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iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Support Full 5G Satellite Internet

At least some new iPhone models launching next year may support full 5G satellite internet, according to a report this week from The Information.


"Apple plans to add support in upcoming iPhones as early as next year for 5G networks that aren't tethered to Earth's surface, which includes satellites," the report said. "That would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite," it added.

If the earliest 2026 timeframe is met, that means the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the long-rumored foldable iPhone would likely be the first models to support full 5G satellite internet, followed by the standard iPhone 18 around March 2027.

Even if support is added, there is currently no service that delivers full 5G satellite internet directly to a smartphone. Apple's own satellite features on iPhone 14 models and newer are limited to the Emergency SOS feature, the Find My and Messages apps, and roadside assistance, while T-Mobile's Starlink service is also limited to select functions and apps. Both options require you to have a clear view of the sky.

iPhones can already achieve high-speed internet speeds over a satellite connection, when used in conjunction with a Starlink satellite dish, which creates a Wi-Fi network. In the U.S., Starlink charges $50 per month for 50GB of data and $165 per month for unlimited data, while the portable Starlink Mini dish is currently on sale for $299.

The long-term vision is that iPhones would eventually be able to achieve full 5G satellite internet directly, without Starlink hardware.

Apple partners with Globalstar for its iPhone satellite features, while Starlink is offered by SpaceX.

The report outlined four "hints" that suggest a deal between Apple and SpaceX could eventually "be back on the table," despite the fact that Apple and SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk have had a rocky relationship over the years.

Those hints, according to the report:
  • SpaceX recently added support for the same radio spectrum that Apple uses for its iPhone satellite features.

  • Globalstar's executive chairman Jay Monroe has apparently discussed the idea of selling the company for more than $10 billion.

  • Globalstar's most recent quarterly earnings report includes a new warning about how the loss of a major customer β€” believed to be Apple β€” would likely have a material adverse impact on its finances.

  • Apple plans to add full 5G satellite internet support to iPhones as early as next year.
However, it remains to be seen if Apple and Musk can truly bury the bad blood between them.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Related Forum: iPhone

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A20 and A20 Pro Chips (2nm) Expected to Debut in These iPhone Models

There will be two versions of the A20 chip for the iPhone 18 series, according to the latest rumor shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.


Apple is planning both A20 and A20 Pro chips manufactured with TSMC's latest 2nm process, according to a post today from Weibo account Mobile Phone Chip Expert, which has shared some accurate details about Apple's chip plans in the past.

The standard iPhone 18 will be equipped with the A20 chip, while the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone will be equipped with an A20 Pro chip, the post said. However, the post did not mention which chip the entry-level iPhone 18e or second-generation iPhone Air would use, should there be such models.

Given there were A18 and A18 Pro chips, as well as A19 and A19 Pro chips, this rumor that Apple is allegedly planning both A20 and A20 Pro chips is not very surprising. But, it still helps to set expectations for the iPhone lineup moving forward.

A20 and A20 Pro chips are expected to be the first iPhone processors manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process, whereas the A17 Pro through A19 Pro chips were all fabricated with TSMC's series of 3nm processes. This would result in greater year-over-year performance improvements and power efficiency gains for iPhones than usual.

According to a previous rumor, at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than being adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This design change may result in the chips being smaller, and it would likely contribute to improved efficiency.

Apple is expected to split up its iPhone launches starting next year.

The following new iPhone models are expected to be released in September 2026:

  • iPhone 18 Pro

  • iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • iPhone Fold


It is not entirely clear if there will be a second-generation iPhone Air, but if there is, that device would presumably also be released in September 2026.

The following models are expected to follow around March 2027:

  • iPhone 18e

  • iPhone 18
If so, the A20 Pro chip would be announced next year, and the A20 chip would follow in 2027.
Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Related Forum: iPhone

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iPhone Driver's License Feature in Apple Wallet App Launches in Another U.S. State

In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.


Starting today, the feature is available to residents of West Virginia. To set it up, open the Wallet app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, select Driver's License and ID Cards and follow the on-screen steps.

Apple says the feature requires an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.5 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 9.5 or later.


Below, we have outlined information about the feature's availability.

Supported States



The following 12 states offer driver's licenses in the Wallet app:The feature is also available in Puerto Rico.

Future States


Apple and state governments have previously announced that the following U.S. states have signed on to adopt the feature in the future:
  • Connecticut

  • Kentucky

  • Mississippi

  • Oklahoma

  • Utah

  • Illinois

Participating Airports


Apple says travelers should refer to TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability of the feature.

Apple previously said Wallet IDs can be used at select TSA checkpoints in the following U.S. airports, but it no longer maintains a public list:
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • Denver International Airport (DEN)

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)

  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)

  • Los Angeles International (LAX)

  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

  • Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)

  • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

  • Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

  • Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

  • Missoula International Airport (MSO)
Apple Wallet IDs can also be used to show proof of age or identity at select businesses and venues in the U.S., but there is no list of locations.
This article, "iPhone Driver's License Feature in Apple Wallet App Launches in Another U.S. State" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26.0.2 Update for iPhones Coming Soon

Apple's software engineers continue to internally test iOS 26.0.2, according to MacRumors logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.


iOS 26.0.2 will be a minor update that addresses bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, but we do not know any specific details yet.

The update will likely be released by the end of next week.

Last month, Apple released iOS 26.0.1, which includes the following bug fixes:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may occasionally disconnect on iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models
- A small number of iPhone users may be unable to connect to a cellular network after updating to iOS 26
- Photos taken under certain lighting conditions with iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models may include unexpected artifacts
- App icons may appear blank after adding a custom tint
- VoiceOver may become disabled for some users after updating to iOS 26
iOS 26.0.1 also patched a security vulnerability.
Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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M5 Chip Achieves Impressive Feat in 14-Inch MacBook Pro Speed Test

The first alleged benchmark result for the M5 chip in the new 14-inch MacBook Pro has surfaced, allowing for some performance comparisons.


Based on a single unconfirmed result uploaded to the Geekbench 6 database today, the M5 chip has pulled off an impressive feat. Specifically, the chip achieved a score of 4,263 for single-core CPU performance, which is the highest single-core score that has ever been recorded in the Geekbench 6 database for any Mac or PC processor.

In the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the M5 chip has a 10-core CPU, with four performance cores and six efficiency cores. The single-core score on Geekbench 6 refers to the performance achieved by just one of the performance cores, whereas the multi-core score refers to the maximum performance achieved by all 10 of the CPU cores combined.

A chip's multi-core score reflects the maximum CPU performance for multi-threaded tasks, but single-core performance remains important for certain games and apps, and it plays a key role in overall system responsiveness and snappiness.

The top five single-core scores for Mac and PC processors in the Geekbench 6 database:

  • M5 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 4,263

  • M4 Max (16-inch MacBook Pro): 3,914

  • M4 Pro (16-inch MacBook Pro): 3,871

  • M4 (Mac mini): 3,784

  • AMD Ryzen 9950X3D: 3,399
Unsurprisingly, the M5 chip in the new iPad Pro achieved a similar single-core score of 4,175, based on Geekbench 6 results available so far.


As for multi-core performance, the M5 chip in the 14-inch MacBook Pro achieved a score of 17,862 in the single result, which makes it up to 20% faster than the M4 chip in the previous-generation 14-inch MacBook Pro. The standard M5 chip is faster than the M3 Pro chip, and nearly on par with the M1 Ultra chip.

A selection of multi-core scores for Mac chips:

  • M4 Max (16-inch MacBook Pro): 25,645

  • M1 Ultra (Mac Studio): 18,405

  • M5 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 17,862

  • M3 Pro (14-inch MacBook Pro): 15,257

  • M4 (14-inch MacBook Pro): 14,726
The new 14-inch MacBook Pro is available to pre-order now, and it launches on Wednesday.

Higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumored to launch in early 2026, but the regular M5 chip is clearly no slouch.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Apple's Next Rumored Products: New HomePod Mini, Apple TV, and More

Apple on Wednesday updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro with its next-generation M5 chip, but previous rumors have indicated that the company still plans to announce at least a few additional products before the end of the year.


The following Apple products have at one point been rumored to be updated in 2025, although it is unclear if the timeframe for any of them has been pushed back:

The following products are rumored to launch in late 2025 or early 2026:Apple's exact plans for the rest of the year remain to be seen, but it is not unusual for the company to announce new products in late October through November. Apple has even announced some products in December over the years, such as multiple Mac Pro models, the Pro Display XDR, and the AirPods Max.

HomePod mini and Apple TV inventory is starting to dwindle at select Apple Store locations around the world, as often happens ahead of new models.

As for other Macs, it is possible that no additional models will follow until next year. It would have made sense for the iMac and Mac mini to be updated with the M5 chip alongside the 14-inch MacBook Pro, if they were coming this year, and higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are rumored to launch in early 2026. The next MacBook Air and Mac Studio models are expected to launch next year, too, while the timeframe for the next Mac Pro desktop tower is up in the air.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini

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New 14-Inch MacBook Pro Has Two Key Upgrades Beyond the M5 Chip

Apple on Wednesday updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with an M5 chip, and there are two key storage-related upgrades beyond that chip bump.


First, Apple says the new 14-inch MacBook Pro offers up to 2Γ— faster SSD performance than the equivalent previous-generation model, so read and write speeds should get a significant boost. Apple says it is using "the latest storage technology," but it did not provide any further details, and there are no SSD benchmark results yet.

Second, Apple says the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model can now be configured with up to 4TB of storage, whereas the highest storage capacity offered for the equivalent previous-generation model was 2TB. However, the highest-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Max chips can be configured with up to 8TB of storage.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro can be pre-ordered now, and it launches Wednesday, October 22. In the U.S., pricing for this model continues to start at $1,599.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Vision Pro With M5 Chip Still Has 16GB of RAM, Ships With New Charger

Apple's website does not currently list the amount of unified memory included in the Vision Pro with the M5 chip, but MacRumors has confirmed that the latest version of the headset is equipped with the same 16GB of RAM as the previous model.


The M5 chip supports up to 32GB of unified memory in the new 14-inch MacBook Pro, but Apple has opted to keep the new Vision Pro at 16GB of RAM.

We also wanted to highlight that the Vision Pro now ships with Apple's newer 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max in the U.S., Canada, and select other countries. The previous model shipped with Apple's 30W USB-C Power Adapter, which was discontinued in countries where the 40W-to-60W charger was released.

However, the new Vision Pro still ships with Apple's international 30W USB-C Power Adapter variants in some countries, such as the U.K. and Australia.

As we previously reported, other key Vision Pro changes beyond the M5 chip include a more comfortable Dual Knit Band in the box, along with 120Hz support for reduced motion blur and a smoother experience while using the Mac Virtual Display feature.

The updated Vision Pro can be pre-ordered now, and it launches on Wednesday, October 22.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Eddy Cue Explains Why Apple TV+ is Now Apple TV

On the latest episode of The Town podcast, Apple's services chief Eddy Cue explained why the company decided to rename Apple TV+ to Apple TV.


According to Cue, many people already referred to Apple TV+ as Apple TV, so the company finally decided to embrace the simpler name.

"We just decided," he told host Matthew Belloni.

"We all called it Apple TV and we said, given where we are today, it's a great time to do it," added Cue. Launched on November 1, 2019, Apple's streaming service is now well established, and it offers a growing library of award-winning series.

Nonetheless, the new name may cause confusion, as there is now an Apple TV streaming service, an Apple TV app, and Apple TV hardware.

Cue argued that the Apple TV box is actually named the Apple TV 4K nowadays.

"Our hardware is called Apple TV 4K for your TV," he said. "I think that's fine, and the app is called Apple TV. It's been called Apple TV on our third-party products as well, so I don't think that'll be a problem at all."

The new name has yet to appear in most places, but the changeover should happen soon.

Cue's comments were first reported by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall.


This article, "Eddy Cue Explains Why Apple TV+ is Now Apple TV" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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New MacBook Pro Does Not Include a Charger in the Box in Europe

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip does not include a charger in the box in European countries, including the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and others, according to Apple's online store.


In the U.S. and all other countries outside of Europe, the new MacBook Pro comes with Apple's 70W USB-C Power Adapter, but European customers miss out.

Apple has gradually stopped including chargers with many products over the years β€” a decision it has attributed to its environmental goals. In addition, the European Union has implemented new regulations related to electronic waste.

Apple still includes a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable in the box with the 14-inch MacBook Pro in Europe, so you only need to supply a charger if you need one.

In the U.K., the 70W USB-C Power Adapter costs Β£59.

(Thanks, Michael!)
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Apple Updates Vision Pro With M5 Chip, Dual Knit Band, and 120Hz Support

Apple today updated the Vision Pro headset with its next-generation M5 chip for faster performance, and a more comfortable Dual Knit Band.


The M5 chip has a 10-core CPU, a 10-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine, and we have confirmed the Vision Pro still has 16GB of RAM.

With the M5 chip, the Vision Pro offers faster performance and longer battery life compared to the previous model with the M2 chip. Apple has not provided any overall performance figures, but its website says the Vision Pro now offers up to three hours of video playback per charge, compared to up to 2.5 hours for the previous model.

Apple says the M5 chip enables the rendering of 10% more pixels on the displays compared to the previous model, resulting in sharper images and crisper text. And the Vision Pro can now ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate, up from the previous limit of 100Hz. Apple says 120Hz support reduces motion blur and provides a smoother experience when using Mac Virtual Display.

With the M5 chip, the Vision Pro gains hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading, for improved graphics rendering. These capabilities were first introduced with the M3 chip, but the previous Vision Pro only had an M2 chip.

Apple says the M5 chip's faster 16-core Neural Engine, and a Neural Accelerator in each GPU core, make AI features run up to 50% faster than on the previous model.

The updated Vision Pro still has an R1 chip for input processing. The headset continues to support Wi-Fi 6, rather than Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3.

There are no design changes or new color options, such as the rumored Space Black. There is still a tethered battery pack, rather than a built-in battery.


The updated Vision Pro comes with the Dual Knit Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, a battery, a USB-C charging cable, and Apple's new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.

The previous Vision Pro came with Apple's discontinued 30W USB-C Power Adapter.

The new Dual Knit Band comes in small, medium, and large sizes. It is available to purchase separately for $99, and it is compatible with the previous-generation Vision Pro. You can find your preferred size by using the Apple Store app on the iPhone.


Apple says the Dual Knit Band features two straps knitted into a single piece. The upper strap goes across the top of the head, and the lower strap goes across the back of the head. The lower strap has tungsten inserts that provide a counterweight for additional comfort, balance, and stability. You can adjust the fit of both of the straps with the Fit Dial.

Another new accessory is the Logitech Muse spatial stylus, and Apple will begin selling the PlayStation VR2 Sense controller starting Tuesday, November 11.

The updated Vision Pro is available to pre-order starting today, and it will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Wednesday, October 22.

In the U.S., the Vision Pro continues to start at $3,499, and it can be configured with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The new model is also available in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the U.K., and the United Arab Emirates. Availability in South Korea and Taiwan will begin at a later date, according to Apple.

You can demo the new Vision Pro at an Apple Store starting October 22.

With the iPadOS 26.1 update, set to be released later this year, Apple says the Vision Pro app is expanding to iPad. It was previously on the iPhone only.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Apple Announces New 14-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Chip

Apple today updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with its new M5 chip, which is also available in updated iPad Pro and Vision Pro models.


In addition, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro can now be configured with up to 4TB of storage on Apple's online store, whereas the previous model maxed out at 2TB. However, the maximum amount of unified RAM available for this model remains 32GB.

Like the M4 chip, Apple's next-generation M5 chip has a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine, but it is faster. Apple says the M5 chip offers up to 15% faster CPU performance, and up to 45% faster graphics, compared to the M4 chip.

An enhanced 10-core GPU has a Neural Accelerator in each core, enabling more than 4Γ— the peak GPU compute performance compared to the M4 chip, according to Apple.

Memory bandwidth has increased from 120GB/s to 153GB/s.

There are no major design changes, with the base 14-inch MacBook Pro still having a Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1,000 nits (SDR) and up to 1,600 nits (HDR) of brightness, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SD card slot, a headphone jack, a MagSafe 3 magnetic charging port, and a backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.


The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is available to pre-order starting today, and it will begin arriving to customers and launch in stores on Wednesday, October 22. In the U.S., pricing starts at $1,599, for a configuration with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. Available finishes include Silver and Space Black.

Apple says the 14-inch MacBook Pro continues to offer up to 24 hours of battery life, and it remains limited to Wi-Fi 6E, rather than Wi-Fi 7.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter, except in Europe.

Today's announcement does not include higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which are expected to launch in early 2026.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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HomePod Mini and Apple TV Stock is Dwindling at Select Apple Stores Ahead of New Models

HomePod mini and Apple TV inventory is starting to dwindle at select Apple Store locations around the world, suggesting that new models may be imminent.


For example, the HomePod mini is completely out of stock in all five color options at Apple's flagship Regent Street store in London, as of this writing.

Some other HomePod mini and Apple TV configurations are out of stock at some Apple Store locations, but online availability is faring better for now.

Both the HomePod mini and Apple TV are expected to be updated this year, and the following new features and changes have been rumored for the devices:In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to announce new products "this week." However, in a follow-up post on X, he merely said the products would be announced "as early as this week."
Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod mini

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Apple TV+ Teases Mysterious New Show From 'Breaking Bad' Creator

Apple today shared a short teaser video for Pluribus, an upcoming sci-fi drama series hailing from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan.


Pluribus stars Emmy-nominated actress Rhea Seehorn, who also starred in the Breaking Bad spinoff series Better Call Saul. In the "genre-bending" series, Apple says "the most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness."

In the teaser video, which is shrouded in mystery, Seehorn plays a woman named Carol. A fictional U.S. government official appears on her TV screen, promising to "figure out" what makes her "different" from the others, so that she can "join" them.


"Join us, Carol," reads the description for the YouTube video.

The first two episodes of the nine-episode first season will be released on Apple TV+ on Friday, November 7, and a new episode will follow every Friday through December 26. Apple has already picked up the series for a second season, too.

Pluribus is produced by Sony Pictures Television, and Gilligan serves as one of the executive producers and as a writer for some episodes.

Over the past few months, Apple has shared several mysterious clips from the show.

P.S. If you dial 202-808-3981, an automated message related to the show will play, and there is an option to sign up for promotional Apple TV+ text messages.







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These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Earlier this year, Apple finally launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. However, now nearly five months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to just one luxury vehicle brand.


CarPlay Ultra features deeper integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in apps for radio and climate controls, rear-view camera feed support, and more. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides information like the current speed, fuel level, tire pressure, engine temperature, and more.

The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options.


CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot afford a $250,000 luxury vehicle, the software system will eventually be available in more affordable vehicles.

In May, Apple said many other automakers planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. At the time, it said CarPlay Ultra would begin expanding to more vehicles around the world "in the next 12 months," which would be by May 2026.

Apple first previewed the next generation β€Œof CarPlayβ€Œ all the way back at WWDC 2022, and at the time it shared a long list of automakers that were committed to offering the software system. The list is more than three years old, and it is not entirely accurate anymore.

The list was as follows:
  • Acura

  • Audi

  • Ford

  • Honda

  • Infiniti

  • Jaguar

  • Land Rover

  • Lincoln

  • Mercedes-Benz

  • Nissan

  • Polestar

  • Porsche

  • Renault

  • Volvo
According to a previous report from the Financial Times, there are at least five automakers on that list that have since confirmed that they have no plans to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo.

BMW, Ford, and Rivian also publicly backed away from CarPlay Ultra, but Porsche seemed to remain committed to offering it eventually.

That likely rules out Ford's luxury brand, Lincoln, too.

All in all, here is where things stand currently.

Currently Offers CarPlay Ultra

  • Aston Martin

Will Offer CarPlay Ultra

  • Hyundai

  • Kia

  • Genesis

  • Porsche

Won't Offer CarPlay Ultra

  • Audi

  • BMW

  • Ford

  • Lincoln

  • Mercedes-Benz

  • Polestar

  • Renault

  • Rivian

  • Volvo
General Motors controversially ditched the regular version of CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, so it is likely to pass on CarPlay Ultra too. That means vehicles from brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are unlikely to offer CarPlay Ultra.

It is extremely unlikely that software-focused Tesla would offer CarPlay Ultra either.

Unclear

  • Honda

  • Acura

  • Toyota

  • Lexus

  • Nissan

  • Infiniti

  • Mazda

  • Subaru

  • Mitsubishi

  • Jaguar

  • Land Rover

  • Chrysler

  • Dodge

  • Jeep

  • RAM

  • Volkswagen
Related Roundup: CarPlay

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Apple Event This October? Here's the Latest on What to Expect

While it is unclear if Apple will host an October event this year, or stick to press releases, rumors suggest it will announce several new products this month.

The graphic for Apple's "Unleashed" event in October 2021

Below, we have recapped everything to know about a potential Apple event this October.

When


The table below outlines when Apple teased its October launches over the past four years.
































Year Announcement/Teaser Event/Tagline Event/Press Releases
2021 Tuesday, October 12 "Unleashed" Event Monday, October 18
2022 Tuesday, October 18 "Take Note" Teaser Tuesday, October 18
2023 Tuesday, October 24 "Scary Fast" Event Monday, October 30
2024 Thursday, October 24 "Mac Your Calendars" Teaser Monday, October 28 toΒ Wednesday, October 30



Apple recently announced its next quarterly earnings call will be held on Thursday, October 30, and Apple's Chatswood Chase store in Australia will be reopening on the same day. Earnings calls and store openings are sometimes timed with product launches, so we could see announcements in the last week of October.

What



A handful of Apple products are expected to be updated as early as this October, with the following new features and changes rumored:What about Macs? Apple's next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips will reportedly enter mass production soon, but it is unclear if some or all of the models will launch in late 2025 or or early 2026. While new Macs are often unveiled in October, there is precedent for a launch earlier in a year too, as Apple announced MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in a January 2023 press release.

Apple is reportedly also planning a lower-priced MacBook with an A18 Pro or A19 Pro chip, but the rumored launch timeframe for that is also late 2025 or early 2026, so it is unclear if it would be announced this October. This model would likely be the spiritual successor to the MacBook Air with an M1 chip, which is still sold by Walmart in the U.S. for $599.
This article, "Apple Event This October? Here's the Latest on What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Store Near Sydney Reopens With All-New Design Later This Month

Apple has announced that its retail store at the Chatswood Chase shopping mall in Australia will reopen on Thursday, October 30, at 9:30 a.m. local time.


Apple is expected to release new products this month, and the company's next earnings call is on October 30, so the store could be reopening during a busy launch week.

Apple Chatswood Chase has been closed for renovations since July 2024. When it reopens, it will feature an all-new design and updated amenities, including an Apple Pickup station for customers to collect orders placed through Apple's online store. Apple has yet to share photos of the new store, though, so the exact design remains to be seen.

Chatswood Chase is located in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood, on the North Shore.

Earlier this month, Apple permanently closed its store in Hornsby, which is located further north on Sydney's North Shore. Apple said all affected retail employees would be given the opportunity to work at the Chatswood Chase store.

Elsewhere in Australia, Apple moved its store in Perth into a historic bank building in June.

Thanks, @AbstracTech!
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Apple Watch's High Blood Pressure Notifications Available in Canada and Singapore Starting Today

Apple today announced that its Hypertension Notifications feature on select Apple Watch models is available in Canada, Singapore, and Bahrain starting today.


The feature is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3 models running watchOS 26. It is not available on any Apple Watch SE models. Users can set up the feature in the Health app on a paired iPhone.Hypertension Notifications first launched in the U.S. and more than 150 other countries and territories last month.

The feature can alert users if signs of chronic hypertension (high blood pressure) are detected, according to Apple. Based on data from the Apple Watch's optical heart sensor, the feature can analyze how a user's blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. The algorithm works passively in the background, reviewing data over 30-day periods, and users are notified if consistent signs of hypertension are detected.

Apple says the feature does not require calibration, does not measure blood pressure directly, and does not surface a blood pressure reading to users.

Apple said the feature underwent "rigorous scientific validation," as outlined in a 12-page document. According to the company, it was developed with advanced machine learning and training data from multiple studies totaling more than 100,000 participants, and its performance was then validated in a clinical study of more than 2,000 participants.

Apple says the feature is "not intended for use by people under 22 years old, those who have been previously diagnosed with hypertension, or during pregnancy."
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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AltStore Plans to Launch iPhone App in Three More Countries This Year

AltStore today announced plans to make its iPhone app available in Australia, Brazil, and Japan later this year, followed by the UK next year.


AltStore is also gaining "Fediverse" support, via the ActivityPub protocol.

AltStore provides iPhone users with an alternative to Apple's built-in App Store, and it even offers some apps that would violate Apple's App Review Guidelines.

AltStore first launched on the iPhone in the EU last year, after the Digital Markets Act required Apple to allow alternative app stores. Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the UK are working to implement similar regulations, which would pave the way for AltStore to launch in those countries as well. However, the exact timing could shift.

Alternative app stores have been supported on the iPhone and iPad in the EU since iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 were released in April 2024. AltStore and other alternative app stores can be installed on these devices via Safari or another web browser.

Apple has yet to announce or implement support for alternative app stores in Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the UK, as regulations in those countries are still being finalized and/or have yet to be enforced. AltStore has simply announced its plans early.

In the U.S., the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple last year, but the case is ongoing and alternative app stores on the iPhone remain unsupported there.
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Remembering Steve Jobs

Today marks the 14th anniversary of Steve Jobs passing away, at the age of 56. He died just one day after Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S and Siri.


Apple CEO Tim Cook has once again paid tribute to Jobs.

"Steve saw the future as a bright and boundless place, lit the path forward, and inspired us to follow," said Cook, in a post today. "We miss you, my friend."

Cook also reflected on Jobs while opening Apple's first-ever event at Steve Jobs Theater in 2017.

"There is not a day that goes by that we don't think about him," he said then.


At that event, Apple unveiled the iPhone X, which was a major update to the smartphone that Jobs had famously unveiled in 2007.

The Steve Jobs Archive website contains a collection of quotes, photos, videos, and emails from Jobs, and offers fellowships to young creators to follow in his footsteps. In addition, Apple still has a "Remembering Steve" page on its website with condolences shared by customers around the world following his death in 2011.
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