From 9to5Mac · 40 stories
New iPad mini with OLED display and A19/A20 Pro chip expected by end of October
Apple is expected to release a new iPad mini by the end of October, featuring an OLED display, a faster A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, and improved water resistance. This update marks the first refresh for the iPad mini in two years, bringing performance and display enhancements to the compact tablet line.
Laytr iOS App Offers On-Device Digital Bookmarking and Reminder Features
The new iOS application Laytr provides a centralized solution for saving and organizing digital bookmarks with reminder capabilities. This app offers an alternative to scattered bookmarking methods by keeping all data stored locally on the device without cloud sync or accounts.
Steve Jobs' 8th-Grade Science Project and Other Apple Memorabilia Auctioned
An 8th-grade science fair project by Steve Jobs, along with an early Apple-1 computer and an iPod development prototype, are being auctioned as part of an Apple 50th anniversary event. This auction highlights the historical value placed on items related to Apple's co-founder and the company's early history.
iOS 27 Updates iCloud Shared Albums with Full-Resolution Support and Cross-Platform Access
Apple's iOS 27 introduces significant updates to iCloud Shared Albums, including support for full-resolution photos and videos, expanded emoji reactions, and web-based contributions for Android and Windows users. These changes enhance the functionality and accessibility of the shared album feature within Apple Photos.
Linkind Releases Smart Light Stick with Flame Effects and Matter Support
Linkind has released a new Smart Light Stick, an E26 bulb featuring dynamic flame simulation effects and over 120 presets, with Matter support for integration into smart home ecosystems. This product offers specialized lighting effects beyond standard color bulbs, providing advanced customization through its dedicated app while maintaining basic functionality via Matter.
WhatsApp rolls out new chat themes, including animated wallpapers, for iOS users
WhatsApp is introducing new chat themes for iPhone users, featuring five categories including animated backgrounds. This update provides more customization options for chat interfaces, enhancing user experience with dynamic and static visual choices.
Apple TV acquires global streaming rights for British comedy "Small Prophets"
Apple TV has acquired the worldwide streaming rights for the British comedy series "Small Prophets" after its successful debut in the UK. This acquisition marks Apple's first such deal for an English-language title, expanding its content library and demonstrating flexibility in securing programming.
Apple Pledges Donation for Nepal and Tibet Flood Relief Efforts
Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company will donate to support relief and rebuilding efforts following deadly flash floods and mudslides in Nepal and Tibet. This donation follows similar contributions made by Apple for other recent natural disasters globally.
Afterglow Project Enables Original After Dark Screen Savers on Modern macOS
The Afterglow project, created by Jeff Halter, allows users to run classic 68k After Dark screen saver modules on current macOS systems. This development simplifies the process of accessing these vintage screen savers, which previously required emulators or old hardware, making them more accessible for software preservation and nostalgic use.
Apple CEO Tim Cook hosts The Pokémon Company CEO at Apple Park amid mobile gaming decline
Apple CEO Tim Cook and incoming CEO John Ternus met with The Pokémon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara at Apple Park. This meeting occurs as Apple reports a decline in mobile gaming revenue, impacting App Store growth.
Apple Arcade's Sneaky Sasquatch and Subway Surfers+ launch crossover event and new birdwatching update
Apple Arcade is hosting a crossover event between its games Sneaky Sasquatch and Subway Surfers+, which includes new character skins, hoverboards, and a reimagined level. Additionally, Sneaky Sasquatch will receive a birdwatching update on September 17, adding over 30 bird species to photograph.
Apple expands supply chain worker education program with new center in Vietnam
Apple opened a new Education Center in Vietnam as part of its $50 million Supplier Employee Development Fund. This expansion provides technical and professional development courses for supply chain workers, mirroring a previous initiative in India.
Apple details how to speed up Spotlight indexing for upcoming OS releases
Apple released a support document explaining how Spotlight indexing works and provided three tips to accelerate the process for iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. This indexing creates a local, searchable catalog of device content, which is crucial for Spotlight and the new Siri AI to function efficiently.
Google Translate suggests Apple's Chinese event tagline hints at 'foldable' iPhone
Google Translate interpreted Apple's Chinese event tagline for an upcoming September event as "A new chapter unfolds, dazzling and brilliant," which some speculate hints at a foldable iPhone. This machine translation differs from other tools and is not an official Apple statement. The official English tagline is "Surprise and shine."
Apple launches custom hashmoji on X for upcoming "Surprise and shine" event
Apple has activated a custom hashmoji on X for its upcoming "Surprise and shine" event. Users posting with the #AppleEvent hashtag will see a special Apple logo, consistent with past event promotions.
Astropad Releases Rock Paper Pencil 4.0 with New Graphite Apple Pencil Tips
Astropad has launched Rock Paper Pencil 4.0, introducing new graphite-feel Apple Pencil tips alongside its existing ballpoint tips and removable nano-texture screen protector. This update provides iPad users with an additional tactile option for drawing and writing, mimicking the friction and feel of a 2B pencil.
Pioneer Launches First Line of iPhone Car Accessories, Including MagSafe Chargers
Pioneer has released its first collection of iPhone accessories, expanding its product line beyond CarPlay head units. The new offerings include MagSafe vent mounts, a dual-port car charger, and USB-C cables, marking Pioneer's entry into the broader mobile accessory market.
Apple TV+ announces new crime thriller series '12 12 12' starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan
Apple TV+ announced a new heist thriller series titled '12 12 12,' set to premiere on November 13. The series will star Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, focusing on a bank heist in Zurich and its aftermath.
Volvo Adds Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos to CarPlay for EX60, EX90, and ES90 Models
Volvo has confirmed and detailed the availability of Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for Apple CarPlay in its EX60, EX90, and ES90 vehicle models. This feature requires a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with 25 speakers to provide an immersive audio experience.
Sonnet Releases Echo 21 Thunderbolt 5 SuperDock with Increased Bandwidth
Sonnet has released the Echo 21 Thunderbolt 5 SuperDock, an updated docking station that features Thunderbolt 5 ports, offering double the bandwidth of its predecessor. This upgrade provides faster data transfer speeds and improved support for high-resolution displays, benefiting users who require extensive I/O expansion for their Mac setups.
Notability Integrates Calendar for Meeting Recording and Note Organization on Mac and Windows
Notability has released a new desktop workflow for Mac and Windows users that allows direct recording of meetings and lectures from calendar events. This feature automatically organizes recordings, transcripts, and notes into a single document tied to the corresponding event, aiming to simplify the capture and organization of meeting content.
Apple Updates Mac mini and Mac Studio with Full Wi-Fi 7 Support
Apple updated its Mac mini and Mac Studio models to include full Wi-Fi 7 support. This update means these devices, along with select future MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPhone, and iPad models, will support Wi-Fi 7 features like 320 MHz channels, 4096-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation.
Pebblebee Launches LÔC8 Tracker for Bikes and Golf Clubs with 3-Year Battery
Pebblebee released LÔC8, a new cylindrical tracker compatible with Android Find Hub and Apple Find My, designed to be concealed within bike handlebars and golf clubs. This device offers a discreet way to track personal gear, addressing the common issue of theft for items like bicycles.
Apple TV+ to release new comedy series "Brothers" starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson
Apple TV+ will launch "Brothers," a new comedy series featuring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing fictionalized versions of themselves, on September 23. The series, created by Lee Eisenberg of "The Office," explores their friendship after they discover they might be brothers. This release expands Apple TV+'s original content offerings.
Apple updates Magic Keyboards to replace text labels with icons on keys
Apple has updated its Magic Keyboard lineup, removing text labels from keys like Tab, Caps Lock, and Return, and replacing them with icons. This change aligns the Magic Keyboards with recent MacBook models that also adopted icon-only key labels, standardizing the visual interface across Apple's keyboard products.
Apple highlights 50 accessibility features for older users on new support page
Apple launched a new support page detailing 50 ways to make its devices easier to use, primarily through existing accessibility settings. This initiative aims to assist older adults in utilizing Apple products more effectively.
Sam Altman states AI needs an "iPhone moment" and lessons from Apple's focus
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman believes AI has not yet had its "iPhone moment" to become a mass-market technology and acknowledges he was overly ambitious about AI's immediate economic disruption. He suggests AI companies, including OpenAI, need to learn from Apple's strategy of focusing on a few key products. Altman also predicts AI will lead to a boom in small businesses, including those offering non-technological experiences.
CompuLock Introduces Cable Lock Adapters for Modern MacBooks
CompuLock has released new adapters that allow modern MacBook models, including the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro, to use cable locks. These adapters revive a security feature previously built into older MacBooks, providing a deterrent against opportunistic theft.
ChatGPT now allows users to create and export custom stickers for iMessage and WhatsApp
OpenAI has officially launched a new feature in ChatGPT that enables users to generate custom stickers from photos or descriptions and export them directly to iMessage and WhatsApp. This update provides a new creative tool within ChatGPT, allowing for personalized communication in popular messaging applications.
Apple's Emergency SOS Live Video Feature Expands to Brazil
Apple's Emergency SOS Live Video feature is now available in Brazil through a partnership with RapidSOS, allowing emergency services to request live video from iPhone users. This expansion provides Brazilian emergency communication centers with a tool to receive real-time visual information during emergency calls, potentially aiding in faster and more informed responses.
Mophie Releases New PowerStation Plus Battery Banks with Integrated USB-C Cables
Mophie has introduced four new PowerStation Plus battery banks, available in 5000mAh and 10000mAh capacities, featuring integrated USB-C cables and 20W power output. These new power banks offer a portable charging solution with varying finishes and cable configurations, priced between $29.95 and $59.95.
CloudGear App Consolidates Major Cloud Gaming Platforms on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad
CloudGear, a new indie app, integrates major cloud gaming services like GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Streaming, Amazon Luna, and Boosteroid into a single interface for Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad. This provides Apple users with a unified platform for accessing various cloud gaming options, including high-resolution streaming and controller vibration support.
Apple TV+ releases trailer for Stillwater season 5, premiering August 21
Apple TV+ has released the trailer for the fifth season of its Peabody and Emmy Award-winning mindfulness series, Stillwater. The new season, featuring five episodes, will launch on August 21 and continue to focus on mindfulness practices for children and families.
iPadOS 27 Introduces Three Mac-Like Features, Including Always-On Menu Bar and Speed Improvements
iPadOS 27 adds three new features that bring the iPad closer to the Mac experience: an active app name in the status bar, an always-on menu bar option, and general speed improvements for everyday tasks. These updates address long-standing user experience issues, particularly for iPad users who frequently use a keyboard and cursor.
Apple reportedly planning return of ceramic Apple Watch as soon as this year
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple is planning to reintroduce a ceramic Apple Watch model, potentially as early as this year. This would mark the return of a premium material option last seen in 2019 with the Apple Watch Edition Series 5.
Apple TV+ releases 'The Dynasty: UConn Huskies' docuseries
Apple TV+ has released all three episodes of its new sports docuseries, 'The Dynasty: UConn Huskies', which chronicles the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program. The series features interviews with coaches, athletes, alumni, rivals, and journalists, and includes archival footage.
WhatsApp Expands Liquid Glass Interface to Drawing Editor and Video Player on iOS
WhatsApp is extending its Liquid Glass design to the drawing editor and video player progress bar in its iOS beta. This update continues Meta's effort to standardize the visual language across its platforms, impacting the user interface for photo/video editing and media playback.
Apple Releases New Beta Firmware 9A5336b for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2
Apple has released new beta firmware, build number 9A5336b, for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. Initially available to developers, this firmware is now also accessible to public beta users. This update is designed to enable new features for AirPods when paired with the upcoming iOS 27 release.
watchOS 27 Leak Reveals New Color Customization Options for Modular Watch Face
A leak from the iOS 27 beta 5 indicates that watchOS 27 will introduce nine new color customization options for the Apple Watch's Modular watch face. This update expands personalization choices for a popular watch face, offering users more aesthetic variety.
Astropad Workbench 1.3 Released with Faster Streaming and Privacy Features
Astropad released Workbench 1.3, an update to its remote desktop application for Mac, introducing a rebuilt video streaming system for Apple silicon, a privacy curtain, and a Watchdog feature. This update improves performance and adds tools for accessing unattended Macs, which is relevant for users managing remote Mac mini setups or AI agents.