From 9to5Mac · 40 stories
Apple TV and other Apple services experience outages, some due to maintenance
Apple reported issues affecting Apple TV, App Store, Apple Music, and other services, with most beginning around 4:22 p.m. ET. While some outages were attributed to routine or scheduled maintenance, Apple TV remained affected after other issues were resolved.
Apple Opens Claims for $250 Million Siri AI Settlement
Apple has opened the claims process for a $250 million class action settlement concerning its Siri AI features. Eligible U.S. iPhone owners who purchased specific models, including iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model, between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, can now submit claims. Payouts are estimated to be $25 per device, potentially increasing to $95, with a claim deadline of December 21, 2026.
Lenovo Introduces IdeaPad Vibe Laptops with AMD and Qualcomm Chips, Starting at $699
Lenovo has announced the IdeaPad Vibe, a new line of productivity laptops available in 14- and 15-inch sizes, starting at $699. These laptops will feature AMD Ryzen AI 400 series or Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, with Intel versions planned for later release. The IdeaPad Vibe offers extensive customization, including seven color options and swappable keycaps, aiming to provide diverse choices in the consumer laptop market.
Instagram launches 'First Draft' feature to automatically trim Reels video clips
Instagram has introduced "First Draft," a new Reels-editing feature for its iPhone app that automatically trims video clips by removing pauses and highlighting key parts. This feature provides a starting point for users to create Reels, simplifying the initial editing process.
HBO Max Introduces Vertical Video "Shorts" Feed and Conversational Search
HBO Max has launched "HBO Max Shorts," a vertical video feed featuring trailers, clips, and bonus content, initially for select iOS users in the US. This feature, which uses an AI tool and human editors to create personalized content based on watch history, aims to help users discover new shows and movies. Additionally, HBO Max is testing a conversational search experience for Android users in the US.
Adobe Tests AI Features in Project Indigo Camera App
Adobe's experimental Project Indigo camera app for iOS is testing new AI features, including photo critiques and editing suggestions. The updates, part of the AI Playground, include advanced object removal and style changes. This limited trial is available to a small group of users and aims to explore user interaction with AI-driven editing.
X Adjusts Algorithm to Prioritize Replies From Mutual Followers
X has updated its algorithm to prioritize replies from mutual followers, aiming to foster meaningful community interactions on the platform. This tweak addresses user feedback about random content visibility in replies, which previously led to unfamiliar discussions. The change intends to create more cohesive interest-based interactions among users.
Apple Arcade adds five new games, including Terraria+ and Pusheen's Place
Apple Arcade expanded its game catalog with five new titles, including Terraria+ and Pusheen's Place. These additions bring the total library to over 200 games, offering subscribers more ad-free and in-app-purchase-free options.
North Carolina to launch digital driver's licenses, with Apple Wallet support by early 2027
North Carolina announced it will introduce mobile IDs later this year, allowing residents to store a digital driver's license on their iPhone. Initially, the ID will be available in the official NC Wallet app, with Apple Wallet support planned for early 2027. This expansion adds North Carolina to a growing list of states adopting digital IDs in Apple Wallet.
Leaked diagrams suggest iPhone 18 Pro chip may feature 7 GPU cores and faster RAM
Leaked circuit diagrams for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro suggest the A20 Pro chip could include seven GPU cores and a faster memory interface. These inferences, based on solder diagrams, also indicate an increased L2 cache for the efficiency cores.
Sonos unveils Beam Ultra soundbar with 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos and AI Speech Enhancement
Sonos released the Beam Ultra soundbar, an updated version of its mid-size soundbar, featuring increased drivers and upward-facing speakers for improved Dolby Atmos spatial sound. This release provides an updated home theater component with enhanced audio capabilities and AI-driven dialogue clarity.
Apple Reduces Price of Polishing Cloth to $9
Apple has released an updated version of its Polishing Cloth, now priced at $9, a reduction from its previous $19 cost. The cloth maintains its description as a soft, nonabrasive material suitable for cleaning all Apple displays, including those with nano-texture coating.
Firefox Smart Window AI Browsing Mode Updates with Exa Integration and New Features
Firefox's Smart Window AI browsing mode now integrates with Exa for current web information and source links in AI chats. The update also adds automatic tab group suggestions and visual previews for past browsing history searches using natural language. These features aim to improve organization and recall within the browser.
Sonos iOS App Adds Live Activities for Lock Screen Playback Controls
The Sonos app on iPhone now supports Live Activities, allowing users to control playback directly from the Lock Screen. This update addresses a long-requested feature, improving accessibility for Sonos users on iOS devices.
Twelve South Releases Smaller Valet Charging Tray with Increased Wireless Power
Twelve South has introduced a new, more compact version of its Valet charging tray, reducing its depth from 7.5 inches to 4.25-4.5 inches. This updated model increases wireless charging power to 25W, up from 15W in the original, and is priced at $129.99.
WhatsApp Introduces @all Mentions, Enhanced Polls, and New Group Creation Features
WhatsApp has rolled out new features for group chats, including an "@all" mention to notify all members, expanded poll options with end times and anonymous voting, and the ability to create new groups from existing ones. These updates provide users with more communication tools and administrative controls within the messaging platform.
Spotify Introduces 'User Notes' for Personalizing Playlist Tracks
Spotify has launched "User Notes," a new feature allowing users to add personal captions of up to 240 characters to individual songs within their playlists. This update aims to personalize the music experience by enabling users to record memories or context associated with tracks, and is available in select markets for users aged 16 and older on both free and Premium plans.
Granola AI Note-Taking App Launches on Apple Watch for On-Wrist Recording
Granola, an AI-powered note-taking application, has released a new app for the Apple Watch. This allows users to record meetings and take notes directly from their wrist, providing an alternative to using smartphones or laptops for in-person conversations and syncing notes across devices.
Meta pauses subscription plan for Conversation Focus feature on smart glasses after user feedback
Meta has paused its plan to charge a monthly subscription fee for the Conversation Focus feature on its smart glasses, which enhances audio clarity. This decision follows user backlash regarding the proposed fee and rate limits for a feature that operates locally on the device.
AppleCare+ Prices Rise for New Mac and iPad Buyers
Apple has increased the prices of AppleCare+ for new Mac and iPad buyers by $0.50 per month or $5 per year. This move aligns with recent price hikes across Apple's hardware offerings, attributed to rising component costs. Existing customers with AppleCare+ continue on their current plans without any price changes. The AppleCare One bundle, covering three devices, remains priced at $19.99 monthly, offering cost savings for users with multiple devices.
Apple Maps Ads to Bar Home Services, Limit Categories at Launch
Apple is introducing ads to its Maps app in the U.S. and Canada, imposing significant restrictions on certain categories like home services. This differs from Google, which allows more expansive local service ads. Apple aims to focus on local businesses with physical locations, enhancing the user experience by limiting certain ad categories.
Unicode Unveils Nine New Emojis for Enhanced Digital Expression
The Unicode Consortium announced nine new emoji designs, set to launch by spring 2024, including Cracking Face, Meteor, and Monarch Butterfly. These additions target clearer expressions and emotional nuance in digital communication.
Spotify Enhances Release Radar with Customizable Listening Filters
Spotify has introduced new customization options for its Release Radar playlist, allowing users to adjust recommendations by genre and artist. This update, now available on both mobile and desktop, includes improved session controls and a redesigned look. It aims to enhance personalized music discovery for the nearly 9 million weekly users of the playlist.
Apple TV Adds 13 Classic Movies to its Free Subscriber Content Library
Apple TV has added 13 classic movies to its streaming service, available for free to subscribers. This continues a recent trend of monthly additions of popular films, expanding the platform's content beyond original productions.
Apple TV announces new movies and TV series for September, including 'Mayday' and 'Brothers'
Apple TV will release several new movies and TV series in September, including the action-comedy film "Mayday" starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, and the comedy series "Brothers" with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. The streaming service will also launch the sixth season of "Slow Horses" and the new thriller series "Last Seen." This content update provides new viewing options for Apple TV subscribers.
Vision Pro demonstrates significant surgical benefits in UC San Diego study
A UC San Diego study, co-authored by analyst Horace Dediu, found that using Apple Vision Pro in endoscopic surgery reduced operative times by 19% and eliminated complications. This demonstrates the device's value in specialized medical fields, despite its niche consumer market positioning.
Qualcomm CEO's statement suggests iPhone 18 Pro may largely drop Qualcomm modems
Qualcomm's CEO stated that revenue from Apple products is expected to decline significantly, indicating that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models may predominantly feature Apple's C2 cellular modem instead of Qualcomm's. This shift would mark a major change in the long-standing supplier relationship between Apple and Qualcomm for iPhone cellular components.
Apple's Shift Towards Advertising Raises Privacy Concerns
Apple plans to introduce ads in Apple Maps, a departure from its previous privacy-focused stance. Critics argue that this move may undermine user trust and adversely impact the company's reputation on privacy issues.
Tony Fadell highlights critical issues in AI assistant choices
Tony Fadell argues that selecting AI assistants poses significant questions about their societal impact. He emphasizes the need for developers to consider the behavioral shifts caused by these technologies, drawing parallels with past innovations like the iPhone.
Apple sets 9 PM PT cutoff for iPhone 18 Pro pre-order 'Get Ready' selections
Apple has set a 9 PM PT deadline on Friday, September 11, for customers to use the 'Get Ready' feature to pre-select iPhone 18 Pro options. This allows for a faster pre-order process when sales officially open on Saturday, September 12, at 8 AM ET / 5 AM PT.
Instagram Expands School Partnership Program with New Communication Features
Instagram has updated its School Partnership Program, allowing partner schools to post Stories and Notes visible only to verified students. The program now includes features for creating clubs, teams, and channels for internal communication, building on its initial focus of prioritizing cyberbullying reports from participating schools.
Apple Design Eliminates Need for Webcam Covers, Avoids Damage to Screens
Apple's 2008 MacBook webcam design, with an indicator light, negates the need for webcam covers, as these covers risk damaging screens. This design aims to assure users of privacy without additional accessories, impacting how users approach device security.
T-Mobile to charge $5/month for Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature
T-Mobile will charge customers $5 per month to use Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature, which allows a single phone number to be used across two iPhones. This pricing detail was not announced by Apple but confirmed by T-Mobile, while Deutsche Telekom integrates it into their existing MultiSIM offering.
Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot app adds CarPlay support, becoming the fifth major AI app
Anthropic's Claude iPhone app now supports Apple CarPlay, making it the fifth major AI chatbot available on the platform. This update allows users to access Claude's voice functions and recent chats directly from their car's infotainment system, expanding the integration of AI chatbots into the automotive environment.
iOS 27 Expands GymKit Compatibility to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3
Apple's iOS 27 update allows iPhones and AirPods Pro 3 to utilize GymKit, previously exclusive to Apple Watch users. This change enables iPhone users to connect to compatible gym equipment for two-way data syncing, with AirPods Pro 3 providing heart rate data.
iOS 27 Update Introduces Bill Splitting and Pass Customization in Apple Wallet
The upcoming iOS 27 update will add new features to Apple Wallet, including bill splitting via Visual Intelligence and Apple Cash, and the ability to add physical passes using the camera. These updates aim to provide more practical ways for users to manage group payments and digitalize physical cards directly through their iPhones.
Apple extends free satellite access for iPhone 14, 15, and 16 users for another year
Apple extended free access to its satellite features for existing iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 users for an additional year. This extension was announced in a footnote to the iPhone 18 Pro press release, ensuring continued access to features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Roadside Assistance.
Apple Arcade to Add Five New Games on October 1, Including "Pusheen's Place" and "Terraria+"
Apple Arcade will expand its game library on October 1 with five new titles. These additions include two new games, "Pusheen's Place" and "River City Survivors," and three existing App Store games, "Terraria+", "Touchgrind BMX 2+", and "4 Pics 1 Word+", re-released without ads or in-app purchases.
Philips Hue "Sync Box Lite" and "Sync Camera" leak, offering cheaper light synchronization
Details have emerged about two new Philips Hue products, the "Hue Play Sync Box Lite" and a "Sync Camera," which aim to provide more affordable options for syncing smart lights with TV content. The Sync Box Lite features a single HDMI input and a lower price point, while the Sync Camera uses a TV-mounted camera to process lighting effects directly from the screen.
LISEN Releases Qi2.2 MagSafe Battery with 25W Wireless Charging and Integrated Cable Lanyard
LISEN has introduced a new Qi2.2 MagSafe battery that supports up to 25 watts of wireless power, addressing common issues like slow charging and heat generation with an active thermal control system. The battery also features a unique lanyard system that stores the charging cable, providing a portable charging solution for Apple devices.