Summary not available
"There are institutional groups that have rules against AI — these places aren’t allowing Golden Gate at all until and unless Apple Intelligence can be removed. And that means not buying new Mac hardware that only runs Golden Gate." -- John Gruber
Apple may be forced to officially support removing Apple Intelligence from Macs, as growing pushback against AI tools and a lack of a simple removal option threatens to impact hardware sales.
Apple Intelligence models can consume up to 14GB of storage, a significant burden on 256GB Macs, prompting indie developer Om Lahore to create the unofficial RemoveMacAI tool. While Apple currently lets organizations restrict individual AI features through device management, there is no single switch to disable all Apple Intelligence features and delete the downloaded models. As Daring Fireball's John Gruber notes, institutions with AI bans may refuse to buy new Macs that can't shed Apple Intelligence — and as future Macs drop support for older macOS versions, this could begin to hurt Apple's hardware sales.
"We are concerned this puts some photographers, such as those operating in conflict zones, in a difficult position; it should not be necessary to forgo anonymity in order to prove image authenticity." -- Apple
The product: Apple's "Reference Image" is a verified photography system that confirms an image was taken by an iPhone (new models only) without linking it to a specific device or photographer, and can verify that multiple images came from the same iPhone. It uses Apple's Private Cloud Compute (PCC) for validation, with the final reference image signed by Apple's signing service, while protecting the image's confidentiality—even from Apple.
"the products aren’t expected to reach consumers for at least a few more months" -- Bloomberg
Apple has partnered with LG to develop a lineup of smart home accessories — including a video doorbell, smart lock, thermostat, and security cameras — that will complement its upcoming smart home hub, according to Bloomberg.
The report, citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, says the LG-branded devices — including the LG Video Doorbell Wired, LG Smart Deadbolt Lock, LG Smart Thermostat, and multiple cameras — mark "a formal reboot of HomeKit" and represent Apple's biggest push yet into the connected home. The second-party arrangement lets Apple rapidly expand its ecosystem while LG handles manufacturing and support; LG has already sought FCC and UL regulatory approval, though the filings don't mention Apple. The devices, which support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter (with UWB on the smart lock for proximity-based unlocking), are expected to launch alongside Apple's broader smart home expansion, which includes a new hub, updated Apple TV, and new HomePod mini — but won't reach consumers for at least a few months.
"With the launch of this latest generation of Mac mini, Apple has soldered the SSD directly to the logic board, effectively eliminating the ability to upgrade it post-purchase with a third-party NAND module." -- Jeff Benjamin
Apple has removed the user-replaceable SSD slot from the new M6 Mac mini and M5 Pro model, eliminating a popular upgrade path and sharply raising the effective cost of the machine.
The previous-generation M4 Mac mini, starting at $599, allowed users to swap in a cheap third-party SSD of up to 2TB instead of paying Apple's $800 build-to-order upgrade. With the new models, the base price jumps to $900, the 2TB upgrade costs $1,000, and a 2TB configuration now totals $1,900 — roughly a 106% increase versus the M4 with an aftermarket upgrade. While rising component and memory prices partly explain the higher costs, they don't account for why Apple chose to solder the storage, leaving customers without a budget-friendly self-upgrade option.
"which, if you've come this far, why wouldn't you?" -- Shahram Mokhtari
iFixit tore down the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, finding modest gains for the Series 12 but continued repairability struggles, awarding both devices a 4/10 score.
The teardowns reveal that Apple's latest watches remain difficult to repair, as both models require prying off a glued display to access internal components — a drawback unchanged from prior generations. The Series 12 saw slight improvement thanks to stretch-release adhesive and a pull tab for the battery, earning a one-point bump over its predecessor, while the Ultra 4 scored the same 4/10 as the Ultra 3. The results contrast sharply with Google's Pixel Watch 5, which scored 9/10, highlighting the gap in repair-friendly design as right-to-repair concerns continue to grow.
Apple is reportedly partnering with LG to develop a new ecosystem of smart home devices, including a smart lock, thermostat, and doorbell, according to Bloomberg.
The devices are designed to integrate with Apple's upcoming smart home hub, expected to launch October 13 with a 6-inch square display. The two companies are also reportedly working on indoor and outdoor security cameras and a floodlight, which could be announced as soon as next week — and will reportedly carry the LG brand despite being co-developed. The move positions Apple to challenge Amazon's dominant smart home offerings, such as its Ring security cameras, as Apple pushes further into the smart home market.
"Brussels was considering changes to an existing proposal that would require all companies operating in the EU with revenue of more than €100mn a year to pay an annual lump-sum tax contribution, the officials said […]" -- Financial Times (as cited by officials)
The European Commission is weighing a revised tax proposal that would require Apple and other very large corporations operating in the EU to pay an annual lump-sum tax contribution.
The compromise aims to raise tax revenues from companies like Apple, Google, and Meta that earn significant subscription income in Europe without necessarily paying tax there, while avoiding criticism that the original plan would hurt medium-sized European companies. By applying the tax to all large corporations rather than singling out digital services, the EU hopes to avoid the retaliatory tariffs the White House threatened under the earlier proposal. The rate has not yet been set — the EU plans to first seek agreement in principle across all 27 member states. However, skepticism remains, with 9to5Mac noting that a prior OECD-brokered global deal collapsed after Donald Trump withdrew the US from it, making the hope that Trump won't object to the new version appear optimistic.
"Apple says the upgraded protection is 60% tougher than the Ion-X glass previously used on aluminum Apple Watches." -- Apple
The product: The Apple Watch Series 12 is Apple's latest smartwatch, featuring an S11 chip, a new Health Sensing System with more frequent and accurate health readings, Ceramic Shield 2 front glass on aluminum models, a Readiness score, and upcoming Audio Intelligence features like Live Rewind and Siri Recap.
Cost: Starts at $399, with retailers discounting by as much as $50 at the time of review.
Availability: Available now at Amazon, DataVision, and Adorama, with discounts listed in the AppleInsider Price Guide.
Platforms: watchOS, integrated with Apple Intelligence and the App Store.
"Smartphone sales through operators in Europe are typically more high-end than through the open market, as more are purchased on a contract. They are also more skewed towards more premium brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google. The collapse of the low-end of the smartphone market so far in 2026 because of the memory price crisis has therefore benefitted the operator channel, which has declined comparatively less than the open market." -- Jan Stryjak
A new Counterpoint Research report shows Apple overtook Samsung in Q2 2026 to become the leading smartphone brand in Europe's carrier channel.
The shift comes as Europe's smartphone market contracts due to rising memory costs, which have hit low-end devices especially hard. Carrier sales declined just 4% year-over-year versus an 11% drop in the open market, because operator channels skew toward premium brands purchased on contract. Apple's carrier share rose from 33% to 37% while Samsung's fell from 39% to 34%, and Counterpoint's Jan Stryjak expects the carrier channel to keep gaining share as the memory crisis continues to pressure the low-end market.
Summary not available
(no verbatim direct quote available in the article text with clear speaker attribution)
Apple has reportedly partnered with LG Electronics to co-develop several smart home devices — including a doorbell, security cameras and thermostats — that could be announced as soon as next week, according to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman. The reported collaboration, revealed through LG regulatory filings, signals a major expansion of Apple's smart home strategy beyond its existing ecosystem. If the products debut next week as anticipated, they would represent Apple's most significant push into the smart home hardware market, potentially intensifying competition with rivals like Amazon and Google in the connected home space.
"Quick Look on iPhone Duo has a new two-page layout in the open book position." -- pdfu
The product: Quick Look on the iPhone Duo is getting a new two-page layout in iOS 27 betas, showing documents as a double-page spread when the device is held slightly folded, like an open book.
Availability: The feature is appearing in iOS 27 betas; iPhone Duo configuration and financing open October 12, 2026, pre-orders begin October 16, and devices ship by October 23.
Platforms: iOS 27 on the iPhone Duo.
Summary not available
Leaked renders shared by the leaker "pdfu" on X have revealed several of Apple and LG's rumored smart home devices, including a thermostat, deadbolt lock, and temperature sensor expected to work with Apple's upcoming smart home hub.
The leak follows a Bloomberg report that Apple is collaborating with LG on a collection of smart home devices and accessories. The LG Smart Thermostat features a circular design with a "Far Sight Display" similar to Nest's offering, while the LG Smart Deadbolt Lock includes a rotating keypad, automatic unlocking, and backup mechanical keys. An accompanying LG Temperature Sensor can measure humidity and relay readings from other rooms. Pricing and availability remain unknown, but the devices are expected to integrate with Apple's rumored smart home hub launching October 13th.
"But a Bloomberg report yesterday revealed another piece of Apple's Home product story. The company has co-developed new Home accessories that will launch under LG branding." -- Ryan Christoffel
Leaked images from leaker pdfu have revealed the first looks at a smart lock, smart thermostat, and temperature sensor that Apple has reportedly co-developed to launch under LG branding.
The leak comes ahead of Apple's rumored Home product overhaul next week, which is expected to include a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini, and a new 'HomePad' product category. Bloomberg reports the LG-branded accessories will also include a video doorbell, indoor and outdoor cameras, and a floodlight camera. While Mark Gurman has suggested these accessories won't ship as early as Apple's new HomePod and Apple TV, they may still be mentioned during next week's announcements.
"intent seems to be to hard block domains that power 'post-cookie' identity." -- The Trade Desk
Apple's iOS 27 blocked legit advertising firm The Trade Desk from serving ads in Safari, a move that appears to be a mistake but has alarmed the ad industry about Apple's growing power over advertising on its platform.
The block, first reported by AdExchanger, seems intended to target data brokers selling tracked user data, but it also cut off The Trade Desk's ad-serving domain, which handles real-time ad bidding rather than identity tracking. A fix exists only in the beta iOS 27.2, leaving The Trade Desk shut out of Safari—and effectively all iOS browsers, since the block applies to WebKit—until it ships. With Apple reportedly developing a dynamic block list potentially targeting hundreds of ad tech firms (though apparently not Google), advertisers fear Apple could throttle rivals while expanding its own advertising business, even as antitrust scrutiny of the company intensifies.
"The new MacBook Pros are lighter —significantlylighter. Apple has reengineered the machine's interior miniaturizing parts and rearranging components to make the computer much easier to carry." -- Bloomberg
Apple is preparing to launch a fully redesigned MacBook Pro, its first new design since 2021, with three major changes: removal of the notch, a thinner and lighter body, and slightly larger displays.
The upcoming redesign marks a significant departure for Apple's premium laptop. The notch introduced in 2021 will reportedly be replaced by a small hole-punch camera cutout with a built-in Dynamic Island, similar to the iPhone Duo's approach. Reports also indicate the machine will be significantly lighter thanks to miniaturized and rearranged internal components, while displays may grow slightly to 14.3 and 16.3 inches—possibly achieved through reduced bezels or a slightly larger form factor.
"I get real Motorola ROKR vibes from all of this. I have a hard time believing that Apple will slap its own branding on these devices." -- Dan Moren
MacRumors's Hartley Charlton has uncovered FCC filings revealing designs of rumored smart home devices co-developed by LG and Apple.
The FCC records contain label-placement drawings, 3D renderings, and technical reports, offering a first look at the products' housings and capabilities, following a Bloomberg report that Apple is working with LG on accessories for its upcoming home hub. Moren suggests the partnership may reflect Apple's push to become more nimble, getting products to market faster than it could alone—or a sign that Apple simply doesn't want to build these devices itself.
Die shot analyses from High Yield and SemiAnalysis reveal the design changes Apple made in moving from the M5 to the M6 chip, its first desktop-class processor built on a 2-nanometer fabrication process.
The M6, introduced with the Mac mini in August, shrinks the die from 154 square millimeters (TSMC's N3P node) to 141.6 square millimeters on the N2 node, allowing denser and more efficient designs. Key changes include a redesigned GPU with two more cores, a restructured CPU with two super, four performance, and six efficiency cores sharing larger L2 caches, and a doubled Neural Engine arranged symmetrically. The analysis also suggests the M6 generation will be short-lived, with Apple expected to move to an AI-centric M7 — possibly with a new memory interface — within months.
"harmonized, Europe-wide framework to keep kids safe." -- European Parliament's effort (as praised by Tim Cook)
Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook praised the EU's push for a common child-safety framework during a visit to Strasbourg, a rare point of agreement between Apple and regulators it has fought over other technology rules.
Cook welcomed the European Parliament's proposed EU KIDS Act, which would ban social media for kids under 13, impose parent-managed "mini accounts" with daily limits for ages 13-14, and require app stores to age-rate apps and support privacy-preserving age verification. The stance contrasts sharply with Apple's years-long battle against the Digital Markets Act, which forced the company to open its tightly controlled ecosystem. The KIDS Act, by contrast, demands stronger age controls, parental oversight, and privacy-conscious age verification — areas where Apple has already built tools like Child Accounts, Screen Time, and its Declared Age Range API. The visit also fits Cook's new executive chairman role, in which Apple said he would continue engaging with policymakers worldwide.
Summary not available
The product: RemoveMacAI is a tool that disables Apple Intelligence and deletes its models, freeing up about 13 gigabytes of storage space; it was originally provided as Terminal commands and is now available as an app with a friendly UI.
Availability: Available for download at https://omlahore.github.io/RemoveMacAI/ (not notarized, requiring extra steps to run).
"The co-development strategy with LG is fairly unusual for Apple," -- Mark Gurman
Apple is partnering with LG Electronics on a video doorbell, thermostat, smart deadbolt lock, and three security cameras that will carry the LG brand, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
The move marks a formal reboot of Apple's HomeKit smart home platform, which has struggled against Amazon and Google since its 2014 launch. The LG-branded devices — confirmed through FCC and UL Solutions filings — will work with Apple's new smart home hub, an upgraded HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV box expected on 13 October, directly challenging Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest. While LG will manufacture the products and handle support, Apple will shape their design, features, and engineering, an approach Gurman calls unusual for the company, though Apple has used similar arrangements before with Belkin and Logitech.
"Apple said that Siri AI would add support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish 'next month.'" -- Ryan Christoffel (paraphrasing Apple's statement)
Apple is beta testing iOS 27.2, which is expected to launch in late October — likely the week of October 26 — bringing new features to iPhones beyond the iPhone Duo.
iOS 27.1 will be exclusive to the iPhone Duo, which launches October 23, allowing Apple to keep details of that device's software experience under wraps during beta testing. All other iPhones will jump straight to iOS 27.2, which will include new Siri language support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish, plus features like user profiles in the Apple TV app, Dual Capture for Group FaceTime, a new Suggestions feature in Messages, an Apple Podcasts overhaul, and Apple Books design updates. The update could ship alongside new Home hardware delivering in the final week of October.
"Since switching on the feature, not a single one of these has got through to me." -- Ben Lovejoy
9to5Mac's Ben Lovejoy reports that Apple's Call Screening feature, introduced in iOS 26, has completely blocked spam and scam calls from reaching his iPhone.
Lovejoy writes that after years of protecting his phone number, he saw a significant uptick in spam calls earlier this year, including scam calls impersonating his mobile carrier and job scams. After enabling Call Screening's "Ask Reason for Calling" option, no spam calls have gotten through, with most hanging up when they receive the automated response. Importantly, he notes that no genuine callers have failed to reach him — legitimate callers simply state who they are and why they're calling — and he recommends others enable the feature via Settings > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers.
Summary not available
"First look at LG’s upcoming smart home lineup:
Leaked images have surfaced revealing a lineup of upcoming smart home cameras and a video doorbell co-developed by Apple and LG, ahead of next week's anticipated Apple Home product announcements.
According to reporting by Mark Gurman, Apple partnered with LG to co-develop and design a suite of home accessories — including a smart lock, thermostat, video doorbell, indoor camera, outdoor camera, floodlight camera, and temperature sensor — as part of its forthcoming smart home overhaul, though the products will launch with LG branding. Leaker pdfu previously shared images of some accessories, and now X user @ringo_tech, who has a track record of credible smart home leaks, has posted images and detailed specs for the camera products. The leaked details include dual-band Wi-Fi with WPA2/WPA3 security, Thread and NFC antennas, infrared LEDs, speakers, and microphones across the lineup, suggesting a significant expansion of Apple's smart home ecosystem.
N/A (no direct quotes with speaker attribution in the article)
Code discovered by leaker pdfu reveals a "second-party" Apple Home accessories program involving ten products from LG and Schneider, with special features like NFC pairing and setup animations. The leak suggests Apple is building a new category of smart home accessories made in close partnership with manufacturers—but not directly by Apple—that are deeply integrated with Apple Home, unlike generic Matter-compatible devices. With the code appearing in current betas, Apple will likely announce the initiative at its October 13 Home-focused hardware event alongside an Apple TV 4K update, a new HomePod mini, and the Home Hub tablet. Rumors indicate LG's accessories won't launch until early 2027, signaling the start of a longer-term partnership strategy.
"I don't think it'll be significantly thinner in the end" -- Mark Gurman
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has retracted his previous claims that the forthcoming OLED touch-screen MacBook Pro will feature a thinner, redesigned chassis.
The next MacBook Pro, expected before the end of November 2026, is widely predicted to be Apple's first with an OLED touch-screen display. While Gurman had repeatedly been the source for claims of a thinner redesign, he now says that won't be the case — though he still maintains the laptop will be lighter than its predecessor, thanks to Apple rearranging and shrinking some internal components. Apple has not officially confirmed the new MacBook Pro, but years of touch patents, a hinge redesign, and Sidecar touch support in macOS 27 make it appear inevitable.
"At Apple, we believe education is a powerful force for equity and opportunity," said Alisha Johnson Wilder, Apple's senior director of Global Community Impact. "For years, we've been proud to work alongside The King's Trust to spark creativity and open doors for young people across the UK. With the launch of the Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs, we're taking that commitment further, connecting the next generation of creators and innovators directly with our experts, technology, and mentorship to help them build vital skills, discover their passions, and thrive in the workforce." -- Alisha Johnson Wilder
Tim Cook, Elton John, and King Charles visited Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station to meet young people participating in the newly launched Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs.
The Creative Labs program is a new partnership between Apple and The King's Trust, which is celebrating its 50th year, offering young people immersive industry-led education experiences and mentorship from Apple's experts across creative fields. The visit also spotlighted Apple's role in revitalizing Battersea Power Station, which now includes an Apple Store and the new Apple Music Hall. The initiative builds on Apple's broader educational efforts, such as an Apple Education Hub in India and an Apple Manufacturing Academy in the US.
"At Apple, we believe education is a powerful force for equity and opportunity. […] For years, we've been proud to work alongside The King's Trust to spark creativity and open doors for young people across the UK. With the launch of the Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs, we're taking that commitment further, connecting the next generation of creators and innovators directly with our experts, technology, and mentorship to help them build vital skills, discover their passions, and thrive in the workforce." -- Alisha Johnson Wilder
Apple and The King's Trust announced an expansion of their partnership with a new UK education initiative called "Apple x King's Trust Creative Labs," offering workshops to help young people build creative and digital skills.
The program, building on a partnership that dates back to 2019, launched this week with music industry and creative workshops tied to the recent opening of Apple Music Hall. The first cohort will include up to 20 participants aged 18 to 30, with additional sessions planned over the next year. Apple is also working with The King's Trust on resources to improve AI literacy and help educators incorporate new technologies into teaching, signaling a broader investment in workforce development and digital skills for young people in the UK.
"Only the Thermostat shows (placeholder) setup assets. Its setup configuration mentions Proximity Settings." -- pdfu
A new leak in iOS 27.2 code reveals that Apple's "second-party" Home accessory program extends beyond LG, with two new smart home products from Schneider carrying the same special designation.
Apple is reportedly co-developing smart home accessories with partners to expand its Home ecosystem, launching first-party products like a new Apple TV 4K, 'HomePad,' and HomePod mini 2 next week alongside LG-branded accessories. Now, leaker pdfu has found evidence in iOS 27.2 of a Schneider-branded smart thermostat and a temperature/humidity sensor also designated as "second-party" products in Apple's HomeKit database. This designation means the accessories "receive special treatment by the OS," suggesting Apple may be working closely with multiple partners to grow its smart home lineup.
"The Readiness app analyzes your recent activity, vitals, and sleep to help you understand your capacity to take on the day." -- App Store
The product: watchOS 27 is the latest major software update for Apple Watch, adding three new apps: a redesigned Siri app with conversational AI and cross-device conversation history, a unified Find My app consolidating the previous Find Devices, Find Items, and Find People apps into one map-centric experience, and a Readiness app (for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4) that analyzes activity, vitals, and sleep to provide a daily readiness score.
Platforms: Apple Watch (Siri app also available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro; Readiness details viewable in the Fitness app on iPhone)
"First look at LG's upcoming smart home lineup: LG Video Doorbell Wired, LG Floodlight Cam, LG Outdoor Cam Plug-In, LG Indoor Cam Plug-In" -- @Ringo_tech
Leaked images posted by X user @Ringo_tech reveal a lineup of Apple-LG co-developed smart home security cameras, including a video doorbell, floodlight cam, outdoor cam, and indoor cam.
The leaks deepen the picture of an unexpected collaboration between Apple and LG on smart home accessories, believed to be sold under the LG brand like the UltraFine Display, with speculation pointing to a 2027 launch. The camera lineup arrives amid long-standing rumors of Apple building its own privacy-centric camera, which Mark Gurman described as a "metal giant chapstick" — a description some of the leaked LG devices partially match. The news also precedes Apple's expected October 13 event, where new smart home products like the Home Hub may debut.
"NightCap has a dedicated Meteor Mode which sets everything up for you. It automatically takes about 720 photos per hour with a five-second exposure time." -- Author
A how-to guide explains how iPhone users can capture photos of the annual Draconid meteor shower, which peaks around 9PM ET on October 8.
While the iPhone is capable of astrophotography, the built-in Night Mode falls short for meteors because it stacks shorter exposures rather than taking one long exposure, meaning it won't capture meteor trails at all. The article recommends using the $2.99 NightCap Camera app with its dedicated Meteor Mode, along with essential gear like a tripod, a dark location away from light pollution, a portable battery pack, and post-processing editing to bring out the best in the shots. Results will vary depending on the iPhone model, with Pro models' larger sensors offering an advantage, and the author cautions readers to temper expectations while still enjoying the meteor shower itself.
"Regarding the refresh rate of the Apple iPad mini OLED, There have been some mentions of 120Hz from overseas sources... however, it has already been confirmed that the domestic production units use LTPS." -- yeux1122
Leaker yeux1122 claims on Weibo that the forthcoming OLED iPad mini will have a fixed 60Hz display, ruling out ProMotion variable refresh rate.
The claim matters because it contradicts hopes that the smaller iPad would gain the 10Hz-to-120Hz ProMotion technology found on the iPad Pro, which makes screens feel more responsive during gaming or video and saves battery during static tasks like reading. The leaker, who has an average track record but is the source of most prior OLED iPad mini rumors, says production units use LTPS display technology rather than the LTPO needed for variable refresh. Rumored for launch by the end of 2026, the iPad mini would still get a higher-quality OLED screen, though likely dimmer than the iPad Pro's, and may include the A20 Pro processor from the iPhone 18 Pro.
"Welcome home. October 13." -- Greg Joswiak
Apple announced a special event for Tuesday, October 13 with the tagline "Welcome home," teased by Greg Joswiak, the company's SVP of Worldwide Marketing.
Apple is expected to unveil a lineup of new Home products at the event, including a new Apple TV 4K, a "HomePad," a HomePod mini 2, and leaked LG home accessories reportedly co-developed with Apple. Press invites went out for a special "Apple Experience" in Tribeca, New York at 9:00 a.m. ET. The event mirrors Apple's MacBook Neo unveiling earlier this year, though this time all Home products are expected to debut on the same day.
"The assumption—amplified by the “Welcome Home” slogan—is that Apple is going to roll out a bunch of new home-oriented products, most notably a touchscreen home hub that’s been rumored for a couple of years now." -- Jason Snell
Apple has announced plans for an October 13 product rollout, with the "Welcome Home" slogan suggesting the debut of new home-oriented products, including a long-rumored touchscreen home hub.
The news broke via an X post from Apple's Greg Joswiak and an invitation to an "Apple Experience" in Tribeca posted by video creator Marques Brownlee. Snell reports the Tribeca event will focus on creators, while traditional press will receive remote briefings—meaning this likely won't be a traditional Apple Event, but rather a video release and press announcements at 9am Eastern, followed by influencer videos.
Apple will reportedly debut its first touchscreen MacBook in three weeks -- Jay Peters
Apple is reportedly set to introduce its first touchscreen MacBook Pro alongside an updated iPad Mini at an event "on or around" October 27th, according to Bloomberg. The rumored late-October event would mark a major shift for Apple's laptop lineup, with new MacBook Pros featuring lighter designs, touchscreen OLED displays, and iPhone-like Dynamic Island interfaces. Bloomberg also reports Apple will announce MacBook Pros retaining the current design but with the M6 chip, and an iPad Mini refresh — its first since 2024 — moving the front-facing camera to the landscape side and adding a revamped speaker system. The event would come just two weeks after Apple's October 13th event rumored to focus on smart home products.
"an online video presentation and in-person component for the press" -- Bloomberg
Apple is set to launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pros, a new iPad mini, and more on or around Tuesday, October 27, according to a Bloomberg report.
The late-October launch marks Apple's second event of the month and will reportedly include new 14-inch and 16-inch touchscreen MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, a Dynamic Island, and M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, alongside a new iPad mini with an OLED screen and M6-powered iMac and entry-level MacBook Pro models. The launch is said to be "geared toward creative professionals who work in video production, photo editing and music production," and is likened to Apple's October 2024 Mac launch, which included hands-on time for select press in Los Angeles.
"looks like a mashup of iOS, tvOS and watchOS" -- Mark Gurman
Apple is expected to unveil a range of smart home products at its "Welcome Home" event on October 13th in New York, including a new smart home hub, a refreshed HomePod Mini, a faster Apple TV, and possibly LG partner devices.
The event marks Apple's most significant push yet into the smart home market, a niche the company has been eager to tackle more fully. The centerpiece is expected to be a wall-mountable or countertop smart hub with a 6-inch square touchscreen, facial recognition, and a new homeOS software platform. The HomePod Mini is getting its first update in six years — including new green and pink colors — while the Apple TV gets its first refresh since 2022, with both reportedly featuring Apple's new N1 chip to support Siri AI. A long-rumored touchscreen MacBook is not expected to appear until later this month.
Apple is rumored to announce a touchscreen MacBook Pro and an OLED iPad mini at an event on October 27, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The rumored late-October event would follow an October 13 Apple Home-focused event revealing the Home Hub tablet, making it a busy month for the company that also includes the iPhone Duo's launch. Expected announcements include a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M6 processor — now the base model after Apple retired the 13-inch version — and possibly an M6 iMac update. The touchscreen MacBook Pro is rumored to be lighter than existing models with OLED displays and could debut the Dynamic Island, while the iPad mini is expected to feature a new landscape-oriented FaceTime camera.
"Welcome home. October 13." -- Greg Joswiak
Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak teased an Apple release event on October 13 in a 17-second video featuring two people making a needlepoint Apple logo.
The teaser strongly signals a major home-focused hardware announcement, with expectations centering on the HomePad (or whatever Apple ultimately names it) and accompanying home automation accessories. The "Welcome home" messaging ties the October 13 event to Apple's smart home strategy, making it a key date for watchers of the company's product roadmap.
Summary not available
"supported HomeKit Secure Video cameras can now stream and record in 4K" -- Apple
The product: iOS 27 brings major Home app upgrades, including Apple Intelligence-powered HomeKit Secure Video features (generated video descriptions, search in clips, noteworthy clips), 4K video streaming and recording, and real-time updating notifications that combine related activities into a single live alert.
Platforms: iOS 27 / Apple Home app
Summary not available
"looks like a mashup of iOS, tvOS and watchOS" -- Mark Gurman
Apple is expected to unveil a range of smart home products at its "Welcome Home" event on October 13th in New York, including a new smart home hub, a refreshed HomePod Mini, a faster Apple TV, and possibly LG partner devices.
The event marks Apple's most significant push yet into the smart home market, a niche the company has been eager to tackle more fully. The centerpiece is expected to be a wall-mountable or countertop smart hub with a 6-inch square touchscreen, facial recognition, and a new homeOS software platform. The HomePod Mini is getting its first update in six years — including new green and pink colors — while the Apple TV gets its first refresh since 2022, with both reportedly featuring Apple's new N1 chip to support Siri AI. A long-rumored touchscreen MacBook is not expected to appear until later this month.
Summary not available
"Apple Inc. ("Apple") will have the right to make employment offers to and hire certain employees of Huxe AI, Inc. ("Huxe") and receive a non-exclusive license to Huxe's intellectual property rights." -- EU Digital Markets Act transparency database
Apple has acqui-hired Huxe, an AI audio startup founded by former Google NotebookLM developers, gaining the right to hire its employees and license its technology, as revealed by the EU's Digital Markets Act transparency database.
The deal is at least Apple's fourth AI-related acquisition disclosed this year and follows the startup's shutdown in May 2026 after launching its personalized audio briefing app in 2025. Huxe was founded by Raiza Martin, Jason Spielman, and Stephen Hughes, who left Google's popular NotebookLM team. While Apple's plans remain unclear, the deal fits its pattern of acquiring AI companies focused on new voice and vision interfaces—and it comes amid growing FTC and Justice Department scrutiny of acqui-hires as a way for big tech firms to sidestep traditional merger reviews.
"In October alone, we are seeing orders from Apple reducing by 15% to 20% for both the premium models; we don't know how things would develop from here," -- one of the executive-level sources
Apple has reportedly told suppliers to cut component production for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max by at least 15% due to soft demand, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia.
The reported production cuts come after Apple raised prices on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max by $100 compared to their predecessors, which allegedly dampened consumer demand. Supply chain sources say October orders were reduced by 15% to 20%, though it's unclear whether further adjustments will follow from November onward. While lower demand may not immediately hurt Apple's revenue given the higher prices, the company's fiscal Q4 2026 earnings report on November 6 will offer the first real look at how the new iPhones are selling.
The product: The HomePad is Apple's long-rumored smart home device with a display, set to be unveiled at Apple's 'Welcome home' event. Rumored features include a Photos face that automatically cycles through Apple Photos pictures like a digital picture frame, onscreen lyrics in the Music app, and Siri AI with visual responses.
Availability: Expected to be unveiled next Tuesday at Apple's 'Welcome home' event.
"It’s felt like a category Apple has neglected for far too long, and one it might finally start taking seriously next week." -- Chance Miller
Apple confirmed it will hold a "Welcome home" product launch event on October 13, where it is expected to unveil three new smart home products: the "HomePad" smart display, a new Apple TV 4K, and the HomePod mini 2.
The event, which combines an in-person press experience in New York City with an online video presentation, marks Apple's biggest push into the smart home category in years. The headlining HomePad will reportedly feature a 6-inch square display, multi-person recognition, and act as a central household hub powered by Siri AI and Apple Intelligence. Apple is also expected to announce "second-party" HomeKit accessories co-developed with LG, signaling a broader home strategy for a category the company has long neglected.
The product: AVP Play is a new project (not on the App Store) that lists the entire Meta Quest VR catalog, labels each game to indicate whether it will run on the device, and runs supported games locally. It relies on crowdsourcing to eventually fix games that don't work.
Availability: Not available on the App Store; it can be found via GitHub, with a summary of the project and setup instructions on Reddit.
Spain's Museo de Historia de la Computación has unveiled a 1:1 scale visual replica of the 1976 Cray-1 supercomputer, powered by a cluster of 30 networked 2012-era Mac Minis.
Developed over 18 months as a 50th-anniversary tribute to both the Cray-1 and Apple's founding, the replica demonstrates how far computing has come — the consumer-hardware cluster achieves roughly 1.3 teraflops across 64 cores, vastly outperforming the original Cray-1's theoretical peak of about 160 megaflops. The build features silent passive cooling via a steel thermal-chimney chassis, a retro-styled custom control terminal running macOS Mojave with MPI, and is on permanent display at the museum. The team hopes to fill the tower's empty half with 70–80 additional M4 Mac Minis via crowdfunding, aiming for a spot on the TOP500 supercomputers list.
"Apple's 'second-party' LG accessories will debut another Home feature: Proximity Control." -- pdfu
A new leak reveals that Apple's co-developed "second-party" HomeKit accessories with LG will support an exclusive "Proximity Control" feature that surfaces controls in the iPhone's Dynamic Island.
When an iPhone is tapped or brought near one of the LG accessories, a notification will pop out of the Dynamic Island with an "Open Controls" button for devices like thermostats, or a camera viewer for cameras and doorbells. The feature, discovered in Apple's code by Aaron Perris and detailed further by leaker @itspdfu, works via an NFC tag with a Matter payload and a Bluetooth Low Energy advert, and reportedly can be turned off in the Home app. Bloomberg reports the lineup—which includes a thermostat, deadbolt lock, and multiple cameras—likely won't be released "for at least a few more months," though the products could be shown at Apple's "Welcome home" event next week.
"I asked the new Siri on iOS 27 to delete Spam emails from a particular adddress and it just did that so seamlessly" -- Puru
The product: Apple Mail in iOS 27 gains four major new features: an upgraded search with a new ranking system that surfaces more relevant results, expanded third-party app suggestions at the top of messages, improved Smart Reply powered by Apple Intelligence that reflects a user's personalized writing style, and new 'Ask Siri' buttons enabling AI actions like bulk-deleting spam from a specific sender. The update also includes bug fixes and performance improvements such as faster message loading and more reliable search indexing.
Platforms: iOS 27
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Apple has added the original 2017 Apple TV 4K to its "vintage" products list, potentially complicating repairs for owners of the aging streaming device. Apple classifies products as "vintage" once more than five years have passed since they stopped being sold, and "obsolete" after seven years. While vintage products can still be serviced in most cases, repairs depend on parts availability — and obsolete products receive no service at all. The news comes just ahead of Apple's 'Welcome home' event next Tuesday, where a new Apple TV 4K is expected to be unveiled, giving first-gen owners a potential upgrade path.
"This thing should still exist," he says. -- Tony Fadell
Steven Levy, writing on the 25th anniversary of the iPod's launch, reflects on the device's death and argues that Apple's iconic music player filled a role that smartphones have never replaced.
The iPod was officially discontinued in May 2022 when Apple killed the iPod Touch, but its fate was sealed in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone. Tony Fadell, often called the father of the iPod, says its defining virtue was what it didn't do—connect to the internet—and believes the disappearance of a dedicated music player has left a hole in Apple's lineup. Levy contends that while the iPhone is the most impactful product of the century, the iPod's single-purpose focus brought pure joy in a way that distraction-prone smartphones never have, and devoted fan communities still keep old iPods alive today.
AppleInsider podcast hosts William Gallagher and Wes Hilliard discuss the latest rumors around Apple's expected October 13 smart home announcements and a possible second October event.
Apple is widely expected to unveil a new Home Hub tablet, refreshed HomePod mini, and Apple TV 4K on October 13, alongside a renewed Apple Home strategy that could include a new Home app. A rumored second event just before Halloween may bring M6 Mac updates, likely including an iMac and a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro. The hosts also cover repair logistics for the iPhone Duo's inner display, where a $19 replaceable top layer promises more affordable repairs for owners of the pricey foldable.
“[Don’t ]Be creepy or rude (aka, a ‘Glasshole’)," -- Google
Apple is reportedly planning to release an AirPods model with built-in cameras in 2027, a move that could damage the reputation of one of its most iconic products. The article argues that camera-equipped wearables have historically faced deep public mistrust, as bystanders often cannot tell when they are being recorded, and public-facing recording alerts can be disabled or obscured. Google Glass wearers were labeled “glassholes” in the 2010s, while Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have been dubbed “pervert glasses”—backlash so severe that Google once issued a tip sheet urging users not to be creepy. The author warns that adding cameras to AirPods, worn by hundreds of millions of people, could similarly brand owners as creeps or perverts and pose an existential threat to the product's brand reputation.
Former Apple SVP of Retail Ron Johnson joins Jason for a bonus episode of the Designed in California podcast to discuss the origins and philosophy of the Apple Store.
The episode covers why Steve Jobs wanted Apple to enter retail, how the company understood what its brand represents, and the customer-service model that made the Apple Store distinctive. Johnson’s firsthand perspective as the executive who led Apple’s retail efforts offers insight into one of the most successful retail ventures in consumer technology history.
With the 2017 Apple TV 4K now added to Apple's vintage products list as of October 9, 2026, the author eagerly anticipates the rumored 4th-generation Apple TV 4K, expected to be announced on October 13, 2026.
This matters because Apple's streaming box has stagnated for years, leaving owners of the original 2017 model with outdated hardware — a fragile glass Siri Remote, an A10X Fusion chip too weak for modern App Store gaming, and no support for HDMI eARC, which would let audio from consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X play through HomePod speakers. Rumored features of the new model, including an A19-class chip to power Siri AI and support for a four-HomePod surround sound setup, could finally justify an upgrade. The expected announcement will come alongside other "Welcome Home" products, including a new HomePod mini and the oft-rumored Apple home hub device.
"If this is just a short-term lease, it'll be pointless. Apple needs to get a mortgage and settle into its new home." -- Jason Snell
Ahead of Apple's Tuesday home-focused announcement, Jason Snell analyzes whether the company is finally making a long-term commitment to the smart home category with its long-delayed J490 home hub and related products.
Apple's home event has been years in the making, with the J490 wall-mounted display reportedly delayed after the troubled Apple Intelligence rollout forced the company to postpone its AI-powered home products until Siri AI launched last month. Snell argues the timing may actually work in Apple's favor: Amazon and Google's similar touchscreen hubs have failed to catch on, and the broader smart home market has suffered from fragmentation and mediocrity, leaving room for Apple's privacy track record and tight ecosystem integration to find success. The piece also raises open questions—how the device will handle apps (possibly via iPhone widget projection), multi-user contexts, and a three-tier product strategy including LG-built second-party devices like smart locks and security cameras—all of which depend on whether Apple sustains its commitment to the category rather than abandoning it as it did with AirPort.
"Apple is also preparing a revamped entry-level MacBook Pro, code-named K104, for as early as the first half of next year. The 14-inch laptop will adopt a new design in line with what Apple is preparing for higher-end MacBooks with touch screens due between the end of this year and early next year." -- Bloomberg report
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will bring its upcoming MacBook Pro redesign to the entry-level model much sooner than expected, with an M7-powered 14-inch model arriving as early as spring 2027.
Typically, Apple takes years to trickle new MacBook Pro designs down to entry-level models—such as the 2021 redesign only reaching the base model in 2023. This time, the gap will be only about six months, with the redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro following high-end models rumored to debut in fall 2026 with M5 Pro/Max chips. The redesign is expected to include a thinner chassis, OLED touch displays, and possibly a Dynamic Island. With prices rising due to the memory shortage, this faster rollout means budget-conscious buyers wanting the new design could opt for the M7 entry-level model instead of a high-end machine likely costing over $2,500.
"The team is moving on to new things, and we won't be continuing development of the product," the company said. -- Huxe
Apple disclosed in a regulatory filing that it has struck a reverse acqui-hire deal with personalized audio startup Huxe, hiring key employees and licensing the company's technology.
The deal, reported to the European Commission on June 9, comes shortly after Huxe — founded by developers who worked on AI-generated podcast features in NotebookLM — announced it was shutting down and deleting user data. Reverse acqui-hires have become a way for big companies to acquire AI talent and technology without triggering antitrust scrutiny. The move may signal Apple's intent to add AI-powered, personalized podcast features to its Podcasts app, possibly in response to Spotify's recently unveiled AI podcast generation tools.
"We do find the demand in terms of volume from August for the second half of this year is not as strong as previous years when all the new models are introduced all together," -- supply chain source cited by Nikkei Asia
AppleInsider is pushing back on a Nikkei Asia report claiming that suppliers have been told to cut iPhone 18 Pro component production due to weak demand.
The report, based on anonymous supply chain sources, says Apple has been conservative with component orders since early September. But AppleInsider argues the claim ignores key context: Apple launched fewer models this cycle, with the iPhone Duo shipping more than six weeks after announcement and the iPhone 18 and 18e not expected until spring 2027. The outlet also notes that similar "iPhone is doomed" production-cut stories surface every year, and that its own sources say whole-unit assembly orders for the iPhone 18 Pro have not been cut at all.
Apple introduced remote AppleCare log collection in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS 27, allowing IT admins to trigger diagnostic log uploads to Apple remotely through device management.
This update solves a long-standing pain point for IT teams supporting remote and hybrid workers. Previously, collecting sysdiagnose logs for hard-to-reproduce issues required physical access to the device or walking users through unfamiliar steps, often after the device had rebooted and the relevant state was lost. With the new TriggerEnhancedLogCollection command, admins pass an AppleCare-provided token through their device management console, and the device collects and uploads logs directly to the support ticket, with status reported via declarative management. While macOS requires interactive user consent and iOS non-interactive mode is limited to devices without passcodes or accounts, the feature is a significant improvement for one of IT's most challenging support scenarios.
As Apple prepares to launch its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, on October 23, rivals like Xiaomi and Oppo are moving to challenge Apple's entry into the foldable phone market.
Apple is already selling the iPhone 18 Pro, but the iPhone Duo — its first foldable device — won't hit stores until October 23, with pre-orders starting a week earlier. Competitors have been preparing for the launch long before Apple officially announced it, positioning themselves to compete in a foldable market that has existed for some time. The heightened anticipation around what Apple would do differently in the foldable space has intensified the competitive pressure from non-US brands.
The product: Apple's M5 Pro 14-inch MacBook Pro, a laptop featuring a 15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB of unified memory, and 1TB of storage in Space Black.
Cost: $2,069.10 after a $430 discount — the lowest price since Apple raised MacBook prices in June 2026. Additional deals include savings up to $600 on M5 Max models.
Availability: In stock at Amazon at press time, with free expedited delivery for Prime members.
"The costs of electronics continue to aggressively increase thanks to AI data centers eating up the supply chains for pivotal PC parts like memory, storage and GPUs." -- Giancarlo Valdes (article text)
Apple has raised MacBook Pro prices significantly in 2026 compared to 2021, a shift attributed to memory supply shortages driven by AI data center demand.
While MacBook starting prices typically stay stable between generations, the current components shortage — spurred by AI data centers consuming the supply of memory, storage, and GPUs — has upended that norm. Apple, unable to absorb the higher component costs, announced substantial price hikes, meaning buyers now pay far more for a new MacBook Pro than they did five years ago.
Summary not available
"looks like a mashup of iOS, tvOS and watchOS" -- Mark Gurman
Apple is expected to unveil a range of smart home products at its "Welcome Home" event on October 13th in New York, including a new smart home hub, a refreshed HomePod Mini, a faster Apple TV, and possibly LG partner devices.
The event marks Apple's most significant push yet into the smart home market, a niche the company has been eager to tackle more fully. The centerpiece is expected to be a wall-mountable or countertop smart hub with a 6-inch square touchscreen, facial recognition, and a new homeOS software platform. The HomePod Mini is getting its first update in six years — including new green and pink colors — while the Apple TV gets its first refresh since 2022, with both reportedly featuring Apple's new N1 chip to support Siri AI. A long-rumored touchscreen MacBook is not expected to appear until later this month.
"Apple has also tested two features for the new Apple TV, its first update in years: built-in microphones that would let users shout Siri commands at the set-top box without needing to speak into the remote or a paired HomePod, and a refreshed remote with a speaker to make it easier to find between couch cushions." -- Mark Gurman
The product: An upgraded Apple TV 4K set-top box, reportedly tested with built-in microphones for Siri voice commands without needing the remote or a HomePod, plus a refreshed Siri Remote with a built-in speaker to make it easier to find.
Availability: Expected to be announced at Apple's "Welcome home" event on Tuesday, October 13, and available on October 30, per Mark Gurman.
"A smart home isn't just about the devices you put in it. It's about making them work together" -- Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
Apple is hosting its first-ever dedicated smart home event in New York City on October 13th, where it is widely expected to unveil a new smart home display alongside refreshed HomePod Mini and Apple TV hardware.
The rumored smart display — reportedly called HomeView and priced at $350 — would be Apple's first dedicated smart home hardware since HomeKit launched in 2014, arriving years behind Amazon and Google. But the real stakes lie in software: Apple is the last of the big three to bring generative AI to its home assistant, and success will depend on whether a new homeOS built around Siri AI can outexecute rivals like Alexa Plus and Gemini for Home, both of which have struggled. With a cleaner technical foundation and a rebuilt Home app, Apple has an opportunity to leapfrog competitors and finally make the smart home mainstream — but only if it can deliver reliable, easy-to-use software that makes devices work together.
The product: The HomeView is Apple's upcoming smart home hub — a Siri-powered device with a display and an A18 chip that lets customers control their other smart home devices. It will come in two models: one designed for countertops and one to be mounted on walls.
Availability: Apple will reportedly announce it on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"They're hearing it in our mother tongue—that didn't happen a generation ago," Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, tells WIRED.
The Cherokee Nation is partnering with Apple and Unicode to bring endangered Indigenous languages like Cherokee onto smartphone keyboards, racing against time as the community's roughly 1,500 fluent speakers age.
With most of its remaining speakers over 70, the Cherokee Nation views tech platforms as a critical accelerant for language revitalization, meeting young people where they already are—on their phones. The process is lengthy and collaborative: Unicode must first encode a language's characters, then companies like Apple add fonts, orthography, and custom keyboard layouts informed by native speakers, such as Cherokee's adaptive syllabary vowel keys. The effort also navigates sensitive questions of language sovereignty and data ownership, given Indigenous communities' history of exploitation, with Apple emphasizing that communities retain ownership of their linguistic materials.
"According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new HomePod mini should equip the S10 chip, up from the current S5 chip." -- Michael Burkhardt
The product: The HomePod mini 2 is Apple's second-generation smart speaker, featuring an S10 chip (up from the S5) that enables Siri AI features for the first time on an Apple Home product, plus an N1 networking chip with Thread/Matter radio and Wi-Fi 7 support. It will come in new colors including pink, green, and blue, alongside the traditional midnight and white.
Cost: Pricing is not confirmed, but the current HomePod mini price is $129 (raised from $99 in June), and the author expects pricing to stay the same.
Availability: Expected to arrive in stores on October 30, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The product: The Apple 'HomeView' is a rumored smart home hub with a floating display atop a speaker base (design akin to the iMac G4), powered by an A18 chip, using Siri AI voice control as its primary input. It runs Apple apps (no App Store) and may project third-party app widgets from a nearby iPhone.
Availability: Expected to be announced October 13 at Apple's 'Welcome home' event, with release likely mid-November; the speaker-base model comes in space gray, silver, starlight, and pink, while the wall-mountable version comes only in silver or space gray.
"The centerpiece is a new smart home hub called the HomeView. Equipped with a display and an A18 chip, the product essentially serves as the Siri command center for an Apple-powered household…" -- Mark Gurman
The product: The HomeView is Apple's new smart home hub featuring a display and an A18 chip, serving as the Siri command center for an Apple-powered household. It comes in a countertop model with a metal speaker base and a wall-mounted version with a flat, square base.
Availability: Not yet available; details reported by Mark Gurman ahead of an upcoming Apple announcement.
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"Great to be back in China!," Cook wrote to his Weibo account on Saturday. -- Tim Cook
Apple executive chair Tim Cook has made his third visit to China in 2026, meeting Guangdong governor Meng Fanli and signaling Apple's intent to expand its presence in the country.
The visit matters because Guangdong is a major manufacturing hub home to many of Apple's suppliers and partners. Cook, who now handles political engagement on Apple's behalf while John Ternus serves as CEO, told Meng that Apple wants to grow in the region through smart manufacturing improvements and expanded sales channels. The trip is Cook's first to China as executive chair, following visits in March for Apple's 50th anniversary and in May as part of a U.S. business delegation accompanying President Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"One more reason to also release a much cheaper version of the iPad Mini." -- LeonardoM
Apple is expected to unveil a next-generation iPad mini later this month featuring its first OLED display, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports the new model will be considerably more expensive — possibly near $799.
The rumored price would mark a $200 jump from the current iPad mini's $599 starting price and would place the small tablet above the 11-inch iPad Air in Apple's lineup. Apple is expected to justify the increase with upgrades including an OLED display, a redesigned chassis with thinner bezels, an improved speaker system, and an A20 Pro chip — the same chip as the high-end iPhone 18 Pro models. However, questions remain about whether the OLED panel will match the iPad Pro's tandem OLED and whether it will support 120Hz ProMotion. The announcement is expected at a media event alongside new OLED MacBook Pros.
"Specifically, the report backs up previous rumors regarding the HomePod mini refresh. It says that this will come in a new series of colors, and feature an S10 processor for faster performance."
The product: Apple's "Welcome Home" event will debut a refreshed HomePod mini smart speaker (new colors, S10 processor) and an updated Apple TV 4K set-top box (new processor, built-in microphones for Siri), alongside the headline HomeView home hub.
Cost: Not mentioned.
Availability: Due to be in stores and shipping on October 30, following the October 13, 2026 event.
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The product: The upcoming Apple TV refresh, which according to rumors will feature a built-in microphone for hands-free Siri control (and potential smart home hub functions), a remote with an integrated speaker for playing audio alerts to locate it when lost, and an A19 chip to power Siri AI.
Availability: Expected to start shipping on October 30th, alongside the refreshed HomePod Mini.
"no automated system is perfect" -- Meta, from its page on how Muse works
The product: Muse, Meta's AI agent, is now available as a native iPad app. The agent can perform tasks such as automatically rescheduling meetings, but it harvests personal data — including through users' contacts and messages — to do so.
Availability: Currently available only in the US on iPad; an iPhone version already exists with 173,000 ratings averaging 4.9 stars.
Platforms: iPadOS (native iPad app) and iPhone; also referenced on macOS.
The product: Meta's Muse AI agent app, which now includes native support for the iPad, taking advantage of the larger screen and iPadOS multitasking capabilities. The update also adds integrations with tools like Canva, Dropbox, Figma, QuickBooks, GitHub, Zoom, Asana, and Notion, plus business features for autonomous planning of marketing and pitches.
Platforms: iOS (iPhone and iPad); a Mac version is also available.
The product: Muse is Meta's mostly-free, proactive agentic AI assistant app that competes with Grok Bot, ChatGPT Dots, and OpenClaw. Its latest update brings the app to iPad, alongside new business-focused connectors for tools like Asana, Canva, Dropbox, Figma, QuickBooks, and Notion.
Cost: Free.
Availability: Available now on the App Store; originally launched for iPhone in September, with a Mac version added days later.
Platforms: iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
"The tablets also look quite beautiful, while previous Fire tablets have felt cheap. I think these have the opportunity to do quite well." -- Michael Burkhardt
The product: Amazon's new Alexa Tablets are a three-model tablet lineup (8.7", 11", and 12" Pro) that run Android with a stock feel and the Play Store, dropping Amazon's previous proprietary OS and custom App Store, with Alexa integration and a Kindle-friendly reader mode.
Cost: The 8.7" model is $229, the 11" model is $329, and the 12" Pro model is $499. Amazon also offers 20% off with any trade-in.
Availability: Unveiled this week; availability details not specified.
Platforms: Android with the Play Store.
The first laptops powered by Nvidia’s new RTX Spark chip — including Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Ultra and models from Dell, Lenovo, MSI, HP, and Asus — were announced with prices starting at $2,599 and reaching up to $6,999.99.
The RTX Spark laptops are positioned to compete directly with high-end MacBook Pros, and their pricing reflects that ambition: configurations start near the price of a similarly specced 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro chip, while a maxed-out Asus ProArt P16 with 20-core chip, 128GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage costs $6,999.99. The high prices target creators and local AI users, compounded by the ongoing RAM shortage ("RAMageddon"). The laptops launch as early as October 16th, though full configuration details for the Surface Laptop Ultra are not yet available.
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9to5Mac's Arin Waichulis has released a solo Security Bite Podcast episode examining Apple's newly announced changes to Full Disk Access on the Mac.
Apple told developers last week that it is adding new controls to Full Disk Access, the permission that allows an app to read nearly everything on a user's drive, sparking intense speculation about what the changes will entail. The episode walks through what Full Disk Access is, what Apple said is changing, what prompted the change, and what remains unknown. The topic matters because Full Disk Access is a core macOS privacy and security permission affecting an ecosystem of over 2 billion Apple devices.
"In August 2026 we investigated a DarkSword infection that turned out to be a previously unseen variant, which we call P7 DarkSword." -- iVerify report
Security firm iVerify has discovered P7 DarkSword, a new and more capable variant of the DarkSword iPhone spyware, found while investigating an infection on the device of a financial institution employee in August 2026.
The discovery matters because P7 significantly improves on earlier DarkSword variants in stealth, stability, and functionality — it reduces its on-device footprint, adds direct Keychain and crypto-wallet theft, and enables two-way communication with attackers' command-and-control infrastructure, allowing them to retrieve files, photos, app data, and Apple Notes contents. The variant is distributed via malicious ads in watering-hole attacks, meaning victims need not be individually targeted. iVerify notes that previous indicators of compromise are no longer valid and that the changes suggest substantial operator work rather than simple AI-assisted modifications. However, P7 is a new malware version, not a new iOS vulnerability — it deploys after a successful DarkSword compromise, so unpatched iPhones remain at risk.
"Cops are getting around a very important iPhone security feature; someone made an LLM torture chamber; and lawyers going wild with ChatGPT." -- Joseph Cox
404 Media's weekly podcast, hosted by Joseph Cox, covers leaked videos showing police can bypass the iPhone's inactivity reboot security feature, an LLM "torture prison" debate, and a lawyer citing ChatGPT-invented fake witnesses in a New Mexico murder appeal.
The episode highlights growing tensions between consumer security features and law enforcement capabilities, with a leaked video claiming police have found ways around Apple's automatic reboot protection for locked iPhones. It also explores two AI-related stories: an online controversy over someone "torturing" LLMs in a robot prison, and a legal case where a lawyer cited fake witnesses invented by ChatGPT. Together, the segments illustrate how security and AI issues are increasingly colliding with policing, online culture, and the courts.
The product: An unofficial Metal graphics driver for Nvidia GPUs, enabling Nvidia graphics cards to work on Hackintosh and Intel PCI-e Macs running macOS Sequoia. Built on Mesa's NVK Vulkan driver, it supports desktop, Metal 3, apps, and games, though it is currently limited to the Nvidia 5060 card.
Availability: Available now as a download at nullmothsystems.com, with expansion to additional cards expected.
Platforms: macOS Sequoia (Intel PCI-e Macs and Hackintoshes); no Apple Silicon compatibility.
A maker has built "BinRange," a DIY system using ultra-wideband (UWB) radio tags and a fixed anchor to detect whether six household wheelie bins have actually been moved out for collection, integrating with Home Assistant.
The author's earlier attempt using cheap Bluetooth tags and RSSI-based distance estimates proved unreliable because signal strength is easily distorted by walls, cars, and antenna orientation. Switching to UWB, which measures radio signal travel time instead, delivered striking accuracy — one calibration matched a tape measure to within two centimetres, and a 10.1-metre test gap averaged readings of about 10.09 metres with three centimetres of standard deviation. Using Makerfasps ESP32-WROVER/DW3000 boards (US$123.64) and ten KKM K4 tags (US$330 including a programming jig), the system publishes readings over MQTT so Home Assistant can flag each bin as "Home" or "Out" against council collection schedules, without needing any cloud service. It's an over-engineered but effective answer to the everyday question: "have you put the bins out?"
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"Global notebook shipments are currently projected to decline by a low-single-digit percentage in 2027." -- TrendForce
Market research firm TrendForce projects that global notebook shipments could decline in 2027 by a low- to high-single-digit percentage, depending on how manufacturers handle rising component costs.
TrendForce warns that the notebook market's primary risk in 2027 is shifting from supply constraints to rising costs dampening demand. With CPU, DRAM, and SSD costs making up 68% of the bill of materials for a mainstream $900 notebook in Q3 2026, brands face difficult trade-offs: raise prices and risk weaker demand, absorb costs at the expense of margins, or cut specifications and lose competitiveness. The firm also notes that replacement demand brought forward into 2026 will weaken future momentum, and estimates China's share of global notebook production could exceed 80% in 2027.
"The report does make the odd statement that using Intel-era Mac minis may not seem like "the obvious first choice" for making a cluster supercomputer. Technically, they aren't the first choice, but in 2026, it may be a cost-effective one." -- Author (unattributed article text, AppleInsider)
A computing museum in Spain has built a full-scale replica of the Cray-1 supercomputer using 30 Intel Mac minis, capable of up to 1.5 teraflops of performance.
The Museo de Historia de la Computacion's 18-month project celebrates both the 50th anniversary of the Cray-1 and Apple's founding, pairing the iconic tower design with modern cluster computing. The replica's 64 processing cores deliver roughly 1.3 teraflops on average — a massive leap over the original's 160 megaflops. The tower is only half full, and a crowdfunding campaign aims to add 70 to 80 M4 Mac minis, with hopes of reaching the Top500 supercomputer list. The museum in Majadas, Spain is open Saturdays for guided tours.
The product: A collection of 193 free online utilities for everyday tasks spanning text, developer, design, and money categories — from word counters and JSON formatters to mortgage and marketplace fee calculators. Tools require no account or download, run in the browser, and save nothing entered by users.
Cost: Free.
Platforms: Web browser.
The product: Vorssaint is a free, open-source modular menu bar app for macOS that lets users install only the utilities they need — from window management and mouse/keyboard tweaks to clipboard tools, a Dynamic Island, system monitoring and fan control — with uninstalled features disappearing entirely from the app.
Cost: Free and open source (with a Buy Me a Coffee donation option).
Availability: Available now for download, including via Homebrew (`brew install --cask vorssaint`), with a GitHub page.
Platforms: macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon.
Summary not available