MacRumors

Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 for testing purposes, with the betas coming two weeks after the third betas were released.

The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on each device. A developer account is required.

‌watchOS 26‌ and tvOS 26 adopt new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. watchOS has a new AI-powered Workout Buddy for motivation and the Smart Stack incorporates more personal context for better suggestions. There's also a new Notes app and support for Live Translation.

tvOS 26 supports karaoke using an iPhone as a microphone, improvements for using AirPlay speakers with a TV, new Aerial screen savers, and support for quicker logins to apps at setup thanks to Apple Account syncing.

visionOS 26 adds support for spatial widgets that can be placed anywhere in the space around you, along with refinements to make personas more lifelike and support for shared spatial experiences between two Vision Pro users.

The European Union is set to accept the June updates that Apple made to its App Store to comply with the Digital Markets Act, reports Reuters. As a result, Apple will not face daily fines for non-compliance.

Apple changed its ‌App Store‌ fee setup and removed its anti-steering rules to meet the demands of the European Commission. Developers can now direct customers to purchase options outside the ‌App Store‌ and even accept payments for digital goods in their apps using third-party payment options.

At the European Commission's direction Apple has split its ‌App Store‌ services options to let developers opt out of certain features for a lower fee. There are now two tiers that developers can pay for. The cheaper one eliminates ratings and reviews, ‌App Store‌ featuring and marketing, search suggestions, automatic app updates, and automatic app downloads across devices. The more expensive tier includes all current ‌App Store‌ features and functionality.

Tier 1 store services cost five percent of an app's revenue, and Tier 2 store services cost 13 percent (10 percent for Small Business Program participants). Apple also charges a two percent initial acquisition fee and a five percent Core Technology Commission (CTC). The CTC replaces the CTF, a controversial fee that charged developers €0.50 per app install after one million installs per year.

Right now, there's a split CTC and CTF system for developers who use external links and those who don't, but by January 1, 2026, Apple will have a single business model that includes the services fee, the initial acquisition fee, and the CTC. At maximum, developers will pay 20 percent, and per-install billing won't exist. Developers who choose limited ‌App Store‌ functionality will pay a 12 percent maximum fee. Small Business Program participants will pay between 10 and 15 percent.

If Apple had not changed its ‌App Store‌ fee structure and linking rules, it could have been fined up to five percent of its average daily worldwide revenue (about €50 million) each day. The European Commission is expected to accept the ‌App Store‌ updates "in the coming weeks," but timing could change.

Apple was already fined €500 million for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act, but the company has filed an appeal. Apple is protesting both the fine and the new anti-steering rules that the European Commission required.

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 could offer at least six different iPhone models in 2027, according to a proven leaker on Weibo.

According to a post from the leaker known as "Instant Digital," there may be at least six new iPhone models to choose from in 2027. From the unveiling of the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the first half of 2027 until the fall announcement of the first iPhone 19 models, the lineup could look like this:

Earlier this year, Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple plans to split new iPhone lineups between two launch windows annually. The ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ models and the first foldable iPhone will arrive in the second half of 2026, while the standard ‌iPhone 18‌ and the iPhone 18e will follow in the first half of 2027.

Apple is also highly likely to keep some other, older iPhone models on sale. Today, it still offers the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus alongside the five iPhone 16 models. Until February, it also still sold the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. As a result, this year's iPhone 17 and ‌iPhone 17‌ Air will probably stick around in 2027, meaning that there could be the biggest ever variety of new iPhone models available from Apple at a single time.

Apple took sixth place in India's smartphone market during the second quarter of the year, according to new data from Canalys. The country's overall market rebounded with 7% year-over-year growth, reaching a total of 39 million units shipped.

The iPhone 16 series drove Apple's performance, accounting for over 55% of the company's shipments in the quarter. The data suggests that users have been keen to upgrade to Apple's latest flagship devices, but older models like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 13 continued attracting buyers across lower price points.

However, Apple's latest entry-level edition to the lineup, the iPhone 16e, appears to have struggled to gain traction after its February launch. Canalys analyst Sanyam Chaurasia said that consumers in India questioned the device's single-camera design and the company's largely unfulfilled Apple Intelligence promises, which hampered its market appeal.

Apart from Samsung, it is Chinese brands that continue to dominate the Indian market. Apple's stiff competition was led by vivo, which took 21% market share and registered impressive 31% growth. Samsung followed at 16%, while OPPO and Xiaomi tied for third with 13% each, and realme rounded out the top five with 9% share.

Canalys (now part of Omdia) projects a modest decline for the full-year 2025, owing to an overall subdued consumer desire to upgrade phones before the festive season in Indiam when promotions and marketing campaigns ramp up. Apple's mixed sales performance figures for the quarter follow recent efforts to expand its retail presence in India, with stores opening in Mumbai and New Delhi last year.

Meanwhile, Apple is continuing to increase exports from the country to diversify its supply chain and reduce its dependence on China. The growth in iPhone manufacturing has significantly impacted India's export economy, and smartphones have become the country's top export to the United States.

An anonymous leaker with a proven track record today shared alleged build numbers for the fourth developer betas of iOS 26 and more.

The private account on X has accurately leaked build numbers for Apple software updates in the past. We do not link to the account at the owner's request.

Here are all of the build numbers shared by the account today:

• iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 beta 4 (23A5297i)
• macOS 26 beta 4 (25A5316i)
• tvOS 26 and HomePod Software 26 beta 4 (23J5316g)
• watchOS 26 beta 4 (23R5317g)
• visionOS 26 beta 4 (23M5300g)

The account often shares build numbers for betas around one day before they are released, so it is likely that the fourth developer betas of the updates listed above will be released this Tuesday, July 22. Then, the first public betas of the updates will likely follow by Wednesday, July 23, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. However, there will not be a visionOS 26 public beta, according to Apple's beta website.

Apple accidentally made the macOS 26 public beta available to some users for a brief period earlier today, and the build number for it was the same as the one listed above for the fourth developer beta of macOS 26. In other words, the first public betas will likely correspond with the fourth developer betas, as expected.

Apple previously announced that the public betas would be available in July, but it did not provide a more specific timeframe.

Apple is also planning to offer a public beta of its next major AirPods firmware update.

Anyone can sign up to be a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, for free, and gain access to the public betas when they are available. As always, we recommend backing up your devices before installing beta software, in case of issues.

Apple today announced that South Korea's Tmoney card can now be added to the Wallet app, allowing users to pay for public transportation with a tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch at subway stations and on most buses throughout the country. The card is also accepted at many major convenience stores in the country.

Express Mode allows users to simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment reader to pay for their ride, without needing to unlock or wake the device. This mode even works for up to five hours after your iPhone runs out of battery power.

Funds can be loaded onto the card directly in Apple Wallet with Apple Pay, and there is an all-new automatic top-up option for when the card's balance drops below a set amount. Alternatively, funds can be loaded via the Tmoney app.

To add a prepaid Tmoney card to the Wallet app, tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner, select Transportation Card, and follow the on-screen instructions. Then, carrying around the physical card is no longer necessary.

Adding a Tmoney card to the Wallet app requires an iPhone XS or newer running iOS 17.2 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 10.2 or later.

Apple customers in Saudi Arabia are now able to purchase iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices directly from the new Apple Store Online in the country.

The online store launched today, seven months after Apple announced that a direct online purchasing option for Saudi Arabia was in the works. Prior to now, Apple users in Saudi Arabia could only shop from Apple Authorized Resellers.

In addition to bringing online purchasing to Saudi Arabia, Apple is planning to open several retail store locations starting in 2026. One of the retail locations will be a flagship store at Diriyah, NESCO World Heritage site located just on the outskirts of Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia.

Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Saudi Arabia in December 2024, when the expansion was first announced. Cook said at the time that Apple was excited to be expanding to Saudi Arabia.

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.

Google today updated its Chrome app for the iPhone and the iPad to add easier account switching for Chrome Enterprise. The functionality is designed for iOS users who need to swap between personal and managed work accounts.

When a Chrome user switches from a personal account to a managed work account using the added functionality, Chrome ensures that data for managed accounts stays separate. Work account browsing and personal account browsing remain distinct, with work-related tabs, history, passwords and other local data associated only with the managed account, and personal data limited to the personal account.

Google says that the improved account switching experience is designed to enable businesses to permit employees to use the devices of their choice in BYOD situations. The functionality is not available for switching between two standard Google accounts in Chrome on iOS.

When a user signs in to or swaps to a managed account, they will be informed about the separation for managed account browsing, and will be notified that they are using a managed experience with an on-screen confirmation.

Google is also extending Chrome Enterprise reporting capabilities to iOS devices, so organizations can send critical data related security events to the security investigation tool in the Google Admin console or Chrome logs. URL filtering is coming to iOS devices as well, so businesses can restrict employees from accessing unapproved or unsanctioned websites.

Amazon is selling the AirPods Pro 2 for $169.00 this week, a discount of $80 off of the regular $249 price tag. Prime users should be able to get overnight delivery on the AirPods Pro 2 in most areas.

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.

$169 is the second lowest price that we've seen for the AirPods Pro 2 this year, so it's a good time to pick them up if you're in need of new noise cancelling earbuds.

Rumors suggest that Apple will release the AirPods Pro 3 this year, but they won't be available at a price as low as $169. Amazon's deals sometimes sell out quick, so we recommend picking up the AirPods soon if you're interested.

Want to see more sales on Apple products? Make sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Apple appears to have accidentally distributed the macOS Tahoe public beta to some Mac users ahead of the beta's official launch.

A selection of public beta testers and developers who have opted into either the macOS Sequoia 15 developer beta or the macOS Sequoia 15 public beta are instead receiving the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ public beta. The beta that Apple is distributing has a build number of 25A5316i, which is newer than the 25A5306g build number of the third ‌macOS Tahoe‌ developer beta.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ is showing up for Apple silicon Mac users who do not have Rosetta 2 installed. Most Apple silicon Macs do have Rosetta installed, and those Macs won't detect the mistaken beta release.

In Apple's backend, the beta is labeled "macOS26PublicBeta1," though users will see just "‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26 Beta." At least one user downloaded and installed the software thinking that it was the macOS Sequoia 15.6 RC that came out earlier today.

Apple has not officially released the iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ public betas yet, but we are expecting them before the end of July. The accidental launch of the first public beta suggests the actual launch will happen in the near future.

Update: Apple pulled the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ public beta shortly after this article was published.

Amazon discounted several M4 MacBook Air models for Prime Day earlier this month, and most of the price cuts are still live. If you missed out on the lower prices earlier this year, now is a good time to check out Amazon's M4 Mac offerings.

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.

The 13-inch MacBook Air models are discounted by up to $162. Pricing starts at $849.00 for the entry level 16GB/256GB model, while the 16GB/512GB model is $1,049 and the 24GB/512GB model is available for $1,239.50.

All three stock versions of the 15-inch model are also available at a discount from Amazon, with prices that vary slightly by color. The 16GB/256GB model is $1,049.00, the 16GB/512GB model is $1,245.12, and the 24GB/512GB model is on sale for $1,420.13.

Looking for more discounts? Make sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we highlight the best Apple-related discounts that are currently available.

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Filming for the fourth season of popular Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso has started in Kansas City, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced today.

Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis confirmed that a fourth season was being written back in March. He suggested there would be new characters and a new storyline, with the show taking place in the United States. Titular character Ted Lasso will be coaching a women's soccer team, a departure from the UK men's team featured in the initial three seasons.

Apple released the third season of the show in March 2023, so there has already been a two-year pause between season three and season four. There is no word yet on when filming will finish, or when season four will launch.

Ted Lasso is one of Apple's most popular TV shows, and the first three seasons have won several awards. In the series, Sudeikis plays a college football coach from Kansas who is hired to coach a professional soccer team in England, even though he has little experience with soccer.

Season three wrapped up with Ted Lasso returning home, in what seemed to be a series finale. Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham recently told Variety that reviving the show for season four was akin to exhuming the corpse of a beloved dog that had been buried. She said she wanted to know what happened to her character, so she's "thrilled that it’s been exhumed."

Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, and Juno Temple are all in the image that Cook shared today. It's unclear if other cast members are set to return.

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.6 update to public beta testers and developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the third macOS Sequoia 15.6 beta.

Testers can opt-in to the macOS Sequoia beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app.

There's no word yet on what's included in macOS Sequoia 15.6, and no new features have been found in the betas so far. Apple's work on macOS Sequoia is winding down as it focuses on macOS Tahoe, the newest version of macOS that's coming in the fall.

Apple today seeded release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the updates coming a week after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates mark the final version of the software that will be provided to the public provided no additional bugs are found.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

No notable new features have been found in the iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 betas, so it's not clear what might be added in the update, though there are some changes to the App Store in the EU due to the DMA. Rumors suggest that Apple wanted to expand Apple Intelligence to China with iOS 18.6, but regulatory hurdles have delayed the launch.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 likely focus on smaller changes and bug fixes, and we'll update this article should anything new be found in the fourth beta.

Apple is winding down work on iOS 18 and is focusing on iOS 26. ‌iOS 26‌ is in beta testing right now and is set to launch in September alongside new iPhone 17 models.

Apple today provided developers with the release candidate versions of upcoming visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6 updates for testing purposes. The software comes one week after Apple released the third betas. The RCs are the final version of the software that will go out to the public if no additional bugs are found.

The betas are available to registered developers and public beta testers at the current time, and can be downloaded from the Settings app on each device.

There's no word on what's included in the beta updates at this time and no features were discovered in the betas so far, but we'll update this article if anything new is found.

Apple recently announced that iPhone users will soon be able to watch videos right on the CarPlay screen in supported vehicles.

This is arguably the biggest new CarPlay feature coming with the iOS 26 update later this year, and yet Apple did not even mention it during its WWDC 2025 keynote last month. Instead, it was buried on Apple's developer website.

iPhone users will be able to wirelessly stream videos to the CarPlay screen using AirPlay, according to Apple. For safety reasons, video playback will only be available when the vehicle is parked, to prevent distracted driving. The connected iPhone will be able to detect when the vehicle is in motion and end playback.

Apple says that automakers need to add support for CarPlay with AirPlay video, so it will likely take some time to roll out. It appears that the AirPlay functionality will be available for both regular CarPlay and the higher-end CarPlay Ultra, but it is unclear if it will be enabled in any existing vehicles, or if it will be limited to new vehicles.

From the CarPlay page on Apple's developer website:

Video in the car

AirPlay video in the car enables people to watch their favorite videos from iPhone right on their CarPlay display when they aren't driving. Integrate support for CarPlay with AirPlay video to enable this feature in your car.

This feature would be especially beneficial in electric vehicles with CarPlay, as it would provide the driver and any passengers with entertainment while they are parked at a charging station. Some electric vehicles already offer this capability natively. Tesla, for example, has long offered a Theater app that can play videos from apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Twitch on the dashboard screen, while the vehicle is parked.

Apple has not shared any further details or images for AirPlay video in the car. Availability of the feature might vary by country based on safety regulations.

There were already some unapproved ways to watch videos through CarPlay, with various jailbreak tweaks and TestFlight beta apps promising to unlock such functionality. Now, it is something that Apple will officially allow.

Apple will soon begin development of iOS 27 with a shift in emphasis as the company prepares its flagship software to accommodate the first foldable iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reports that iOS 27 will "prioritize" software features tailored specifically for Apple's first book-style foldable device, expected sometime in late 2026.

That said, there's nothing in Gurman's report to suggest that regular iPhone users need be concerned about a lack of UI innovations coming to their devices next year.

Given Samsung's seven-year stint in the foldable market, the report goes on to suggest that there is a "pent-up demand" among some Apple users for a foldable device that doesn't rely on an Android OS. How that will translate in terms of U.S. sales is unclear, but Gurman believes that Apple has been swayed by the Chinese market, where book-style foldables are preferred to flip-style designs.

Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to launch next year, featuring an approximately 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen. The device will reportedly address common foldable phone issues, with a less visible display crease and an improved hinge mechanism that has a titanium and stainless steel construction to increase durability.

• 2026 Foldable iPhone: All the Leaks So Far

The "iPhone Fold" will likely be Apple's most expensive iPhone ever, with rumors suggesting pricing starting at $2,000. Instead of Face ID, the device is expected to use Touch ID authentication built into a side button to save internal space, while 48MP dual-lens rear cameras are also likely to feature.

Apple is permanently closing its retail store in the heart of Bristol, England next month, and there is no replacement store in sight.

The store's final day of business will be Saturday, August 9.

Within the past few days, Apple updated the store's page with the following message:

Thank you, Bristol. Apple Bristol is closing on 9 August at 5 pm. We're still here for you. Please visit apple.com/uk/retail to find your nearest store.

Apple Bristol is closing due to redevelopment plans at the Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, and the adjacent Bristol Shopping Quarter.

In a statement shared with MacRumors in April, Apple said affected employees will be able to continue their roles at the company:

At Apple, we're always focused on providing an exceptional experience for all of our customers. Due to the redevelopment plans at Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, which include the closure of the section where our store is located, Apple Bristol will close on August 9, 2025. We've loved serving the Bristol community for over 15 years, and our valued team members will continue their roles at Apple.

Apple Bristol first opened in 2008, with the location formerly known as Apple Cabot Circus. The two-floor store still had a classic design that was due for a facelift. The lower level serves as a product sales area, while the upper level provides space for Genius Bar appointments and Today at Apple creative sessions.

The company has two other stores in the surrounding areas, including Apple Cribbs Causeway on the outskirts of Bristol, and Apple SouthGate in Bath.