using taller foldables. It's a size that's perfect for watching videos or running two apps side by side. The Z Fold8 gives us a pretty clear look at what the Apple foldable will look like and what it will feel like to use.

Samsung is reserving higher-tier specs for the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. The Z Fold8 also has a three-camera setup, but with lower-end camera options. Both devices support the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, and offer up to 16GB of RAM. Samsung is also releasing the Galaxy Z Flip8, which has a 6.9-inch display when unfolded and a 4.1-inch cover screen when closed. The Flip8 doesn't open like a book, and instead has a clamshell design.

Samsung is now offering foldables in three sizes and two form factors, and it has had multiple years to refine its foldable designs. Samsung is on its eighth-generation devices, while Apple's first foldable hasn't launched yet.

Along with new foldable smartphones, Samsung also launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9, which have the same round display that Samsung watches have used for several years. The titanium Watch Ultra2 is 47mm, while the Watch9 is available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

Samsung's watches offer a bioelectrical impedance analysis, reading body composition from the wrist. They also have heart rate tracking, sleep apnea detection, and other features that mirror what's available on the Apple Watch.

Samsung's new Galaxy foldables and smartwatches are available for pre-order starting today from the Samsung website.

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

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]]> Second macOS Golden Gate Public Beta Now Available https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/macos-27-public-beta-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/second-macos-golden-gate-public-beta-now-available.2485769/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:39:12 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/macos-27-public-beta-2/ Juli Clover macOS Golden Gate macOS Golden Gate, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its fall release. You can sign up to test the update on Apple's beta website, and then download it by going to System Settings > General > Software Update and toggling on the macOS 27 beta.


‌macOS Golden Gate‌ includes the same Siri AI features as iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, but you get to ‌Siri‌ through Spotlight with a Command + Space keyboard shortcut. ‌Siri‌ can search the web to answer questions, look through your personal data like photos, emails, and messages to help you find what you're searching for, and complete actions in and between apps. There is a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app, and you can hold ongoing conversations with ‌Siri‌.

Apple brought Visual Intelligence to the Mac, so ‌Siri‌ can look at what's on your screen and answer questions about it.

The Liquid Glass design introduced last year has been updated, and Apple added a slider for controlling overall system transparency. Liquid Glass opacity has been changed so it better diffuses complex content, and other design changes bring more depth and separation to the UI so it's easier to tell which window is active.

Apps now feature uniform toolbars with headings and controls that are easier to read, and windows no longer have such dramatically rounded corners. Sidebars are no longer floating and extend edge-to-edge, plus window positioning is more consistent across external displays.

Write with ‌Siri‌ is able to generate text from scratch, correct your grammar, or give you feedback on your writing, and there are new AI editing tools in the Photos app. In Shortcuts, you can create automations with natural language requests, and search has been improved in Mail and Messages. Apple made multiple performance improvements across ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ for a faster, smoother experience even on older Macs.

More on the new features in macOS 27 can be found in our macOS Golden Gate roundup.
Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate

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]]> tvOS 27 and watchOS 27 Second Public Betas Now Available https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/watchos-27-public-beta-2/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/tvos-27-and-watchos-27-second-public-betas-now-available.2485768/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:38:13 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/watchos-27-public-beta-2/ Juli Clover Apple TV watchOS watchOS 27, giving Apple TV and Apple Watch users a chance to try the new software ahead of its fall launch. There's also a new HomePod Software 27 beta for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini.


You can sign up for Apple's public beta testing program on the beta website, and then download the updates through the Settings app on each device.

‌watchOS 27‌ adopts Siri AI, and you can use ‌Siri‌ from your wrist as long as you have an iPhone that supports it. ‌Siri‌ AI can access your personal information, answer all kinds of questions, and complete tasks for you. There is a dedicated ‌Siri‌ app that's front and center on the watch in the new dynamic app grid that comes up when pressing the Digital Crown.

There's a new gesture for selecting a widget in the Smart Stack, plus Apple added Smart Stack suggestions for finding a parked car, accessing a transit card, and getting a birthday reminder.

Workout Buddy works without your iPhone nearby, treadmill run and walk distances are tracked more accurately, and Apple added a unified Find My app that also supports Precision Finding.

tvOS 27 has a redesigned Podcasts app, Hi-Res Lossless audio and AutoMix song transitions in Apple Music, and easier profile switching. With performance improvements, apps launch faster, animations are speedier, and devices connect more quickly when AirPlaying content.

More on what's new in the updates can be found in our watchOS 27 roundup and Apple TV roundup.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, watchOS 26, watchOS 27
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Watch

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]]> Apple Raises iCloud+ Prices in 8 Countries https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/17/apple-icloud-plus-price-increase/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-raises-icloud-prices-in-8-countries.2485555/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:30:42 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/17/apple-icloud-plus-price-increase/ Juli Clover iCloud iCloud+ in Nigeria, Türkiye, Vietnam, Japan, Egypt, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, according to an updated version of its iCloud support document.


Price increases range from 11 percent to 55 percent depending on the plan and the country. Nigeria saw the biggest hike, and a 50GB plan is now ₦1,300, up from ₦900. Türkiye saw the next largest increase, with a 50GB plan priced at 49.99 TL, up from 39.99 TL.

Apple has likely adjusted pricing due to currency fluctuations. The Japanese Yen has weakened over the past year, for example, and the dollar is up almost 10 percent against the yen. The Turkish Lira has also depreciated, increasing the value of the U.S. dollar.

A full list of price changes can be found on Apple's iCloud website. U.S. pricing has not changed, nor has pricing in any other country not listed above.

All Apple Accounts receive 5GB of free ‌iCloud‌ storage. Apple's ‌iCloud‌+ plans give users extra storage, as well as perks like Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure Video, and ‌iCloud‌ Private Relay.
Tag: iCloud
Related Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+

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]]> Next Mac Mini Will Reportedly Have Mismatched M6 and M5 Pro Chips https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/mac-mini-m6-m5-pro-chips-rumor/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/next-mac-mini-will-reportedly-have-mismatched-m6-and-m5-pro-chips.2485766/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:04:46 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/mac-mini-m6-m5-pro-chips-rumor/ Joe Rossignol Apple Rumors Mac iOS iPhone iPad Apple is testing new Mac mini configurations with mismatched M6 and M5 Pro chips, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but he did not provide a release timeframe.

In a similar move last year, Apple updated the Mac Studio with mismatched M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips.
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]]> iMac Update Expected This Year, Model With OLED Display Also in Works https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/imac-new-chip-this-year-oled-display-later/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/imac-update-expected-this-year-model-with-oled-display-also-in-works.2485764/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:10:13 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/imac-new-chip-this-year-oled-display-later/ Joe Rossignol iMac Mark Gurman OLED from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The updated iMac is one of 11 new Mac models that Apple plans to release over the next two years or so.


The next iMac will unsurprisingly have a newer chip, but the report did not indicate if Apple plans to use the existing M5 chip or the upcoming M6 chip. Apple has never released an iMac with its higher-end "Pro" or "Max" chips.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next iMac, so it will likely continue to have a 24-inch LCD screen. However, the report said Apple is planning a subsequent iMac with an OLED display for release "further in the future."

The current iMac with the M4 chip was announced in October 2024. The desktop computer did not receive an M5 chip upgrade last year, so the model coming this year would represent the first refresh in two years. The report said the iMac will continue to come in two configurations, with varying CPU/GPU core counts and ports.

Apple discontinued the Intel-based iMac Pro and 27-inch iMac models in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and the computer has only come in a 24-inch size since then. Over the years, there have been rumors that an iMac Pro with at least a 30-inch display and Apple silicon might be released one day, but nothing of that sort has materialized.

Apple raised prices on all Macs last month amid rising memory chip costs. In the U.S., the iMac now starts at $1,499, up from $1,299.
Related Roundup: iMac
Tags: Mark Gurman, OLED
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iMac

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]]> Apple Working on New MacBook Neo With Two Upgrades https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/new-macbook-neo-two-upgrades/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-working-on-new-macbook-neo-with-two-upgrades.2485760/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:27:54 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/new-macbook-neo-two-upgrades/ Joe Rossignol MacBook Neo Mark Gurman according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The updated MacBook Neo is one of 11 new Mac models that Apple plans to release.


With the A19 Pro chip, the second-generation MacBook Neo should have 12GB of RAM, up from an A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM in the current model.

The report suggested that the next MacBook Neo will also have new color options. Existing finishes include Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo.

While the report did not indicate when the next MacBook Neo will be released, the first half of next year seems likely. The current MacBook Neo was released in March of this year. In the U.S., the laptop initially started at a breakthrough $599 for the general public, but Apple raised the starting price to $699 last month.

You can still get a MacBook Neo for as low as $599 in the U.S. through Apple's education store, so long as you are a verified college student or meet other eligibility criteria, or if you opt for a certified refurbished model.

Apple previously said the MacBook Neo was in high demand, but it remains to be seen how the $100 price increase might impact sales. Even at $699, it is still the most affordable MacBook, coming in well below the MacBook Air's increased $1,299 starting price. The company's next quarterly earnings report will be released on July 30.
Related Roundup: MacBook Neo
Tag: Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Neo

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]]> Apple to Overhaul Mac Lineup With 11 New Models https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-to-overhaul-mac-lineup/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-to-overhaul-mac-lineup-with-11-new-models.2485759/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:13:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-to-overhaul-mac-lineup/ Hartley Charlton Featured iMac Mac Studio MacBook Neo MacBook Pro MacBook Air Mac mini Bloomberg Mark Gurman Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


The plans come amid a Mac resurgence, with sales projected to climb for a third consecutive year, partly thanks to a growing following among users who lean on the machines for demanding, agent-based AI workloads.

The wave of new Macs will begin this fall with a refreshed entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro and the first new iMacs in two years. Here's everything coming, according to the report:


  • Refreshed 14-inch MacBook Pro (entry-level) (Fall 2026): Among the first Macs with the new M6 chip; codename J804.

  • Mac mini (timing dependent on memory supply): New model in testing with M5 Pro and M6 chips.

  • Mac Studio (timing dependent on memory supply): New model in testing with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips.

  • Refreshed iMac (Fall 2026): First new iMacs in two years; codenames J833 and J834.

  • High-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook (End of 2026 to Early 2027): All-new design with an OLED touch screen; M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options; codenames K114 and K116.

  • Refreshed MacBook Air (Early 2027): 13-inch and 15-inch models similar to the current machines; codenames J913 and J915.

  • 14-inch MacBook Pro (entry-level) (2027): 14-inch model resembling the high-end K114 and K116 design but with a standard M7 chip; codename K104.

  • Refreshed MacBook Neo (timing unclear): New budget laptop using an A19 Pro chip and more memory; part of a periodic refresh cycle with new colors.

  • Follow-up high-end MacBook (End of 2027 to Early 2028): Successor to K114 and K116, moving to M7 Pro and M7 Max chips.

  • OLED MacBook Air (2028 earliest): A future version of the MacBook Air with an ‌OLED‌ panel, implicitly with a redesign.

  • OLED iMac (timing unclear): New iMac model with an ‌OLED‌ screen, matching the technology coming to MacBook and ‌MacBook Air‌.



Development of the refreshed iMacs and the entry-level ‌MacBook Pro‌ is reportedly complete, though the machines aren't expected to ship until the fall. The high-end MacBook with the ‌OLED‌ touchscreen remains the most notable model on the roadmap, and Apple is said to be testing it internally with macOS 27.1, which is scheduled for release at the end of October.

The Mac mini and Mac Studio have become popular among users running AI applications thanks to their processing power, but demand has been outstripping supply and new orders for some current models reportedly won't ship for at least three months. Apple CEO Tim Cook said in April that it could take "several months" for those machines to reach a supply-demand balance. As a result, the timing of successors to those machines is currently unclear.
Related Roundups: iMac, Mac Studio, MacBook Neo, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini
Tags: Bloomberg, Mark Gurman
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), Mac Studio (Don't Buy), MacBook Neo (Buy Now), MacBook Pro (Buy Now), MacBook Air (Neutral), Mac Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: iMac, Mac Studio, MacBook Neo, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini

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]]> WhatsApp Announces New CarPlay Experience, iPad Sign-Up, and More https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/whatsapp-announces-new-carplay/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/whatsapp-announces-new-carplay-experience-ipad-sign-up-and-more.2485752/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:07 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/whatsapp-announces-new-carplay/ Tim Hardwick CarPlay WhatsApp

First up, WhatsApp for CarPlay and Android Auto has been completely refreshed. Now you can hear and respond to messages, make calls, see your call history, and reach your favorites, all hands-free directly from your car's screen.

Over on WhatsApp for web and desktop, a new feature powered by Adobe Acrobat means you can now open PDFs right inside WhatsApp without having to download them, then make lightweight edits like highlighting and annotating right in the chat.

Thirdly, you can now share a song straight from Apple Music or Spotify to your WhatsApp Status, so your friends can see what you're listening to.

Last but not least, it's now possible to sign up to WhatsApp on your iPad. Since WhatsApp announced its iPad app last year, one of the most requested features from users is the ability to create a WhatsApp directly on an iPad, without needing to link a phone. Now you can.

WhatsApp says these features are already rolling out to users now.
Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: WhatsApp
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

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]]> Apple Park Visitor Center Has 'Update in Progress' https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-park-visitor-center-update-in-progress/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-park-visitor-center-has-update-in-progress.2485751/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:49:11 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/apple-park-visitor-center-update-in-progress/ Joe Rossignol Apple Park Apple Store Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California, according to a new notice posted on Apple's website.


The building remains open to the public while the work is completed, but the area housing a 3D augmented reality model of Apple Park is temporarily closed.

"Please pardon our appearance while we improve our store," says Apple. "During this time, the Exhibition Space is temporarily closed."

Opened in November 2017, the Apple Park Visitor Center functions as both a store and a tourist attraction. While the Exhibition Space is closed for now, visitors can still grab a coffee at the on-site Caffè Macs, buy Apple merch, head up to the rooftop for a scenic view, or stroll through the adjacent "Mirage" public art installation.

Apple did not indicate when the improvements will be completed.
Tags: Apple Park, Apple Store

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]]> Foxconn Ramps Up Hiring as iPhone 18 Pro Enters Mass Production https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/iphone-18-pro-enters-mass-production/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/foxconn-ramps-up-hiring-as-iphone-18-pro-enters-mass-production.2485749/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:16:23 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/iphone-18-pro-enters-mass-production/ Hartley Charlton iPhone 18 Pro Foxconn MyDrivers iPhone 18 Pro models have entered mass production and are now in a production ramp-up phase, according to China Securities News.


In a new report citing supply chain sources (via MyDrivers), Apple's main assembly partner Foxconn is said to have entered its peak recruitment period to prepare for large-scale production and stocking ahead of the fall launch. Hourly wages, base pay, and rehire bonuses have all been raised to attract workers amid the ramp-up.

The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ is expected to introduce a smaller Dynamic Island cutout for its front camera and Face ID sensors. The opening is said to shrink from 20.76mm to 13.49mm, an area reduction of roughly 35%, which would push the screen-to-body ratio up to about 94.7% and reduce how much the cutout intrudes on full-screen content like games and movies played in landscape mode.

The devices are also expected to gain the A20 Pro chip, continuing Apple's usual performance and efficiency gains, alongside a new main camera with variable aperture technology that adjusts light intake depending on the shooting environment, which should improve low-light photography and depth-of-field control.

Chinese brokerages offer a mixed but largely bullish view on the device. CSC Financial said iPhone 17 sales have been strong and that Apple's innovation cycle is trending upward, with a foldable iPhone and smart glasses among several new products expected between 2026 and 2027 that could directly benefit the sector. Industrial Securities said the combination of expanding Apple Intelligence availability, the iPhone 18 lineup, and a new foldable iPhone should keep hardware and AI innovation driving the high-end smartphone market, and recommended investors continue tracking mid-to-long-term opportunities tied to Apple's product strength and AI upgrades.

Apple is reportedly adjusting its release cadence for the line this year, adopting a staggered rollout rather than launching the full lineup at once. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to arrive first, in September, while the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ is not expected to launch until next year, likely alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro
Tags: Foxconn, MyDrivers

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]]> The iPhone 18 Pro's Rumored Camera Upgrade, Explained https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/the-iphone-18-pro-variable-camera-aperture/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-iphone-18-pros-rumored-camera-upgrade-explained.2485747/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:15:05 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/22/the-iphone-18-pro-variable-camera-aperture/ Tim Hardwick iPhone 18 Pro variable-aperture camera. The upgrade has been rumored repeatedly and would be a first for Apple's smartphone lineup, but what would it actually change for everyday users?


An aperture is the opening inside a camera lens that lets in light. A natural comparison would be the pupils of your eyes, which open wider in the dark and become smaller in bright conditions.

Current iPhone cameras have an opening that's fixed to the one size. To compensate for this, the iPhone adjusts other settings and uses software processing to brighten or darken the image. By contrast, a variable aperture would give the device mechanical control over the amount of light entering the camera.

The biggest improvement – and the one you're most likely to notice first – would be smoother-looking video when shooting outdoors. In bright sunlight, the existing camera on an iPhone has to capture each frame very quickly to avoid an overexposed image, which can sometimes make movement look unnaturally sharp or jerky.

In contrast, the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture camera would typically make the lens opening smaller to limit the amount of light that gets in. Doing so should prevent washed-out highlights and allow the camera to record movement with more natural-looking blur. Photos taken in good lighting could also appear sharper, especially around the edges. Not only that, Portrait Mode photos that use the "bokeh" effect should also look more realistic, as opposed to looking rendered computationally.

It's still unclear whether users will control the aperture themselves or whether the iPhone will adjust it automatically. That's a big question mark, since it should determine whether it becomes a hands-on photography tool or a built-in feature that simply makes photos and videos look better behind the scenes.

We should learn the answer to this question in the coming months. Apple is expected to debut the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September, alongside its first foldable iPhone.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18 Pro

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]]> AppleCare+ Changes Announced in Japan https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/applecare-changes-in-japan/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/applecare-changes-announced-in-japan.2485743/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:34:53 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/applecare-changes-in-japan/ Joe Rossignol AppleCare Apple today announced that AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss coverage is now available for the iPad and Apple Watch in Japan, after previously being limited to the iPhone there.

In addition, monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans are now available for a wider range of Apple products in Japan.
Tag: AppleCare

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]]> Claude Code Can Now Build and Test iOS Apps in Apple's Simulator https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/claude-code-ios-simulator/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/claude-code-can-now-build-and-test-ios-apps-in-apples-simulator.2485741/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 16:46:44 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/claude-code-ios-simulator/ Juli Clover Anthropic today said Claude Code for desktop has been updated to work with the iOS Simulator, with the integration available in public beta.


Claude Code can open in-progress apps in the iOS Simulator pane when it's instructed to build, run, or check an app. Claude can watch the iOS Simulator live as it runs, interact with it, and then iterate until a project is finished. Developers can continue to use the iOS Simulator as Claude works.

The pane in Claude Code drives the simulator directly, and it does not need computer use, which lets Claude control the screen the way a person would. With direct access, it works without the macOS Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions required for computer use.

Claude's screenshots of a device in iOS Simulator are sent to Anthropic and kept per standard conversation retention settings. Anthropic suggests users not sign in to real accounts on a device Claude uses.

iOS Simulator integration is available in Claude Code Desktop on macOS, and Xcode with the iOS platform installed is required. The simulator pane is available in local sessions only. Instructions on using the iOS Simulator with Claude Code can be found on Anthropic's website.
Tag: Anthropic

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]]> Apple Invites App Updated With Two New Features https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/apple-invites-app-two-new-features/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-invites-app-updated-with-two-new-features.2485734/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:55:31 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/apple-invites-app-two-new-features/ Joe Rossignol Apple Invites Apple Invites was updated today with two minor features related to RSVPing to an invite: hosts and guests can now react with emoji when someone replies to an event, and a confetti animation now appears when guests reply.


Version 1.10 of the app also contains bug fixes and performance improvements, according to Apple. The update is available now in the App Store.

Released for the iPhone in February 2025, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. The ability to create an event in the app requires subscribing to an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free on any device.
Tag: Apple Invites

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]]> Apple Updates TestFlight https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/apple-updates-testflight/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-updates-testflight.2485733/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:32:30 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/apple-updates-testflight/ Joe Rossignol TestFlight Apple today updated its TestFlight app with a search field for quickly finding apps that you are beta testing, along with bug fixes and performance improvements.

TestFlight version 4.3 is available now in the App Store.
Tag: TestFlight

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]]> Best Buy Offers $160 Off All iPhone Air Models During Black Friday in July https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/best-buy-iphone-air-models/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/best-buy-offers-160-off-all-iphone-air-models-during-black-friday-in-july.2485732/ Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:47:16 PDT https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/21/best-buy-iphone-air-models/ Mitchel Broussard Deals Featured get $160 off every model of the iPhone Air during its Black Friday in July event.

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.

You can get the 256GB iPhone Air for $839.99 ($160 off), and this is an unlocked model available in all colors. The retailer is also offering the 512GB model for $1,039.99 and the 1TB model for $1,239.99, both $160 off.

$160 OFF
iPhone Air Starting at $839.99


Additionally, Amazon is back with an all-time low price on the iPhone Air MagSafe Battery, available for $59.00, down from $99.00.

$40 OFF
iPhone Air MagSafe Battery for $59.00


The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery is only compatible with the iPhone Air, and it can add up to 65 percent additional charge to the smartphone. The MagSafe Battery supports up to 12W of fast wireless charging, and it sports a thin and light design similar to the iPhone Air.

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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Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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