The free Apple Invites app for the iPhone was updated today with three new features: shared albums now support full-resolution photo sharing, Image Playground now lets you create photorealistic backgrounds for invites, and guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code.
Released in February 2025, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. The ability to create an event in the app requires subscribing to an iCloud+ plan with at least 50GB of storage for $0.99 per month, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free on any device.
Apple's full release notes for version 1.12.0 of the app:
• Shared Albums now support full-resolution sharing, so you can relive every moment in stunning detail right in the app. Anyone, including users without an Apple device, can join and contribute.
• Image Playground now lets you create high quality backgrounds in pretty much any style, including photorealistic, so your invite captures exactly the vibe you have in mind.
• Guests who need to verify their email can now tap a link in their inbox instead of entering a code, making it even easier to get into an event.
• This update contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
Earlier this week, Daring Fireball's John Gruber floated Tuesday, October 13 as a potential date for Apple to hand out iPhone Duo review units to selected reviewers in person, and it appears that he might have been on to something.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple plans to unveil its all-new smart home hub, a second-generation HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV 4K model on October 13, the same date that Gruber mentioned in his speculative piece a few days ago.
In a separate post, Gruber opined that there is "no way" that Apple would unveil the home hub through an Apple Newsroom announcement only, given it is an all-new device with an all-new interface. "If this is coming, it has to be unveiled with a keynote video and some sort of media event with hands-on demos," he said.
If Gruber is right that the home hub "has to be unveiled with a keynote video," that would set the stage for an online-only Apple Event that would be streamed on Apple's website and YouTube on October 13. Afterwards, Apple would likely hold a hands-on experience for the media, allowing them to demo the products that were announced.
The same thing happened in October 2023. On October 24 that year, Apple announced that it would be holding an online-only Apple Event on October 30, which was streamed on Apple's website and YouTube. Later that day, Apple allowed selected journalists and content creators to go hands-on with the Macs unveiled during the event in person.
During the hands-on experience, selected individuals could also receive an iPhone Duo review unit in hand, allowing Apple to avoid a first-of-its-kind iPhone getting lost in the mail before it launches on Friday, October 23. Apple typically gives out review units around a week before a device launches, so the timing would line up.
In any case, mark your calendars, as it sounds like October 13 will be a big day for Apple.
If there is an October 13 event, expect Apple to announce it by next week.
The Apple Watch SE 3 starts at $249, while the Apple Watch Series 12 starts at $399. The $150 difference buys a more advanced health sensing system, a larger display, longer battery life, and more options for tracking training and recovery.
The two watches still share many features, including an always-on display, wrist temperature sensing, sleep apnea notifications, retrospective ovulation estimates, 5G connectivity on cellular models, media playback, and 64GB of storage. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you. The differences between the two models are as follows:
Apple Watch SE 3
Apple Watch Series 12
Same design as Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6
Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio
40mm or 44mm case
42mm or 46mm case
Aluminum case
Aluminum, titanium, or ceramic case
40mm: 40 by 34 by 10.7mm 44mm: 44 by 38 by 10.7mm
42mm aluminum/titanium: 42 by 37 by 9.7mm 46mm aluminum/titanium: 46 by 40 by 9.7mm 42mm ceramic: 43 by 37 by 9.85mm 46mm ceramic: 47 by 41 by 9.85mm
Aluminum GPS weight: 26.3 grams (40mm) or 32.9 grams (44mm)
Aluminum GPS weight: 32.2 grams (42mm) or 39.5 grams (46mm)
Ion-X front glass
Ceramic Shield 2 front on aluminum models; sapphire crystal front on titanium and ceramic models
HomePod playback controls and proximity-based media suggestions with a compatible Ultra Wideband HomePod
Up to 18 hours of normal use
Up to 24 hours of normal use
Up to 32 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 38 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 7 hours of workout tracking
Up to 10 hours of workout tracking
Charges from 0 to 80% in about 45 minutes
Charges from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes
15 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of normal use
15 minutes of charging for up to 12 hours of normal use
8 minutes of charging for up to 8 hours of sleep tracking
5 minutes of charging for up to 10 hours of sleep tracking
Midnight and Starlight aluminum finishes
Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, and Space Gray aluminum finishes
Radiant Gold and Natural titanium finishes
Pearl White and Night Blue ceramic finishes
Silver and Radiant Gold titanium Hermès models
40mm: $249 GPS or $299 GPS + Cellular 44mm: $279 GPS or $329 GPS + Cellular
Aluminum 42mm: $399 GPS or $499 GPS + Cellular Aluminum 46mm: $449 GPS or $549 GPS + Cellular
Titanium models start at $699; ceramic models start at $899
If you mainly want a smart watch for notifications, standard workout and sleep tracking, and an always-on display, the Apple Watch SE 3 remains the better value. Although it is now a year old, it still represents excellent value for money at $249, offering most of the Apple Watch's core features for $150 less than the entry-level Series 12.
The Apple Watch Series 12 has a much stronger case for anyone who uses their device to follow health and recovery trends. Its new Health Sensing System enables frequent heart rate readings, Recovery HRV, and a Readiness score that draws on recent activity, training load, vitals, and sleep. ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and hypertension notifications add further capabilities unavailable on the Apple Watch SE 3.
Battery life may be a decisive factor. The Apple Watch Series 12 is rated for six more hours of normal use and three more hours of outdoor workout tracking. It also charges faster, which is particularly useful if you wear your watch overnight for sleep tracking.
The Series 12 also offers a larger and brighter display, which makes a noticeable difference in daily use, along with 5GHz Wi-Fi, Precision Finding for a misplaced iPhone, and premium titanium and ceramic case options. Its Audio Intelligence features include Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and always-on Shazam.
If you prefer the Series 12's broader health tracking capabilities, longer battery life, display advantages, or luxury case options, the extra cost is justified. If those features are unlikely to change how you use or appreciate your watch, the Apple Watch SE 3 is the more economical choice.
Last week, our exclusive leak revealed that the next-generation iPad mini will feature Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, a landscape front camera, and a redesigned speaker system, but that is not all, as plenty of other upgrades have been rumored.
Here are 10 new features and changes expected for the iPad mini 8:
Apple's latest A20 Pro chip, manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process. Expect up to around 1.5× faster CPU performance and up to around 2.5× faster GPU performance compared to the A17 Pro chip in the current iPad mini. A20 Pro also introduces a "dual 16-core Neural Engine" for a total of 32 cores.
With the A20 Pro chip, the next iPad mini will have 12GB of RAM, up from 8GB of RAM in the current model. This means the device will support the ability to customize the pace and expressiveness of Siri AI's voice.
OLED display with better overall image quality compared to the current LCD model, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks.
Slimmer bezels around the display compared to the current model.
Landscape front camera, meaning the camera will be in the right bezel instead of the top bezel when holding the device in an upright position.
Apple's custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
Apple's custom-designed C1X or C2 modem for cellular configurations.
A redesigned speaker system with no speaker holes and potentially an iPhone earpiece-like speaker in the top bezel.
IP-rated water resistance for the first time.
Apple is expected to announce the iPad mini 8 this year, with an October launch most likely. In the U.S., the current iPad mini starts at $599 after receiving a $100 price increase in June, which Apple attributed to skyrocketing RAM and storage chip prices. With a costlier OLED display, the next model might be even more expensive.
DoorDash is inviting U.S. customers to join a waitlist for an AI assistant that can take food orders through Apple's Messages app (via Bloomberg).
The phone number used in the conversation connects the request to a customer's DoorDash account. The assistant can use previous purchases and preferences to help put together an order, then use a saved payment method at checkout. Customers can also view food photos in the chat or send a picture of their fridge for recipe ideas and suggestions for missing ingredients.
The service builds on Ask DoorDash, which launched inside the DoorDash app in June. DoorDash describes the message assistant as a pilot for select U.S. account holders and advises users to check their carts before paying because the AI can make mistakes.
To join the beta waitlist, U.S. iOS users can enter their phone number at doordash.com/text and select Continue. DoorDash says Android support is coming soon.
Amazon today is taking up to $150 off the M5 MacBook Air, with discounts on both 13-inch and 15-inch models. These remain the best prices we've seen on the M5 MacBook Air in the wake of Apple's summertime price hikes.
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Amazon has the 16GB/1TB 13-inch MacBook Air for $1,449.00, down from $1,599.00. This one is available in Sky Blue, and it's accompanied by two discounts on the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air.
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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Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today briefly mentioned that "Apple aims to eventually update its larger HomePod," assuring that the company remains committed to the full-sized speaker, which was discontinued in 2021 and reintroduced in 2023.
The report said a new HomePod mini, new Apple TV 4K, and an all-new Apple smart home hub will all be announced on Tuesday, October 13, but it sounds like a new version of the full-sized HomePod will not be unveiled until a later date. If and when it does finally arrive, expect support for the more intelligent Siri AI to be a key new feature.
Siri AI support would require a faster chip—the current HomePod uses the Apple Watch Series 7's S7 chip. Other likely upgrades include improved audio quality, new color options, and Apple's custom-designed N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support.
The full-sized HomePod is a relatively niche product, but it is a convenient choice for Apple fans with home theater setups. A pair of HomePods can be set as an Apple TV 4K's default audio output, allowing for stereo sound.
In June, Apple raised prices on more than a dozen products, including the full-sized HomePod. In the U.S., the current model is now priced at $349, up from $299 when it was released in 2023. The first-generation HomePod was initially $349 too when it launched in 2018, so the speaker's pricing has come full circle.
Apple apparently plans to expand the HomeKit platform with support for new categories of connected products. The company is also said to be working with third-party manufacturers on new devices designed for the Siri AI-powered smart home platform.
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub will have an iMac G4-style design and a host of unique features, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
The smart home hub is said to feature a square 6-inch display, with variants that can be placed on a countertop or mounted on a wall. It features a single FaceTime camera on the front, with microphones and speakers in its connected base. Gurman described the design as follows:
The hub is about as thick as an iPhone, and its display is surrounded by a quarter-inch, black bezel reminiscent of older iPads. It has rounded corners and no sharp edges. The device lacks a battery, so it has to be plugged in at all times, and there are no volume or power buttons.
The product comes in Apple's standard gray aluminum finish and includes a USB-C port for power. The screen sits above a metal, round base with multiple rings of perforated speaker holes and connects to it through a polished metal arm. Users can manually tilt the display forward or backward. And the base has a rubberized bottom to help it stay on a table.
The standard version looks reminiscent of the famous iMac G4 from 2002 that has a large display that sits on a half-dome-shaped base.
Apple has also developed a second version, code-named J491, designed to be mounted on a wall. It has a thin, square-shaped base beneath the display that houses the speakers and microphones. The base sits flat on the wall below the screen. This version also must remain connected to power through a USB-C cable.
Apple envisions customers placing several of the devices throughout their homes. Users will be able to control smart home devices, make video calls and intercom-style messages, play audio, and view slideshows of photos. The device will also be able to serve as an information hub for the kitchen, with the ability to watch videos and look up recipes with voice commands.
It will also be able to recognize who is speaking to it or approaching it, and display personalized content and answers accordingly. The interface will change automatically depending on who is using the device, and there will be a mode for visitors that hides personal information.
The smart home hub will identify users by their voice or facial recognition, but the latter system is said to be less reliable than Face ID, and users will be able to enable a secondary authentication method via an iPhone if they wish. The iPhone will also serve as a fallback solution for when the hub cannot identify a user correctly. In dark rooms, a Mac-style Edge Light feature will illuminate the area around the screen to help the camera recognize the user.
The device purportedly blends interface elements of the Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iPad. Siri AI continues to feature the same dark visual style used on other devices. iPhone-style widgets are available and users can choose a wallpaper and rearrange apps and widgets by pressing and holding them, just like Apple's other devices.
The UI is heavily built around slideshows and clock displays, similar to the revamped StandBy Mode on the iPhone Duo. One clock is said to resemble "a lava lamp with an overlay of the time that shows the hour in digital form with minutes listed below." Users can then swipe up from the clock screen or photos to open the app launcher.
The device will include many of Apple's most frequently used apps, including Calendar, Messages, Photos, FaceTime, Notes, Reminders, Music and Podcasts. The Home Screen features Apple Watch-style apps that open into iPad-style interfaces with multiple panels. For example, the Messages app has a two-panel layout like it does on the iPad. When a user taps a thread in their list of conversations, a second pane opens to display the conversation feed. This interface is said to carry over to many of the other default apps.
The device is reportedly set to be introduced on Tuesday, October 13, alongside new HomePod mini and Apple TV models.
Apple plans to introduce a series of new smart home products on Tuesday, October 13, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple reportedly plans to debut its long-awaited smart home hub device, a new HomePod mini, and a new Apple TV on the date. The new HomePod mini and Apple TV are set to retain their existing designs, but tout faster chips to support Siri AI. The new HomePod mini will also come in new color options, including pink and green.
All three products are set to showcase Siri AI, which apparently explains the delay in their launch. All three were originally planned to launch in 2024.
Apple plans to update the larger HomePod at a later date. A privacy-focused home security camera and sensor is also in the works; the device can detect which room a person is in and does not record video. Apple also continues to work on a higher-end version of the smart home hub, featuring a 9-inch display mounted on a robotic arm that can swivel 360 degrees.
Gurman set out a range of details about the smart home hub device in the report, which we've outlined in another article.
Apple Pay is now available in India, which means customers with an eligible card can add it to the Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch for contactless and online payments.
To use Apple Pay in India, users will need an Axis Bank credit card on the Visa or Mastercard network. Earlier today, TechCrunch reported that merchants and payment terminals will need to add Apple Pay support, so the service might not work at every contactless payment location.
RuPay, India's domestic card network, is not compatible with Apple Pay. Major banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Card have not added support either.
There have been rumors about Apple Pay expanding to India for about a decade, but regulatory issues made it difficult. India already has a popular digital payment option, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). UPI is a state-backed payment system that allows funds to be transferred instantly between two bank accounts. UPI handles approximately 84 percent of India's digital transaction volume, and it does not work with Apple Pay.
OpenAI today announced the launch of "Dots" to compete with Meta's popular Muse agent. OpenAI describes Dots as always-on agents "built to handle everything."
Dots use the GPT–6 Astra model and have a cloud computer with a web browser, much like Muse. The agents learn from feedback over time, and OpenAI says they can work on the user's goals "24/7" and connect to over 4,000 apps. From the announcement:
You can ask questions, explore ideas, and give feedback along the way; or you can simply hop on a voice call when you need to talk something out. The more you work together, the more your dot learns your preferences, how you think, and what good looks like to you.
Users can communicate with Dots through ChatGPT or other apps like Slack or Teams, and options to text Dots are planned. Dots can carry context across different channels and will do "proactive research" on projects in the background. Dots follow ChatGPT's permissions and support custom rules for which tasks require approval.
Users can create a "primary dot" and name it starting today, with teams of Dots coming later. Dots are rolling out for Pro, Business Premium, and Enterprise plans in select markets, with other users to get access soon.
Eligible users get one Dot at no extra cost. Conversations with the agent don't count toward ChatGPT usage limits, but tasks will use plan allowances. Dots can be set up in the ChatGPT desktop app and accessed in the mobile app afterward.
OpenAI also introduced GPT–6.1 Sol today, which it says is a major upgrade to GPT–6 Sol with improvements in agentic coding, computer use, and professional work.
Repair site iFixit today took apart Apple's AirPods 5 for one of its traditional teardown videos. It turns out the new AirPods are slightly more repairable than prior models, but it's still not a simple home fix.
The AirPods 5 use pronged batteries that Apple previously used in the AirPods 3, but not the AirPods 4. The battery can be removed with a "nifty pair of tongs," and iFixit says the component is "intuitive to unplug." When the AirPods 3 used the pronged battery, there was no easy way to get into the earbud, but the AirPods 5 are easier to pry open.
iFixit was able get into the AirPods 5 with a hair dryer to heat the adhesive and a clamp to hold the earbud in place. The left and right earbuds use different batteries with reversed polarity, so the battery from a left AirPod can't be swapped into a right AirPod, and vice versa.
While the earbuds have a better repair score, iFixit said the case is "still a disaster" and difficult to get into without destroying it.
iFixit gave the AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2/10, up from the 0/10 score all previous versions have earned. The site says "skilled technicians and even intrepid DIYers" should be able to replace the AirPods batteries "with a decent success rate."
Some iPhone 18 Pro owners have noticed an unusual crackling sound coming from the speaker of the device, leading to complaints on the MacRumors forums and Reddit.
Users have called it a crackle, a faint tick or pop, or random clicking. Many say the problem is with the earpiece speaker, and both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max appear to be affected.
Some people hear the sound consistently, while others hear it during app use, scrolling websites, when receiving notifications, when the keyboard pops up, or when making a call using a cellular connection. On affected units, reports suggest toggling Airplane Mode on and off triggers the sound, as does adjusting screen brightness quickly.
Apple released iOS 27.0.1 yesterday to fix a bug that could cause iPhone 18 Pro models to restart when Face ID authentication fails. The release notes didn't mention a speaker fix, and early feedback says the update did not help.
There are reports from people who returned their iPhone 18 Pro models only to get a second iPhone with the same issue. It's not clear what's causing the problem, but if it is a bug, a future software update may address it.
Get Ready lets users select a preferred color and capacity, confirm their carrier status, choose accessories, choose an AppleCare+ plan, select a trade-in, add a payment method, and set a shipping and billing address.
When pre-orders go live, Get Ready is helpful because it allows for one-tap ordering. It will be especially beneficial for the iPhone Duo because supplies are expected to be limited.
Pre-orders could sell out within minutes given reports of production issues leading to supply constraints, and users who have Get Ready will be able to submit orders faster.
iPhone Duo pre-orders will begin on Friday, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time or 8 a.m. Eastern Time. The device will launch on Friday, October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999.
India already has a popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system for digital payments, so the initial rollout of Apple Pay in the country is expected to be limited. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and SBI Bank/SBI Card are not expected to support Apple Pay at launch, the report said.
Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware has a build number of 9B5042a and is rolling out for developers and public beta testers.
There's no word on what's included in the firmware update because Apple doesn't offer notes for AirPods beta releases.
When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.
Firmware updates can then be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices.
The six-step guide covers balancing screen time with sleep, exercise, schoolwork, and time with friends and family. It has advice on getting kids on board with screen time limits and using the different parental control features. From Apple's announcement:
Start a conversation about screen time, with tips for parents to approach the topic and establish expectations in a way that helps kids feel included in the plan.
Create a Child Account, which enables age-based safeguards and gives parents access to parental controls to manage their child's experience.
Set safety settings for websites and apps, including Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse, so families can review new apps and websites together.
Make a schedule for device use, using Time Allowances and Schedules to balance time online with sleep, schoolwork, physical activity, and time with family and friends.
Manage communications, with parents deciding who their child can communicate with and Communication Safety, on by default for all users under 18, helping protect kids from viewing or sharing sensitive content.
Continue the conversation as kids grow, with guidance on adjusting the family's plan over time.
The guide includes the AAP's recommendations on screen time by age group, from infants to teens, along with strategies to help children develop healthy screen time habits.
Apple added new parental control options and an overhauled version of Screen Time in iOS 27. Parents can choose which apps children can access, monitor and control website access, keep tabs on approved contacts, and set different screen time schedules based on time of day. Using the new version of Screen Time requires all devices in a Family Sharing group to be running iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27, and visionOS 27.
The guide comes as Apple deals with regulatory pressure over child safety in countries like the UK, U.S., and Australia.
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.
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