OpenAI today launched GPT–6 Sol and GPT–6 Luna, two new models that follow GPT–6 Astra. OpenAI says the new models were developed using methods similar to Astra's for improvements in professional work, factuality, coding, computer use, and alignment.
GPT–6 Sol is for everyday work, and it costs less than Astra. GPT–6 Luna is an even cheaper model. Luna is optimized for fast responses and higher volume, while Sol has more reasoning capability.
The new models outperform their predecessors on OpenAI's benchmark tests, and GPT–6 Sol makes "about half as many mistakes" as GPT–5.6 Sol. GPT–6 Sol shows improvements in coding and computer use compared to GPT–5.6 Sol, and it matches or beats Claude Fable 5.1 scores on some benchmarks.
OpenAI compared GPT–6 Sol to Opus 5 on several tests, but Anthropic released a new Opus 5.5 model today that outperforms Astra on some coding and knowledge work benchmarks.
GPT–6 Sol and Luna are adopting the improved communication style OpenAI introduced with Astra for simplified conversations with less jargon and fewer low-value details. Answers should be slightly shorter without losing substance, and the new models have lower rates of misleading claims about their coding work in OpenAI's alignment testing.
OpenAI is lowering token prices for Sol and Luna compared to their 5.6 counterparts, and prompt caching has been improved. OpenAI says agents will reuse more context, respond faster, and get 90 percent discounts on cached input-token reads.
GPT–6 Sol is priced at $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens, down by half. GPT–6 Luna costs $0.10 per million input tokens and $0.50 per million output tokens, down from $0.20 and $1.20, respectively. GPT–6 Sol costs half as much per token as Opus 5.5, but Anthropic says Opus 5.5 uses fewer tokens per task than Opus 5, so it's not a straight comparison.
GPT–6 Sol and GPT–6 Luna are rolling out in ChatGPT Work and Codex starting today for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users. GPT–6 Luna is available to Free and Go users in the desktop app. GPT–6 Sol and Luna are not yet available in Chat mode.
Following renovations, the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California no longer features a 3D augmented reality model of the Apple Park campus.
The area that housed the 3D model, which was called the Exhibition Space, now has wall-mounted shelves known as "Avenues" and new, rounder tables for product displays.
The remodeling process began in July and was completed recently.
Apple Park Visitor Center's former Exhibition Space now displays products (source)
The redesigned product tables have been set up at select other stores, such as Apple Williamsburg and Apple The Mall at Bay Plaza in New York City.
The 3D model of Apple Park had been a fixture of the Visitor Center since it opened in 2017.
Apple Park Visitor Center functions as both a store and a tourist attraction. While the Exhibition Space is now permanently closed, visitors can still grab a coffee at the on-site Caffè Macs, purchase Apple merchandise, head up to the rooftop for a scenic view, or stroll through the adjacent "Mirage" public art installation.
Apple today updated the Shazam app for iOS with an ever so slightly frostier app icon and a new set of iMessage stickers.
To send stickers in the Messages app on the iPhone, tap the plus sign in a conversation, select Stickers, tap on the Shazam app icon, and tap on a sticker. You can also send stickers during FaceTime video calls and in other apps where the emoji keyboard is available.
Anthropic today launched Claude Opus 5.5, which it says is the first model in a new 5.5 model family. Opus 5.5 performs at the level of Claude Fable 5.1 on most work, but costs 40 percent less to run than Opus 5.
According to Anthropic, Opus 5.5 is a "major step up" from Opus 5 with improvements in performance and safety. Opus 5.5 is comparable to Mythos 5.1 in biology and cybersecurity, so Anthropic is launching it with safeguards similar to those on Fable 5.1. Opus 5.5 also generates output over 30 percent faster than Opus 5.
On benchmarks shared by Anthropic, Opus 5.5 surpassed Fable 5.1 on agentic coding, knowledge work, computer use, visual chart recognition, and multidisciplinary reasoning. Anthropic says the model communicates more naturally than prior models, putting important information at the front of a response so it's easier to understand at a glance. It is less likely to use jargon or idiosyncratic phrases, and it follows the writing rules it's given.
Claude Opus 5.5 is available on all platforms as of today. With the launch of Opus 5.5, Anthropic is raising the five-hour usage limits on Pro, Max, Team, and seat-based Enterprise plans. Subscribers have also received a rate limit reset that can be used anytime between now and October 22.
Apple today released a firmware update for the Beats 360 over-ear headphones, so customers ordering the headphones will have new software available when they arrive. The firmware has a 4A262 version number, up from the prior 4A260 firmware.
We don't know what's included in the firmware update, but Apple may share details on its support site.
Announced this morning, the Beats 360 feature an all-new over-ear headphone design with a focus on comfort, active noise cancellation, and sound quality. Beats 360 come in multiple colors and can be customized with removable ear cups and headband cushions in different colors. The headphones are priced at $349.99 and can be ordered from Apple's website and from Amazon.com.
Firmware updates for Beats are delivered over the air. Firmware will be installed when the Beats 360 headphones are fully charged and connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Apple says the headphones should be turned off and kept in Bluetooth range of your Apple device.
On Android devices, the headphones can be updated using the dedicated Beats app.
The new Beats 360 headphones were announced today, and can be pre-ordered on Amazon ahead of their launch on Thursday. They're available in Black, Cloud, plus a bundle where you can style the headphones however you'd like thanks to interchangeable ear cushions and headbands.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Alongside the launch, Beats announced that its Cushion Kits compatible with the Beats 360 are available for just $9.99 for the next month, down from $49.99. Amazon has both the Performance Knit and UltraPlush options in all colors at this price.
Additionally, there's a big sale on Beats accessories on Amazon this week, including solid deals on Powerbeats Pro 2, Beats Pill, Beats Solo 4, and more. We've gathered all of the best deals below, and be sure if you're interested in the new Beats 360 Cushion Kits you order one before the launch prices disappear on October 31.
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.
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Apple has paused development on a camera-equipped AI wearable, reports Bloomberg. The device was described as a pin or pendant that could be attached to clothing or worn around the neck.
A camera would relay information about the wearer's surroundings to Siri, like the rumored AirPods with cameras that could come as soon as 2027. The AI pin would have Visual Intelligence features, with Siri AI able to answer questions about where the wearer is located or what the wearer is looking at.
The prototype Apple worked on was described as similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, circular disc shape. It was made from aluminum and glass, with a physical control button on the side.
Rumors suggested Apple could introduce the AI wearable as soon as 2027, but with development postponed, that seems unlikely. Apple is working on several other wearables, including a screen-free fitness band, AI smart glasses, and AirPods with cameras.
Now through October 31, extra Performance Knit and UltraPlush ear cushions with matching headbands in a variety of colors are available on Apple's online store in the U.S. for just $9.99 each, with customers limited to three kits per order while supplies last. Lower pricing extends to select other countries. Starting November 1, regular pricing of $49.99 will apply.
Apple is working on an activity tracker that doesn't have a screen, reports Bloomberg. The screen-free health and fitness device is said to be similar to Whoop's line of bands. Whoop makes wrist-worn trackers with 24/7 monitoring, but without a display.
Apple has apparently been "exploring" the category for months and has developed prototypes, but hasn't decided whether the project will move forward. Apple chair Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue are interested in the product, notable because Cue now leads Apple's health teams. Cue is said to be pushing for wearables with simpler interfaces, like the screen-free Whoop and Oura Ring.
Prototypes have a fabric band attached to a computing module that rests on the wrist. Sensors track heart rate and other metrics, similar to the Apple Watch.
The latest Apple Watch models adopt features similar to those offered by Whoop and Oura products, including an overall readiness score and an estimate of biological age. A new version of the Health app is being tested in iOS 27.2, and it has a more user-friendly interface with clearer guidance than before.
If Apple moves forward with the screen-free tracker, it likely would not launch until at least 2028. Apple is expected to debut wearable AI smart glasses and AirPods with cameras before then.
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reiterated that the operating system will feature a grid of app icons, widgets, and customizable clock faces.
The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition, Gurman reported that the hub can identify who is looking at the display and show personalized information. As a user approaches the hub, or moves away from it, the size of the interface elements will automatically change.
The operating system could be named homeOS, according to trademark activity from a shell company that is potentially linked to Apple.
homeOS would join iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.
The hub will essentially combine a HomePod-like speaker with a 6-inch or 7-inch square display. Siri AI is expected to be at the core of the new operating system, and other rumored features include FaceTime video calls, HomeKit accessory management, home security monitoring, photo galleries, a calendar, music playback, and more.
Some of the preinstalled Apple apps that will apparently be available on the new platform include Calendar, Camera, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Reminders, Notes, and the all-new Siri app for Siri AI conversations.
Finally, the platform will supposedly have multi-user support.
The Apple Watch Series 12 is now available, two years after the Series 10 introduced the current thinner design. But is it worth upgrading?
While last year's Series 11 brought just four changes, the Series 12 is a much more substantial update, with a new chip, twice as much RAM, redesigned health sensors, exclusive health and audio features, tougher cover glass, 5G connectivity, and new case materials.
The Series 12 starts at the same $399 price as the Series 10 did in 2024. Apple has now discontinued the Series 10, but remaining units may still be available from third-party retailers and on the refurbished or second-hand market. Here are all of the key hardware and feature differences between the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Series 12:
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 12
S10 chip (2024)
S11 chip (2026)
2GB RAM
4GB RAM
Electrical heart sensor
Health Sensing System with second-generation electrical heart sensor
Third-generation optical heart sensor
Fourth-generation, always-on optical heart sensor
Periodic background heart rate tracking
High-frequency background heart rate tracking every five seconds
Heart rate variability
Recovery HRV and overall HRV, measured up to 24x more frequently
Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration
Vitals app with heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and HRV, plus daytime vitals
Readiness app with daily score and recommendation
Standard step tracking
Redesigned pedometer model with more accurate all-day step tracking
Steps watch face complication
Audio Intelligence, including Live Rewind, Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and faster Shazam
Ion-X front glass (aluminum models)
Ceramic Shield 2, 60% tougher than Ion-X (aluminum models)
Metal and sapphire crystal back
Case-matched metal or ceramic and zirconia back
Aluminum or titanium case
Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic case
Aluminum: Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver
Aluminum: Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray
Titanium: Slate, Gold, and Natural
Titanium: Radiant Gold and Natural
Ceramic: Pearl White and Night Blue
Hermès: Silver titanium
Hermès: Silver and Radiant Gold titanium
LTE and UMTS (cellular models)
LTE and 5G RedCap (cellular models)
Up to 18 hours of normal use
Up to 24 hours of normal use
Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
15 minutes of charging for up to eight hours of normal use
15 minutes of charging for up to 12 hours of normal use
Eight minutes of charging for up to eight hours of sleep tracking
Five minutes of charging for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
Now discontinued
From $399
Design and Display
The Series 12 retains the same basic design introduced by the Series 10, including 42mm and 46mm size options and a 9.7mm-thick case. Nevertheless, Apple has made some subtle dimensional changes. Both sizes are now 1mm wider, and every equivalent aluminum or titanium configuration is between 2.1 and 3.3 grams heavier than its Series 10 counterpart.
At the same time, the display has shrunk slightly. Resolution is unchanged, but the active display area is around 2% smaller on both sizes. The combination of a wider, receded case and smaller display produces thicker borders around the screen.
Here is how the 46mm models compare:
46mm
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 12
Dimensions
46mm x 39mm x 9.7mm
46mm x 40mm x 9.7mm
Resolution
416 x 496 pixels
416 x 496 pixels
Display area
1,220 sq mm
1,196 sq mm
Aluminum (GPS)
36.4 grams
39.5 grams
Aluminum (Cellular)
35.3 grams
38.6 grams
Titanium
41.7 grams
44.9 grams
The 42mm models compare as follows:
42mm
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 12
Dimensions
42mm x 36mm x 9.7mm
42mm x 37mm x 9.7mm
Resolution
374 x 446 pixels
374 x 446 pixels
Display area
989 sq mm
970 sq mm
Aluminum (GPS)
30 grams
32.2 grams
Aluminum (Cellular)
29.3 grams
31.5 grams
Titanium
34.4 grams
36.5 grams
The Series 12 also marks the return of a ceramic Apple Watch for the first time since the Series 5 Edition in 2019. The ceramic models are larger and heavier than their aluminum and titanium counterparts:
Ceramic
46mm
42mm
Dimensions
47mm x 41mm x 9.85mm
43mm x 37mm x 9.85mm
Pearl White
51.3 grams
41.7 grams
Night Blue
52.9 grams
42.8 grams
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Two generations on, the Series 12 represents a meaningful cumulative upgrade over the Series 10, but it is far from an essential replacement. The two models share the same basic design, display brightness, resolution, storage capacity, core safety features, and more. The Series 10 is only two years old, and supports watchOS 27 and Siri AI, so it remains a capable and modern Apple Watch.
For existing Series 10 owners, upgrading is easiest to justify if health and fitness tracking is a priority. The Series 12's high-frequency heart rate sensing, Recovery HRV, daytime vitals, Readiness score, and improved step tracking provide substantially more useful training and recovery data. Sound Recognition may be compelling for deaf or hard of hearing users, while 5G, faster charging, tougher cover glass on aluminum models, and the ceramic case provide additional reasons for some buyers to upgrade.
Beyond this, the practical difference between the two devices is relatively small. The Series 12 is also slightly wider and heavier, and its active display area is around 2% smaller despite retaining the same resolution. Its 24-hour battery rating is also not directly comparable with the Series 10's 18-hour figure because Apple changed its testing methodology. If your Series 10 still comfortably lasts through the day and you are satisfied with its existing health features, there is no strong general-purpose reason to replace it.
Which to Buy Today?
At its $399 starting price, the Series 12 is the obvious choice over a Series 10 selling for anything close to its original price. The newer model offers a better health sensing system, twice as much RAM, the S11 chip, exclusive Audio Intelligence features, faster charging, 5G, and more case options. A saving of only $50 to $100 is unlikely to compensate for giving up those improvements.
The Series 10 becomes attractive when it is at least around $150 cheaper than an equivalent Series 12 and is in excellent condition. It still offers an always-on display, ECG, temperature sensing, sleep apnea and hypertension notifications, advanced workout tracking, and Siri AI. Buyers should pay particular attention to battery health and warranty coverage, since replacing a degraded battery could quickly erode the saving.
Apple's first smart glasses could arrive in a rapidly expanding market, with worldwide AI glasses shipments increasing 263% year-over-year during the first half of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research.
The figures are particularly relevant for Apple because display-less products accounted for 96% of shipments. Apple's initial smart glasses are likewise rumored to omit an augmented reality display, focusing instead on audio, cameras, Siri, and connectivity with the iPhone and Apple's wider ecosystem.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the company is targeting a late 2027 release for the device. Apple could introduce the glasses at WWDC 2027 with an emphasis on privacy.
Counterpoint said shipments of display-less AI glasses increased 258% from the first half of 2025 and 22% from the preceding six months. This category includes products such as the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which provide photography, audio, calling, and AI features without screens.
Meta currently presents Apple with a formidable incumbent. The company accounted for approximately 94% of total AI glasses shipments, while its own volume grew 260% year over year and 22% sequentially. Its expansion has been supported by additional frame styles, wider retail distribution, and new glasses priced from $299.
Display-equipped AI glasses represented only 4% of the market, although shipments in that segment increased 449% year-over-year. Apple's more advanced augmented-reality glasses are not expected until 2029 at the earliest.
Counterpoint identified increasing semiconductor costs and public unease about wearable cameras as possible obstacles to continued growth. It nevertheless expects investment from Apple, Meta, Google, and Samsung to push the category toward more proactive glasses that use AI to understand their surroundings and provide assistance based on context.
It seems quite likely that Apple will hold an October event this year to announce at least some of the rumored new products, while others might be introduced in press releases. Below, we have recapped what to expect from Apple next month.
Apple does unveil new products in November or December sometimes, but this is less common.
When
The table below outlines Apple's product announcements in October over the past five years.
14" MacBook Pro: A new base model MacBook Pro with an M6 chip.
14" and 16" MacBook Pro models with OLED displays: A major MacBook Pro redesign in late 2026 with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an OLED display, a touch screen, a Dynamic Island, and a thinner design.
Apple TV: At least five new features, including an A17 Pro chip or newer, an increased 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, Siri AI support, an Apple-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, and an updated Siri Remote. The new Apple TV will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.
HomePod mini: Newer chip with Siri AI support, improved sound quality, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and potentially new color options like red. The new HomePod mini will apparently look similar to the existing model, so do not expect any major design changes.
Home Hub: An all-new Apple smart home hub featuring Siri AI, a 6-inch to 7-inch square display, an A18 chip or newer for Apple Intelligence, FaceTime, and more. A new operating system will feature clock faces, widgets, and more. There will be a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.
After months of teases and leaks, Beats is officially announcing its new Beats 360 headphone today. Priced at $349.99, Beats 360 represents a rethinking of the Beats over-ear headphone design, with an emphasis on sound quality, comfort, and customizability.
Beats 360 is not a replacement for the brand's Studio Pro over-ear headphone, as the Studio Pro will remain part of the Beats lineup at a reduced price point of $299.99, down from the previous $349.99. Compared to Studio Pro, Beats 360 features a completely new acoustic architecture that delivers up to 1.75× more active noise cancellation and a 12dB increase in output while maintaining clarity across all frequencies with low distortion.
In addition to active noise cancellation (ANC), which utilizes a system of eight microphones to analyze the acoustic environment inside and outside the headphone, Beats 360 also support Transparency mode to still allow you to hear the world around you, while turning off ANC and Transparency activates Adaptive EQ to continually tune acoustic performance.
Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking is also supported, allowing users to take full advantage of Apple's platforms that deliver 360-degree Dolby Atmos sound and move within the sound field as they turn their heads.
"Beats didn't just participate in the rise of over-ear headphones—we helped define the category," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats. "Beats 360 is the next chapter of that story. We combined our most advanced acoustic performance ever with a perfectly balanced design that moves effortlessly with you. And with our new interchangeable cushions, our customers can express themselves in a way no other over-ear headphone can."
Beats 360 is available in four color options: Black, Cloud (an off-white), Pink, and Sky (a light blue). It includes comfortable color-matched Perfomance Knit ear and headband cushions, but the cushions are removable and interchangeable, allowing you to customize your favorite look and even change color combinations to suit the moment. Separate Performance Knit cushion kits are available in all four of the standard colors, plus Volt (a neon yellow-green) and Navy.
The Performance Knit memory foam cushions are breathable and ideal for working out and other active uses, but for the times you might prefer a more traditional cushion style, Beats is also introducing UltraPlush cushion kits in Black and Ivory. Similar to the ones found on Studio Pro and Solo 4, Beats 360 UltraPlush cushions feature a more pillowy feel with memory foam wrapped in engineered leather. Sensors in Beats 360 identify whether you are using Performance Knit or UltraPlush cushions, and they automatically adjust the acoustic tuning and noise cancellation filtering to maintain a consistent listening experience regardless of cushion material.
Beats 360 in dozens of color combinations
Cushion kits for both Performance Knit and UltraPlush will be priced at $49.99, but for a limited time and in select markets (US, UK, Canada, Australia, France, China, and South Korea), Beats is offering a launch promo that drops cushion kit pricing to just $9.99 or the rough equivalent in the local currency. Swapping out cushions is as simple as a quick twist on each ear cushion to remove and install, while the headband cushion snaps off and on with a small amount of effort while remaining securely attached during use.
Beats 360 in Sky
For active users, Beats 360 is the first Beats over-ear headphone product to feature an IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating, meaning it is protected against liquid ingress.
Beats 360 in Sky with Navy cushions
The removable cushions also make it easy to clean them, a welcome feature for those who plan to use Beats 360 for workouts. Beats recommends mixing one teaspoon (5ml) of laundry detergent into one cup (250ml) of water, rubbing the solution onto each cushion with a lint-free cloth for one minute each, wiping them clean with a separate cloth dampened with fresh water, and drying them with another lint-free cloth.
While over-ear and on-ear headphones have generally required thick headbands in order to accommodate multiple cables to connect the two ear cups, Beats 360 actually consists of two independent wireless earphones, with each containing its own battery, antenna and processing circuitry.
As a result, the headband houses only a single power cable to connect the two sides, allowing the batteries in both sides to be charged simultaneously from a single USB-C port. The thin headband also helps to optimize weight distribution, so while Beats 360 and Studio Pro are similar in weight at a little under 300 grams, Beats 360 puts more of the mass into the cushions where it matters most for comfort.
The left earcup features a USB-C port for charging, a power button, and a dedicated listening mode button to switch among ANC, Transparency, and Adaptive EQ, while the right earcup includes a play/pause button and a volume rocker. Hands-free "Hey Siri" support is also included.
When it comes to battery life, Beats 360 deliver 32 hours of playback with ANC on, with a five-minute Fast Fuel charge giving you an hour of playback time in a pinch.
The Beats fourth-generation proprietary platform delivers significant levels of native integration across both Apple and Android, with Apple users able to take advantage of one-touch pairing with automatic iCloud pairing and switching, Audio Sharing to allow a friend with compatible AirPods or Beats to listen to your audio, and Find My support. Android users get many of the same features with one-touch and ecosystem pairing, Audio Switch, and Find Hub geolocation.
Unlike the Beats Studio Pro, Beats 360 headband does not fold for travel, but the earcups do twist flat, and the headphones slide into a woven ripstop carrying case with a magnetic closure and a rear loop to hook onto a finger or carabiner. The case measures about 9 inches square and a little over 2 inches thick at its pleated bottom with the headphone inside. I prefer this flatter style of case to that of the Studio Pro, as it allows the headphone to fit into a computer bag or backpack more easily.
Cases for Beats Studio Pro (left) and Beats 360 (right)
In support of the 360 launch, Beats is debuting a new ad campaign featuring Kendall Jenner, led by a short film of Jenner meeting a friend at a cafe but realizing that everyone in the room is a different version of herself styled with a unique combination of ear cushions, emphasizing the individuality that's possible with Beats 360.
"I'm always on the go and switching between so many different looks," said Kendall Jenner. "So Beats 360 fits my lifestyle. I love that I can switch the cushions to match whatever I'm doing that day."
"Kendall tailors her looks to fit every moment, so she needs a headphone that can change with her," said Beats CMO Chris Thorne. "The film captures that perfectly, playfully showing every side of Kendall, and how Beats 360 keeps up with all of them."
In a brief interview with Schusser at a Beats preview event earlier this month, he discussed how Jenner was an ideal candidate to promote Beats 360 given the many roles she plays throughout any given day in her personal and professional life.
He also addressed how Beats has been able to flourish under Apple's ownership, with Beats gaining access to all of Apple's expertise in audio as Apple and Beats engineers work side-by-side on products. At the same time, Beats has been able to maintain its own identity on the product design and marketing sides, continuing to focus on active lifestyle and celebrity marketing that remains distinct from how Apple promotes its own products.
Beats 360 is available to order starting today at apple.com in the United States and more than 100 other countries and regions, as well as at Amazon and other third-party retailers. Availability follows this Thursday, September 24. It comes with the woven ripstop carrying case, while additional cushion kits, USB-C charging cables, and power adapters are sold separately.
Amazon has big discounts on the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro this week, with up to $600 off select models. This time around, the best deals can be found on the 16-inch MacBook Pro models, although you'll find a few notable markdowns on 14-inch devices as well.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
14-Inch MacBook Pro
Amazon is taking a giant $600 off the 36GB/2TB 14-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, now priced at $3,499.00. This is the steepest discount on the 14-inch models right now, but you'll also find $150 off a few entry-level options below.
In terms of the larger display models, we're tracking big discounts on all four models on Amazon. These start at $2,759.00 for the 24GB/1TB M5 Pro configuration ($240 off), and reach up to $4,499.00 for the 48GB/2TB M5 Max device ($500 off).
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.
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Apple's 2029 "Pro" iPhones could adopt thinner and more power-efficient OLED screens, according to UBI Research.
The technology, known as Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE), removes the conventional polarizer from the OLED panel and places a color filter directly on top of its encapsulation layer. A polarizer helps suppress reflections from ambient light, but it also absorbs a significant portion of the light produced by the display.
Removing the polarizer allows more light to pass through, potentially enabling a display to reach greater brightness without consuming additional power, or use less power while maintaining the same brightness. Eliminating the separate layer can also make the display assembly thinner, freeing up internal space for components such as the battery, cameras, and more.
Samsung first commercialized the technology, which it branded Eco² OLED, with the Galaxy Z Fold3. According to Samsung's internal testing, its original implementation improved light transmission by 33% and reduced power consumption by up to 25% compared with an OLED panel using a traditional polarizer.
CoE technology presents some technical challenges. Without a polarizer, manufacturers have to control external reflections through a combination of color filters, black pixel-defining layers, low-reflection coatings, and other optical measures. UBI Research believes the difficulty of maintaining outdoor visibility, viewing angles, contrast, and color accuracy may explain why Apple is reportedly waiting until 2029 to bring the technology to its high-volume conventional iPhone models.
Prior to the unveiling of the iPhone Duo, reports indicated that its Samsung-supplied folding OLED display would use CoE technology. Apple has not detailed the panel's internal construction, but UBI Research sees the foldable device as a potential first step toward using polarizer-free OLED displays across the iPhone "Pro" lineup.
The research firm estimates that annual panel demand for the two Pro models could remain between 90 million and 100 million units, making the proposed transition significantly larger in scale than CoE's use in foldable devices. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to lead the initial supply, while BOE could compete for orders if it can meet Apple's requirements.
Apple today announced that Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available in eight more countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.
Tap to Pay on iPhone allows businesses to accept contactless payments on an iPhone, with no point-of-sale hardware required. Instead, customers can simply tap their own iPhone or Apple Watch, credit card or debit card, or other contactless payment option on the merchant's iPhone.
Apple launches its new Mac mini and Mac Studio models today in 30 countries and regions, including the U.S, and same-day pickup is now available at many Apple Store locations.
To order a product with Apple Store pickup, add the product to your bag on Apple.com, proceed to checkout, select the "I'll pick it up" option, enter your ZIP code, choose an available Apple Store location, and select a pickup date. Payment is completed online, and a valid government-issued photo ID and the order number may be required upon pickup.
Same-day Apple Store pickup is not available for custom Mac configurations with upgraded specifications ordered through Apple's online store.
Mac mini with M6 starts at $899 ($799 for eligible education customers), while Mac mini with M5 Pro starts at $1,699 ($1,599 for eduction). Mac Studio with M5 Max starts at $2,499 ($2,299 for eduction), and Mac Studio with M5 Ultra starts at $5,499 ($5,099 for education).
With Apple Upgrade, eligible customers in the U.S. can also opt to lease a new Mac with monthly payments and upgrade at the end of their lease. More information can be found on the Apple website.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
Apple Park Visitor Center's former Exhibition Space now displays products (
Apple today updated the 
Apple today 
Beats 360 in dozens of color combinations
Beats 360 in Sky
Beats 360 in Sky with Navy cushions
Cases for Beats Studio Pro (left) and Beats 360 (right)
Apple today 
