MacRumors

On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, released today, Ford CEO Jim Farley told guest host Joanna Stern that the automaker does not entirely like Apple's current implementation of its CarPlay Ultra software system for vehicles.

"We don't like the execution in round one of Ultra, but we're very committed to Apple," said Farley. "I've talked to [Apple CEO] Tim [Cook] many times about this."

Farley implied that Ford is currently passing on CarPlay Ultra because it would result in Apple having "control of the entire experience inside a vehicle."

It is worth noting that CarPlay Ultra is an optional experience, with the system only taking over the instrument cluster and other dashboard screens when an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later is wirelessly connected to the vehicle.

In addition, Farley said it is important that Ford's entertainment system of choice integrates with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

"We just believe ADAS integration with your entertainment system is so critical when you're flying down the highway with your eyes off the road, you know, in three or four years at 80 miles an hour on the I-5," he said.

When it announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra in May, Apple said the system can show information from a vehicle's advanced driver assistance systems, but it sounds like certain functions provided by Ford's systems would not be supported.

CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can choose from various preset design options. The connected iPhone provides app-related data, while the vehicle provides driving data like current speed, and other info like tire pressure.

When it first previewed the next generation of CarPlay (now known as CarPlay Ultra) in 2022, Apple said Ford was committed to offering the software system. However, Farley's comments suggest Ford currently has no plans to offer CarPlay Ultra, unless Apple is willing to make changes that loosen its control over the system.

CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Apple said many other automakers around the world are working to offer it over the next year and beyond, including Hyundai and its Kia and Genesis brands.

In iOS 26, Apple quietly added a neat new option that lets you send smaller-sized previews of images over Messages so that recipients get them right away, before the full-resolution images arrive.

Thanks to the new setting, your recipient will receive a lower-quality preview almost instantly, followed by the full-resolution image. And if you're traveling with limited cellular data or using a metered data connection, they only get the compressed preview version – ensuring the original high resolution image doesn't hoover up your data.

How to Enable Send Photo Previews

Apple has made this feature easy to toggle on or off depending on your needs. Here's how to enable it:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps.
3. Select Messages from the app list.
4. Toggle on the switch next to Send Low-Quality Photo Previews.

Once enabled, the feature works automatically, so you don't have to do anything else.

A Note on Low Data Mode

You can make sure that only smaller-sized previews of images are sent to recipients by keeping your iPhone in Low Data Mode. You can enable this manually by going to Settings ➝ Cellular Service. Choose your primary service, then tap Data Mode and toggle on Low Data Mode. The same setting appears under individual Wi-Fi network settings in Settings ➝ Wi-Fi (tap the encircled "i" button next to the Wi-Fi network name).

When Low Data Mode is active and Send Low-Quality Photo Previews is enabled, you may see photos in your Messages conversations appear slightly pixelated. Just bear in mind that they will only be delivered in higher quality versions if you send them when Low Data Mode is turned off.

Samsung Display president Lee Cheong has confirmed plans to make foldable smartphone displays for a major American company, which is widely believed to be Apple.

As reported in Chosun Biz, Cheong last week told journalists in Seoul that the company is accelerating preparations for mass production of OLED displays designed for foldable smartphones to be supplied to a "North American client." He declined to provide further information about the client, but it is widely expected to be Apple.

The comments reflect the solidification of rumors around Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is now believed to be less than a year away from launch. It is expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026, featuring an inward-folding crease-free display, Touch ID instead of Face ID, the A20 chip, and two rear cameras.

Apple and the NFL have announced that Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The performance will take place at Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, California.

Bad Bunny is one of the biggest Latin music artists of all time, with many chart-topping hits. He was named Apple Music's Artist of the Year for 2022.

Apple Music has sponsored the Super Bowl Halftime Show since 2022, with previous performers including Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and others.

In the U.S., Super Bowl LX will be airing on NBC.

Pre-orders for LG's new UltraFine evo 6K display (model 32U990A) with Thunderbolt 5 support will begin on September 30, according to a major U.S. retailer listing.

LG first revealed the 32-inch display at CES 2025 in January, teasing its status as the first monitor to support Thunderbolt 5. At the time, LG only provided high-level specs, but left pricing, availability, and full technical details unconfirmed. We can now fill in some of those details.

The 32U990A features a 6,144 x 3,456 resolution Nano IPS Black panel with 224 pixels per inch. For comparison, the 32-inch Retina 6K display of Apple's Pro Display XDR outputs over 6,016 x 3,384 pixels, for a pixel density of 218 pixels per inch.

LG claims its display covers 99.5% of Adobe RGB and 98% of DCI-P3 color spaces. The Nano IPS Black technology also enables a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, which is double that of standard IPS panels. What may come as a disappointment to some is that the display has a 60Hz refresh rate.

Peak brightness reaches ~600 nits in HDR mode based on the VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, while SDR brightness sits at 450 nits. In contrast, Apple's Pro Display XDR achieves 1,000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness and peaks at 1,600 nits (for HDR content), far exceeding the LG's 600 nit maximum.

The display's Thunderbolt 5 connectivity offers bandwidth up to 120Gbp/s in one direction, 80Gb/s bi-directional, and 96W power delivery. It's also capable of daisy-chaining another 6K display and includes DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth support. There are five USB-C ports in total, alongside DisplayPort and HDMI inputs.

In terms of UltraFine displays past, perhaps the most obvious change is the XDR-esque design. The 32U990A adopts an almost borderless four-sided design with a minimalist L-shaped stand. The display offers full ergonomic adjustments including tilt, pivot, height adjustment, and 90-degree rotation in either direction for portrait mode. LG has also included TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort certification for reduced blue light emission.

A listing on B&H's online store puts the price of the LG 32U990A at $1,999.99. For comparison, Apple's Pro Display XDR starts from $4,999 (not including Apple's Pro Stand, which adds another $999). The B&H listing also says preorders will begin on Tuesday, September 30 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Now, LG has not independently confirmed this September date for the U.S. market, but the company's Canadian website says will preorders begin on October 10, suggesting regional variability. We've contacted LG for clarification and will update this article if we hear back.

Apple plans to release two new external monitors either later this year or in early 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple is nearing mass production of the new Mac external monitors, which will be the first time the company has revisited the product category since debuting the Apple Studio Display in 2022.

The two monitors are internally code-named J427 and J527. Gurman in February reported that Apple was "ramping up" work on a new Studio Display. However, since July, Gurman hasn't specifically linked either code name to a new Apple Studio Display or a new Pro Display XDR.

For what it's worth, Gurman in March reported that Apple is working on a second new monitor code-named J527. At the time, Gurman suggested Apple could be developing two versions of the Studio Display and would choose one to launch, or it was developing a second model with a different screen size or set of specifications. Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR debuted alongside the Mac Pro in 2019, and it has not received an update since its launch.

Gurman has not revealed any new features or changes planned for a possible Studio Display successor. However, display industry analyst Ross Young in January said Apple was developing a new 27-inch display with mini-LEDs that could launch in late 2025 or early 2026. Young believes this display could be a new Studio Display with mini-LED backlighting.

Mini-LED technology would provide benefits such as increased brightness and higher contrast ratio compared to the current Studio Display with LEDs.

Apple launched the Studio Display alongside the Mac Studio in 2022. The monitor features a 5K resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, 600 nits of brightness, built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. Pricing in the U.S. starts at $1,599.

Apple's next MacBook Pro models will enter mass production soon, according to the latest information shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said he continues to believe the new MacBook Pro models will be released at some point between late 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meaning they should be available to order by March at the latest.

Apple often releases new Macs in October, but both Gurman and Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said the next MacBook Pro models might not arrive until early 2026. Apple announced the MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips in January 2023, so there is precedent for such a timeframe.

The next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro are expected to be powered by M5/M5 Pro/M5 Max chips, but no other major changes have been rumored so far.

In late 2026, the MacBook Pro is expected to receive four bigger upgrades, including an OLED display for improved contrast ratio, a touch screen, a thinner design, and M6/M6 Pro/M6 Max chips fabricated with TSMC's latest 2nm process.

It has also been rumored that Apple might add cellular connectivity to Macs, so perhaps the MacBook Pro models with an OLED display will be equipped with a similar custom-designed modem as the C1 chip in the iPhone 16e or C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Plus, the notch surrounding the front camera might get smaller on the OLED models.

Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions.

The account initially said iOS 26.0.1 would have a build number of 23A350, but they now expect the update to have a build number of 23A355. This suggests that the software update will include more bug fixes or changes than initially planned.

MacRumors has also seen evidence of iOS 26.0.1 in its visitor logs in recent days, as Apple's software engineers test the update internally.

iOS 26.0.1 will likely address a handful of software bugs and issues:

• A camera-related bug on the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro
• A bug causing Wi-Fi to briefly disconnect and reconnect on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max — this issue also causes wireless CarPlay to disconnect in vehicles
• A bug breaking search in the Calendar app for some users
• A bug preventing some users from downloading Apple Intelligence models on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max

iOS 26.0.1 will likely be released in the next few days.

iOS 26.1 is already in beta testing, and that version should include the same bug fixes that come with iOS 26.0.1. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, and Safari.

Update — September 29: Apple has released iOS 26.0.1 with a handful of bug fixes.

This week's best Apple-related deals include a big sale on Amazon that has discounts on popular charging accessories and more, plus we're tracking the first markdowns on official iPhone 17 cases. Below, you'll also find solid discounts on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and a sitewide sale at Logitech.

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.

Samsung

• What's the deal? Save on Samsung smartphones
• Where can I get it? Samsung

Samsung this week is offering up to $1,000 trade-in credit on select Galaxy smartphones, including the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy Z Fold 7.

Logitech

• What's the deal? Buy up to three items to get 30% off
• Where can I get it? Logitech

Logitech kicked off a new fall sale this week, offering 20 percent off your purchase of two items, or 30 percent off your purchase of three or more items.

iPhone 17 Cases

• What's the deal? Save on Apple's new cases for iPhone 17 and iPhone Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week introduced a new round of discounts across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup. Although the largest discount in this sale is about 10 percent off, these are some of the first notable cash discounts on these brand-new cases, so if you haven't purchased one yet it's definitely a good time to do so.

Amazon Sale

• What's the deal? Save on popular brands like Jackery and Anker
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Satechi, Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible car chargers to portable power stations, Find My compatible wallets, and robot vacuums. You can find every deal in our original post.

• 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank - $34.99, down from $49.99
• Nano Magnetic Car Charger - $39.99, down from $59.99
• MagGo 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station - $65.99, down from $89.99
• 10,000 mAh MagGo Qi2 Power Bank - $69.99, down from $89.99
• 140W 4-Port USB-C Charger - $79.99 with coupon, down from $99.99
• Power Station with Lantern - $79.99, down from $149.99

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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iPhone launch month is coming to a close, but there's still plenty to talk about in the Apple world including ongoing discoveries with the new hardware and software.

Apple is also preparing some tweaks and additions in iOS 26.1 and other updates, while we're still expecting some other hardware updates before the end of the year. If you're a student, you should also take note that Apple's annual Back to School promotion in many countries will be wrapping up soon, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more!

Top Stories

Everything New in iOS 26.1 Beta 1

Yep, Apple is already moving forward with the first significant update for iOS 26, as it seeded the first beta of iOS 26.1 and related updates to developers and public beta testers this week.

The update expands Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation to additional languages, brings a new Liquid Design to the dial pad in the Phone app, makes some visual tweaks to Safari, Calendar, and other apps, and more.

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores on launch day were already exhibiting scratches and scuffs, particularly on darker finishes like the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue and the iPhone Air in Space Black.

Apple has blamed the blemishes on worn MagSafe chargers being used in stores and claims the marks are removable with cleaning, although it acknowledges certain areas such as the edges of the camera plateaus may pick up small abrasions over time through normal wear and tear.

iPhone 16 Pro Max 80% Charge Limit: One Year Later, Was It Worth It?

For several years, Apple has allowed iPhone users to set a custom charge limit for their devices, capping the charge at 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% with an eye toward preserving battery health.

We ran a one-year experiment with an iPhone 16 Pro Max, setting its charge limit to 80% and seeing how its battery health compared over time to another device used without any restrictions. Check out the results of our test to see whether it might be a good idea to adjust your charging habits!

Next Apple TV Expected to Launch This Year With These New Features

We're still expecting several hardware updates before the end of the year, and the Apple TV is one of those products on the list.

In the wake of Apple's iPhone and other announcements earlier this month, we've revisited and recapped rumors about what we may see with the next update to Apple's set-top box.

Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

One of the announced iOS 26 features that was missing at launch was the Digital ID feature that will bring U.S. passports to the Wallet app on iPhone.

With the launch of iOS 26, Apple said that the feature would be coming in a software update, and the company has now updated the wording on its iOS 26 features page to confirm the feature will be coming later this year.

There's no visible sign of the feature in the first iOS 26.1 beta seeded this week, but many of these Wallet ID features like driver's licenses for various U.S. states (including the imminent addition of North Dakota) can be activated server-side by Apple without necessitating a specific iOS update.

Apple's 'Back to School' Offer Ends Soon, Now Applies to AirPods Pro 3

Apple's annual "Back to School" promotion for students in the U.S. and a number of other countries ends soon, so act fast if you want to score free AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad.

In addition to everyday discounted pricing for students, the promotion offers free or discounted accessories such as AirPods or Apple Pencils with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad. Notably, the new AirPods Pro 3 are now included in the promotion as a discounted accessory option.

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is no longer targeting Apple for a 2021 email that Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to employees, reports Bloomberg. The NLRB said that it is withdrawing most of the claims in a complaint that accused Cook of violating U.S. labor law by warning employees about leaking confidential information.

Cook sent the email in 2021, stating that Apple was working to identify people who had leaked information, and that such people do not belong at Apple. Cook's email followed a leaked Apple meeting that included topics like pay equity and working from home.

The NLRB said that Apple's rules around leaks "tend to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees" from the exercise of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

Claims that Apple broke the law by imposing confidentiality rules and surveilling workers are being withdrawn.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple's iPhone 17 models have been out for a week now, so we thought we'd do a longer-term review of the flagship iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max now that we've been able to spend more time with them.

MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has a Silver ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and a Cosmic Orange ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, and despite a lot of concern over scratches and the state of ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models in Apple Stores, they remain in pristine condition with caseless home use. iPhones may be scratching in stores, but that appears to be less common in daily use at this point.

Apple used Ceramic Shield 2 for the front of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, and made some big claims about its scratch resistance. So far, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s display is holding up. Dan's been testing the display with keys, coins, and other common pocket items, but there isn't a single scratch. With past iPhones, sticking a key in your pocket was a sure way to cause damage.

The display is supposed to have an anti-reflective layer, but it's hard to notice a difference compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. It's definitely a subtle change and not a major selling point.

Dan has already seen major improvements with the updated vapor chamber cooling system and aluminum frame for thermal management. Unlike the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro models, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models barely get warm.

There's been time for more substantial battery life testing a week in, and both the 17 Pro and Pro Max have impressive gains. The 17 Pro Max in particular can last for hours longer than the 16 Pro Max, but it's definitely heavier and thicker than before.

The front camera is a major improvement in terms of quality, and selfies look much better than before. The option to take a wider-angle landscape selfie is great for group shots. As for the new Telephoto lens that supports up to 8x optical zoom, as long as you have solid lighting, your 8x shots will look great. Low-light performance isn't as solid, but the 4x lens still performs well in poorer lighting.

If you're still on the fence about upgrading from an older phone to one of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models, it's potentially worth it. The thermal changes make a huge difference, Apple's claims about scratch resistance seem to be true, and battery life will be night and day. If you already have an ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

Apple's Beats brand recently introduced new color options for several of its products, and most of the updated shades appear to be retailer exclusives.

Beats Solo Buds in a new Matte Ivory color can be purchased from Walmart in Canada, Argos in the United Kingdom, and JB Hi-Fi in Australia.

For the Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones, the new Metallic Pink color is available from Amazon in the United States and John Lewis in the United Kingdom. The Metallic Gold version is available from Target in the United States and JB Hi-Fi in Australia, and they should also be available from Walmart in Canada although we have not been able to find a listing for them.

And finally, the Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones are available in Sand Gray from Amazon in the United States and United Kingdom and from Best Buy in Canada. A Soft Pink color is also available from Target in the United States, Best Buy in Canada, and JB Hi-Fi in Australia. A

All of the new color options were spotted in iOS code in early September, which is around the time Apple began quietly rolling out the new shades.

The Beats Studio Pro are priced at $350 in the United States, while the Beats Solo 4 cost $200. The Solo Buds are the most affordable model available in a new color, selling for $80. You can get standard colors at most retailers, but if you want one of the new special colors, you may need to seek them out at a specific shop.

Update 7:00 pm: This article has been updated with availability for additional retailers and countries.

There is a bug that seems to be preventing some iPhone 17 users from being able to download Apple Intelligence on their new devices, but it could be fixed in the near future.

A small number of users seem to be experiencing an issue that prevents ‌Apple Intelligence‌ from fully downloading, leaving ‌Apple Intelligence‌ features like Genmoji, Image Playground, Writing Tools, and more inaccessible.

According to two affected users, Apple's support staff is aware of the issue and is planning to address the bug. It is not clear if Apple can make a server-side adjustment or if an iOS update will be needed to fully resolve the problem.

Some users who have experienced issues with ‌Apple Intelligence‌ on the ‌iPhone 17‌ have been able to solve the problem, but others say several troubleshooting steps have not worked. Here are some of the successful fixes:

• Turning off cellular and joining a Wi-Fi network.
• Changing the iPhone's language and then changing it back.
• Wiping the iPhone and reinstalling from an iCloud backup.
• Turning Airplane mode on and off again.
• Changing the region and resetting network settings.
• Resetting all settings.

Apple is already working on iOS 26.0.1, and an iOS 26.1 beta has been seeded to developers and public beta testers.

Apple designed a ChatGPT-like app to help its engineers test the overhauled version of Siri, reports Bloomberg. Unfortunately, the ‌Siri‌ app isn't going to be released to the public, and it's strictly for internal testing.

The app is being used to test new ‌Siri‌ features that Apple has planned, such as more contextual awareness, an ability to do more in and between apps, and deeper integration with personal data.

It is said to look similar to other chatbot apps, organized into multiple conversations across different topics. The app is able to remember and reference past chats, and it supports extended conversations.

Apple has been working on a smarter version of ‌Siri‌ since the launch of iOS 18. The company initially planned to debut an Apple Intelligence ‌Siri‌ as part of the update, but ended up delaying the functionality until 2026 because it did not meet Apple's standards.

The ‌Apple Intelligence‌ ‌Siri‌ plan was scrapped, and Apple decided to entirely overhaul ‌Siri‌ with second-generation architecture, speeding up an LLM transition. The upcoming version of ‌Siri‌ that Apple plans to release will use advanced large language models like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI chatbots.

LLM ‌Siri‌ will be able to hold continuous conversations, provide human-like responses to questions, and complete more complex tasks.

Apple is on track to launch the LLM version of ‌Siri‌ in early 2026, likely as part of an iOS 26.4 update that could come in March. That will see ‌Siri‌ introduced a full year after Apple originally wanted to launch the updated version of the personal assistant.

At the end of next year, Apple is planning to unveil a new look for Siri, giving it a more humanoid design that could be similar to the Mac's Finder logo.

Apple has held talks with Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, and it may use a third-party company to power the new version of ‌Siri‌ rather than relying on its in-house AI models.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Astropad to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an M3 iPad Air, an Apple Pencil Pro, and one of Astropad's Rock Paper Pencil kits to use with it.

Rock Paper Pencil makes writing on your iPad with an ‌Apple Pencil‌ feel like writing on a piece of paper instead of a slippery display, and it makes for a much more comfortable and natural writing experience.

The $45 Rock Paper Pencil kit includes a NanoCling screen protector for the ‌iPad‌'s display, and an accompanying ‌Apple Pencil‌ tip that replaces the stock ‌Apple Pencil‌ tip. You can put the NanoCling screen protector on while you're using your ‌Apple Pencil‌, then take it off and put it away for later if you want to use your ‌iPad‌ without it. Putting the screen protector on and removing it again takes just seconds, and there's no sticky residue left behind on your ‌iPad‌'s screen.

Earlier this year, Astropad made the Rock Paper Pencil kit even better. The Nanocling is thinner with an even more paper-like feel. Writing on it is like writing on a stack of papers rather than just a single sheet, and it's softer and smoother than before. Even though it has a unique microscopic texture that mimics the feel of paper, the screen protector doesn't interfere with the vivid colors of the ‌iPad‌'s display.

Astropad also redesigned the ‌Apple Pencil‌ tip that comes in the Rock Paper Pencil kit, and it's now made from solid stainless steel that won't wear down or chip over time. The size of the tip has also been increased, so it's now 1mm instead of 0.75mm. The larger tip balances out the friction and improves durability.

If you dislike the slippery, unnatural feeling of writing on a hard screen, the Rock Paper Pencil is worth checking out. It can make you forget that you're writing on a tablet because it feels and sounds like using a pen on paper.

Rock Paper Pencil is compatible with all of Apple's M2, M3, and M4 iPads, and many older models as well. It works with the 6th and 7th-generation iPad mini and the 7th-generation ‌iPad‌ and later.

We have a Rock Paper Pencil kit, an M3 ‌iPad Air‌, and an ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (September 26) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 3. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after October 3 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

The website ChargerLAB has tested the standard iPhone 17 model's USB-C charging speeds with a variety of Apple's chargers, from 18W to 140W.

The device reached a peak charging speed of around 27W to 28W with these Apple chargers:

• 29W USB-C Power Adapter
• 30W USB-C Power Adapter
• 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter
• 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter
• 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max
• 61W USB-C Power Adapter
• 67W USB-C Power Adapter
• 70W USB-C Power Adapter
• 96W USB-C Power Adapter
• 140W USB-C Power Adapter

For comparison, the standard iPhone 16 can reach a peak charging speed of around 23W, according to ChargerLAB, so the iPhone 17 can charge a bit faster.

Even though the iPhone 17 Pro models can briefly reach a higher 36W peak USB-C charging speed, Apple says all of the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models can be charged up to 50% in 20 minutes with a compatible charger, including its new 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max. For comparison, the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max can be charged up to 50% in 30 minutes with a compatible charger.

Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is available to order in the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Keep in mind you also need an appropriate USB-C cable for fast-charging capabilities, with the most basic or cheap options sometimes not supporting enough power delivery. If you are unsure, the USB-C cable included in the box with iPhones does the trick.

As for wireless MagSafe charging, the standard iPhone 17 reached a peak charging speed of 29W with Apple's latest MagSafe Charger, according to ChargerLAB. For sustained MagSafe charging, Apple says the device can reach up to 25W speeds.

The regular iPhone 17 has proven popular so far.

In iOS 26, Apple Intelligence makes the Wallet app's order tracking feature genuinely useful by scanning your email for shipping details.

The ability to track orders in Apple Wallet isn't new – it's actually been around since iOS 16. But if you've never noticed it before, don't worry. Most people haven't used it either.

The feature initially struggled because it relied on merchants to actively support it, but not many bothered. In fact, despite being available for years, order tracking in Apple's Wallet app remained largely unused. But there's a decent chance iOS 26 will change all that.

Order Tracking Meets Apple Intelligence

In iOS 26, Apple Intelligence now scans your emails to automatically extract order tracking information. This means virtually any online purchase that generates a confirmation email can now appear in the Wallet app.

The on-device AI identifies shipping details from emails sent by merchants or delivery carriers, then consolidates everything in the Wallet app's Order Tracking page.

Just note that you'll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 17, or iPhone Air to access the improved order tracking, since Apple Intelligence isn't available on older devices.

Enabling Order Tracking in Settings

You can enable the AI-enhanced order tracking feature in the following way:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Go to Apps ➝ Wallet.
3. Tap Order Tracking at the bottom of the menu.
4. Toggle on Apple Pay (this enables automatic order addition).
5. Toggle on Mail (Beta) to allow Apple Intelligence to scan your emails.

Finding Your Orders in Wallet

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the More icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Orders from the dropdown menu.
4. Browse your orders, organized by month and year.

Your orders appear with merchant details, order status, and tracking information when available. You can tap individual orders to see more detailed tracking information and shipping updates, as well as mark the order as complete, mute notifications, or delete the order.

The revamped order tracking finally delivers on Wallet's promise as a centralized hub for purchase information. Surprisingly, it just took Apple Intelligence to make it work properly.