A rare, operational Apple-1 Computer was recently put up for auction, and it ended up selling for $375,000. The Apple-1 was the first computer sold by Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and so few remain that they fetch high prices at auction.
The Apple-1 that sold is known as the "Bayville" Apple-1, and it is number 91 on the Apple-1 Registry. The Apple-1 Registry aggregates all known remaining Apple-1 computers, and it includes details and a history for each one. The registry has 104 Apple-1 machines listed.
The Bayville Apple-1 was part of the first batch of Apple-1 machines sold in 1976, and it has a handwritten serial number that was likely penned by Steve Jobs. It was sold with an original manual with a handwritten note by Daniel Kottke, who was Apple employee number 12.
The Apple-1 was sold alongside many other Apple-related items as part of a "Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution" auction event. A 1976 Apple Computer check signed by Steve Jobs sold for $112,054, and a sealed, first-generation 4GB iPhone sold for $87,514.
Another check signed by Steve Jobs sold for $62,500, and an Apple Lisa Computer sold for $56,818. The auction earned a total of $1,308,251.
If you want to draw, sketch, or take notes on your iPad, the Rock Paper Pencil kit is a must have. It's the best way to match the feel of writing on paper, and it makes using an iPad as a writing surface much more pleasant.
Rock Paper Pencil is an all-in-one kit that includes a textured screen protector and a special tip that connects to the Apple Pencil. This combination turns the glossy, unnatural feel of writing on an iPad into a natural, paper-like experience. Not only does it feel like writing on paper, it sounds like writing on paper, plus you get more control over stroke output because of the friction from the added texture.
Astropad's screen protector uses NanoCling technology to adhere to the iPad with static cling, and you can put it on and take it off as needed with zero residue on the iPad's display. With the NanoCling technology, the screen protector fits right up against the display of the iPad, providing a flat surface with no ridges or gaps.
Rock Paper Pencil's tip fits on the Apple Pencil Pro and other Apple Pencil models, and it is able to hold up to heavy daily use. It has a wear-resistant copper alloy core with a palladium exterior coating, and the size is equivalent to an 0.7mm ballpoint pen for precision writing and sketching. You get two pencil tips with the kit, along with a protective storage sleeve so you can tuck away the screen protector when you're not using it.
Available for $45, the Rock Paper Pencil kit is compatible with Apple's new M3 iPad Air models, and it is also compatible with other iPad models. It works with the M2 iPad Air, both iPad Pro models, the sixth and seventh-generation iPad mini models, and the 7th-generation and later iPad.
Astropad is offering a 128GB 11-inch M3 iPad Air, Rock Paper Pencil, and Apple Pencil Pro to one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
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The contest will run from today (March 21) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 28. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after March 28 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
With the context of his insider knowledge, Mark gives us his thoughts on Apple's recent announcement that it is further delaying the major Siri Apple Intelligence features that it expected to release as part of iOS 18. He gives us a sense of the scale of the crisis and when to expect the remaining features to arrive. We also discuss his recent report about a significant internal reshuffle to move Siri from artificial intelligence chief John Giannandrea to Vision Pro chief Mike Rockwell.
We delve into the complete redesign rumored for iOS 19, which is believed to be part of a wider push to bring a visionOS-style design language to all of Apple's major platforms. It is expected to be the biggest redesign of the iPhone's software since iOS 7. Mark tells us what users are likely to make of the update and why Apple is devoting so much energy to the redesign amid the problems with Apple Intelligence. He also tells us about the sort of new Apple Intelligence features to expect in iOS 19 and the plan to progressively improve Siri through to iOS 20.
We discuss why the delay in releasing the remaining Apple Intelligence features has delayed the company's long-rumored smart home hub product and the experience it is expected to offer when it launches later this year. We also touch on Apple's problems with allocating developer resources, iPhone 17-exclusive Apple Intelligence features, whether Apple is doing enough to course-correct on AI, Apple TV+ viewing habits, and more.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Apple's recent announcement that several of its most highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features are to be delayed.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
This week saw the return of Woot's big Apple Watch band sale, and alongside that event we're tracking low prices on M3 iPad Air, iPad mini 7, and a new promotion on Disney+ and Hulu.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple Watch Band Sale
What's the deal? Take up to 70% off Apple Watch bands
Woot brought back its popular sale on Apple Watch Solo and Braided Loops this week, providing as much as 70 percent off these bands. This time around, you'll also find some deals on accessories like the Siri Remote and USB-C power adapters.
Disney+
What's the deal? Get 72 percent off four months of Disney+ and Hulu
Disney introduced a new promotion this week, offering a bundle of Disney+ (with ads) and Hulu (with ads) for $2.99 per month for four months. You can find out more information about the deal in our original post.
Last week Apple launched the new M3 iPad Air, and Amazon has been providing solid launch window discounts on numerous models this week. You can find up to $70 off these tablets on Amazon, with prices starting at $549.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch model.
Amazon introduced $100 discounts across the iPad mini 7 lineup this week, and these deals are still live right now. Prices start at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, which is an all-time low price.
Samsung
What's the deal? Save on Samsung connected health products and more
Samsung introduced a few new deals on connected health products in its springtime sale this week, including low prices on the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring. There are also numerous discounts on monitors, storage accessories, and home appliances, all of which you can find in our original post.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
A few years ago, the American automaker General Motors (GM) announced that it would be phasing out support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its new electric vehicles, in favor of its own software platform. It was a controversial decision, as many drivers who are in the market for a new vehicle consider CarPlay to be a must-have feature.
Looking to capitalize on the situation, one GM dealership near Detroit, Michigan last year partnered with a third party to offer an aftermarket CarPlay installation service in GM's newer EV models. But, according to a report this week from automotive blog The Drive (via The Verge), GM recently blocked the dealership from offering that service due to safety concerns.
"We have made the difficult decision to discontinue this product," said White Automotive & Media Services, on its website that previously offered the CarPlay installation service. "This was not a decision we made lightly, but due to a variety of factors, continuing to offer this product is no longer viable in the long term," it said.
A spokesperson for GM told The Drive that unapproved aftermarket services "could affect critical safety features," and pose other issues.
"Aftermarket services that introduce features not originally designed, thoroughly tested, and approved by GM may cause unintended issues for customers," the GM spokesperson said, in response to this matter. "These issues could affect critical safety features and may also void portions of the vehicle's warranty."
It is unclear if the aftermarket CarPlay system actually poses any safety issues, or if GM is simply unhappy that one dealership decided to go against the company's decision to focus on its own software platform. It is also unclear if customers who already had the installation service completed will be affected in any way.
Following the release of season two's finale, Apple today announced that its hit show "Severance" has been renewed for a third season.
In a press release, Apple said that severance broke records as the most watched series on Apple TV+. Severance follows employees at a mysterious corporation who undergo a procedure that surgically divides their work memories from their personal ones, creating two separate consciousnesses. The story follows them as they begin to uncover the truths behind the company and the costs of these split identities.
The show comes from director and executive producer Ben Stiller and creator, writer and executive producer Dan Erickson. Apple has not yet revealed when season three may be released. The complete first and second seasons of Severance are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
Anthropic has finally added web search capabilities to Claude 3.7 Sonnet, allowing the AI chatbot to access up-to-date information beyond its knowledge cutoff date of October 2024.
Announced on Thursday, the new feature enables Claude to search the internet for current events and information, so its accuracy should be significantly better when answering questions about recent developments.
When Claude uses web search to inform its responses, the interface provides clickable citations that allow you to verify sources and fact-check information, meaning you won't have to conduct separate searches.
The feature is currently available only to paying subscribers in the United States. Anthropic says it plans to roll out web search to free users and additional countries "soon," but the company gave no specific timeline.
Web search functionality has become a standard feature among leading AI chatbots. OpenAI began introducing ChatGPT Search to paying subscribers last fall and eventually made the feature available to all users – including those without a ChatGPT account – early last month.
Anthropic is pitching the web search function as particularly valuable for professionals across various fields. The company suggests sales teams can use it to analyze industry trends, financial analysts can assess current market data, and researchers can build stronger literature reviews by searching across primary sources.
For everyday users, the feature also promises to simplify comparison shopping by evaluating product features, prices, and reviews from multiple sources simultaneously.
Paying Claude users in the US can access web search by enabling the feature through their profile settings menu. The functionality is currently limited to Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which is Anthropic's first "hybrid reasoning model" capable of both quick responses and step-by-step problem solving.
Threads has just introduced several new features aimed at giving users more control over their experience and enhancing content discovery on the social media platform and X rival.
The update includes the ability to add up to ten "Topics" to your bio, which can be used to showcase your interests and connect with like-minded users. When someone visits your profile, the topics will be prominently displayed and can be tapped to view related conversations. Meta says this feature is a test, so it might not be around for ever.
Meanwhile, for content creators, Threads is now suggesting trending topics when drafting posts. According to Meta's internal data, posts with tagged topics generally receive more views than those without, so this could potentially offer a boost to creator reach and engagement.
The platform is also expanding its privacy controls. Users can now restrict replies and quote posts to followers only, building on the Quote Controls feature introduced last November. Meta says the aim is to give users more granular control over who can engage with their content.
Video consumption is also getting an upgrade with a more sophisticated media player. Meta says the improved interface includes new pause, play, and skip buttons, along with a pinned progress bar that allows users to navigate more easily through video content.
And in a policy shift, Threads is beginning to reintroduce political content to the platform "in a more personalized way," following their previous announcement about changing how civic content appears in feeds.
Lastly, users will also gain the ability to customize the order of their feeds, including setting a custom feed as the default view when opening the app.
Google is rolling out an improved Gmail search function powered by AI that the company reckons will "show you the most relevant results, faster."
Search in Gmail has traditionally returned results from your inbox in chronological order based on keywords. That's not great if the email you need was sent months or years ago.
What the new method does to improve things is factor in elements like how often you contact someone, which emails you've clicked the most, and how recently the emails arrived in your inbox.
"With this update, the emails you're looking for are far more likely to be at the top of your search results — saving you valuable time and helping you find important information more easily," claims Google.
The new "most relevant" search results are rolling out globally for users with personal Google accounts, and are accessible on the web and in the official Gmail app for iOS and Android. If it's appearing for you already, you'll be able to toggle between "most relevant" and "most recent" results. Google says it will expand the new feature to business users in the future.
Apple plans to use liquid metal in the hinges of its upcoming foldable iPhone to improve durability and reduce screen creasing, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple has reportedly chosen liquid metal, which is manufactured using a die-casting process, as a key component in addressing common issues with foldable devices. The design choice aims to enhance screen flatness and minimize the crease marks that typically plague folding displays.
Kuo notes that Apple has previously used liquid metal in smaller components like SIM ejector pins, but the foldable iPhone will mark the company's first major use of the material in a critical mechanical part. Dongguan EonTec will reportedly be the exclusive supplier of liquid metal.
Previous reports suggest Apple's foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display. The device is expected to adopt a book-style design similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell form factor.
According to earlier information from Kuo, the foldable iPhone may include two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. The device could measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed.
Mass production is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, suggesting a potential launch in late 2026 or early 2027.
Apple is putting a heavy focus on improving power efficiency while slimming down key components in its upcoming foldable iPhone, with battery capacity now a key priority for the company, according to a new report citing sources within Apple's supply chain.
According to Korean news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, which has previously offered accurate insights into Apple's component strategy, Apple is specifically refining the display driver IC (DDI) used in its first foldable iPhone, with the goal of achieving a thinner overall design.
The DDI is a key component that converts digital signals from the device's processor into the analog signals needed to control the display's pixels. Improvements to the DDI can enable thinner panel assemblies, lower heat output, and reduced power consumption – all of which are critical in compact devices like foldables with multiple displays.
Multiple sources now agree on key specifications for Apple's first foldable iPhone, including a 7.8-inch main display when unfolded and a 5.5-inch cover display. The consensus comes from analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, as well as the Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station. The agreement on the details suggest Apple may have finalized significant aspects of the device's hardware.
According to Kuo, the foldable iPhone will adopt a book-style design, opening horizontally like a Galaxy Z Fold, rather than the vertical clamshell form factor of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.
Jeff Pu reports that the device has recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase at Foxconn, a key stage in Apple's production timeline. Both Pu and Kuo anticipate mass production beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026, which opens the possibility of a limited launch as early as next year.
In terms of hardware, Kuo claims the foldable iPhone will feature two rear cameras, a single front-facing camera, and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button –suggesting Apple may skip Face ID for this model, likely to save internal space. It's expected to include a high-density battery and a titanium chassis, with the hinge constructed from a combination of titanium and stainless steel.
As for dimensions, Kuo believes the device will measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed, making it notably thin compared to current foldables.
Apple's efforts to optimize hardware efficiency across its product lines are already in motion, with the iPhone 16e featuring its first custom-made C1 modem. Apple said the C1 modem is the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever, and it has held up fine in both real-world and simulated 5G speed test results.
Apple is on a mission to make the thinnest possible devices in each product category, beginning with the most recent iPad Pro and continuing later this year with the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be the second device to use the C1 modem.
Across 2024 and the early months of 2025, Apple refreshed all of its Macs with next-generation M4 chips, with the exception of the Mac Pro. The Mac Pro is still waiting for an update, but it is supposed to get an overhaul later this year.
M-Series Chip
The current version of the Mac Pro can be purchased with Apple's M2 Ultra chip, which came out in June 2023. It might seem logical for the Mac Pro to get the equivalent M4 chip, the M4 Ultra, but it turns out Apple might not have an M4 Ultra in the works.
When the Mac Studio was updated earlier this month, Apple announced a version with the M4 Max chip, and a version with an M3 Ultra chip, with no M4 Ultra unveiled. Apple told Mac Studio reviewers that not every generation of M-series chips will include a higher-end "Ultra" tier, so there may simply be no M4 Ultra that exists for the Mac Pro.
There's now a question over what chip Apple will use in the Mac Pro, and there are a few possibilities.
Apple does have an M4 Ultra chip coming, and it's not ready yet.
There's some version of a high-end M4 chip that is not technically an "Ultra" chip and is instead called something else like "M4 Extreme."
The Mac Pro will use the M3 Ultra chip.
The Mac Pro will get an M5 Ultra chip.
The M1 Ultra, M2 Ultra, and M3 Ultra chips that Apple has released have essentially been two Max chips linked together through an "UltraFusion" connector. The M4 Max does not have the UltraFusion connector available, so the first possibility seems unlikely.
Apple could be making an M4 Ultra or Extreme chip that is standalone and not a doubled up variant of the M4 Max, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanrecently claimed that Apple doesn't want to create an M4 Ultra chip from scratch because of costs, production challenges, and low sales of high-end and expensive machines.
Apple could refresh the Mac Pro with the same M3 Ultra chip that it put in the Mac Studio, but if that's Apple's plan, it's likely the company would have just refreshed the Mac Pro alongside the Mac Studio. The Mac Pro could be held back for other development reasons, but there aren't really rumors of notable new features coming.
We might be getting the first Macs with M5 chips later this year, but there's also a chance M5 Macs won't come until early 2026. Even if Macs with M5 chips do launch in late 2025, there's no guarantee that an Ultra version of the chip will be ready to go.
As of right now, there's no clear indication of what's in store for the 2025 Mac Pro's Apple silicon chip.
Design
There aren't rumors of design updates for the next Mac Pro, so it's not likely that Apple has anything planned.
Ports
Apple added Thunderbolt 5 to the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro, so the Mac Pro will likely get Thunderbolt 5 ports too. Thunderbolt 5 will allow for more high-resolution displays to be connected to the Mac Pro.
RAM and SSD
The M3 Ultra chip supports up to 512GB RAM, so if the Mac Pro gets the M3 Ultra or something similar, it will support a lot more RAM. The current model is limited to 192GB.
Storage maximums will also double, as the M3 Ultra supports up to a 16TB SSD, while the Mac Pro is limited to 8TB.
Launch Date
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said last year that the Mac Pro will see a refresh toward the end of 2025, but given the chip uncertainty, Apple could be planning to hold it until 2026.
Apple has been accused of false advertising and unfair competition for delaying the SiriApple Intelligence features that it promoted when launching iOS 18 and the iPhone 16 models, reports Axios.
The suit targets Apple ads that showed off Siri features that were unavailable, and claims that Apple cultivated "a clear and reasonable consumer expectation that these transformative features would be available upon the iPhone's release," while also driving "unprecedented excitement" that convinced millions consumers to upgrade their devices when the upgrades were not necessary.
After confirming that the Siri features would be delayed until the coming year, Apple removed the ads, but that was after they had been running for several months. Apple is accused of advertising functionality that did not exist, and continuing to promote the Siri capabilities well after the company was aware that they would not be available on time.
Contrary to Defendant's claims of advanced AI capabilities, the Products offered a significantly limited or entirely absent version of Apple Intelligence, misleading consumers about its actual utility and performance. Worse yet, Defendant promoted its Products based on these overstated AI capabilities, leading consumers to believe they were purchasing a device with features that did not exist or were materially misrepresented.
The lawsuit was filed in a San Jose, California court and the plaintiffs are seeking class action status along with damages for customers who purchased an Apple device that supports Apple Intelligence.
Zagg this week announced the launch of several hubs designed for the iPad and Mac, providing new options for connecting peripherals to Apple's devices.
The iPad-friendly 6-Port Media Hub features an integrated tablet stand, a set of simple-to-use media buttons for controlling video and music playback, and multiple ports. It includes an HDMI port that supports a 4K 60Hz display, a USB-C port with 100W passthrough charging, a USB-A port that supports 10Gb/s transfer speeds, an SD card reader, a micro SD card reader, and an audio jack.
Zagg's 9-Port Hub comes with an integrated USB-C cable and turns a single USB-C port on a Mac into nine ports. It includes two USB-C ports, 2 HDMI ports, a USB-A port, an SD card reader, a micro SD card reader, an Ethernet port, and an audio jack. 100W passthrough charging is supported, and the USB-C PD 3.0 20W port supports up to 10Gb/s for data transfers.
Zagg's high-end Pro Dock is an all-in-one stand and dock for a MacBook or an iPad. It holds a device up at eye level, while also supporting displays and peripherals through nine included ports. The Pro Dock comes with a satellite hub that is designed to allow devices to be plugged in while cables are positioned out of sight.
Available ports include a 20W USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, a 7.5W USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, two HDMI ports (one that works with a 4K 60Hz display and one that works with a 4K 30Hz display), a USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 port, a USB-A 2.0 port, an audio jack, and an Ethernet port. There is a 150W power supply included for charging connected devices.
The season 2 finale of popular Apple TV+ series Severance is set to air tonight, with the episode going live at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time or 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Episode 10 of season 2 will have the longest runtime of any episode so far, coming in at 76 minutes.
Tonight's season finale will wrap up the season 2 storyline and provide some insight into just what the Macrodata Refinement department does and what "Cold Harbor" really is. A brief teaser for episode that Apple shared on social media highlighted one of the goats, so we might also learn what Lumon's Mammalians Nurturable team does with them.
Severance has become one of Apple's most talked about shows, and it has spawned countless fan theories, with viewers speculating about what's going on after every episode.
In an interview yesterday, Ben Stiller said that work is underway on Severance season 3, and this time around, we won't have to wait three years for more episodes.
Following the introduction of the iPhone 16e, new iPads and Macs, and some new accessories over the past month, what will Apple's next product announcement be? Based on rumors, a second-generation AirTag item tracker is likely next up.
Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new AirTag would be released around the middle of 2025. More recently, a leaker known as Kosutami claimed that Apple plans to release a new AirTag in May or June this year. Both of those timeframes suggest that the next AirTag is a few months away from launching.
Three upgrades have been rumored for the AirTag 2:
With a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the AirTag 2 is expected to have up to 3× longer range compared to the current AirTag. The chip debuted in the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. On the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, there is a Precision Finding for People feature that can help you to find your friends in crowded places, and it offers a range of up to 200 feet/60 meters.
The new AirTag's built-in speaker is expected to be more difficult to remove or tamper with, as an anti-stalking safety measure.
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update.
Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far.
visionOS-Like Design
In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19.
According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app will have more translucent menus and buttons, along with a larger viewfinder. The alleged design looks similar to visionOS, the software platform for Apple's Vision Pro headset.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the visionOS-like design changes will extend to other interfaces on iOS 19, meaning that the new look with more transparency will likely extend to additional Apple apps, notifications, and more.
Gurman believes that iOS 19 will have the most significant design changes since iOS 7.
Similar design changes are also expected for iPadOS 19 and macOS 16.
Personalized Siri
Apple recently delayed the more personalized version of Siri that it previewed at WWDC last year. The company said it anticipates rolling out the Siri upgrades at some point "in the coming year," so the features could launch as part of iOS 19 later this year, but they are more likely to arrive next year in a later update, such as iOS 19.4.
Whenever they launch, the Siri upgrades will include understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, during its WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.
Live Translate With AirPods
At least some AirPods models will be getting a new live translation feature with iOS 19 and an accompanying firmware update, according to Gurman.
Here is how that feature will work, according to his report this month:
The capability will work like this: If an English speaker is hearing someone talk in Spanish, the iPhone will translate the speech and relay it to the user's AirPods in English. The English speaker's words, meanwhile, will be translated into Spanish and played back by the iPhone.
Google already offers a similar Live Translate feature.
He also said iOS 19 will have bolstered translation capabilities, which likely means improvements are coming to the Apple Translate app.
End-to-End Encryption for RCS
Earlier this month, Apple said that it plans to add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to the Messages app in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software updates. That likely means iOS 19, macOS 16, and so forth.
Apple promising end-to-end encryption for RCS messages indirectly confirms that it will be adopting the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 specification, which also includes several iMessage-like enhancements that were originally introduced in version 2.7 of the specification. iOS 18 supports RCS Universal Profile 2.4.
Here are five new capabilities to expect for RCS conversations on iOS 19:
End-to-end encryption, which will prevent Apple and any other third party from being able to read messages and attachments while they are being sent between devices
In-line replies
Edit messages
Unsend messages
Full-fledged Tapback support for RCS messages, ensuring they always work
iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have supported end-to-end encryption by default since iOS 5. In addition, iMessage has supported in-line replies since iOS 14, while the options to edit and unsend iMessages were introduced with iOS 16.
Apple has not indicated which iOS version will upgrade RCS, but iOS 19 or a follow-up update like iOS 19.1 or iOS 19.2 seems like a safe bet.
EU Changes
The European Commission this week announced a long list of changes that Apple is legally required to implement in future iOS 19 and iOS 20 updates.
The announcement clarifies interoperability requirements that Apple is required to adhere to in the EU, under the Digital Markets Act, which has been fully enforced since March 2024. The changes will further open up the iPhone and its technologies to competing companies and devices, and Apple is not happy about it.
We will be publishing an in-depth overview of all of the requirements, but in the meantime we have highlighted some key items below.
Third-party smartwatches must be able to display and interact with iOS notifications by the end of 2025, which likely means iOS 19.2 or earlier.
Apple must make its automatic audio switching feature available to third-party headphones by June 1, 2026, which likely means iOS 19.4 or earlier. This is the feature that allows most AirPods and select Beats to automatically switch connection between Apple devices, such as a Mac and an iPhone.
Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirDrop alternatives by June 1, 2026.
Apple must make changes to iOS that allow for third parties to offer equivalent AirPlay alternatives by iOS 20, or the end of 2026. iOS 20 is expected to be released to the general public in September 2026.
The oldest devices in that list are the iPhone XS, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR, all of which were released in September 2018.
Of course, some iOS 19 features will be unavailable on older iPhone models.
Timing
The first iOS 19 beta should be available immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote in June, and the update should be released to the general public in September.
More
Read our iOS 19 roundup for more details about the upcoming software update.
Assassin's Creed Shadows is available for download on the Mac as of today, and it is the first Assassin's Creed title that is launching for Mac at the same time that it is launching on PlayStation 5, Windows machines, and the Xbox.
Set in 16th century Japan, Assassin's Creed Shadows is part of the main Assassin's Creed gaming lineup, and it is the successor to Assassin's Creed Mirage. The game focuses on the dispute between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order, and players can take on the role of Fujibayashi Naoe, a shinobi assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai.
Each character offers different controls and gameplay styles, with separate progression paths, skills, weapon options, and stats. While Naoe uses stealth skills, Yasuke excels at combat. Both characters are part of the storyline and will be played at different times.
The game has a vast open world to explore, and players will experience a variety of landscapes with evolving weather and seasons. There are castle towns, bustling ports, pastoral landscapes, and peaceful shrines.
Playing Assassin's Creed Shadows on an Apple device requires a Mac with an Apple silicon chip, with real-time ray tracing available on M3 and M4 Macs.
