The Apple TV app icons and other visuals across the latest releases like iOS 26.1 and tvOS 26.1 beta 3 have adopted a hint of glasslike multicolor, replacing the previous subdued gray theme.
It remains to be seen whether there will be additional components to the rebranding beyond the name and logo changes, but if there are, we should be seeing them fairly soon.
Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The third betas come a week after Apple released the second betas.
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.
Apple Intelligence is now available in more languages in the updates, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. AirPods Live Translation also works with Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified) in iOS 26.1.
Liquid Glass has been expanded to the Phone app's keypad, Apple Music has a new swipe gesture for changing tracks, and there are visual changes to Calendar, Safari, and Photos. Details on what we've found in iOS 26.1 so far can be found in our iOS 26.1 feature list.
The iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1, betas will be released later in October.
Buried in its announcement about "F1: The Movie" making its streaming debut on December 12, Apple has also announced that Apple TV+ is being rebranded as simply Apple TV.
A single line near the end of the press release states "Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity," though Apple's website has yet to be updated with any changes, so we're unsure on the details of the new identity. Apple's blurb about the streaming service at the bottom of the press release also reflects the updated naming.
Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.
Apple of course offers its set-top box hardware under the Apple TV name while also offering the Apple TV app across various platforms as a hub for Apple TV+ and other content. As a result, offering Apple's streaming service itself under the same name may lead to some confusion, and the reason for the change is unclear.
Apple today announced that "F1: The Movie" will finally be available to stream on Apple TV+ starting on Friday, December 12.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, the film stars Brad Pitt as a veteran driver attempting a classic comeback. According to Deadline, F1: The Movie made the $629 million at the box office, making it both the highest grossing Apple Original Film and sports film of the year.
The film originally premiered worldwide on June 27. Such is its success that Apple did a second theatrical run in August, when it also became available to purchase at home. The popularity of the movie reportedly led Apple to bid for the rights to stream Formula 1 in the United States.
Disney recently introduced a new promotion on its streaming service, offering a bundle of Disney+ (with ads), Hulu (with ads), and ESPN Unlimited for $29.99 per month for your first year. This offer represents a savings of over 39 percent on the bundle, and after your first year ends it will return to the then-current monthly price unless cancelled.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Disney+. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To get the deal, head to the promotion landing page on the Disney+ website and click on the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited bundle option. This offer is valid only for new and eligible returning subscribers.
Additionally, you can save on the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN Unlimited Premium Bundle, which is the ad-free option for Disney+ and Hulu. This is priced at $38.99 per month for your first year, down from $44.99 per month.
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
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The iPhone Air will be available for pre-order in China this Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook today said on Weibo during a visit to the country.
Apple initially postponed the release of the iPhone Air in China while it worked with mainland authorities to resolve regulatory issues related to the device's eSIM requirement. The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max already went on sale with the global launch as normal.
At 5.6mm thick, the iPhone Air does not have a physical SIM slot, and is limited to eSIM-only operation. That's a problem in China, since carriers have not traditionally supported eSIM for the iPhone even though it's widely used around the world. Apple has said that all three state-owned telecommunications network operators – China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom – will "provide eSIM support [with] specific timing subject to regulatory approval."
The iPhone Air starts from 7,999 yuan in China. Pre-orders will open on Friday, October 17, with launch on Wednesday, October 22.
Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone may cost less to manufacture than previously expected thanks to major reductions in hinge component pricing, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a new report, Kuo said that the hinge designed for Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to carry an average selling price (ASP) of approximately $70 to $80 when mass production begins, well below the market expectation of $100 to $120 or higher. Kuo attributed the cost decline not to cheaper materials, but to "assembly design optimization" and Foxconn's influence in production scaling.
Foxconn has reportedly entered a joint venture with Taiwanese hinge maker Shin Zu Shing (SZS) to take on the majority of Apple's hinge orders. The new venture has secured about 65% of total orders, while U.S.-based Amphenol is expected to supply the remaining 35%. Kuo said that Foxconn holds a slightly larger stake in the partnership and is "steering future direction."
The expected drop in hinge pricing could significantly benefit Apple. Foldable smartphones are notoriously expensive to produce, with complex hinge designs adding both mechanical and financial challenges. A hinge ASP reduction of $20 to $40 compared to expectations could improve Apple's margins or enable more aggressive pricing to compete with established players such as Samsung and Huawei.
Kuo also suggested that Luxshare-ICT, one of Apple's fastest-growing manufacturing partners, could become an additional hinge supplier after 2027. With further competition, hinge costs could drop even lower.
The hinge mechanism is a critical component in any foldable device, determining both the reliability of the screen's movement and the long-term durability of the product. Designs under consideration have reportedly ranged from stainless steel and Liquid Metal hinges to lighter aluminum and titanium frames similar to that of the iPhone Air.
Whether the reduction in hinge price will reduce retail price or simply bolster Apple's margins is an open question. The company's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in the fall of 2026, alongside the iPhone Air 2, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Apple's second-generation smart glasses with an in-lens display may have two modes, depending on which device they are connected to.
Meta Ray-Bans without an in-lens display
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he was told a future version of Apple's smart glasses may be able to run a full version of the visionOS operating system when they are paired with a Mac, and then switch to a more lightweight, mobile-friendly interface when they are paired with an iPhone.
Apple's smart glasses would compete with the Meta Ray-Bans, which are now available with an in-lens display (pricing starts at $799 in the United States). However, Gurman previously said Apple's first version of smart glasses will not offer an in-lens display.
Apple's first smart glasses will have speakers for music playback, cameras for photos and video, voice control, and potentially health features, according to Gurman.
He previously said Apple may announce the first-generation glasses as early as 2026, ahead of a 2027 launch.
It is unclear if the new AirPods Pro would be branded as AirPods Pro 4, or if they would be considered an updated version of AirPods Pro 3. Gurman did not take a position, opting to describe them as a "new version" of the "high-end in-ear buds."
AirPods Pro 2 were updated with a USB-C charging case and a few other tweaks a year after they launched, without receiving a name change.
Last month, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the AirPods Pro would receive "more significant" hardware upgrades next year, including at least one tiny infrared camera. A leaker on Chinese platform Weibo subsequently claimed that these would be a higher-end AirPods Pro 3 option, rather than AirPods Pro 4. This would be similar to the standard AirPods 4, which are available in two configurations, with and without active noise cancellation.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is developing its next-generation H3 chip for wireless audio, with improved sound quality and lower latency. It would make sense for this chip to be included in the next AirPods Pro, but Gurman did not explicitly mention which AirPods models the chip will debut in, or when.
Apple is also developing two tiers of AirPods 5, according to Gurman.
AirPods Pro 3 offer heart rate monitoring during workouts, but Gurman does not anticipate this feature extending to the AirPods 5. He said Apple is planning several new health features for future AirPods, though, such as temperature sensing.
Gurman reiterated that Apple is considering adding cameras to at least some AirPods models. Kuo previously said AirPods with infrared cameras would support in-air gestures, and enable deeper integration between AirPods and the Vision Pro.
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 are equipped with the H2 chip, which debuted in the AirPods Pro 2. The over-ear AirPods Max still have an H1 chip.
Apple plans to announce new products "this week," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple's "Mac Your Calendars" teaser last October
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the products set to be updated this week include the iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and "likely" the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, with all three likely to receive a spec bump with Apple's next-generation M5 chip.
Gurman does not expect Apple to hold an event to announce these products. Instead, there will likely be a series of press releases on the Apple Newsroom website, and there might also be shorter promotional videos for each product on YouTube.
Monday is the Columbus Day holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving in Canada, so we shall see if Apple holds its announcements until Tuesday or later.
iPad Pro
The next iPad Pro was already leaked in a pair of unboxing videos out of Russia. The videos confirmed that the device will be equipped with the M5 chip, and an increased minimum of 12GB of RAM, but no major design changes were visible.
There is one minor design change: "iPad Pro" is no longer inscribed on the back of the device.
It was previously rumored that the next iPad Pro models would be equipped with two front cameras, instead of one, making it easy to have video calls in both portrait and landscape orientations. However, there was no evidence of a second front camera in the unboxing videos out of Russia, so it is unclear if this rumor will pan out.
Geekbench 6 results shown in one of the unboxing videos revealed the M5 chip will stick with a 9-core CPU, with three performance cores and six efficiency cores. The results showed the M5 chip will offer up to 12% faster multi-core CPU performance, and up to 36% faster GPU performance, compared to the M4 chip in the current iPad Pro.
There could also be an R2 chip for improved input processing, but the report said that chip would be manufactured with TSMC's latest 2nm process, and Apple's first chips using that process are not expected to debut until the second half of next year.
Apple is expected to start including a more comfortable "Dual Knit Band" head strap in the box with the updated Vision Pro, and the headset could get a Space Black color option. The device will continue to support Wi-Fi 6, rather than Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, according to FCC documents that were erroneously made available for public viewing.
It is unclear if these changes will be enough for Apple to consider the updated Vision Pro to be a second-generation model. Recent reports have indicated that Apple has suspended development of a truly next-generation Vision Pro, along with a lightweight and lower-cost "Vision Air" model, as it focuses its efforts on smart glasses.
14-inch MacBook Pro
A base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip is "ready for launch," according to Gurman.
A few days ago, AppleInsider reported that a base MacBook Pro with an M5 chip would be released before higher-end models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, which are expected to follow in early 2026. Beyond the M5 chip, no significant changes are expected.
Bigger changes to the MacBook Pro are expected with the two-generations-away models, with rumored upgrades including an OLED display, touchscreen capabilities, a thinner design, built-in cellular connectivity, and M6 chips manufactured with TSMC's latest 2nm process, for even greater year-over-year performance gains.
Other Products
New models of the Apple TV, HomePod mini, and AirTag are "still very much on the road map," according to Gurman, but he did not provide any update on timing.
He also expects new entry-level iPad, iPad Air, Studio Display, and MacBook Air models, along with an iPhone 17e, to launch early next year.
Shop Apple iPad Tablets: iPad Pro M5 Pre-Order Soon
Here is a screenshot of the Google result:
The text might be changed quickly, now that it has received attention.
There are no product listings for an iPad Pro with an M5 chip on AT&T's online store, so this is ultimately not a substantial discovery. However, in line with rumors, it could signal that Apple is set to announce the next iPad Pro models soon.
Apple is expected to update the iPad Pro with an M5 chip as early as this month, and the entire device already leaked in two early unboxing videos out of Russia. It was also rumored that the device would be equipped with two front cameras, but there was no visible evidence of this change in the unboxing videos, so we shall see.
Last year, the iPad Pro was updated with an OLED display and a thinner design, but no major design changes are expected for the next models.
Apple's software engineers are internally testing iOS 26.0.2, according to MacRumors logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.
iOS 26.0.2 will likely be a minor update that addresses bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, but we do not know any specific details yet.
The update will likely be released within the next few weeks.
Last month, Apple released iOS 26.0.1, which includes the following bug fixes:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may occasionally disconnect on iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models - A small number of iPhone users may be unable to connect to a cellular network after updating to iOS 26 - Photos taken under certain lighting conditions with iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models may include unexpected artifacts - App icons may appear blank after adding a custom tint - VoiceOver may become disabled for some users after updating to iOS 26
AppleInsider recently reported that Apple has been testing an upcoming Mac model running macOS 26.0.2. The publication believes this model is likely a base 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 chip, which is expected to be released before higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days may be over, but we're still tracking great deals on a few AirPods models. The highlight is the AirPods 4 for $89.00, down from $129.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on this model.
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.
If you're searching for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation, Amazon has this model on sale for $118.98, down from $179.00, which is another best-ever price. There are also solid discounts on both the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max (USB-C) right now, with the AirPods Pro 2 just 99 cents off of their lowest-ever price.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still nearly a year away, a handful of new features and changes have already been rumored for the devices.
Below, we have recapped some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far.
Smaller Dynamic Island
The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with a slightly smaller Dynamic Island, but the devices will not feature under-screen Face ID, according to the Weibo account Instant Digital.
There were conflicting rumors about whether the iPhone 17 Pro models would have a smaller Dynamic Island, but its size did not change. Now, the rumor is back on the table for the iPhone 18 series, and there is a decent chance it will be true this time around, as it would be a stepping stone towards the rumored 20th-anniversary all-glass iPhone.
Under-screen Face ID, however, is no longer expected until the iPhone 19 Pro models or later.
Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a similar design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to Digital Chat Station, a previously-accurate leaker with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
The leaker said the devices will have the same rear camera system design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a "plateau" housing three lenses in a triangular arrangement. They also expect the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes used since the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Notably, the leaker claimed that the Ceramic Shield area on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a "slightly transparent design," without elaborating.
Perhaps this just means the Ceramic Shield cutout on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a more frosted appearance than it does on the iPhone 17 Pro models, but we will have to wait for additional rumors to surface for clarification.
Variable Aperture
The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on all of the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.
A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
None of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras offer variable aperture.
Other Rumors
A20 Pro chip fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process, for more significant year-over-year performance improvements
Apple has officially ended two service programs that covered sound issues on the original AirPods Pro and on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, removing them from its list of active service programs.
In both cases, devices were covered for three years from their original date of sale, so the vast majority of units were already out of coverage unless someone managed to purchase from very old stock.
The AirPods Pro service program covered crackling or static sounds or Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected on the first-generation models, with affected units having been manufactured prior to October 2020. Under the program, Apple replaced affected earbuds (left, right, or both) after the issue was confirmed through testing by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro program covered a defective receiver module component that could fail, resulting in no sound being emitted when making or receiving calls. Affected units were manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021, and the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max were not included in the service program.
Apple has essentially discontinued Clips, its video-editing app designed to allow users to combine video clips, images, and photos with voice-based titles, music, filters, and graphics to create enhanced videos that can be shared on social media sites.
Existing users who already have the app installed can continue to use it for now, and it can be redownloaded through your Apple account in the App Store, but new users are now unable to obtain the app.
Apple's support document also outlines how users can save Clips videos and individual clips to their photo library or other locations.
Clips was released in 2017 and was updated a number of times in its early years with features like Memoji and Animoji support, LiDAR Scanner support to generate immersive AR spaces, various filter and graphics options, and more, but over the past few years it hasn't received much more than an occasional bug-fix update.
In July, Apple filed a lawsuit against Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti over alleged theft of the company's trade secrets. The complaint alleged the pair coordinated to break into former Apple software engineer Ethan Lipnik's development iPhone, in order to access and profit off details about iOS 19, which ended up being called iOS 26.
Prosser leaked various details about what is now known as iOS 26, in videos shared on his YouTube channel Front Page Tech. The videos revealed some details about iOS 26's new translucent design, which Apple ended up calling Liquid Glass, months before Apple announced the software update at WWDC 2025 in June.
There have been some developments in the case this week, according to court documents.
On Tuesday, Ramacciotti's deadline to respond to Apple's complaint was extended through October 17, as the filing indicates that he only retained a lawyer after the initial August 14 deadline to respond had passed.
On Friday, Apple's lawyers said Prosser had yet to respond to the complaint or otherwise appear in the case. As a result, they have filed a request for a default judgment against Prosser, which could result in the assigned judge ruling in Apple's favor and granting it relief. Apple is seeking monetary damages, and an injunction to prevent Prosser and Ramacciotti from further disclosing Apple's confidential information.
Despite not responding to Apple's lawsuit, Prosser has continued to upload videos to YouTube, including an iPhone Air review earlier this week.
Signs are continuing to point to some imminent Apple hardware updates, while the company is also making tweaks during beta testing for iOS 26.1, keeping us on our toes for the month of October.
This week also saw a look at a likely shakeup of Apple's senior leadership in the coming years, as well as some more rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone expected next year, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Top Stories
5+ New Features Your iPhone Will Get in iOS 26.1
Apple is currently beta testing iOS 26.1, which will be the first major update to the iOS 26 operating system. It's not going to bring the new version of Siri that we've been waiting for, but it does include useful new features and interface changes.
Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus is seen as the likely successor to Cook at the helm of Apple, and he has been gradually becoming more visible in recent years.
There are a number of other Apple senior executives such as Phil Schiller and Luca Maestri who have been phasing themselves out, and others like AI chief John Giannandrea and chip boss Johny Srouji who will likely be winding things down in the not too distant future, so Apple's long-running era of relative stability among its executive ranks will likely be coming to an end in the next few years.
M5 MacBook Pro Could Launch in October as M4 Model Faces Supply Constraints
While we're definitely expecting some new Apple products before the end of the year, rumors have been unclear about whether we'll see any Macs in that group or if they'll make their appearance sometime in early 2026.
A couple of recent hints have, however, suggested that at least one Mac might be coming sooner rather than later, and that's the base M5 MacBook Pro. Supplies of the current M4 model in Apple's online stores are currently constrained, and FCC documents leaked within the past couple of weeks included only a single model rather than a complete set spanning M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips across the two available sizes.
As a result, there has been speculation that we could see the base M5 MacBook Pro appear alongside the already-leaked M5 iPad Pro as soon as later this month, with more powerful MacBook Pro models following later. We'll just have to wait and see!
Next iPad Pro to Have Two Key Features, But One Rumor Still Uncertain
Speaking of that already-leaked iPad Pro, it certainly appears that it will come with an M5 chip and a bump to 12GB minimum memory, but questions remain about whether it will gain a previously rumored second front camera to better support both landscape and portrait orientations.
Video leaks out of Russia have been split about whether a second camera is present, but video footage certainly makes it look like there is an ambient light sensor at the expected location as on current models, rather than a second camera.
iOS 26: Switch Back to the Classic Phone App Layout
One of the more controversial changes in iOS 26 has been a new unified view for the Phone app that puts recent calls, favorite contacts, voicemails, and search all on a single screen. Fortunately for those who dislike the new organization, it's easy to switch back to the classic tabbed view.
Pu suggested that Apple will expand its use of titanium, with the material set to be used in both the 2026 "iPhone Fold" and iPhone Air models. The foldable iPhone is rumored to be as thin as 4.5mm when opened up, which would make it even thinner than the iPhone Air. so it would need the strength of a titanium frame to prevent bending issues.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Disney+. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Meta Ray-Bans without an in-lens display
Apple's "Mac Your Calendars" teaser last October
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.
