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Apple

iPhone, Mac, software and everything from Cupertino.

iPhone Duo Makes Focus Modes Easier to Toggle From the Lock Screen

Apple is introducing new Focus mode controls on the iPhone Duo's Lock Screen, allowing users to toggle Focus on and off from the Lock Screen. The active Focus mode will also be displayed in the status bar above the clock. The new feature is part of iOS 27, which has been rebuilt to accommodate the iPhone Duo's foldable design.

Why it matters: This feature will make it easier for iPhone Duo users to manage their Focus mode settings without having to unlock their device.

EU iPhone and iPad Users Could Still Face Months-Long Wait for Siri AI

Apple's upgraded Siri AI may be delayed for EU iPhone and iPad users due to compliance issues with EU digital rules. The delay could last around five months, with the possibility of a longer wait. Apple is withholding the upgrade to pressure the European Commission to change its approach.

Why it matters: This delay may impact users who rely on Siri AI for tasks and features not available on Mac.

Today Marks the 15th Anniversary of Steve Jobs' Death

Steve Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer on October 5, 2011, at the age of 56. Apple executives had introduced the iPhone 4s the day before. Apple maintains a webpage with over one million fan submissions about Jobs.

Why it matters: The anniversary serves as a reminder of Jobs' impact on the tech industry.

iPhone 18 Pro's Triple Live Activity Support Comes With a Catch

The iPhone 18 Pro's Dynamic Island can support up to three Live Activities, but the third slot is reserved for system activities only. This means the third slot is not available for third-party apps. The limitation is due to iOS 27.

Why it matters: This limitation may affect users who rely on Live Activities for specific app functionality.

Amazon slashes 50% off Beats Studio Pro headphones

Amazon is offering a 50% discount on Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones, with six color options available for $149.95. The deal is expected to sell out soon. The discount is part of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event.

Why it matters: This deal provides a significant savings opportunity for customers looking for high-end headphones.

Apple's New CEO John Ternus is Making Product Design a 'Major Priority'

Apple's new CEO John Ternus has prioritized product design, visiting the design studio multiple times a week. He has immersed himself in the industrial design and human interface teams. Ternus' background in engineering allows him to focus on design and engineering, rather than finance and supply chain.

Why it matters: This shift in focus may result in more design-driven product decisions at Apple.

Apple Hiring 'iCup' Specialist

Apple posted a job listing for an 'iCup Supply Specialist' to manage coffee machines in break rooms. The role involves sanitizing, cleaning, and restocking coffee machines. The job requires driving between locations.

Why it matters: The job listing highlights Apple's attention to employee well-being and work environment.

MacBook Pro With OLED Display Rumored to Be 'Significantly Lighter'

Rumors suggest the new MacBook Pro models with OLED displays will be significantly lighter than existing models due to reengineered interior design. The exact weight reduction is not specified. The new models are expected to be released in October or November this year.

Why it matters: This information may be useful for readers considering purchasing a new MacBook Pro, as it could affect their decision based on weight and portability.

Apple Event Reportedly Planned for October 13

Apple reportedly plans to hold an event on October 13, where it will unveil new products including a smart home hub, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K. The event is expected to take place on a Tuesday. The exact details of the event have not been confirmed.

Why it matters: The event may provide insight into Apple's plans for its smart home and entertainment offerings.

iPhone Duo shows what the future of smartphones could look like

Apple's iPhone Duo features a large rectangular viewing area on the left and navigation area on the right, making it easier to access interface elements with your thumb. This design has sparked the idea of an 'iPhone Solo', a non-foldable iPhone with a Duo-sized display. Some enthusiasts have created their own concept designs for an iPhone Solo.

Why it matters: The iPhone Duo's design could influence the future of smartphone form factors and navigation.

Sunday Reboot: Waiting a decade for Apple Pay and Apple Music

Apple Pay and Apple Music have expanded to new countries, but the expansion has taken over a decade in some cases, with Apple Music taking 11 years to reach Albania, Brunei, Burkina Faso, and Pakistan, and Apple Pay taking 9 years to launch in India.

Why it matters: This highlights the challenges and delays that can occur when expanding services to new countries, particularly in regions with complex regulatory environments.

This is my biggest AirPods complaint, and it’s not necessarily about the hardware

AirPods users may experience a common issue where one AirPod stops charging due to an obstruction in the charging case, and a notification to alert users of this issue is not currently available. This can lead to a dead AirPod during use. Apple could implement a simple software fix to address this issue.

Why it matters: This issue highlights the importance of user experience and the potential for a simple software update to improve the overall AirPods experience.

Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Amazon has launched early Prime Day discounts on Apple products, including AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more. The deals include AirPods Pro 3 for $179.00, down from $249.00, and M5 MacBook Air models with up to $200 off. These discounts are available to Amazon Prime members.

Why it matters: These deals can help Amazon Prime members save money on popular Apple products.

AirPods Pro 3 Hit Record Low $179 Price During Early Prime Day Sale

Amazon is selling the AirPods Pro 3 for $179, a $70 discount from its original price of $249. This is the lowest price tracked by MacRumors since June. The sale is part of Amazon's Prime Day deals.

Why it matters: This sale offers a significant discount on a high-end wireless earbuds model with advanced features.

Apple weekend deals: AirPods Pro 3 $179, MacBook Air $200 off, AirTag 2, Prime Day HomeKit discounts, more

Amazon's early fall Prime Day sale features discounts on various Apple and non-Apple products, including a $500 price drop on the 2TB M5 Pro MacBook Pro, 80% off Beats 360 Cushion Kits, and up to 50% off on power banks and chargers from brands like Anker and Belkin.

Why it matters: These deals provide opportunities for readers to purchase Apple and smart home products at discounted prices.

John Ternus is taking a more ‘hands-on’ role in Apple’s design teams as CEO: report

Apple CEO John Ternus has taken a more hands-on role in the company's design teams, reportedly visiting the studio multiple times a week. This shift in approach began before Ternus became CEO, following the departure of COO Jeff Williams. Ternus' increased involvement in design has led to the promotion of junior designers and the hiring of new talent to fill gaps left by departed employees.

Why it matters: This development suggests that design will remain a key priority at Apple under Ternus' leadership.

Design is a Jobsian-level focus for John Ternus

Apple CEO John Ternus is focusing on design, prioritizing it as a key area for the company. He is working closely with design teams and has taken a more hands-on approach, emulating the design-focused approach of Steve Jobs. This shift in focus comes after a period under Tim Cook's leadership that prioritized sales and manufacturing.

Why it matters: This shift in focus could lead to new design-driven products and innovations from Apple.

Touch-screen MacBook Pro will be significantly lighter

Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro is expected to be significantly lighter than its current model, with a weight reduction reportedly achieved through redesigned components and rearranged component positioning. The new MacBook Pro is expected to be launched in late October or November 2026. The weight difference is expected to be substantial, making it closer to the MacBook Air's lower weight.

Why it matters: The weight reduction could make the MacBook Pro more portable and appealing to users who need to carry their laptop frequently.

Initial basic M4 support coming to Linux 7.4

Asahi Linux developer Sven Peter submitted pull requests for basic M4 device tree and MacBook Neo support, enabling kernel installation on M4 devices, but further development is needed for usability. The support is not yet practically usable. Further development is required for GPU support.

Why it matters: This development brings Linux closer to being a viable option for M4 devices, but users should not expect full functionality yet.

Redesigned MacBook Pro with OLED to feature ‘significantly lighter’ design: report

Apple is reportedly redesigning the MacBook Pro with OLED, touch, and a significantly lighter design, expected to debut within a month. The new MacBook Pro will feature Tandem OLED and the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The redesign aims to miniaturize parts and rearrange components to make the computer easier to carry.

Why it matters: The redesign could make the MacBook Pro more portable and appealing to users who prefer a lighter laptop.

Crime blotter: Two arrested for stealing from Apple Store, yoga store

Two men from Queens were arrested for stealing over $9,000 worth of items from two malls in northern New Jersey, including 10 accessory items from the Apple Store at Garden State Plaza. A Miami Beach taxi cab driver was arrested for his part in a scheme to steal iPhones from intoxicated people. A Virginia man recovered his stolen food trailer with the help of an AirTag.

Why it matters: These incidents highlight the ongoing issue of theft and crime targeting Apple products and their users.

AirPods Pro 3 hit low $179 price just weeks after adding new features

Amazon is offering the AirPods Pro 3 at a discounted price of $179, a $70 reduction from the $249 list price. This is one of the lowest prices for the device. The discount comes just weeks after Apple added new features to the AirPods Pro 3, including Custom EQ and improved Find My integration.

Why it matters: This deal provides a significant savings opportunity for those interested in purchasing the AirPods Pro 3.

AirPods Pro plunge to as low as $89.99 for fall Prime Day

Amazon is offering discounts on Apple products, including AirPods Pro 3 at $179 and first-gen AirPods Pro at $89.99, ahead of Prime Big Deal Days on October 6-7. The discounts are the steepest available on AirPods Pro 3 and the lowest price on record for first-gen AirPods Pro. The deals are live now.

Why it matters: These discounts provide an opportunity for customers to purchase Apple products at lower prices before the Prime Big Deal Days event.

Amazon's $199 Apple Watch deal is back for Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon is offering Apple Watch deals starting at $199 for Prime Big Deal Days, with discounts on various models including the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. The deals are available now and will continue through the Prime Big Deal Days event on October 6. Apple Watch SE 3 is also discounted to $199.

Why it matters: These deals provide an opportunity for customers to purchase Apple Watches at a lower price, potentially making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers.

Amazon slashes $100 off iPad mini 7 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days

Amazon is offering a $100 discount on the iPad mini 7, bringing the price down to $499, ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. The discount applies to all models, including Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular versions. The iPad mini 7 is powered by Apple's A17 Pro chip and features a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera.

Why it matters: This deal provides a significant savings opportunity for those interested in purchasing the iPad mini 7.

Amazon's $1,099 M5 MacBook Air deal offers $200 October Prime Day savings

Amazon is offering a $200 discount on various M5 MacBook Air models, with prices starting at $1,099, as part of its Prime Big Deal Days event. The discounts are available on both 13-inch and 15-inch models. The prices are the lowest seen since Apple raised the MSRP of the MacBook Air line in June 2026.

Why it matters: This deal provides a significant savings opportunity for those in the market for a new MacBook Air.

Gemini app limiting what models free & AI Plus users can access, AI Pro adding Deep Think

Google will limit Gemini app access for free and AI Plus users, restricting them to the Flash-Lite model, while AI Pro subscribers will be limited to Flash-Lite and Flash. AI Pro users will also gain access to the Deep Think option. The Gemini app will add new effort levels for each model.

Why it matters: This change may impact users who rely on the Gemini app for tasks and research, requiring them to upgrade their subscription to access more advanced models.

Watch F1 on Apple TV tonight, free for everyone in the US

The Bahrain Grand Prix is streaming for free on Apple TV this weekend, with no subscription required. The event is available to watch on various devices, including Apple devices, Amazon Fire Stick, and more. The live race starts at 3 AM Eastern Time, with broadcast coverage beginning at 1:50 AM.

Why it matters: This allows US viewers to watch the event without a paid subscription, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

Indie App Spotlight: ‘HEVCut’ helps you trim your photo library without deleting anything

HEVCut is a photo library optimization app that helps users compress media files without deleting them, saving 50-80% of storage space. The app also features a duplicate shot finder and a video editor for trimming videos. HEVCut is available for free on the App Store, with a paid upgrade to unlock full features.

Why it matters: This app can help users free up storage space on their devices without deleting photos or videos.

Here’s why I upgraded from the Apple Watch Series 10 to Series 12

The author upgraded from an Apple Watch Series 10 to a Series 12, citing improved health tracking features and a faster user experience. The Series 12 has a slightly thicker bezel and largely shares the same design as the Series 10. The author is pleased with the new Health app's ability to provide detailed health insights.

Why it matters: This review provides insight into the Apple Watch Series 12's health tracking capabilities and user experience.