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See Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro in Action

Hartley Charlton — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 12:31:30 +0000

Apple enlisted British musician Labrinth to create a new song during an overnight livestream, demonstrating the new touchscreen MacBook Pro and Logic Pro at Apple Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

The session, titled "Labrinth Live on Mac," is now available to watch as a replay lasting almost four hours. It started on November 4 at 8 p.m. Pacific, or 11 p.m. Eastern, with Labrinth tasked with creating a song from scratch. He can be seen reaching onto the ‌MacBook Pro‌'s display to manipulate Logic Pro's mixer controls, with a multitrack arrangement visible onscreen. Viewers were invited to submit questions as he worked, and the finished song is due for release on Apple Music next week.

Apple initially teased the collaboration on TikTok with a white box bearing Labrinth's name and instructions to leave it unopened until November 4.

Music production was among the uses Apple demonstrated when it unveiled the new MacBook Pro last week. Logic Pro includes an onscreen keyboard, chord pads, and drum pads that musicians can play by touch, including playing multiple notes at once.

Labrinth is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for solo releases including "Jealous" and "Earthquake," as well as his music for HBO's "Euphoria." He also forms the group LSD with Sia and Diplo.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ with PROLED XDR Display features a tandem OLED touchscreen and M5 Pro or M5 Max chips in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. The machines launch on Friday, November 6, with U.S. prices starting at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro

Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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MacBook Neo Shipments Expected to Double in 2027

Tim Hardwick — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 12:21:40 +0000

Apple wants suppliers to make 16 million MacBook Neo laptops in 2027, or double the amount expected for this year, according to supply chain sources (via DigiTimes).

Apple released its first MacBook Neo in March 2026, featuring an A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, and coming in Silver, Blush, Citrus, and Indigo colors. The laptop originally started at $599, but Apple raised the price to $699 in June as part of a broader re-pricing of its Mac and iPad lineup. Apple still offers a $100 discount to college students and educational staff.

In September, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple plans to release a second-generation MacBook Neo in 2027 with an A19 Pro chip, 12GB of RAM, and new color options. Today's report doesn't mention a second-generation MacBook Neo, but if Apple decides to refresh the laptop in March – approximately one year since it launched – then the supply chain forecast could still make sense.

During his first earnings call as Apple CEO, John Ternus said the company has sold more Macs in fiscal 2026 than in any previous year. Apple doesn't break out Mac sales by model, but supply chain sources cited in today's report suggest MacBook Neo shipments were the overriding reason for the growth.

Related Roundup: MacBook Neo

Tag: DigiTimes

Buyer's Guide: MacBook Neo (Neutral)

Related Forum: MacBook Neo

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HomeView Code Suggests Future Support for AI Chatbot Apps, Anti-Spoofing Protection

Tim Hardwick — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 11:43:52 +0000

Code discovered in the iOS 27.3 beta suggests Apple is laying the groundwork for chatbot apps on its upcoming HomeView smart home hub, according to the code investigator known as pdfu.

The software HomeView uses to display apps from a connected iPhone or iPad is said to have gained a "Conversational Apps" category in the latest beta. The update also reportedly adds preparations for two-way audio routing, session management, and interruptions, but pdfu notes that it is "still not fully wired up."

Apple hasn't announced chatbot apps for HomeView, and the code doesn't show which apps could use the category or when it could launch, so support for ChatGPT, Claude, or other chatbots is unconfirmed. It's not the first time the possibility has been floated: pdfu suggested on Sunday that chatbot apps might follow based on an unused flag in HomeView's software.

Anti-Spoofing Protection

In a separate finding, pdfu also discovered that HomeView includes anti-spoofing protection. Apparently, after three spoof attempts for a profile, the user must authenticate with an iPhone to see personal data, and the protection is enabled in HomeView software 27.2.

Apple is also said to be working on a lockout cooldown system, similar to what happens when you enter the wrong passcode on an iPhone. A first lockout can be cleared immediately, but a second lockout brings a one-hour wait, a third a four-hour wait, and a fourth (or any further) lockout an eight-hour wait.

pdfu adds that the lockout cooldown periods are still in development, so for now any lockout can be cleared immediately by authenticating with an iPhone. Apple hasn't described either feature in its press materials.

HomeView Launches Next Week

HomeView launches on November 13 for $299, in both desktop and wall-mounted versions. Here's what Apple has announced so far:

7-inch Liquid Retina display, in a tabletop model with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model.

Face recognition for up to six users, each with a personal Home Screen with apps and widgets.

Siri AI, with conversations that continue in the Siri app on other Apple devices.

Personal content from Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, and Find My, shown when the enrolled user is recognized and their iPhone or iPad is nearby and recently unlocked.

Faces including Photos, Flow, Snoopy, Home Modular, and Home Camera.

Apple Music, Podcasts, News, and Apple TV, plus compatible third-party audio and video apps.

Handoff from iPhone, and multiroom audio with HomePod, HomePod mini, and AirPlay speakers.

FaceTime with Center Stage, Messages by voice or keyboard, and Intercom.

Step-by-step recipes from the web with hands-free timers.

Smart home controls, including a Home Camera face that shows up to nine live camera feeds.

With a supported iCloud+ subscription, recognition of people, pets, packages, and vehicles from compatible cameras.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sound detection.

Support for Apple Home Collection accessories, other "Works with Apple Home" accessories, and Matter.

HomeView won't have an App Store. However, as we reported last month, it shows CarPlay-style third-party audio and video apps from a connected iPhone or iPad. HomeView isn't on sale in the European Union because Siri AI is currently unavailable in iOS there, and Apple says it is still working with the EU to find a path forward to make it available in the bloc.

Related Roundup: Apple HomeView

Tag: pdfu

Buyer's Guide: HomeView (Buy Now)

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Got an iPhone Duo on Launch Day? Tomorrow Could Be Your Last Chance to Return It

Tim Hardwick — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 10:32:51 +0000

If you bought an iPhone Duo on launch day and are having second thoughts about keeping Apple's first foldable iPhone, tomorrow could be your last chance to return it for a refund.

Apple officially launched the iPhone Duo on Friday, October 23, so the standard 14-day return window for customers who purchased and received the device that day expires on Friday, November 6.

Under Apple's U.S. return policy, customers have 14 calendar days from receiving a product to return it, whether they purchased it online or at an Apple retail store. A similar standard return period applies in the UK and across much of the rest of Europe.

If you bought the iPhone Duo in Canada, then you have slightly longer. Under Apple's Canadian return policy, buyers have 15 calendar days from receiving their device to initiate a return, so if you got your device on launch day then you have until Saturday, November 7 to return it.

UK and EU Online Customers Have More Time to Send It Back

There's an important distinction to note if you're in the UK or the European Union and you purchased your iPhone Duo online. Under consumer protection laws, you have 14 days from receiving the device to notify Apple that you intend to return it. Once you've made that notification, you have a further 14 days to send the device back or arrange a collection.

In other words, if you're a UK or EU customer who received the iPhone Duo on October 23 and you request a return tomorrow, then you could have until November 20 to dispatch it. This also applies to devices ordered online and collected at an Apple Store. However, if you actually purchased your device directly at a physical Apple Store – which probably means you waited in a separate line to collections – then you generally need to return it within the initial 14-day window.

Note that the November 6 deadline doesn't apply to everyone who pre-ordered the iPhone Duo. Apple's return period is calculated from when customers received their devices, rather than when they placed their orders, so if your iPhone Duo arrived after launch day, you have more time to return it for a refund – if that's your preference.

What to Know Before Returning Your iPhone Duo

Apple asks customers to return their devices with the original packaging and included accessories. Also, remember to disable Find My for the iPhone Duo before returning the device. Returns can be initiated through Apple's online Order Status page or, in the US, at an Apple retail store.

Keep in mind that these policies apply only to purchases made directly from Apple – if you bought an iPhone Duo through a carrier or third-party retailer, you'll be subject to that seller's return policy.

Lastly, if you signed up for a new cellular plan with the iPhone Duo, returning the device may not automatically cancel that service. Apple advises contacting your carrier about cancellation requirements and any associated fees. Do you plan on returning your iPhone Duo? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: iPhone Duo

Buyer's Guide: iPhone Duo (Buy Now)

Related Forum: iPhone

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Apple Launching Five New Products Tomorrow

Tim Hardwick — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 08:59:09 +0000

Apple is releasing five new products this Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models.

The following new products will be available from tomorrow:

iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip

iMac with M6 chip

14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip

14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen

16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen

The iPad mini starts at $699, the iMac starts at $1,499, and the M6 MacBook Pro at $1,999. Pricing for the MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model. All five remain available to pre-order, with shipping dates generally looking good for launch-day delivery. The only exception is the base 14-inch touchscreen MacBook Pro – Space Black ships in 3-4 weeks, while Silver ships in 7-10 business days.
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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 256 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Juli Clover — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:21:48 +0000

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.

‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 256 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility, Animations, CSS, Editing, Forms, HTML, JavaScript, Media, Networking, Rendering, SVG, Security, Web API, Web Extensions, Web Inspector, WebGL, 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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Apps Can Now Try to Stop You From Canceling Subscriptions

Juli Clover — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:11:27 +0000

Apple today added a new subscription retention feature for developers, allowing them to show retention messages when a subscriber goes to cancel.

Apple says retention messages will appear in the subscription cancellation flow and can include text, images, or a special offer. Retention messages can be added in App Store Connect for auto-renewable subscriptions, with options for subscriber eligibility and wait time between messages.

Through a separate Retention Messaging API, developers can choose which messages to show a subscriber based on their subscription details. API access is by request.

‌App Store‌ users may see offers for discounts or reasons to keep a subscription before canceling.

Tag: App Store

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HomePod Mini 2's Amount of RAM Confirmed

Joe Rossignol — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:08:52 +0000

MacRumors has confirmed that the HomePod mini 2 is equipped with 2GB of RAM supplied by SK Hynix. This is not very surprising given the S10 chip in the Apple Watch Series 10 also has 2GB of RAM, but Apple does not list this information in its tech specs for the HomePod mini 2, so it is worth documenting.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini 2

Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Buy Now)

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'Super Mario Odyssey' Can Now Run on Apple TV Thanks to AI

Juli Clover — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 23:20:15 +0000

A Reddit user was able to get Nintendo's "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" and "Super Mario Odyssey" to run natively on the Apple TV 4K, continuing a string of ports made possible with the use of AI (via Engadget).

TVPort, Reddit user FloatingFalafel's open-source project, is a fork of the nxnative toolkit used to recompile Switch and Switch 2 games for the Apple TV using a Mac. It was built using Claude Opus 5.5.

"Super Mario Odyssey" runs at 60fps according to FloatingFalafel, and "Animal Crossing" runs at 30fps. Other games haven't been tested, but the creator says people are welcome to use the open-source software to get other games to run. Game files are not included, and users will need to supply files from their own game cartridges, which requires a modified Nintendo Switch.

[Release] TVPort - Port switch games to run natively on AppleTV (4k 3rd gen)
by
u/FloatingFalafel in
decomps

More intensive games like "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom" may not be able to run on the third-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K because of thermal throttling. The fourth-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K that launches November 13 may be able to run titles the third-generation model can't.

Nintendo often takes issue with unofficial ways to play its games, so TVPort may not survive long. In 2024, Nintendo sued the Yuzu emulator team, and the lawsuit led to a $2.4 million settlement and the sunsetting of the emulator.

Related Roundup: Apple TV

Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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How 'Resident Evil' Director Zach Cregger Uses His iPhone to Make Movies

Juli Clover — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:11:00 +0000

Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak today shared an Apple TV video that offers a look at how "Resident Evil" director Zach Cregger uses an iPhone during filmmaking.

Cregger said he uses his iPhone and the Cadrage app to plan out filming sequences ahead of time. He decides what shots to take, what lenses to use for each shot, and what's in each frame. He then prints out the images so the crew knows exactly what to do.

According to Cregger, he used this process for "Weapons" and "Barbarian," two movies that he wrote and directed. He said every scene in those films was planned with photos in advance.

I can't match Zach Cregger's love of being afraid, but I can match his love of iPhone in the filmmaking process.
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) November 4, 2026

"Everybody can make a movie with what's in your pocket," he said. "It's all right there."

"Resident Evil" is now available to rent or buy, including in the ‌Apple TV‌ app.

Tag: Apple TV

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Apple is Putting Employees on an AI Budget

Juli Clover — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:46:18 +0000

Apple is curtailing employee AI use to cut costs, reports Bloomberg. In October, Apple limited some engineers to $200 per day for AI spending, down from $300.

More cuts could be coming, with daily allowances for some engineers dropping to $100. Many groups outside engineering already have a $100 daily limit, but some teams could have their spending capped at $25. Apple is asking some teams to use less expensive models or switch to on-device AI. Employees who need a bigger budget will be able to ask executives for an increase.

Engineers at Apple have the largest budgets because using AI for coding can consume a large number of tokens. Apple lets employees use Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and other models. Some Apple employees told Bloomberg that few were using their full $300 daily limit, so the savings may be small.

Apple has also hired outside productivity consultants for some divisions. Combined with the AI cost cuts, the reviews have fueled worries about possible restructuring.

Apple CEO John Ternus took over on September 1, and he reportedly wants to reduce corporate hierarchy and bloat to accomplish more with fewer people.
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Apple TV's '12 Days of Snoopy' Special Arrives November 13

Juli Clover — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:20:28 +0000

Apple today shared a trailer for a new Snoopy special that's airing on Friday, November 13. "Snoopy Presents: 12 Days of Snoopy" features Snoopy working to get off Santa's naughty list ahead of Christmas.

In the latest special of the acclaimed "Snoopy Presents" banner, the Peanuts kids are on their best behavior — but Snoopy has landed on Santa's naughty list. With just 12 days until Christmas, he sets out to prove he's not such a bad beagle after all, discovering along the way that the season is about more than gifts.

The special has original music from John Legend, Kamasi Washington featuring Leon Bridges, and Laufey.

Apple TV has exclusive rights to Peanuts content, including the classic library and original shows and specials. Snoopy content available on ‌Apple TV‌ includes "Snoopy in Space," "The Snoopy Show," "It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown," "Lucy's School," and more.

Apple is offering free streaming of "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" on November 14 and 15, and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on December 12 and 13. An ‌Apple TV‌ subscription is not required to watch the classic Charlie Brown specials on those days.

Apple's streaming television service is priced at $14.99 per month and available in more than 100 countries and regions.

Related Roundup: Apple TV

Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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Apple Releases Xcode 27.3 Beta With Three New Features

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:11:43 +0000

Apple on Tuesday released the first Xcode 27.3 beta with three new features: GitHub Copilot support within the built-in coding assistant, the ability for developers to test Siri AI integration in their apps, and additional APIs for developers to optimize their apps for the upcoming MacBook Pro models with touchscreens.

Tag: Xcode

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Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3

Juli Clover — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 20:59:44 +0000

Apple says it will start checking public iCloud links for harmful content in iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3.

Images in iCloud Photos and files in iCloud Drive shared using the "Anyone with the link" option will be "made accessible to Apple" for a content check. Apple doesn't define harmful content, but it could mean malware, malicious files, and/or child sexual abuse material (CSAM) given Apple's mention of law enforcement involvement.

If you try to upload harmful content, Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete the content at any time. Apple may also take action against your Apple Account, including blocking or disabling your Apple Account, blocking the ability to create a new Apple Account with the associated email address or phone number, or if necessary, involving law enforcement.

iCloud files can be shared with "Send a Copy," which sends a file directly, or "Share a Link," which lets someone download it. Link sharing options are "People you choose" or "Anyone with the link," and it's only the latter option that will be evaluated by Apple.

Apple does not say whether links created before the 27.3 updates will be checked.

Apple says content made available to anyone is no longer end-to-end encrypted, even when Advanced Data Protection is on.

iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, macOS 27.3, and visionOS 27.3 are currently available to developers for beta testing, and the software will see a public release in December.

Related Roundups: iOS 27, iPadOS 27

Tag: iCloud

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macOS 27.3 Brings Live Activities to Macs Without Dynamic Island

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:43:01 +0000

The new MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays feature the Dynamic Island instead of a notch, and it includes support for Live Activities. Fortunately, other Apple silicon Macs will not entirely miss out, as the macOS 27.3 update enables Live Activities for apps like Apple Music, Clock, and Voice Memos in the macOS menu bar.

The first macOS 27.3 developer beta released this week enables Live Activities support in the menu bar for several of Apple's built-in apps, along with things like screen recording. The update is expected to be released in December.

Third-party Mac apps can also implement Live Activities support now.

"With Live Activities, users can now get timely updates at a glance, and can accept an AirDrop request or pause a song with a tap of their finger," explained Apple, in its press release for the MacBook Pro models with OLED displays.

macOS 26 and later already supported Live Activities mirrored from an iPhone.

Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate

Tags: Dynamic Island, Live Activities

Related Forum: macOS Golden Gate

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macOS 27.3 Includes an Important Security Fix

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:41:01 +0000

The first macOS 27.3 developer beta includes an important security fix that prevents command-line tools from accepting eMudhra's compromised web certificates. Specifically, the update removes the affected certificates from the /etc/ssl/cert.pem file.

macOS 27.3 is not expected to be released to the public until December, but a macOS 27.2.1 update will likely arrive sooner with the same security fix.

If you do not wish to update your Mac at this time, you can opt to manually remove the affected certificates from your computer's /etc/ssl/cert.pem file by following the instructions outlined in Apple's support document related to this matter.

If you do not use command-line tools via Terminal or similar, you are already fully protected. Apple said it has been blocking eMudhra's compromised TLS web certificates since October 19 in Safari, Mail, and other apps that use Apple's networking and security frameworks, across all of its software platforms. The certificates are blocked automatically with no software update required, so most users do not need to take any action.

This all comes after a security researcher last month discovered that private cryptographic keys associated with eight of Indian company eMudhra's intermediate certificate authority (CA) certificates were weak. The compromised keys could have allowed attackers to impersonate legitimate websites, potentially putting users' sensitive information at risk. So far, no evidence has surfaced that indicates the keys were exploited maliciously.

Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate

Tag: macOS Security

Related Forum: macOS Golden Gate

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Massive Sale Hits Apple Watch Ultra 3 With Record Low $250 Discounts

Mitchel Broussard — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:20 +0000

Best Buy today has a big collection of Apple Watch Ultra 3 models for $549.00, down from $799.00. This is a massive $250 discount on the previous-generation device, and it represents a new all-time low price on these models.

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.

You'll find both Black and Natural Apple Watch Ultra 3 models on sale at this record low price at Best Buy, with both delivery and pick-up options available to shoppers. A similar deal is available on Milanese Loop models as well, priced at $649.00 at Best Buy and Amazon, down from $899.00.

$250 OFF

Apple Watch Ultra 3 for $549.00

$250 OFF

Apple Watch Ultra 3 (Milanese Loop) for $649.00

For a detailed breakdown on the similarities and differences between the Ultra 3 and Ultra 4, you can check out our Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs. Ultra 4 Buyer's Guide. 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 during 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 TV Reportedly Planning 'Silo' Spinoff

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:57:01 +0000

Apple TV is developing a "Silo" spinoff tied to Hugh Howey's upcoming Silo book trilogy, according to Apple TV commentator and podcaster Sigmund Judge. He said pre-production will begin later this year, with the books expected next summer. Hiring has apparently begun and some sets remain standing after season four wrapped in March. The reported project would follow the show's fourth and final season.

Related Roundup: Apple TV

Tag: Apple TV Shows

Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

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Is It Worth Buying a Titanium Apple Watch?

Hartley Charlton — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 16:32:00 +0000

The Apple Watch Series 12's titanium option offers a premium metallic finish and sapphire crystal, sitting between the more affordable aluminum model and the higher-priced ceramic version. Is it worth choosing?

The titanium Apple Watch starts at $699, compared to $399 for aluminum. Available in Natural and Radiant Gold with a polished finish, it offers a more traditional watch aesthetic than the matte aluminum models. There are designer Apple Watch Hermès options too.

One of the main practical benefits is its sapphire front crystal, which is highly resistant to scratches. The aluminum Series 12 instead features Ceramic Shield 2, replacing the Ion-X glass used on previous generations. Titanium is heavier than aluminum, so buyers who prioritize a lightweight watch for workouts and sleep tracking may prefer the cheaper option.

The titanium models also include cellular connectivity as standard, while aluminum models offer a choice of GPS or GPS and Cellular. The $300 difference between their starting prices therefore covers more than the case material and front crystal; if you already intend to buy a cellular Apple Watch, the additional cost of choosing titanium is smaller.

Titanium pairs particularly well with premium bands such as Apple's Link Bracelet or Milanese Loop. Its polished finish gives it a dressier appearance, although it can still be paired with rubber or woven bands for workouts and everyday use. For buyers who wear their Apple Watch throughout the day, including in formal settings, this versatility may be the best reason to pay more.

Internally, the titanium Apple Watch Series 12 offers the same chip, sensors, display technology, and battery life as the aluminum and ceramic versions. Paying more for titanium does not unlock additional features.

Ceramic's return means titanium is no longer the only premium alternative to aluminum. The Series 12's Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic cases also feature sapphire front crystal, so scratch resistance alone is not a reason to choose titanium over ceramic. Titanium is lighter than ceramic and offers a metallic appearance that may be easier to match with metal bracelets, while ceramic provides a more striking look, particularly in Pearl White.

Most customers will struggle to justify the extra cost of titanium. It is worth considering if you particularly want its polished metallic finish and sapphire crystal, especially if you were already planning to buy a cellular model. If you mainly want the polished finish and sapphire crystal, a discounted titanium Series 10 or Series 11 may also be worth considering.

The titanium Series 12 also starts at just $100 less than the Apple Watch Ultra 4. For another $100, the Ultra offers longer battery life and a more rugged design. The titanium Series 12 makes more sense if you want a premium Apple Watch with slimmer proportions and a more traditional appearance.

Do you think the titanium Apple Watch models are worth buying? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12

Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Does HomePod Mini 2 Have Improved Sound? Here's What Reviews Say

Joe Rossignol — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 15:13:42 +0000

Apple's press release for the HomePod mini 2 last month touted "rich sound" and "advanced computational audio," but it did not explicitly mention if the second-generation model has better sound compared to the original. A few early reviews of the speaker, however, said that audio quality has in fact improved.

Apple's tech specs pages for both the HomePod mini 2 and the original HomePod mini mention a "full-range driver" and "dual passive radiators for deep bass and crisp high frequencies," so the core speaker hardware is seemingly unchanged. However, the HomePod mini 2 is equipped with a much newer S10 chip that could use advanced algorithms to optimize sound in an improved manner compared to the S5 chip in the original model.

CNET's Tyler Lacoma said the HomePod mini 2 has "much better sound" than the original model.

From his article:

Playing the same audio at the same volume on each speaker, I repeatedly switched between them while streaming Apple Lossless audio via Apple Music. The results were always the same: The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini. It wasn't just noticeable: It was a big enough difference to completely change my mind about a speaker that didn't seem worth it on paper. If you want sound that can actually fill a room without losing quality, the HomePod Mini 2 is by far the preferable pick.

Cult of Mac's Ed Hardy said likewise:

To my ears, the second-gen version sounds noticeably better. Especially the stronger bass. I did a side-by-side comparison with HomePod mini 2 and my original model, and the new model definitely came out ahead.

Another benefit of the S10 chip that Apple did not emphasize: Siri is apparently much faster for basic requests such as playing a song and smart home commands, according to The Verge's Jennifer Pattison Tuohy. However, this is based on what Apple now calls Siri Classic, as the more intelligent and personalized Siri AI will not be available on the HomePod mini 2 until a future software update, according to Apple.

From her article:

The Mini 2 is so much faster than the first-gen Mini, playing music in a few seconds and responding to smart home commands just as quickly. If you're fed up with standing over your HomePod waiting for it to finally do what you asked, then that alone is worth the upgrade.

The new HomePod mini was released last week, with U.S. pricing set at $149.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini 2

Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Buy Now)

This article, "Does HomePod Mini 2 Have Improved Sound? Here's What Reviews Say" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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