MacRumors

Alongside iOS 26, Apple introduced a new tvOS 26 update for the Apple TV. tvOS updates aren't as feature rich as iOS updates and often go under the radar, so we thought we'd highlight some of the useful new features that you should check out.

• Liquid Glass - Liquid Glass has a subtle presence in tvOS 26, with Apple adding Liquid Glass buttons, interface elements, and Control Center. It's not as extensive as Liquid Glass in ‌iOS 26‌, and it blends in well with the tvOS operating system.
• Apple TV app - The ‌Apple TV‌ app has been overhauled and it displays more TV shows and movies on the screen at one time.
• Profiles - It's much easier to switch profiles in tvOS 26, so you can keep the content that you like separate from the content that other people in the family prefer. You can choose a profile whenever you wake your ‌Apple TV‌ up from sleep. You'll get better suggestions on a per-person basis, and it's a great way to separate kid content from adult content.
• Karaoke - When using Apple Music Sing, you can use your iPhone as a microphone. The iPhone can show you real-time lyrics, lyric translations, and lyrics pronunciation.
• AirPlay - If you use third-party speakers with the ‌Apple TV‌, you can now set them as the default AirPlay speakers. Your ‌Apple TV‌ will then automatically use those speakers and you won't have to select your speaker each time you use the device.
• FaceTime - FaceTime has been supported on the ‌Apple TV‌ since last year with an iPhone as the camera, but now there's an updated, card-style interface and support for Live Translation with captions.
• Screen Savers - You can pick your favorite screen saver categories, choosing cityscape, earth, landscapes, and more. Each person can choose their own screen savers if desired.

Have a favorite tvOS 26 feature? Let us know in the comments below, and check out our video for even more tvOS tips and tricks.

Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3, prior-generation AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods 4 models. The firmware has a build number of 8A358, up from 8A356.

There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the prior 8A356 update added iOS 26 features to the AirPods Pro 2, ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, and ‌AirPods 4‌ with ANC. The software introduced better audio quality for phone calls and video calls, studio-quality audio recording for interviews, podcasts, videos, Live Translation, and more.

It's possible that the 8A358 firmware addresses a bug or brings improvements to some of the new ‌iOS 26‌ AirPods features.

To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.

Apple plans to hold a "Mindful Month" Apple Watch Activity Challenge on Friday, October 10. Mindful Month brings awareness to mental health, self care, meditation, and mindfulness.

On October 10th, let's take some time to appreciate all the ways we can care for ourselves and each other. Record 10 minutes of mindfulness or meditation with any app that adds mindful minutes to Health to get this award.

Like all of the Apple Watch Activity Challenges, the Mindful Month event will come with animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.

Mindful Month is a relatively new addition to the Apple Watch Activity Challenge lineup, with Apple first introducing it last year. Apple's last Activity Challenge was held in August and highlighted National Park Day.

As Prime Big Deal Days continues, we're highlighting all of the best Apple deals you can get for under $100 on Amazon. This includes AirPods, Apple Pencil Pro, AirTags, iPhone cases, USB-C chargers, and more.

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.

You can find every Apple deal available during Prime Day in our dedicated post. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

$30 Or Under

In the cheapest category, you can get Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $14.99, down from $19.00 and the AirTag 1 Pack for $19.99, down from $29.00. The new iPhone Air Bumper is also down to an all-time low price of $29.00 for Prime Day.

$50 Or Under

For accessories priced between $30 and $50, there are a few sales on Amazon for Prime Day. You can get the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $39.00, down from $59.00, as well as discounts on iPhone 17 cases.

$100 Or Under

Lastly, we're tracking a few deals on Apple products that are just under $100 for Prime Day. You can get an AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99 ($34 off), an Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 ($30 off), and AirPods 4 for $89.00 ($40 off).

If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event.

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Apple today provided public beta testers with the second releases of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1 and watchOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. Apple seeded the betas to developers yesterday.

After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section in the Settings app on each device.

iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.1 expand Apple Intelligence to new languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.

AirPods Live Translation is also available in Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified) in iOS 26.1. The second beta adds a slide to stop feature to alarms, tweaks the design of the Settings app, and more, with details available in our features list.

There are a few other minor changes to apps like Photos, Music, and Phone, with details available in our iOS 26.1 features guide.

AltStore today announced plans to make its iPhone app available in Australia, Brazil, and Japan later this year, followed by the UK next year.

AltStore is also gaining "Fediverse" support, via the ActivityPub protocol.

AltStore provides iPhone users with an alternative to Apple's built-in App Store, and it even offers some apps that would violate Apple's App Review Guidelines.

AltStore first launched on the iPhone in the EU last year, after the Digital Markets Act required Apple to allow alternative app stores. Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the UK are working to implement similar regulations, which would pave the way for AltStore to launch in those countries as well. However, the exact timing could shift.

Alternative app stores have been supported on the iPhone and iPad in the EU since iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 were released in April 2024. AltStore and other alternative app stores can be installed on these devices via Safari or another web browser.

Apple has yet to announce or implement support for alternative app stores in Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the UK, as regulations in those countries are still being finalized and/or have yet to be enforced. AltStore has simply announced its plans early.

In the U.S., the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple last year, but the case is ongoing and alternative app stores on the iPhone remain unsupported there.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days began today, and as usual multiple retailers have introduced their own Prime Day-like sales to compete with Amazon. In this article we're tracking a few sitewide sales from Samsung, Sony, and Best Buy with big discounts on monitors, TVs, headphones, and more.

Sony

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.

Sony is hosting a big sale with up to 50 percent in savings on the company's best headphones, speakers, sound bars, TVs, photography equipment, and more. Buying select headphones and earbuds together during this sale will also net you extra bundle savings.

We've collected a few of the most notable products on sale in the lists below, but be sure to head to Sony's website for the full list of deals. Most devices have an option for free pickup if you live near a Best Buy location that offers local pickup.

You can get Sony's popular WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for $299.99 during this event, down from $399.99. There are also a few earbuds and soundbars on sale with notable discounts, all of which have been applied automatically and do not require any coupon codes.

Audio

• WH-CH720N Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $99.99 ($80 off)
• WH-1000XM4 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $189.99 ($160 off)
• WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds - $229.99 ($100 off)
• ULT FIELD 5 Wireless Portable Speaker - $229.99 ($100 off)
• WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - $299.99 ($100 off)
• BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 - $999.99 ($500 off)

TVs

• 43-inch Bravia LED 4K HDR Google TV - $449.99 ($150 off)
• 55-inch Bravia OLED 4K HDR Google TV - $999.99 ($500 off)
• 65-inch Bravia Mini LED 4K HDR Google TV - $999.99 ($500 off)
• 65-inch Bravia 4K HDR Google TV - $1,499.99 ($800 off)
• 65-inch Bravia II QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV - $2,999.99 ($500 off)

Samsung

Samsung is hosting a new Fall sale, and it includes savings on monitors, TVs, Galaxy products, and more.

One of the best overall deals during this sale is on The Frame TVs, which are available for up to $500 off, depending on the size of the model you purchase. The popular 65-inch The Frame TV available for $1,199.99, down from $1,999.99.

Of course, there's a lot more on sale than just TVs. This sale also covers monitors, Galaxy S25 smartphones, and Samsung's line of home appliances, including refrigerators and washer/dryers. We've accumulated some of these deals in the lists below, but be sure to check out Samsung's website for the full sale.

TVs

• The Frame - Save on multiple models
• 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,299.99, down from $2,599.99
• 65-inch Neo QLED 4K TV - $1,799.99, down from $2,699.99

Monitors and Storage

• 32-inch Smart Monitor M70F 4K - $299.99, down from $399.99
• 32-inch Smart Monitor M80F 4K - $499.99, down from $699.99
• 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,099.99, down from $1,799.99
• 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,499.99, down from $2,299.99

Refrigerators

• Large Capacity Side-by-Side Fridge - $1,099.00, down from $1,666.00
• 4-Door French Door Fridge - $1,799.00, down from $2,999.00
• Mega Capacity 3-Door French Door Fridge - $2,499.00, down from $3,499.00
• Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $1,999.00, down from $4,099.00
• Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $3,299.00, down from $4,999.00

Galaxy Products

• Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $480 in instant trade-in credit
• Galaxy Z Fold6 - Save up to $1,000
• Galaxy Ring - Get up to $150 trade-in credit
• Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $250
• Galaxy Watch 7 - Save up to $90
• Galaxy Buds3 Pro - Save $50

Best Buy

Best Buy recently kicked off a "Techtober" sale, with sitewide sales on everything from home appliances to computers, video games, and more.

One of the most notable offers during this event is on the AirPods Pro 3, which come with a $20 Best Buy credit with purchase if you're a My Best Buy Plus/Total member. While not a straight cash discount, this is still one of the best offers we've tracked for the new AirPods Pro 3.

Otherwise, some of the best deals in this sale are on TVs, including $50 in Best Buy credit when spending $499 or more on select TVs. Popular TVs on sale include brands like LG and Samsung, with multiple major discounts on Samsung's The Frame TVs.

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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The Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 11 are available with both aluminum and titanium case options, so which should you choose?

The aluminum Apple Watch starts at $399. With the Series 11, finishes include Space Gray, Silver, Rose Gold, and Jet Black. It features Ion-X glass, which, while highly durable, is more susceptible to scratches than the crystal used on the titanium Apple Watch. The aluminum models are also lighter than the titanium ones.

On the other hand, the titanium Apple Watch starts at $699. Finishes include Natural, Space Black, and Gold, and there are designer Apple Watch Hermès options too. It features sapphire front glass, which is highly resistant to scratches. Titanium is a much harder, more durable material than aluminum. Over time, its finish tends to develop a uniform patina rather than obvious scratches, maintaining a premium appearance longer.

The Space Gray, Silver, and Rose Gold aluminum Apple Watches have a blasted, matte finish. The Jet Black aluminum and all three titanium Apple Watches have a high-gloss polished finish.

The aluminum Apple Watches pair well with rubber and woven bands for a less formal look, while the titanium models pair well with more premium bands such as Apple's Link Bracelet or Milanese Loop. As such, the aluminum Apple Watch leans into a casual, sporty look, while the titanium model is more akin to traditional watches and provides a more luxurious aesthetic.

The titanium model is more versatile and durable, but considerably more expensive. Internally, the titanium and aluminum versions of the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 11 are the same. They share the same chips, sensors, displays, and battery life. Every health and fitness feature is present across both casing options.

Most customers will not be able to justify the extra $300 to get a titanium Apple Watch, but for a limited minority, it will be worth it for the added durability and more premium aesthetic.

The titanium models start at just $100 less than the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which is worth bearing in mind if that device might be more appealing to you. That being said, most titanium Apple Watch customers will buy the device because of its premium aesthetic, rather than the more aggressive and functional look of the Apple Watch Ultra.

Amazon has introduced new all-time low prices across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air during Prime Big Deal Days.

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.

These Prime Day discounts beat previous sales by as much as $5, and represent new record low prices across the board. Like most Prime Day deals, many of these are exclusive to Prime members.

Items on sale include Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. We're also tracking a few discounts on other accessories like the new MagSafe Charger and FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe.

iPhone Air

• Bumper - $29.00, down from $39.00
• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 17

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 17 Pro

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00

iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00

Beats Cases

• Beats iPhone 17 Rugged Case - $59.00, down from $79.00
• Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case - $59.00, down from $79.00
• Beats iPhone 17 Pro Max Rugged Case - $59.00, down from $79.00
• Beats iPhone 17 Pro Kickstand Case - $44.00, down from $59.00
• Beats USB-C to USB-C Woven Cable - $12.00, down from $18.99

Other Accessories

• MagSafe Charger (2m) - $42.99, down from $49.00
• FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe - $49.00, down from $59.00

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 today announced that four additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library in the first week of November.

Football Manager 26 Touch will be available on Apple Arcade starting Tuesday, November 4. The latest version of the soccer manager game features improved graphics, official Premier League licensing, and women's soccer.

Three more games will be added to Apple Arcade on Thursday, November 6, including two spinoffs of the iconic "The Sims" franchise:

• MySims
• MySims Kingdom
• Toca Boca Jr Classics

More details are available in Apple's press release.

Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store, and in the new Apple Games app.

Prime Big Deal Days has begun today on Amazon, and if you're shopping for iPads this season there are quite a few notable sales available for select tablets. This includes all-time low prices on iPad and iPad mini, plus massive savings on iPad Air.

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.

Starting with the 11-inch iPad, you can get the 128GB Wi-Fi model for $279.00, down from $349.00, a $70 discount and best-ever price. We're also tracking the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $379.00, down from $499.00, which is a match for the lowest price we've ever seen on this model. Both of these iPads have big discounts on other storage configurations as well.

Amazon also has the M3 iPad Air on sale for Prime Day, with discounts reaching $150 off these tablets. You can check out our main post filled with all of the best Apple-related Prime Day discounts, including steep markdowns on AirPods, MacBooks, and more.

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 appears to have implemented a server-side fix for an issue that prevented a limited number of iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max users from downloading on-device Apple Intelligence models.

MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris and others who are impacted by this issue are now able to download the models and use Apple Intelligence features.

The server-side fix applies automatically. On the iPhone 15 Pro and newer, you can check if Apple Intelligence is enabled in Settings → Apple Intelligence.

Apple never publicly commented on the issue, so the underlying cause is unknown.

Apple today announced that customers in Indonesia can pre-order the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max starting Friday, October 10. The devices will be available in select stores starting Friday, October 17.

All of the new iPhones already launched in the U.S. and more than 80 other countries and regions last month. However, the iPhone Air is still not available to order in China, as Apple is still waiting for eSIM-related regulatory approval there.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days kicked off today, and we're tracking great deals on a few AirPods models. The highlight of the sale 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 $119.00, 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) during Prime Day this season.

Our main post has even more Prime Day discounts, including great deals on iPads and 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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Apple today shared a new "Blue Screen of Death" ad that appears to mock a major Windows computer outage that occurred last year, following a faulty CrowdStrike security update. Macs were unaffected, and they were unlikely to ever be, as Apple has gradually restricted low-level access to the macOS operating system.

The humorous ad stars "The Underdogs," a fictional team of workers who overcome obstacles by using Apple products and features.

"The Underdogs are ready for their first-ever trade show until a PC outage strikes and the Blue Screen of Death threatens their beloved Container Con," says Apple, in the video's description. "Thanks to the security of their Apple products, the Underdogs are unaffected and experience extraordinary success."

In the video's description, there is a link to the security section of Apple's enterprise page, which says "kernel-level protection is designed to safeguard your system against breaches, outages, and unauthorized access."

"There's no security like Mac security," the ad concludes.

Apple began its "The Underdogs" series of ads in 2019, with the humorous and dramatized videos promoting everything from AirDrop to FaceTime over the years.

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days has entered its second day, offering shoppers the first chance to save on holiday shopping from a major retailer. Similar to last year's fall Prime Day, it will last for two days (October 7-8) and you can find a large selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, covering savings on tech, clothing, video games, groceries, and much, much more.

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.

For our coverage, we're focusing on Apple and Apple-related discounts that can be purchased during this 48-hour event on Amazon. As of today, this includes deals on AirPods, iPad Air, iPad mini, and various accessories.

As is typical for Prime Day deals, these markdowns are very time sensitive, so sales listed below may disappear fast, and new ones may appear even faster. With this in mind, we'll keep this article updated throughout the event, and keep an eye on the MacRumors front page as we'll be posting particularly great deals in separate articles this week.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Amazon Prime Day requires you to have an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of the discounts. Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139.00 per year, and it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.

Special for 2025, Amazon is also offering a free six month trial to Prime for Young Adults right now. Prime for Young Adults is a discounted Prime membership for anyone age 18-24 that offers all of the Prime benefits at $69.00 per year, half of the price of regular Prime.

AirPods

Numerous AirPods models have been discounted this week, with the most notable being the AirPods 4 for $89.00, down from $129.00. You'll also find a solid discount on the AirPods Pro 2 during this event.

M3 iPad Air

Amazon has Apple's M3 iPad Air starting at $449.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Across the board these are all $150 discounts on the M3 iPad Air, with numerous all-time low prices.

Our list below focuses on Wi-Fi models, but you'll also find many cellular models on sale at $150 off right now. The 128GB cellular 11-inch iPad Air is available for $599.00 and the 128GB cellular 13-inch iPad Air is available for $799.00, both representing record low prices.

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $449.00, down from $599.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $549.00, down from $699.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $749.00, down from $899.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $949.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $649.00, down from $799.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $749.00, down from $899.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $949.00, down from $1,099.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00

iPad Mini 7

Amazon has record low prices on nearly every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $379.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this Prime Day sale.

You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $479.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $679.00, both $120 discounts and available in all colors.

iPad

The 128GB Wi-Fi iPad has hit a new all-time low price for Prime Day, available for $279.00, down from $349.00.

MacBook Air

Amazon has all-time lows across every model of the M4 MacBook Air for Prime Day. In total, you'll find $200 off the M4 MacBook Air notebook right now, with both 13-inch and 15-inch models on sale.

Prices start at $799.00 for the 13-inch 256GB model, down from $999.00. If you're looking for the larger model, you can get the 15-inch 256GB computer for $999.00, down from $1,199.00.

Accessories

There are a few accessories on sale for Prime Day, including a new all-time low price on the iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven Case, now available for $44.00, down from $59.00. You'll also find great deals on Apple Pencil Pro, MagSafe Charger, and the AirTag 4-Pack.

• MagSafe Charger (2m) - $29.00, down from $49.00
• iPhone 17 Pro Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• iPhone 17 Pro TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00
• iPhone 17 Pro Max Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• iPhone 17 Pro Max TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00
• AirTag 4-Pack - $64.99, down from $99.00
• Apple Pencil Pro - $99.00, down from $129.00

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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If you make a call and are placed on hold, a new feature in ‌iOS 26‌ will do the waiting for you so you can do other things. Hold Assist listens for hold music playing, and then alerts you when a person comes on the line so you can pick up the call.

Hold Assist is available on any iPhone that supports iOS 26 (i.e. it's not an Apple Intelligence feature). The feature works automatically on demand – there are no settings to toggle and no setup required. Still, there are a few things worth knowing. Here's what to expect when the time comes to use it.

Enabling Hold Assist on a Call

When you're placed on hold during a phone call, Hold Assist will launch automatically after 10 to 15 seconds. You'll know about it when a notification appears on your screen asking "Hold this Call?" Tap the Hold button to activate Hold Assist, or tap the X to dismiss the notification and stay on the line yourself.

While Hold Assist Is Active

Once you tap Hold, you'll return to your iPhone's Home screen. A notification will appear briefly, confirming that you're on hold and that you'll be alerted when it's time to pick up the call.

You can continue with whatever else you were doing on your iPhone, and the call will continue in the background. On iPhones with a Dynamic Island, you'll see this as a Live Activity. On other models, the time in the upper left corner appears in a green bubble, which is also what you see when you exit the Phone app during calls.

When Hold Assist detects that a live person has answered, you'll receive a notification. Simply tap it to return to the call.

Note that Hold Assist works by detecting hold music, so it may struggle with voice-based automated messages or music with distinct lyrics. You'll see a transcript of any spoken words, so this should help you know when an actual person is on the line.

Manually Activating Hold Assist

If you initially dismissed the Hold Assist notification and now want to activate it, you can do so manually. During an active call where you're on hold, simply tap the More button (three dots), then tap Hold Assist from the menu.

ChatGPT users can now interact with a handful of third-party apps directly within their conversations, OpenAI has announced.

The new Apps SDK allows developers to build tools that blend naturally into chats, and initial partners include Spotify, Canva, Zillow, Expedia, Booking.com, Coursera, and Figma.

Users can summon apps by name. For example, you can ask "Spotify, make a playlist for my party this Friday." ChatGPT can also suggest relevant apps automatically. For instance, when discussing home purchases, ChatGPT might surface Zillow to browse listings on an interactive map.

The system uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which gives ChatGPT access to data sources, tools, and workflows in connected apps.

The Apps SDK is now available in preview to developers. OpenAI plans to launch a full developer directory and monetization support later this year, while additional apps from DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, and AllTrails are coming soon.

The feature is available to Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users outside the EU.