OpenAI today said that it has acquired Software Applications Incorporated and its AI app, Sky. Software Applications Incorporated and Sky were created by a team of former Apple employees known for their work on Apple's Shortcuts feature and the Workflow app that preceded it.


Ari Weinstein and Conrad Kramer, two of the founders of Software Applications Incorporated, also founded Workflow. Workflow was a popular iOS automation app before Apple acquired it in 2017. Weinstein and Kramer joined Apple when Workflow was acquired, and the app ended up serving as the backbone for the Shortcuts feature that's available across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Kramer left Apple in 2019 and Weinstein left in 2023, which is when the two teamed up to found their new company and start work on Sky. Sky didn't officially launch, but it is a Mac-based natural language AI assistant able to answer questions and complete tasks in any open Mac window.

OpenAI says that it plans to bring Sky's deep macOS integration into ChatGPT, with all members of the Sky team set to join OpenAI. That includes Weinstein, Kramer, and several other ex-Apple employees.

"We've always wanted computers to be more empowering, customizable, and intuitive. With LLMs, we can finally put the pieces together. That's why we built Sky, an AI experience that floats over your desktop to help you think and create. We're thrilled to join OpenAI to bring that vision to hundreds of millions of people." --Ari Weinstein, Co-Founder and CEO, Software Applications Incorporated

OpenAI's Sky acquisition comes just a day after OpenAI announced ChatGPT Atlas, a new browser that's designed to compete with Safari and Chrome. ChatGPT Atlas can perform tasks on the user's behalf with ChatGPT's existing AI Operator features, but Sky could further enhance that functionality in the future.
This article, "OpenAI Acquires Apple Shortcuts Creators to Bring Deep Mac Integration to ChatGPT" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Anthropic today said it is updating the Claude chatbot with a new memory feature, which will put Claude on par with ChatGPT. With memory enabled, Claude will be able to recall past conversations.


Anthropic first added memory to Claude earlier this year, but with the initial implementation, Claude would only recall details when specifically asked. In August, Anthropic expanded the memory feature to allow Claude to automatically remember conversation details without a specific user request, and that functionality has been limited to Team and Enterprise subscribers.

Claude's memory functionality is now expanding to all paid users, so Pro and Max subscribers can use the feature. Max users can turn it on now, while Pro subscribers will get access "over the coming days."

Memory is an opt-in feature that can be turned on in Claude's settings. There are options for "search and reference chats" and "generate memory from chat history." Claude offers an editable memory summary that users can view to see what Claude remembers from conversations.

In the projects section of Claude, each project will have a separate memory. The division ensures that different discussions remain distinct, allowing for separation of work and personal chats.
This article, "Anthropic Brings Automatic Memory to Claude Pro and Max Users" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN.


Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 million over the figures that Trump previously quoted.

Other tech companies that have donated to the ballroom construction include Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and HP.

There is no word on the specific amount that Apple donated toward the project.

Update: The total ballroom cost has been updated to $350 million, after Trump announced new pricing on Thursday evening.
This article, "Apple Donating to Trump's $350M White House Ballroom Project" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Earlier this month, IKEA debuted a tiny NFC-enabled bed that's meant to help smartphone users cut down on nighttime usage. The small "Phone Sleep Collection" is modeled after an actual IKEA bed, and it uses the IKEA app to monitor scroll-free sleep time.


Users who hit seven hours of scroll-free time for a week straight are eligible for an IKEA voucher.

Every phone bed comes with built-in NFC tech, making sleep effortlessly rewarding. Here's how it works:
- Download the IKEA UAE app.
- (For iOS users) When prompted, allow Motion & Fitness tracking.
- Place your phone on its bed and tap the notification to open the app.
- That's it. Your sleep time will track in the background (no counter will appear).
- Complete seven nights of seven-hour sleep, and earn your voucher.

Unfortunately, the tiny bed is only available in the United Arab Emirates, and it is a promotional item that IKEA is giving out when customers spend AED 750 or more in-person in IKEA, as long as the purchase includes an item from the company's Complete Sleep Collection.

IKEA's promotion has garnered quite a bit of attention, so it's possible that the company will expand the promotion to additional countries.
This article, "IKEA Debuts Miniature NFC Phone Bed to Combat Nighttime Phone Scrolling" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

AT&T today launched a new ad campaign that goes after T-Mobile, calling out the "litany of misleading and deceiving claims in T-Mobile's marketing."

AT&T's new ad features actor Luke Wilson, with Wilson calling T-Mobile the "master of breaking promises." AT&T points out that the BBB's National Advertising Review Board has recommended T-Mobile change its advertising 16 times over the past four years, though AT&T fails to mention that the NARB also found that some claims were accurate.

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile often ask the National Advertising Review Board to investigate the advertising claims that their competitors are making, and all three carriers are regularly asked to make various changes as a result.

AT&T says that it covers 300,000 more square miles than T-Mobile, and that it had the fewest dropped calls in recent tests. AT&T claims that it is the first and only network to offer a guarantee for its wireless and fiber networks, providing "transparent communication" and proactive bill credits during outages.
This article, "AT&T Targets T-Mobile in New Ad Campaign" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple said today that it might be "forced" to disable a key anti-ad tracking feature in the European Union, reports DPA International.


"Intense lobbying efforts in Germany, Italy and other countries in Europe may force us to withdraw this feature to the detriment of European consumers," Apple said in a statement to DPA.

Apple is referring to App Tracking Transparency (ATT), a feature that lets iPhone and iPad users decide whether to allow apps to track their activity across other apps and websites for advertising purposes. Users can choose to allow apps to ask for permission, or turn off tracking entirely.

The anti-tracking features were implemented in Apple's iOS 14 updates. ATT prevents apps from accessing the advertising identifier of an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or Apple TV without express permission, so apps can't track what users do on their devices and then use the information gleaned for ad targeting.

ATT has been unsurprisingly unpopular with advertisers and data brokers. Facebook rallied hard against App Tracking Transparency ahead of when it rolled out, positioning Apple as an enemy of small businesses and taking out multiple full-page newspaper ads.

Germany launched a probe into App Tracking Transparency back in 2022, and in February 2025, Germany's Federal Cartel Office preliminarily ruled that Apple abused its market power with ATT, giving itself preferential treatment, even though Apple says it does not collect data from third-party apps. The cartel said that Apple's restrictions made it "far more difficult" for app publishers to access user data relevant for advertising.

In March 2025, Apple was fined 150 million euros by France's Competition Authority. French regulators said that Apple complicated the process for users to opt out of tracking and unfairly disadvantaged third-party developers and ad providers. Apple is facing a similar investigation in Italy, with a ruling expected later this year.

Apple said that it has presented solutions to regulators in Europe, but it is facing complex solutions that would undermine App Tracking Transparency. Apple also said it will work to keep the feature available to Europeans. "We will continue to urge the relevant authorities in Germany, Italy and across Europe to allow Apple to continue providing this important privacy tool to our users."
This article, "Apple Warns App Tracking Transparency Could Be Disabled in Europe" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple engaged in anticompetitive behavior by charging App Store developers "excessive and unfair prices" for app distribution services, the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled today [PDF] (via Reuters).


The Tribunal found that Apple abused its market power by overcharging developers from October 2015 through the end of 2020. Developers were forced into using Apple's in-app purchase system and had no alternative to paying up to a 30 percent commission during that time period. The excessive fees ultimately led to higher prices for consumers.

According to the CAT, Apple had a monopoly over iOS app distribution and in-app payments. Apple's argument that Android and other platforms were viable alternatives for consumers and developers was rejected. The Tribunal also did not accept Apple's argument that its rules and fees were required for user security and privacy.

The end of 2020 in the UK's timeline corresponds with the launch of the App Store Small Business Program that saw Apple reduce ‌App Store‌ fees for independent developers and small business owners. The program reduced the commission that Apple collected from developers earning under $1 million per year to 15 percent, down from 30 percent. It's also when Apple began implementing other ‌App Store‌ changes in response to cases like Epic Games v. Apple.

The class action lawsuit was first filed in 2021 by Kings College London academic Dr. Rachael Kent, and the claim seeks up to £1.5 billion in damages. The period between 2015 and 2020 was selected in order to determine how much Apple will need to pay to UK consumers.

A damages trial is scheduled for November. Apple said it will appeal the ruling.
This article, "Apple Loses UK Antitrust Lawsuit Over App Store Fees, Faces £1.5 Billion in Damages" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple introduced a new version of the Vision Pro with M5 chip this week, and it came with a Dual Knit Band that Apple says is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. M5 Vision Pro buyers will get the new band automatically, but those who have an M2 Vision Pro also have the option to buy it separately.


It appears ‌M2‌ Vision Pro owners are eager for an accessory that makes the headset easier to wear, because the $99 Dual Knit Band is now backordered for at least a month. As of yesterday, new Dual Knit Band orders were delivering between November 7 and November 14, and wait times could get even longer.

There are some retail stores that may have the Dual Knit Band in stock starting next week, as the M5 Vision Pro will launch on Wednesday, October 22.

The Dual Knit Band is made from the same 3D knitted material as the Solo Knit Band, but it has a two-strap design. One strap fits at the back of the head as before, but a second strap goes over the top of the head for better weight distribution.

Apple also added tungsten inserts to the ribbed back loop for counterbalance and a fit that is supposed to improve balance and stability. Apple says that the Dual Knit Band is soft and breathable, with a Fit Dial to adjust each strap independently.

The Dual Knit Band is available in small, medium, and large sizes, and making a purchase requires using an iPhone's Face ID camera to find the right fit for your face size.
This article, "Apple's New Vision Pro Dual Knit Band Proves Popular" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

A month before Apple introduced the iPhone 17 lineup, Google debuted its new Pixel 10 smartphone line. Since both companies have brand new flagship devices, we thought we'd do a comparison to see which one has the better camera technology.


With Apple adopting a camera "plateau" instead of a camera bump, the camera setup for the two smartphones looks more similar than ever before. Google has used a pill-shaped multi-lens horizontal camera bar for several years now, and now Apple uses a design that's not too far off. The iPhone 17 Pro's camera bump is wider, more square shaped, and it still has all three lenses on the left side, while Google's bar has rounded corners and lenses positioned in a row.

The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ has a trio of 48-megapixel lenses, including Wide, Ultra Wide, and Telephoto. The Pixel 10 Pro also has three lenses, offering a 50-megapixel Wide lens, a 48-megapixel Ultra Wide lens, and a 48-megapixel Telephoto lens. The camera systems are so similar and are high quality enough that choosing which one is better mostly comes down to personal taste.

Google seems to be doing more post processing, a tactic that makes some images sharper and more detailed, but that can also look unnatural. Colors on the Pixel 10 Pro are more saturated and vibrant in some cases, while the iPhone can look more natural. In other images, the ‌iPhone‌ offers more detail, including with the Telephoto lens.

Apple has been ahead on video for years now, and the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ still beats the Pixel 10 Pro. Apple has ProRes RAW, Cinematic mode, and other pro-level features that Google doesn't match. Google has improved video taking capabilities, though, and the Pixel 10 Pro does a good job with day-to-day captures.

The ‌iPhone‌'s new 18-megapixel front-facing camera has a useful feature that rotates into landscape so you can fit more in a selfie shot, which is a useful addition that sets it apart.

When it comes to AI-based camera features, Google is far ahead of Apple. The Pixel 10 Pro has a Gemini-based Camera Coach for getting the best shots, plus Google Photos supports voice-based edits. You can add yourself or other people into shots, boost your video quality, take 100x shots enhanced by AI, and access a better Magic Eraser tool for erasing unwanted objects in images. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ may get some of these capabilities when Apple's improved version of Siri comes out, but right now, Apple can't match Google's AI capabilities.

The Pixel 10 Pro is priced starting at $999, while the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ starts at $1,099, but the Pixel 10 Pro's $999 price point is for 128GB of storage. The equivalent 256GB model is $1,099, so the devices are essentially the same price.

Do you prefer the Pixel 10 Pro or the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ photos and videos? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro vs Pixel 10 Pro Camera Comparison: Which Takes Better Photos?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Collectible Phones to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone Air or an iPhone 17 Pro. Collectible Phones is an iPhone art company created by industry insider Sonny Dickson.


With Collectible Phones, Dickson purchases out-of-commission iPhones from recycling facilities, saving them from being sent to a landfill and creating waste. Collectible Phones chooses the best of the recycled iPhones to disassemble and preserve for ‌iPhone‌ collectors. The nicest components are selected, carefully adhered to a backboard, and protected with a high-quality frame.

Each component is labeled with details, specifications, and historical information, so you'll see data about the ‌iPhone‌'s display, logic board, battery, and more. Launch date, pricing, and other interesting tidbits are included as well.


Collectible Phones' key offering is the $298 Collectible 2G, which features Apple's original ‌iPhone‌ from 2007. Each component of the ‌iPhone‌ 2G includes a description and the parts are logically laid out so you can see each little detail from Apple's first-ever ‌iPhone‌. Dickson even sourced an original screenshot of the first version of iOS, and the piece includes a high-quality look at the initial version of iOS.


Each Collectible 2G piece can be purchased with either a black frame or a silver frame, and they're ready to hang on the wall. Frames measure in at 30cm x 42.3cm, and the site offers free worldwide shipping. If you're interested in purchasing a Collectible 2G, you can use your ‌iPhone‌ to see how it will look in your space before buying.


Dickson also has intact original iPhones available for those who would rather have a functional device.

We have an ‌iPhone Air‌ or an ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ to give away to one lucky MacRumors reader, with the winner to choose their preferred device. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (October 17) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 24. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after October 24 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
This article, "MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone Air or 17 Pro From Collectible Phones" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple plans to launch MacBook Air models equipped with the new M5 chip in spring 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is also working on M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models that will come early in the year.


Neither the ‌MacBook Pro‌ models nor the ‌MacBook Air‌ models are expected to get design changes, with Apple focusing on simple chip upgrades. In the case of the ‌MacBook Pro‌, a much bigger refresh is planned for either late 2026 or early 2027.

Apple is developing thinner, lighter OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with touch screen capabilities. The late 2026/early 2027 refresh will mark the first design update to the ‌MacBook Pro‌ since 2021.

As for the ‌MacBook Air‌, it received a design update in 2022, though Apple did introduce a larger-screened 15-inch model in 2023. Rumors suggest the ‌MacBook Air‌ will get an updated LCD display in 2027, so design tweaks could come at that point.

Apple is developing new versions of the Mac Studio and Mac mini, with those machines likely to get M5 Pro and/or M5 Max chips as well. There are also two external displays that are in the works, at least one of which is a second-generation version of the Studio Display. It's possible that new displays could come out alongside upgraded desktop machines, but there is no word on when Apple plans to update the ‌Mac mini‌ and ‌Mac Studio‌.
This article, "M5 MacBook Air Coming Spring 2026 With M5 Mac Studio and Mac Mini in Development" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Despite years of rumors suggesting Apple is working on Macs with Face ID instead of Touch ID, the technology isn't coming any time soon, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Gurman claims that Apple is aiming to shift from ‌Touch ID‌ to ‌Face ID‌ in the Mac line, but the change "remains years away."

Gurman and others have incorrectly predicted ‌Face ID‌ for Macs several times over the past five years. In 2021, Gurman said he'd bet Face ID would come to the Mac "within a couple of years." In the same year, he said Apple planned to add ‌Face ID‌ to the M1 iMac, but did not end up doing so. In 2022, he said Apple had "definitely" been working on Face ID for Macs, but "time will tell if they launch it."

Gurman did not provide any new information about ‌Face ID‌ for the Mac today than he did in 2021 when he first mentioned it, so the feature may remain "years away" for the next decade.

In 2021, Apple marketing VP Tom Boger said that there's no Face ID on the Mac because ‌Touch ID‌ is more convenient. Users' hands are already on the keyboard, so Apple feels that ‌Touch ID‌ makes more sense. It's possible Apple's thinking on the matter will shift when touch screen Macs come out in late 2026 or 2027.
This article, "Face ID for Mac Remains Distant Despite Years of Rumors" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is working on a new version of the MacBook Pro with an OLED display, a hole punch camera, and touch screen functionality, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said today. The updated ‌MacBook Pro‌ is set to launch sometime between late 2026 and early 2027.


Apple hasn't redesigned the ‌MacBook Pro‌ since the launch of the M1 Pro and M1 Max machines in 2021, but that is set to change with the launch of the OLED models. Along with new display capabilities, there will be a hole-punch camera and no notch, plus a thinner and lighter design. Apple is also adding a reinforced hinge and an updated screen design that will ensure the display does not move when it is touched.

While Apple plans to add a touch screen, the MacBook will continue to have a trackpad and a keyboard, with touch gestures augmenting existing functionality.

With an OLED display and touch integration, the upcoming 2026/2027 ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will likely be more expensive than the current higher-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models that are priced starting at $1,999 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch model.

The touch screen ‌MacBook Pro‌ models will be equipped with Apple's next-generation M6 chips. Apple just this week debuted the M5 Apple silicon chip, so the M6 is a ways off. Apple won't have M5 Pro and M5 Max chips ready until early 2026, which means it is increasingly likely the M6 variants will come in 2027.

It is possible that Apple will introduce two ‌MacBook Pro‌ refreshes in the same year, but it would be unusual.

Apple plans to test touch screen Macs with the ‌MacBook Pro‌ line, and the technology won't come to other Macs until Apple learns how it fares with consumers. Apple's last attempt at touch-based functionality in the Mac did not go well. The Touch Bar that was added to the ‌MacBook Pro‌ in 2016 did not prove popular with customers, and Apple ended up phasing it out starting with the 2021 ‌MacBook Pro‌ refresh.

Rumors about a touch screen Mac surfaced earlier this year when Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple would incorporate on-cell touch technology in the OLED ‌MacBook Pro‌. Kuo said that Apple decided to give the Mac a touch screen after "long-term observation of iPad user behavior" that suggested touch controls can enhance productivity and user experience in certain scenarios.
This article, "MacBook Pro With OLED Touch Screen Launching as Soon as 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple and NBCUniversal are teaming up for a $15/month streaming TV bundle that will include access to Apple TV and Peacock.


The streaming bundle will be available starting on October 20, and it will give customers access to both services at a 30 percent discount compared to purchasing individual subscriptions. ‌Apple TV‌ is normally $12.99 per month, while Peacock starts at $10.99 for the Premium plan that's included in the bundle.

Apple One subscribers on the Family and Premier plans can add Peacock Premium Plus and receive a 35 percent discount. Peacock Premium Plus includes the option to download content and watch it offline, while the standard Premium plan does not. It also removes most ads.

The ‌Apple TV‌ and Peacock apps will also feature an "extensive sampling" of each other's shows in app. When the bundle launches on October 20, Peacock subscribers will be able to watch the first three episodes of Stick, Slow Horses, Silo, The Buccaneers, Foundation, Palm Royale, and Prehistoric Planet from ‌Apple TV‌ for free.

‌Apple TV‌ subscribers will be able to watch up to three episodes of Law & Order, Bel-Air, Twisted Metal, Love Island Games, Happy's Place, The Hunting Party, and Real Housewives of Miami from Peacock.

Apple's new bundle comes just after Apple decided to rebrand its streaming service as ‌Apple TV‌, dropping the Plus and introducing a new logo.
This article, "Apple TV and Peacock Launch $15 Monthly Streaming Bundle, a 30% Discount" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

We didn't get a second fall event this year, but Apple did unveil updated products with a series of press releases that went out today. The M5 chip made an appearance in new MacBook Pro, Vision Pro, and iPad Pro models.


We've rounded up our coverage and highlighted the main feature changes for each device below.

MacBook Pro

• M5 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU


• Neural Accelerators for GPU


• 153GB/s memory bandwidth, up from 120GB/s


• 2x faster SSD


• Up to 4TB storage


• Priced starting at $1,599

Vision Pro

• M5 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU


• 10 percent more pixels rendered on micro-OLED displays for sharper images and crisper text


• Refresh rate up to 120Hz for reduced motion blur


• Longer 2.5 hour battery life


• More comfortable Dual Knit Band


• Priced starting at $3,499


• Dual Knit Band included with M5 model, or $99 standalone

iPad Pro

• M5 chip with up to 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU


• 12GB RAM minimum


• 2x faster SSD read and write speeds


• N1 networking chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6


• C1X modem with up to 50 percent faster cellular data performance


• Fast charge support with 50% charge in 35 minutes


• Priced starting at $999

Our Full Coverage

There are more tidbits on what was announced today available in our coverage of the new devices.

• Apple Unveils M5 Chip With Next-Generation GPU


• Apple Announces New 14-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Chip


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


• Apple Debuts New iPad Pro With M5 Chip, Faster Charging, and More


• Apple Releases Black Version of Magic Keyboard for iPad Air


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


• Two New Accessories for Vision Pro Now Available, With More Coming


• Discontinued M2 Vision Pro Not Available for Trade-In

Launch Date

The new M5 devices are available for pre-order starting today, and will launch on Wednesday, October 22.
This article, "Here's Everything Apple Announced Today" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

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 230 includes fixes and updates for CSS, HTML, MathML, Media, Rendering, SVG, Security, Web API, Web Extension, and Web Inspector.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines running macOS Sequoia and macOS Tahoe, 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.
This article, "Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 230 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today updated its iMessage troubleshooting support document to add a scenario that can occur in iOS 26. If you don't activate iMessage or an eSIM when setting up a new iPhone with ‌iOS 26‌, it can prevent iMessage from working.


Apple says that iMessage does not activate automatically when setting up an eSIM in the Settings app after the initial ‌iPhone‌ setup period, so it needs to be done manually.

After activating an eSIM, users can open up the Settings app, tap on Apps, choose Messages, and then turn iMessage off and back on to get the feature to work as intended.

When iMessage is not properly activated after setting up an eSIM, users can receive a Not Delivered alert, have their messages sent as SMS/RCS messages in green bubbles, or see their iMessages delivered from an email address instead of a phone number.
This article, "Apple Explains How to Fix iMessage Not Delivered Alert in iOS 26" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The United States Mint will soon begin producing a new $1 American Innovation Coin featuring Steve Jobs, and the design for the coin was previewed today.


The $1 Steve Jobs Coin features a young Steve Jobs in a turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers. The coin is inscribed with the words "make something wonderful." A full description is available on the U.S. Mint website:

This design presents a young Steve Jobs sitting in front of a quintessentially northern California landscape of oak-covered rolling hills. His posture and expression, as he is captured in a moment of reflection, show how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "CALIFORNIA." Additional inscriptions are "STEVE JOBS" and "MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL."

When it launches in 2026, the Steve Jobs coin will be purchasable from the U.S. Mint website. The collectible coins will be available for $13.25, or in a set of four (including three featuring other innovators/innovations) for $27.50. Rolls of 25 coins and bags of 100 coins are also available.

The Steve Jobs coin is part of a multi-year series that started in 2018. Each state is able to nominate an American innovation or pioneering effort for memorialization in a collectible coin.

California Governor Gavin Newsom recommended Apple co-founder Steve Jobs for the coin earlier this year. Newsom said that Jobs' willingness to try new ideas and push the boundaries of what's possible embodied the California spirit.

(Thanks, Elery!)
This article, "Steve Jobs to Be Featured on U.S. Commemorative $1 Coin in 2026" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is aiming to launch a new home hub and indoor security camera in 2026, with a tabletop robot coming in 2027, reports Bloomberg.


The home hub has an iPad-like 7-inch display, and it will be able to run apps and control smart home devices. There are apparently two versions in the works, one that is designed to be mounted on the wall, and a second tabletop model. The tabletop home hub has a speaker base that "resembles a screen-equipped version of the HomePod mini."

Both versions of the home hub will include a FaceTime camera for video calls, and sensors to recognize the person that's using it. It will be able to differentiate between different members of the household, adjusting available apps and features for each person.

Apple could charge around $350 for the home hub, which would make it much more expensive than competing products like the Amazon Echo Show, and it would be $50 more than the full-sized HomePod. Apple's operations teams are said to be looking at ways to cut the cost, so it's possible the device could be more affordable at launch. If not, costs may come down for future versions.

Apple's home hub has been finished since last year. Apple wanted to launch it in March 2025, but ended up pushing it back because the more advanced version of Siri wasn't ready to go. An updated ‌Siri‌ built using next-generation architecture will be ready to go in March 2026, and after that, Apple will be free to launch the home hub.

An Apple-designed security camera that integrates with the home hub could be released as soon as late 2026, and a full tabletop robot is slated for 2027. The robot is similar in design to the home hub, but it includes a 9-inch display and a motorized arm that can move the screen around on a user's workspace. The robot will cost several hundred dollars because of the included components.

Apple is planning to manufacture its upcoming smart home devices in Vietnam in a continuing effort to reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China. According to Bloomberg, Apple normally manufactures devices in a new product category in China to start with, but this time around, it will work with BYD in Vietnam. BYD is a Chinese company that makes electric vehicles, and Apple reportedly worked with BYD on battery technology before the Apple Car was scrapped.

BYD will be in charge of final assembly, testing, and packaging for the home hub and the tabletop robot. Apple has been expanding manufacturing in Vietnam for the last several years, and some iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Macs are assembled there.
This article, "Apple's 2026 Home Hub Could Cost $350" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple is going to launch a new version of the MacBook Pro as soon as tomorrow, so we thought we'd go over what to expect from Apple's upcoming Mac.

M5 Chip

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ will be one of the first new devices to use the next-generation M5 chip, which will replace the M4 chip.

The M5 is built on TSMC's more advanced 3-nanometer process, and it will bring speed and efficiency improvements. A leaked iPad Pro with an M5 chip was benchmarked two weeks ago, and it featured 12 percent faster multi-core CPU performance compared to the M4 chip, and a 36 percent faster GPU.

The M5 chip in the ‌iPad Pro‌ had a 9-core CPU, but the M5 in the new ‌MacBook Pro‌ could have a 10-core CPU like the 10-core M4 chip in the current version of the ‌MacBook Pro‌.

Design

There are no rumors of design changes, and we are expecting the upcoming M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌ to look just like the M4 version. There is a possibility that Apple will add a new color, because a teaser for the ‌MacBook Pro‌ seems to feature a ‌MacBook Pro‌ with a blue tint.

It's possible we'll get a dark blue version of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ that matches the iPhone 17 Pro.

Other Possible Updates

Aside from an M5 chip, we haven't heard of any new features that will be available in the M5 ‌MacBook Pro‌.

While not rumored, Apple could perhaps add the upgraded 18-megapixel Center Stage front-facing camera that's in the iPhone 17, or introduce the N1 networking chip with Bluetooth 6 and Wi-Fi 7 support. The current version of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ is limited to Wi-Fi 6E, even though the iPhone has supported Wi-Fi 7 for the last two years.

Apple may not be planning for significant hardware changes other than the chip, because swapping the camera or the networking chip would require more significant internal updates compared to just an M4 to M5 chip swap.

Just One Model?

It's looking like we're only going to get a single updated MacBook, with Apple adding the M5 to the base 14-inch model.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ line typically features Pro and Max chips in higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch machines as well, but those chips are apparently not ready yet and won't be coming until 2026.

The M5 Pro and M5 Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are expected in early 2026.

Why You Shouldn't Buy One

If you're not in serious need of a new ‌MacBook Pro‌, 2025 is a bad time to upgrade. The next-generation ‌MacBook Pro‌ after the late 2025/early 2026 models is expected to feature an OLED display, which will mark a major upgrade in display quality.

Of course, it's possible that the base 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ isn't going to get an OLED display and will stick with mini-LED, but it's not clear at this point.

The transition to OLED will also likely bring a design update along with M6 chip technology, which is another reason to wait.

Launch Date

Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak teased the M5 MacBook Pro earlier today, so it's likely going to launch imminently, perhaps as soon as tomorrow morning.
This article, "Apple's M5 MacBook Pro Imminent: What to Expect" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums