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Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models next year. The report led to hopes that Apple might also use the chip to revive its line of AirPort routers, which were discontinued in 2018, but those dreams have been dashed by Gurman himself.

In his Power On newsletter today, the well-connected journalist said that Apple is “not” currently working on new AirPort routers.

Gurman did offer a glimmer of hope. He said that Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip is “so sophisticated” that it could “theoretically” turn a home device like a future Apple TV or HomePod into a wireless access point. However, he did not confirm if Apple will actually follow through with that idea, so keep your expectations low for the time being.

Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip could still have other benefits for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models, including Wi-Fi 6E support.Related Roundups: Apple TV, HomePod

Tag: Mark Gurman

Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy), HomePod (Neutral)

Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

This article, “Apple ‘Not’ Working on New AirPort, But Apple TV and HomePod Provide Glimmer of Hope” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple is developing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that will debut in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models next year. The report led to hopes that Apple might also use the chip to revive its line of AirPort routers, which were discontinued in 2018, but those dreams have been dashed by Gurman himself.

In his Power On newsletter today, the well-connected journalist said that Apple is “not” currently working on new AirPort routers.

Gurman did offer a glimmer of hope. He said that Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip is “so sophisticated” that it could “theoretically” turn a home device like a future Apple TV or HomePod into a wireless access point. However, he did not confirm if Apple will actually follow through with that idea, so keep your expectations low for the time being.

Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip could still have other benefits for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models, including Wi-Fi 6E support.

This article, “Apple ‘Not’ Working on New AirPort, But Apple TV and HomePod Provide Glimmer of Hope” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is working on a variety of health features for future AirPods, including heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the heart rate technology could be ready for the AirPods Pro 3, which are in “early development” within the company.

AirPods getting heart rate monitoring would allow more customers to access this capability for health and fitness purposes, without needing to wear an Apple Watch. In internal testing, Apple has found that heart rate data is “more accurate” on the Apple Watch compared to AirPods, but he said the AirPods “aren’t terribly far off.”

Apple’s upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will also offer heart rate monitoring during workouts. Based on our iOS 18 code findings, you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data will be visible in the Health app and other supported apps on the iPhone.

Apple previously announced that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will be released in 2025, but it is not entirely clear when the AirPods Pro 3 will launch.

As a longer-term goal, Gurman reiterated that Apple plans to add small cameras to future AirPods to enable unspecified AI-powered features. This project is now a “priority” for Apple, but likely still a few years away from completion, he said.Related Roundup: AirPods Pro

Tag: Mark Gurman

Buyer’s Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)

Related Forum: AirPods

This article, “Apple Reportedly Working on AirPods Pro 3 With Heart Rate Feature” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple is working on a variety of health features for future AirPods, including heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the heart rate technology could be ready for the AirPods Pro 3, which are in “early development” within the company.

AirPods getting heart rate monitoring would allow more customers to access this capability for health and fitness purposes, without needing to wear an Apple Watch. In internal testing, Apple has found that heart rate data is “more accurate” on the Apple Watch compared to AirPods, but he said the AirPods “aren’t terribly far off.”

Apple’s upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will also offer heart rate monitoring during workouts. Based on our iOS 18 code findings, you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data will be visible in the Health app and other supported apps on the iPhone.

Apple previously announced that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will be released in 2025, but it is not entirely clear when the AirPods Pro 3 will launch.

As a longer-term goal, Gurman reiterated that Apple plans to add small cameras to future AirPods to enable unspecified AI-powered features. This project is now a “priority” for Apple, but likely still a few years away from completion, he said.

This article, “Apple Reportedly Working on AirPods Pro 3 With Heart Rate Feature” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is in the early stages of developing a smart home doorbell and lock system with Face ID, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the doorbell would wirelessly connect to a compatible deadbolt lock, allowing users to automatically unlock a door with Face ID. The doorbell would likely work with third-party HomeKit locks, but Apple could also partner with another brand to offer an all-in-one solution, he said.

Apple’s doorbell would compete with Amazon’s line of Ring doorbells, but Gurman did not say if Apple’s solution would capture video.

Apple would almost certainly tout the privacy and security benefits of its own smart home doorbell. If the product is ever released, Gurman expects that it will be equipped with Apple’s rumored Wi-Fi chip, which is said to have a Secure Enclave to protect user data. And if the doorbell does end up offering video capture, Apple already has a HomeKit Secure Video service with end-to-end encryption for storing footage in iCloud.

Gurman believes Apple’s doorbell is unlikely to launch until 2026 at the earliest.

Apple seemingly has plans to make a bigger push into the smart home space over the next few years. In addition to this doorbell, the company is expected to launch a smart home hub next year, and it is also rumored to be planning its own HomeKit-enabled indoor security camera that would compete with products like Logitech’s Circle View.Tag: Mark Gurman

This article, “Apple Rumored to Launch Smart Home Doorbell With Face ID and More” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple is in the early stages of developing a smart home doorbell and lock system with Face ID, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the doorbell would wirelessly connect to a compatible deadbolt lock, allowing users to automatically unlock a door with Face ID. The doorbell would likely work with third-party HomeKit locks, but Apple could also partner with another brand to offer an all-in-one solution, he said.

Apple’s doorbell would compete with Amazon’s line of Ring doorbells, but Gurman did not say if Apple’s solution would capture video.

Apple would almost certainly tout the privacy and security benefits of its own smart home doorbell. If the product is ever released, Gurman expects that it will be equipped with Apple’s rumored Wi-Fi chip, which is said to have a Secure Enclave to protect user data. And if the doorbell does end up offering video capture, Apple already has a HomeKit Secure Video service with end-to-end encryption for storing footage in iCloud.

Gurman believes Apple’s doorbell is unlikely to launch until 2026 at the earliest.

Apple seemingly has plans to make a bigger push into the smart home space over the next few years. In addition to this doorbell, the company is expected to launch a smart home hub next year, and it is also rumored to be planning its own HomeKit-enabled indoor security camera that would compete with products like Logitech’s Circle View.

This article, “Apple Rumored to Launch Smart Home Doorbell With Face ID and More” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As we expected, Apple is now offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock products ordered through December 24 in select countries. The offer is available for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats only.

Free two-hour delivery is available in most U.S. and Canadian metro areas for orders placed through Apple’s online store, until December 24. The items will be delivered from a local Apple retail store by a courier service such as Uber Eats at a time selected during checkout. Apple normally charges $9 for two-hour delivery.

Apple is also offering free three-hour delivery in Australia until December 24.

Apple’s extended return policy remains in effect for the holiday shopping season. In the U.S., for example, most products purchased from Apple between November 8 and December 25 this year may be returned through January 8, 2025.Tag: Apple Store

This article, “Apple Now Offering Free Two-Hour Delivery on Last-Minute Gifts” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

As we expected, Apple is now offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock products ordered through December 24 in select countries. The offer is available for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV, and Beats only.

Free two-hour delivery is available in most U.S. and Canadian metro areas for orders placed through Apple’s online store, until December 24. The items will be delivered from a local Apple retail store by a courier service such as Uber Eats at a time selected during checkout. Apple normally charges $9 for two-hour delivery.

Apple is also offering free three-hour delivery in Australia until December 24.

Apple’s extended return policy remains in effect for the holiday shopping season. In the U.S., for example, most products purchased from Apple between November 8 and December 25 this year may be returned through January 8, 2025.

This article, “Apple Now Offering Free Two-Hour Delivery on Last-Minute Gifts” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple appears to be internally testing iOS 18.2.1 for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software update in our website’s analytic logs this week. The logs have accurately revealed many iOS versions before they were released.

iOS 18.2.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or addresses security vulnerabilities, but it is unclear which specific issues might be resolved. The update will likely be released in late December or early January.

There could be accompanying updates, such as macOS 15.2.1, but we have not confirmed that.

iOS 18.2.1 will follow iOS 18.2, which was released earlier this month. iOS 18.2 introduced more Apple Intelligence features for iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more. iOS 18.2 also added a useful feature to the Find My app that allows you to share the location of your AirTag-equipped baggage with select airlines, including Delta, United, Air Canada, and others, making it quicker and easier for the airline to find your lost or delayed bags.

Apple is also testing iOS 18.3 with developers and public beta testers. That update is likely to be released in January, and it only includes minor changes so far.Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

This article, “Apple Preparing iOS 18.2.1 Update for iPhone” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple appears to be internally testing iOS 18.2.1 for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software update in our website’s analytic logs this week. The logs have accurately revealed many iOS versions before they were released.

iOS 18.2.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or addresses security vulnerabilities, but it is unclear which specific issues might be resolved. The update will likely be released in late December or early January.

There could be accompanying updates, such as macOS 15.2.1, but we have not confirmed that.

iOS 18.2.1 will follow iOS 18.2, which was released earlier this month. iOS 18.2 introduced more Apple Intelligence features for iPhone 15 Pro models and all iPhone 16 models, including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration for Siri, and more. iOS 18.2 also added a useful feature to the Find My app that allows you to share the location of your AirTag-equipped baggage with select airlines, including Delta, United, Air Canada, and others, making it quicker and easier for the airline to find your lost or delayed bags.

Apple is also testing iOS 18.3 with developers and public beta testers. That update is likely to be released in January, and it only includes minor changes so far.

This article, “Apple Preparing iOS 18.2.1 Update for iPhone” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple plans to release a new “HomePod” with a 7-inch LCD display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support in 2025, according to DigiTimes.

Google’s Nest Hub

It is unclear how much the screen-equipped HomePod would cost, but Apple is seemingly aiming for a reasonable price. In a paywalled report this week, the supply chain publication said Apple has selected China-based manufacturer Tianma to supply the LCD panels for the device, at an “exceptionally competitive” price of $10 per panel. The low cost of this component would likely contribute to the device being more affordable.

A screen-equipped HomePod has been rumored several times over the past few years. Earlier this month, for example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly said that a HomePod with a 6-to-7-inch display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support would enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Kuo said smart home capabilities would be a core aspect of the device, so it sounds like rumors about a screen-equipped HomePod and Apple’s rumored smart home hub are referring to the same product coming next year.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman last month said Apple’s smart home hub looks like a “square iPad,” with a roughly 6-inch screen. He said the hub can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall. It will run a new “homeOS” operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen, and revolve around Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit, he added. The hub could double as a home security system by displaying camera footage, and it is said to have a built-in camera that allows for FaceTime video calls.

Apple’s hub would compete with products like Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show, which are priced in the $150 to $300 range. Kuo and Gurman both said Apple is also planning a wireless security camera that would work with the hub.

It is unclear if Apple will actually use HomePod branding for the home hub, or if it will opt for all-new naming. It is also unclear if the current HomePod speaker will be updated next year, but a new HomePod mini is expected to launch next year. Related Roundup: HomePod

Tags: Apple Command Center, DigiTimes

Buyer’s Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

This article, “New ‘HomePod’ With 7-Inch Display, A18 Chip, and More Reportedly Launching Next Year” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Apple plans to release a new “HomePod” with a 7-inch LCD display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support in 2025, according to DigiTimes.

It is unclear how much the screen-equipped HomePod would cost, but Apple is seemingly aiming for a reasonable price. In a paywalled report this week, the supply chain publication said Apple has selected China-based manufacturer Tianma to supply the LCD panels for the device, at an “exceptionally competitive” price of $10 per panel. The low cost of this component would likely contribute to the device being more affordable.

A screen-equipped HomePod has been rumored several times over the past few years. Earlier this month, for example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly said that a HomePod with a 6-to-7-inch display, an A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence support would enter mass production in the second half of 2025. Kuo said smart home capabilities would be a core aspect of the device, so it sounds like rumors about a screen-equipped HomePod and Apple’s rumored smart home hub are referring to the same product coming next year.

Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman last month said Apple’s smart home hub looks like a “square iPad,” with a roughly 6-inch screen. He said the hub can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall. It will run a new “homeOS” operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen, and revolve around Siri, Apple Intelligence, and HomeKit, he added. The hub could double as a home security system by displaying camera footage, and it is said to have a built-in camera that allows for FaceTime video calls.

Apple’s hub would compete with products like Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show, which are priced in the $150 to $300 range. Kuo and Gurman both said Apple is also planning a wireless security camera that would work with the hub.

It is unclear if Apple will actually use HomePod branding for the home hub, or if it will opt for all-new naming. It is also unclear if the current HomePod speaker will be updated next year, but a new HomePod mini is expected to launch next year.

This article, “New ‘HomePod’ With 7-Inch Display, A18 Chip, and More Reportedly Launching Next Year” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you haven’t wrapped up your holiday shopping, Apple is still offering free two-day delivery for many products from its online store. Orders placed for in-stock items before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time tonight will deliver by December 24. Orders placed after that time may not make it.

iPhone 16 models, new Macs, iPads, HomePods, AirTags, the Apple TV 4K, Apple Watches, AirPods, and many accessories from both Apple and third-party companies are eligible for free two-day delivery in the United States.

Last year, after the two-day delivery window expired, Apple offered a free two-hour courier delivery option for select products, but courier delivery is only available in certain areas, and on a more limited number of products. Courier delivery typically costs $9.

Apple is offering extended holiday returns right now, and devices purchased between November 8, 2024 and December 25, 2024 can be returned through January 8, 2025.This article, “Today’s the Last Day to Order From Apple for December 24th Delivery in the U.S.” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

If you haven’t wrapped up your holiday shopping, Apple is still offering free two-day delivery for many products from its online store. Orders placed for in-stock items before 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time tonight will deliver by December 24. Orders placed after that time may not make it.

iPhone 16 models, new Macs, iPads, HomePods, AirTags, the Apple TV 4K, Apple Watches, AirPods, and many accessories from both Apple and third-party companies are eligible for free two-day delivery in the United States.

Last year, after the two-day delivery window expired, Apple offered a free two-hour courier delivery option for select products, but courier delivery is only available in certain areas, and on a more limited number of products. Courier delivery typically costs $9.

Apple is offering extended holiday returns right now, and devices purchased between November 8, 2024 and December 25, 2024 can be returned through January 8, 2025.
This article, “Today’s the Last Day to Order From Apple for December 24th Delivery in the U.S.” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It’s the last-minute rush before Christmas, and that means it’s getting very difficult to find great deals that also have guaranteed delivery by the 25th. With that in mind, some of the week’s best deals that we’re recapping below might not arrive in time for the holiday, but you can still find multiple record low prices on products like the 10th generation iPad and AirTag.

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.

iPad

What’s the deal? Take $99 off 10th gen iPad

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Note: You won’t see the deal price until checkout.

$99 OFFiPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $249.99

Amazon brought back the Black Friday price on Apple’s 10th generation iPad this week, and you can still get it for $249.99 in Silver and Blue today, down from $349.00.
AirTag

What’s the deal? Take $29 off AirTag 4-Pack

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$29 OFFAirTag 4-Pack for $69.99

Another Black Friday price returned this week on Amazon, and it’s on the AirTag 4-Pack. You can get this accessory for $69.99 today, down from $99.00.
AirPods

What’s the deal? Take up to $59 off AirPods

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$10 OFFAirPods 4 for $119.00

$10 OFFAirPods 4 (ANC) for $168.99

$59 OFFAirPods Pro 2 for $189.99

Amazon is discounting the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 this weekend, and all models are still available to be delivered by Christmas as of writing. These aren’t all-time low prices, but if you need a last-minute holiday gift, they’re the best discounts around online for Apple’s headphones.
MacBook Air

What’s the deal? Take $200 off M2 and M3 MacBook Air

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

$200 OFF13-inch M2 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB) for $799.00

$200 OFF13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) for $1,099.00

Amazon has both the previous generation M2 and current M3 MacBook Air on sale at solid $200 discounts this weekend.

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 holiday season? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we’ll keep you updated so you don’t miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

This article, “Best Apple Deals of the Week: Record Low Prices Return for AirTag, iPad, and MacBook Air” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It’s the last-minute rush before Christmas, and that means it’s getting very difficult to find great deals that also have guaranteed delivery by the 25th. With that in mind, some of the week’s best deals that we’re recapping below might not arrive in time for the holiday, but you can still find multiple record low prices on products like the 10th generation iPad and AirTag.

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.

iPad

What’s the deal? Take $99 off 10th gen iPad

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon brought back the Black Friday price on Apple’s 10th generation iPad this week, and you can still get it for $249.99 in Silver and Blue today, down from $349.00.

AirTag

What’s the deal? Take $29 off AirTag 4-Pack

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Another Black Friday price returned this week on Amazon, and it’s on the AirTag 4-Pack. You can get this accessory for $69.99 today, down from $99.00.

AirPods

What’s the deal? Take up to $59 off AirPods

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon is discounting the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 this weekend, and all models are still available to be delivered by Christmas as of writing. These aren’t all-time low prices, but if you need a last-minute holiday gift, they’re the best discounts around online for Apple’s headphones.

MacBook Air

What’s the deal? Take $200 off M2 and M3 MacBook Air

Where can I get it? Amazon

Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon has both the previous generation M2 and current M3 MacBook Air on sale at solid $200 discounts this weekend.

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.

This article, “Best Apple Deals of the Week: Record Low Prices Return for AirTag, iPad, and MacBook Air” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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2024 is rapidly drawing to a close, but the Apple news and rumor mill remains busy. On the software side, users are still exploring the new features in iOS 18.2 such as expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, while Apple is moving ahead with beta testing of iOS 18.3 and related updates.

On the hardware side, we’re hearing lots of rumors about what’s coming in 2025 and beyond, including a new design for the iPhone 17 Pro, an all-new “iPhone 17 Air,” a second-generation AirTag, a redesigned Magic Mouse, and even a foldable iPad or MacBook, so read on below for all the details!

‘iPhone 17 Air’ With ‘Major’ Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report
We’ve been hearing quite a few rumors about a super-thin “iPhone 17 Air” coming next year and a potential foldable iPad or MacBook for further down the road, and The Wall Street Journal this week published a new report outlining information from its own sources on both devices.

The report comes as analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants shared their expected roadmap for new Apple products based on OLED displays, including an OLED iPad mini in 2026 plus OLED iPad Air models and an 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro in 2027.

iOS 18.2: Everything You Can Do With ChatGPT Integration
Following last week’s release of iOS 18.2 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, we’ve shared some how-tos and guides taking deeper looks at what’s new.

ChatGPT integration is one of the big new features, so be sure to check out our overview of everything you can do with it. Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models is another one, while the custom emoji characters known as Genmoji open up new possibilities for expression, although they come with some limitations.

Other iOS 18.2 additions worth checking out include the new Mail Categories feature and the ability to bring back the volume slider on the Lock Screen.

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3
With iOS 18.2 out the door, Apple has turned its attention to the next set of operating system updates likely scheduled for a late January release to the general public. Ahead of that release, Apple this week provided the first developer and public betas of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS 15.3, and more.

The updates appear to be relatively light on new features so far, although macOS Sequoia 15.3 brings Genmoji to the Mac while tvOS 18.3 is preparing to support robot vacuums in the Home app.

Apple ‘Working’ on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited ‘Fix’
Apple’s Magic Mouse has been the butt of jokes for years over the location of its charging port, which prevents the mouse from being used while it’s charging.

That issue wasn’t fixed with the recent update to shift the Magic Mouse and other Mac accessories from Lightning ports to USB-C, but it appears Apple is indeed going to remedy it at some point. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is working on a “full overhaul” of the Magic Mouse to address some of the “longstanding complaints” about it, but don’t expect the new mouse to debut before 2026.

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With ‘Considerable’ Upgrade to Item Tracking
Rumors have been pointing to a second-generation AirTag arriving some time in 2025, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman this week provided a few new details about what we can expect with the update.

The biggest improvement will reportedly be improved Ultra Wideband capabilities that will deliver triple the range of the current AirTag, making it much easier to track down items with associated AirTags.

Meanwhile, for owners of current AirTags who want to get much more battery life out of them, Elevation Lab has a new TimeCapsule enclosure that will power your AirTag for up to ten years from a pair of AA batteries.

iPhone 17 Pro Rumored to Stick With ‘Triangular’ Camera Design
There’s been a confusing mess of rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro design, including the use of multiple materials on the rear housing and a redesigned camera bump, with some sources claiming the new bump will be “rectangular,” leading to suggestions that the three camera lenses could be arranged in a horizontal layout.

A new rumor claims, however, that the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to feature a triangular layout for the lenses, although the overall appearance of the back of the device will indeed change.

MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we’ve covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top Stories

This article, “Top Stories: iPhone 17 Designs, Foldable iPad or MacBook, and More” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

2024 is rapidly drawing to a close, but the Apple news and rumor mill remains busy. On the software side, users are still exploring the new features in iOS 18.2 such as expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, while Apple is moving ahead with beta testing of iOS 18.3 and related updates.

On the hardware side, we’re hearing lots of rumors about what’s coming in 2025 and beyond, including a new design for the iPhone 17 Pro, an all-new “iPhone 17 Air,” a second-generation AirTag, a redesigned Magic Mouse, and even a foldable iPad or MacBook, so read on below for all the details!

‘iPhone 17 Air’ With ‘Major’ Design Changes and 19-Inch MacBook Detailed in New Report

We’ve been hearing quite a few rumors about a super-thin “iPhone 17 Air” coming next year and a potential foldable iPad or MacBook for further down the road, and The Wall Street Journal this week published a new report outlining information from its own sources on both devices.

The report comes as analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants shared their expected roadmap for new Apple products based on OLED displays, including an OLED iPad mini in 2026 plus OLED iPad Air models and an 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro in 2027.

iOS 18.2: Everything You Can Do With ChatGPT Integration

Following last week’s release of iOS 18.2 with expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, we’ve shared some how-tos and guides taking deeper looks at what’s new.

ChatGPT integration is one of the big new features, so be sure to check out our overview of everything you can do with it. Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models is another one, while the custom emoji characters known as Genmoji open up new possibilities for expression, although they come with some limitations.

Other iOS 18.2 additions worth checking out include the new Mail Categories feature and the ability to bring back the volume slider on the Lock Screen.

Apple Releases First Betas of iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3

With iOS 18.2 out the door, Apple has turned its attention to the next set of operating system updates likely scheduled for a late January release to the general public. Ahead of that release, Apple this week provided the first developer and public betas of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, macOS 15.3, and more.

The updates appear to be relatively light on new features so far, although macOS Sequoia 15.3 brings Genmoji to the Mac while tvOS 18.3 is preparing to support robot vacuums in the Home app.

Apple ‘Working’ on Redesigned Magic Mouse With a Long-Awaited ‘Fix’

Apple’s Magic Mouse has been the butt of jokes for years over the location of its charging port, which prevents the mouse from being used while it’s charging.

That issue wasn’t fixed with the recent update to shift the Magic Mouse and other Mac accessories from Lightning ports to USB-C, but it appears Apple is indeed going to remedy it at some point. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says Apple is working on a “full overhaul” of the Magic Mouse to address some of the “longstanding complaints” about it, but don’t expect the new mouse to debut before 2026.

AirTag 2 Expected to Launch Next Year With ‘Considerable’ Upgrade to Item Tracking

Rumors have been pointing to a second-generation AirTag arriving some time in 2025, and Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman this week provided a few new details about what we can expect with the update.

The biggest improvement will reportedly be improved Ultra Wideband capabilities that will deliver triple the range of the current AirTag, making it much easier to track down items with associated AirTags.

Meanwhile, for owners of current AirTags who want to get much more battery life out of them, Elevation Lab has a new TimeCapsule enclosure that will power your AirTag for up to ten years from a pair of AA batteries.

iPhone 17 Pro Rumored to Stick With ‘Triangular’ Camera Design

There’s been a confusing mess of rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro design, including the use of multiple materials on the rear housing and a redesigned camera bump, with some sources claiming the new bump will be “rectangular,” leading to suggestions that the three camera lenses could be arranged in a horizontal layout.

A new rumor claims, however, that the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to feature a triangular layout for the lenses, although the overall appearance of the back of the device will indeed change.

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This article, “Top Stories: iPhone 17 Designs, Foldable iPad or MacBook, and More” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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It’s looking like 2025 is going to be an important year for Apple, with the company planning to revamp the iPhone, push further into smart home products, and improve Apple Intelligence. There are tons of new products rumored for 2025, including new iPhones, M4 Macs, a smart home command center, and much more.

We’ve highlighted the top five Apple products that will have the biggest impact in 2025.

iPhone 17 “Air”
There’s a new, super thin ‌iPhone‌ planned for 2025, and while we don’t know what Apple will call it, rumors have taken to referring to it as the iPhone 17 Air. It’s a fitting name, because it won’t be as powerful or as pricey as the Pro models, but it will be more expensive than the standard ‌iPhone 17‌.

Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will be somewhere around 6mm thick, which will make it the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date. For reference, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm thick, so we’re looking at a good 2mm difference.

The new ‌iPhone‌ is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display, coming in between the ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max in size. It will only have a single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera because of space constraints, and it’s going to be one of the first devices to feature Apple’s new 5G modem.

We’re still getting a regular ‌iPhone 17‌, but there won’t be an ‌iPhone 17‌ Plus this year. Apple also plans to sell the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air alongside ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and Pro Max models, and rumors suggest there are some design changes coming to those models, too. So far, it sounds like we’re going to get a half-aluminum half-glass design for the back panel that could improve durability, plus the camera setup could get a redesign.

All four iPhones in 2025 will get A19 chips, and ProMotion 120Hz display technology isn’t going to be limited to the Pro models anymore.

You can read more about the features rumored for the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup in our iPhone 17 roundup.

AirPods Pro 3
Apple refreshed the AirPods 4 in 2024, and in 2025, we’ll get an AirPods Pro update. Apple is rumored to be updating the design, but just what the earbuds will look like remains unclear. The ‌AirPods 4‌ got a slimmed down case, so that could be what we see for the AirPods Pro 3 too.

Both sound quality and Active Noise Cancellation are expected to improve, mostly due to Apple unveiling a next-generation H series chip. Apple hasn’t introduced a new audio chip for some time now, so it will be exciting to see what features an update will bring.

There have been some rumors about heart rate tracking and temperature monitoring coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ at some point, so that’s a possibility as well. More on what we’ve heard about the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ can be found in our guide.

Apple Command Center
Apple plans to unveil a small, square-shaped home “Command Center” device that will be used for controlling smart home devices, FaceTime calls, watching videos, and more. It essentially sounds like it’s going to be Apple’s version of the Echo Show.

The six-inch device will be small enough to take from room to room, and you can use it on a tabletop or mount it on the wall. It will hopefully be affordable enough that you can have multiple devices across different rooms, streamlining the increasing number of smart home products many of us have in our homes.

The Command Center will have standard Apple apps like Home, Calendar, Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Photos, but Apple isn’t making a dedicated App Store for it. You’ll be able to use it for video calls, and expect deep ‌Apple Intelligence‌ integration.

iPhone SE 4
Apple is finally ready to refresh its low-cost ‌iPhone‌, and the iPhone SE 4 is going to get a lot of improvements that have the potential to make it an incredible value.

Small screen sizes and Touch ID are a thing of the past, so the ‌iPhone SE‌ will have a 6.1-inch OLED display and Face ID. In fact, rumors suggest that it’s modeled after the iPhone 14. There will be a single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera, a notch for ‌Face ID‌, and a USB-C port for charging.

The larger screen size, OLED display technology, ‌Face ID‌, and higher megapixel camera will all be new to the SE lineup. The device is also expected to be the first to get Apple’s in-house 5G modem, and it is rumored to have the same A18 chip that’s in the current iPhone 16.

The A18 chip supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, so the ‌iPhone SE‌ will have Genmoji, Image Playground, Writing Tools, smarter Siri, and more, plus 8GB RAM is the minimum for ‌Apple Intelligence‌, so it’s also going to get a big memory boost.

When it launches, the ‌iPhone SE‌’s performance will be on par with the ‌iPhone 16‌, which is impressive for a low-cost ‌iPhone‌. There’s been no word that Apple plans to raise prices, and we’re still expecting the ‌iPhone SE‌ to cost less than $500.

Siri Improvements
In spring updates coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, Apple plans to add new functionality to ‌Siri‌, including onscreen awareness, personal context, and the ability for ‌Siri‌ to take more actions in and across apps.

Onscreen awareness will let ‌Siri‌ see and understand what’s on your display, so you can reference it in voice requests. If you’re looking at a photo and want to send it to your friend Eric, for example, you will be able to say “Send this to Eric,” and ‌Siri‌ will understand what “this” is.

Personal context will allow ‌Siri‌ to do more with your personal data like emails and messages, learning more about you to be more helpful. ‌Siri‌ will know who you’re communicating with, how you use your device, and will keep track of everything you have stored. Personal context will let ‌Siri‌ do things like find a specific message, locate a recent file, find content in emails like flight numbers, or remind you when you took a photo you’re looking for.

‌Siri‌’s ability to do more in and across apps will majorly improve what ‌Siri‌ is capable of. You’ll be able to move files from one app to another, edit photos with voice commands, and complete multi-step multi-app processes that ‌Siri‌ isn’t currently capable of handling.

In iOS 19, coming in June, Apple plans to unveil LLM ‌Siri‌, or a version of ‌Siri‌ trained on a large language model. LLM training will make ‌Siri‌ more like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, allowing ‌Siri‌ to understand and generate natural, human-like language, perform complex tasks, and solve problems. While ‌iOS 18‌ will add helpful new ‌Siri‌ functionality, the real ‌Siri‌ evolution will come with iOS 19 and subsequent updates.

Add Yours
What are you looking forward to seeing from Apple in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.This article, “Top 5 Apple Products to Look Forward to in 2025” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

It’s looking like 2025 is going to be an important year for Apple, with the company planning to revamp the iPhone, push further into smart home products, and improve Apple Intelligence. There are tons of new products rumored for 2025, including new iPhones, M4 Macs, a smart home command center, and much more.

We’ve highlighted the top five Apple products that will have the biggest impact in 2025.

iPhone 17 “Air”

There’s a new, super thin ‌iPhone‌ planned for 2025, and while we don’t know what Apple will call it, rumors have taken to referring to it as the iPhone 17 Air. It’s a fitting name, because it won’t be as powerful or as pricey as the Pro models, but it will be more expensive than the standard ‌iPhone 17‌.

Rumors suggest the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will be somewhere around 6mm thick, which will make it the thinnest ‌iPhone‌ to date. For reference, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro is 8.25mm thick, so we’re looking at a good 2mm difference.

The new ‌iPhone‌ is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display, coming in between the ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max in size. It will only have a single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera because of space constraints, and it’s going to be one of the first devices to feature Apple’s new 5G modem.

We’re still getting a regular ‌iPhone 17‌, but there won’t be an ‌iPhone 17‌ Plus this year. Apple also plans to sell the ‌iPhone 17‌ Air alongside ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro and Pro Max models, and rumors suggest there are some design changes coming to those models, too. So far, it sounds like we’re going to get a half-aluminum half-glass design for the back panel that could improve durability, plus the camera setup could get a redesign.

All four iPhones in 2025 will get A19 chips, and ProMotion 120Hz display technology isn’t going to be limited to the Pro models anymore.

You can read more about the features rumored for the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup in our iPhone 17 roundup.

AirPods Pro 3

Apple refreshed the AirPods 4 in 2024, and in 2025, we’ll get an AirPods Pro update. Apple is rumored to be updating the design, but just what the earbuds will look like remains unclear. The ‌AirPods 4‌ got a slimmed down case, so that could be what we see for the AirPods Pro 3 too.

Both sound quality and Active Noise Cancellation are expected to improve, mostly due to Apple unveiling a next-generation H series chip. Apple hasn’t introduced a new audio chip for some time now, so it will be exciting to see what features an update will bring.

There have been some rumors about heart rate tracking and temperature monitoring coming to the ‌AirPods Pro‌ at some point, so that’s a possibility as well. More on what we’ve heard about the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌ can be found in our guide.

Apple Command Center

Apple plans to unveil a small, square-shaped home “Command Center” device that will be used for controlling smart home devices, FaceTime calls, watching videos, and more. It essentially sounds like it’s going to be Apple’s version of the Echo Show.

The six-inch device will be small enough to take from room to room, and you can use it on a tabletop or mount it on the wall. It will hopefully be affordable enough that you can have multiple devices across different rooms, streamlining the increasing number of smart home products many of us have in our homes.

The Command Center will have standard Apple apps like Home, Calendar, Apple Music, Apple News, and Apple Photos, but Apple isn’t making a dedicated App Store for it. You’ll be able to use it for video calls, and expect deep ‌Apple Intelligence‌ integration.

iPhone SE 4

Apple is finally ready to refresh its low-cost ‌iPhone‌, and the iPhone SE 4 is going to get a lot of improvements that have the potential to make it an incredible value.

Small screen sizes and Touch ID are a thing of the past, so the ‌iPhone SE‌ will have a 6.1-inch OLED display and Face ID. In fact, rumors suggest that it’s modeled after the iPhone 14. There will be a single-lens 48-megapixel rear camera, a notch for ‌Face ID‌, and a USB-C port for charging.

The larger screen size, OLED display technology, ‌Face ID‌, and higher megapixel camera will all be new to the SE lineup. The device is also expected to be the first to get Apple’s in-house 5G modem, and it is rumored to have the same A18 chip that’s in the current iPhone 16.

The A18 chip supports ‌Apple Intelligence‌, so the ‌iPhone SE‌ will have Genmoji, Image Playground, Writing Tools, smarter Siri, and more, plus 8GB RAM is the minimum for ‌Apple Intelligence‌, so it’s also going to get a big memory boost.

When it launches, the ‌iPhone SE‌’s performance will be on par with the ‌iPhone 16‌, which is impressive for a low-cost ‌iPhone‌. There’s been no word that Apple plans to raise prices, and we’re still expecting the ‌iPhone SE‌ to cost less than $500.

Siri Improvements

In spring updates coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, Apple plans to add new functionality to ‌Siri‌, including onscreen awareness, personal context, and the ability for ‌Siri‌ to take more actions in and across apps.

Onscreen awareness will let ‌Siri‌ see and understand what’s on your display, so you can reference it in voice requests. If you’re looking at a photo and want to send it to your friend Eric, for example, you will be able to say “Send this to Eric,” and ‌Siri‌ will understand what “this” is.

Personal context will allow ‌Siri‌ to do more with your personal data like emails and messages, learning more about you to be more helpful. ‌Siri‌ will know who you’re communicating with, how you use your device, and will keep track of everything you have stored. Personal context will let ‌Siri‌ do things like find a specific message, locate a recent file, find content in emails like flight numbers, or remind you when you took a photo you’re looking for.

‌Siri‌’s ability to do more in and across apps will majorly improve what ‌Siri‌ is capable of. You’ll be able to move files from one app to another, edit photos with voice commands, and complete multi-step multi-app processes that ‌Siri‌ isn’t currently capable of handling.

In iOS 19, coming in June, Apple plans to unveil LLM ‌Siri‌, or a version of ‌Siri‌ trained on a large language model. LLM training will make ‌Siri‌ more like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, allowing ‌Siri‌ to understand and generate natural, human-like language, perform complex tasks, and solve problems. While ‌iOS 18‌ will add helpful new ‌Siri‌ functionality, the real ‌Siri‌ evolution will come with iOS 19 and subsequent updates.

Add Yours

What are you looking forward to seeing from Apple in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, “Top 5 Apple Products to Look Forward to in 2025” first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Read More