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Visual Intelligence, an Apple Intelligence feature that Apple introduced last year, has some new capabilities in iOS 26 that make it more useful and better able to compete with the functionality available through some Android smartphones.

Onscreen Awareness

In iOS 18, ‌Visual Intelligence‌ only works with the camera, but in ‌iOS 26‌, it also works with what's on your device. You can capture a screenshot of what's on your screen and then use ‌Visual Intelligence‌ on it to identify what you're looking at, find images, and get more information through ChatGPT.

How to Get Use Onscreen Awareness for Visual Intelligence

‌Visual Intelligence‌ for screenshots works about the same as ‌Visual Intelligence‌ with the camera app, but it's located in the screenshot interface. Take a screenshot (hold down the volume up button and the side button), and then tap out of the Markup interface if it's showing.

To get out of Markup (which is the default view), tap on the little pen icon at the top of the display. From there, you should see the ‌Visual Intelligence‌ options.

Highlight to Search

With Highlight to Search for ‌Visual Intelligence‌ onscreen content awareness, you can use a finger to draw over the object in the screenshot that you want to look up. It's similar to Android's Circle to Search feature.

Highlight to Search lets you conduct an image search for a specific object in a screenshot, even if there are multiple things in the picture. It uses Google Image search by default, but Apple showed off the feature working with other apps like Etsy during its keynote event. Apps will likely need to add support for the feature.

In some cases, ‌Visual Intelligence‌ will identify individual objects in an image on its own, and you can tap without needing to use Highlight to Search. This is similar to the object identification feature in the Photos app, but it still leads to an image search.

Ask and Search

If you don't need to isolate one object in your screenshot, you can simply tap on the Ask button to ask questions about what you're seeing. Questions will be relayed to ChatGPT, and ChatGPT will provide the information. The Search button queries Google Search for more information.

As with the standard Visual Search, if your screenshot includes dates, times, and related information for an event, it can be added directly to your calendar.

New Object Identification

Apple didn't mention it, but ‌Visual Intelligence‌ adds support for quick identification of new types of objects. It can now identify art, books, landmarks, natural landmarks, and sculptures, in addition to the animals and plants it was able to provide information on before.

If you use ‌Visual Intelligence‌ on an object that it is able to recognize, you'll see a small glowing icon pop up. Tapping on it reveals information about what's in view. What's neat about this aspect of ‌Visual Intelligence‌ is that it works with the live camera view or with a snapped photo.

For standard Ask and Search requests using ‌Visual Intelligence‌, you have to take a photo so that it can be relayed to sources like ChatGPT or Google Image Search. Art, books, landmarks, natural landmarks, sculptures, plants, and animals can be identified on-device without contacting another service.

Compatibility

‌Visual Intelligence‌ is limited to devices that support ‌Apple Intelligence‌, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 models. It is activated by a long press on the Camera Control button on devices that have Camera Control, or using the Action Button or a Control Center toggle.

Launch Date

‌iOS 26‌ is in beta testing right now, but it will launch to the public in September.

Apple today added M4 MacBook Air models to its refurbished store in the United States, making the latest ‌MacBook Air‌ devices available at a discounted price for the first time since they launched earlier this year.

Both 13-inch and 15-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ models are available, with Apple offering multiple capacities and configurations. The refurbished devices are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to equivalent new models. Pricing starts at $849 for the base M4 MacBook Air model, down from $999.

Refurbished stock will fluctuate as Apple sells its current inventory and replaces it with new devices, but there are over 30 options to choose from right now if you've been holding out for a discounted M4 model.

Apple's refurbished Macs are identical to new products. Apple uses a refurbishment process with full functionality testing, thorough cleaning, battery replacement, and inspection. Refurbished devices are eligible for AppleCare+ and have the same 14-day return period as new devices.

Refurbished M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro models have been available for purchase since February, and Apple began offering refurbished versions of the M4 Max and M3 Ultra Mac Studio earlier this week.

With iOS 26, Apple is adding support for transferring an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android device, and vice versa. The new functionality will make it easier for smartphone users to move their numbers between platforms, alleviating the need to contact a carrier for help with a transition between iPhone and Android.

Some ‌iOS 26‌ users have noticed a "Transfer to Android" option in their cellular settings, though it is not an option for all plans at the current time. On Reddit, an iPhone user with US Mobile's Dark Star eSIM found a cellular option to transfer an eSIM to an Android device.

When adding an eSIM in ‌iOS 26‌, there's also a "Transfer From Android" option. Tapping on it provides a QR code that can be scanned with an Android device to start the transfer process, and that's also how the iPhone to Android transfer process works.

Apple appears to have implemented the new functionality alongside Google. Prior to when ‌iOS 26‌ debuted, an Android 16 beta featured a reference to a "Transfer to Android" feature that hinted at the new cross-platform transferring options.

In iOS 18, it is simple to transfer an eSIM from iPhone to iPhone, but it is not easy to transfer an eSIM from an iPhone to an Android device. It typically requires contacting a carrier to get a QR code, as there is no automated way to make the transition. With ‌iOS 26‌, many iPhone users who want to move to Android should have an easier time doing so.

Apple this week announced that App Store app developers will be able to offer redemption codes for all types of in-app purchases starting later this year.

In 2020, Apple introduced the ability for developers to offer customers unique, alphanumeric codes that they can redeem in the App Store for free or discounted auto-renewable subscriptions. Later this year, Apple will be allowing developers to offer these codes for any in-app purchases, including consumable items like in-game currency.

Apple previously said that developers can offer customers these one-time codes digitally, such as through an email, or offline at physical events. For example, the team behind Clash of Clans could promote the game at a convention by offering customers who walk by their booth a card with a redemption code for a free or discounted Sack of Gems.

iOS 26 can dynamically reserve space for automatic updates, according to Apple.

"Depending on the amount of free space available, iOS might dynamically reserve update space for Automatic Updates to download and install successfully," says Apple's release notes for the first iOS 26 developer beta.

This change will ensure that iPhone users who have Automatic Updates turned on in the Settings app actually have enough storage space available for those updates to download and install. However, Apple has not shared any further information about this capability at this time, so it is unclear exactly how it works.

Apple this week introduced a new Automatic Sign-In API, which will make it easier to sign in to apps across multiple Apple devices.

Starting with Apple's latest software releases, such as iOS 26 and tvOS 26, you will be able to sign in to a supported app on one Apple device and automatically be signed in to the app on other Apple devices. For example, if you sign in to the Disney+ app on your iPhone, you would automatically be signed in to the Disney+ app on your Apple TV. However, it will take time for developers to begin implementing this functionality.

Apple says this feature will eliminate the need to re-enter usernames and passwords across its software platforms, by linking app logins to a user's Apple Account.

tvOS 26 is currently available in beta.

Apple today provided developers with a revised version of the first iOS 26 beta for testing purposes. The update is only available for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, so if you're running ‌iOS 26‌ on an iPhone 14 or earlier, you won't see the revised beta.

Registered developers can download the new beta software through the Settings app on each device.

The revised beta addresses an issue that could cause some iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 16‌ models to show a low battery symbol and be unable to start up after updating to the initial ‌iOS 26‌ beta.

‌iOS 26‌ includes all of the new features that were shown off at Apple's keynote event on Monday. Apple debuted its Liquid Glass design, which you'll find throughout ‌iOS 26‌ and Apple's other software updates.

Along with a refreshed design, there are a long list of new features in ‌iOS 26‌, including changes to Messages, Phone, Safari, Music, Photos, Camera, and more.

While today's beta is limited to developers to give them time to learn the new features and adjust their apps, Apple will provide public beta testers with a chance to try the software in July. ‌iOS 26‌, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 are set to launch to the public in September.

Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi and marketing chief Greg Joswiak went on a WWDC 2025 media tour this week.

The pair of executives discussed key WWDC 2025 announcements, explained why the more personalized version of Siri is delayed, and more.

We have rounded up their various interview videos below, including their full-length discussion with The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern.

Apple this week announced iOS 26, and the upcoming software update includes many new features and changes for CarPlay.

To try out these features now, you will need to be using an iPhone running iOS 26, which is currently available in developer beta.

Below, we recap nine changes to CarPlay.

Liquid Glass Design

When you are using CarPlay with an iPhone running iOS 26, the new Liquid Glass design extends to the CarPlay interface. Like on the iPhone, the new look includes more shimmery app icons and translucent user interface elements.

New Messages App Features

Starting with iOS 26, you can respond to messages with standard Tapbacks like a heart, thumbs up, or exclamation marks directly through CarPlay.

Pinned Conversations

You can now view your pinned conversations in the Messages app on CarPlay.

Compact View for Phone Calls

CarPlay has a new compact view for incoming phone calls, so that you can still see other information on the screen, such as turn-by-turn directions.

Live Activities

CarPlay's Dashboard screen can now show Live Activities, letting you keep track of things like a flight's arrival time at a glance.

Widgets

The regular version of CarPlay now has a widgets screen, for things like calendar appointments and HomeKit accessory controls.

Widgets were previously limited to CarPlay Ultra.

On a related note, all of these new features are coming to CarPlay Ultra.

Multi-Touch Maps

Starting with iOS 26, CarPlay users can interact with mapping apps using multi-touch gestures in supported vehicles. This allows users to zoom and pan on the map with their fingers, just like they can on an iPhone.

Watch Videos While Parked

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.

Automakers need to add support for this feature, so it might be limited to newer vehicles and take some time to roll out.

Smart Display Zoom

iOS 26 adds a new Smart Display Zoom setting to CarPlay.

When the setting is enabled, CarPlay will be automatically resized to better fit the shape and size of your vehicle's dashboard screen, if possible.

The images below show what CarPlay looks like before and after the Smart Display Zoom setting is enabled. With the setting turned on, all of the user interface elements become smaller, allowing for an extra row of app icons to fit on the screen.

iOS 26 should be released in September.

This week's best Apple deals include low prices on AirTag, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and Beats headphones. You'll also still find a few great Father's Day sitewide sales going on this weekend, all of which will expire when the holiday rolls around this Sunday, June 15.

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.

Father's Day Deals

• What's the deal? Save on popular Apple accessories for Father's Day
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Father's Day deals continued this week at numerous retailers, and they include great deals on everything from Sonos home audio equipment to Mophie charging accessories and more.

• Sonos - Get up to $250 off home audio equipment
• Logitech - Get 20% off two or more items
• Native Union - Get 20% off sitewide
• Belkin - Get up to 30% off select purchase amounts
• GRID Studio - Get 15% off sitewide
• ZAGG - Get 25% off sitewide

Beats

• What's the deal? Get up to 51% off Beats headphones
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week began discounting a collection of Beats headphones and speakers, including an all-time low price on the Powerbeats Pro 2. You can get this new 2025 model for $199.95 in four colors, down from $249.99. This deal on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is being matched at Best Buy, along with a few other Beats deals.

• Beats Studio Buds+ - $99.95, down from $169.95
• Beats Pill - $99.00, down from $149.95
• Beats Solo 4 - $99.95, down from $199.95
• Beats Fit Pro - $169.95, down from $199.99
• Beats Studio Pro - $169.95, down from $349.99
• Powerbeats Pro 2 - $199.95, down from $249.99

AirTag

• What's the deal? Get up to $24 off AirTag
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week introduced a few good deals on the AirTag 1-Pack and 4-Pack, available for $22.98 for the former and $74.99 for the latter.

iPad Air

• What's the deal? Get $100 off M3 iPad Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon this week introduced discounts across nearly the entire M3 iPad Air lineup, offering $100 off these tablets. Prices start at $499.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Best Buy is matching all of these deals on the iPad Air.

iPad Mini

• What's the deal? Get $100 off iPad mini 7
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Amazon and Best Buy this week brought back $100 discounts across numerous models of the iPad mini 7. Prices start at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, and all of these represent record low prices for each model.

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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iPadOS 26 allows iPads to function much more like Macs, with a new app windowing system, a swipe-down menu bar at the top of the screen, and more. However, Apple has stopped short of allowing iPads to run macOS, and it has now explained why.

In an interview this week with Swiss tech journalist Rafael Zeier, Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi said that iPadOS 26's new Mac-like features strike a good balance between productivity and simplicity. He added that macOS is not optimized for touch-screens, although rumors suggest that might change one day.

"We want to retain all the simplicity of the iPad, but still allow iPad users who want to go deeper and further to push it at their own pace to doing more," said Federighi, in a sit-down interview at Apple Park's podcast studio. "I think with macOS, you'd lose what makes iPad iPad, which is the ultimate touch device. But there are lots of things the two platforms can learn from one another, and that's where we've adapted our best ideas to each."

The quote above is only a portion of Federighi's answer, with the full interview available below.

For those who are still looking for a true iPad and Mac hybrid, Apple is reportedly working on everything from touch-screen Macs to a 19-inch foldable iPad, so the dream of using macOS on a touch-screen might be just a few years away.

Alongside WWDC this week, Logitech announced notable new accessories for the iPad and Apple Vision Pro.

The Logitech Muse is a spatially-tracked stylus developed for use with the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌. Introduced during the WWDC 2025 keynote address, Muse is intended to support the next generation of spatial computing workflows enabled by visionOS 26. The device incorporates six degrees of freedom (6DoF) tracking, pressure-sensitive tips, and real-time haptic feedback to allow users to interact with digital environments through precise input and tactile realism.

According to Logitech, Muse is intended for use across a wide range of spatial computing applications, including 3D design, collaborative workspaces, and immersive visualization tools. During the keynote, the Muse stylus was used to draw freehand in virtual space, annotate objects, and measure dimensions of virtual items. The device features both physical buttons and gesture controls. Muse will be available later in 2025 through both Logitech and Apple.

Logitech also introduced the Flip Folio, a versatile new keyboard case for iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The accessory includes a full-size Bluetooth keyboard that magnetically attaches to the back of the protective folio case when not in use. The case also includes a multi-angle kickstand that supports both landscape and portrait orientations.

The Flip Folio is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch M4 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, as well as the 11-inch and 13-inch M2 and M3 ‌iPad Air‌. It also supports the 5th generation ‌iPad Air‌. The keyboard includes dedicated shortcut keys and supports pairing with up to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The keyboard is powered by replaceable coin cell batteries with an estimated battery life of up to two years under typical usage.

The Flip Folio is priced at $179.99 in the United States for the 13-inch version and $159.99 for the 11-inch model. Logitech is launching the Flip Folio in several colorways: Graphite and Black will be available globally in June 2025, though Black is exclusive to North America. Additional Pale Grey and Lilac options will arrive in September in select regions, while a Sand color variant will also debut in September as a North America exclusive.

In macOS Tahoe, Apple introduces the concept of Themes, with new appearance settings that go beyond the traditional Light and Dark modes, allowing you to customize the look of your Mac desktop more than ever. Here's what's changed.

In System Settings ➝ Appearance, there are still the standard Auto, Light, and Dark modes, but Apple has added several options that allow you to really mix things up and create your own stylized desktop environment.

"Accent color" has become "Color," and there's a new "Text highlight color" option, so you can now make highlighted text appear in a different shade to buttons, pop‑up menus, radio buttons, checkboxes, and focused outlines.

The default setting maintains the classic macOS look with app icons displaying their original colors. But you can now customize folder colors independently through a dedicated new "Folder Color" setting. When set to Automatic, folders retain their traditional blue appearance, but switching to other colors like purple will change all folder colors system-wide.

Meanwhile, a new "Icon & widget style" section offers three distinct modes alongside the Default. Like iOS 18, the new Dark option applies black backgrounds to icons throughout the system interface, including System Settings sidebar icons (this works in both Light and Dark modes). You can set this to Always or Automatic, which switches to dark icons at night while maintaining the default appearance during daylight hours.

The new Clear setting emphasizes the Liquid Glass redesign and adds a new transparency by picking up background colors, creating a more translucent interface effect. Clear also includes Light and Dark variants, or it can be set to Auto for automatic day-night switching.

Most notably, the Tinted option allows comprehensive color customization of both icons and folders. With "Tinted" selected, the Folder color setting becomes "Icon, widget & folder color," allowing you to select from preset colors or choose custom tints using the Other option (which includes a color picker and a theme color). Tinted mode can also be configured as Light or Dark for a more subdued appearance or set to Auto for time-based switching.

Overall, the new Theme enhancements ensure "personalization parity" between macOS and iOS. Apple is offering unprecedented control over your desktop's visual appearance, but you still get system-wide consistency across interface elements. For added visual customization, you can even add a symbol or emoji to folders for a unique flair. What do you think of the new Theme options in macOS 26? Let us know in the comments.

Apple today added the iPhone XS to the vintage products list on its website.

Apple considers a device to be "vintage" once five years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers may still offer repairs for vintage devices, subject to parts availability.

Apple released the iPhone XS in September 2018, and it was discontinued a year later. However, the device remained available through select resellers for longer, so it has only recently reached the five-year mark for vintage status.

In two more years from now, the iPhone XS will be classified as fully obsolete, at which point Apple will no longer service the device.

Apple already classified the larger iPhone XS Max as vintage in November 2024.

Overall, the iPhone XS was a relatively minor upgrade over the iPhone X. The device's key new features included a faster A12 Bionic chip, improved cameras, and dual SIM support, while the iPhone XS Max offered a larger 6.5-inch display.

Apple also moved the iPad 5 from the vintage list to the obsolete list today.

Last, Apple added fine print to the page that says 2018 Mac mini owners should check with an Apple Authorized Service Provider to determine the service status of that computer, which was added to the vintage list a few months ago. It seemed a bit early for this model to be considered vintage, but the situation is not clear to us.

On this week's special episode of The MacRumors Show from Apple Park, we recap Apple's major announcements from WWDC 2025.

Apple introduced a uniform naming scheme across its platforms—iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and macOS are now versioned by the calendar year. This includes macOS 26, titled "Tahoe." The update marks the final macOS release to support Intel-based Macs.

Liquid Glass is a new translucent design language inspired by visionOS. It dynamically refracts and reflects its surroundings across icons, menus, widgets, and controls, introducing a clear, immersive home screen experience. This is Apple's most sweeping visual refresh since iOS 7.

Nearly all of the new features in iOS 26 carry over to Apple's other platforms. Messages gains chat backgrounds, polls, and typing indicators in group threads. A new Games app aggregates event feeds, community tabs, and "Play Together" social features. The Photos app returns to a Library/Collections tabbed interface and introduces spatialized photo effects. Battery settings now include recharge‑time estimates and adaptive power mode. The Phone app is redesigned (and extended to iPad and Mac) with unified design, call screening, and Hold Assist. Apple Music offers animated album art full-screen, Music pins, AutoMix DJ transitions, and lyric translation. Finally, Maps introduces a "Visited Places" feature leveraging on‑device intelligence.

watchOS 26 debuts a refreshed Workout app layout and introduces Workout Buddy, an AI fitness coach that uses voice guidance to mark milestones, deliver stats, and celebrate records. The Apple Watch can now suggest workout music, and the Smart Stack UI adapts more intelligently. A wrist‑flick gesture dismisses notifications, and notification volume auto‑adjusts. Plus, the Notes app makes its debut on watchOS.

In visionOS 26, users can place widgets in physical space, and the system retains their position. A "Look to scroll" gesture enables more intuitive navigation, and users can now unlock iPhones via Vision Pro. The update introduces new customizable Personas and enhanced guest‑mode collaboration. New accessories such as the Logitech Muse (a 6‑DoF pen) and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers are now supported.

iPadOS 26 embraces macOS‑style windowing—full‑screen with resizable grab handles, traffic‑light controls, flick‑to‑tile window placement, and Exposé. A persistent menu bar and revamped pointer introduce desktop-like navigation. The Files app features customizable columns, default‑app settings per file type, folder personalization, and drag‑to‑Dock support. Apple adds a standalone Preview app and the Journal app (also now on macOS). Developers gain local audio‑input APIs, video‑call recording tools, and background‑task support.

macOS 26 Tahoe adopts Liquid Glass throughout, introduces color‑and‑emoji folder customization, and brings support for Shortcut automations. Spotlight becomes a full‑featured launcher—complete with intelligent suggestions, inline app actions, Quick‑Key shortcuts, clipboard history, and developer App Intents integration. A new Applications experience replaces Launchpad.

Apple Intelligence expands with developer access to its foundation model via a new API, supporting private, offline AI integration. Visual Intelligence extends across screens, allowing direct in‑screenshot actions, while Image Playground gains support for ChatGPT image‑creation. Live Translation is built in for Messages, calls, and FaceTime captions, and these tools are now accessible through developer APIs.

YouTuber Kevin Nether, also known as "Kevin the Tech Ninja," joins us on this week's episode. See more of his work over on his YouTube channel. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

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Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as John Gruber, Mark Gurman, Kevin Nether, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

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Valve has quietly released a Steam Client Beta that runs natively on Apple Silicon, finally ending its reliance on the Rosetta 2 translation layer.

The updated Steam client eliminates the performance overhead that plagued Mac gamers since Apple's transition to its own chips. Steam's Chromium-based interface, which could slow to a crawl on occasion, now runs directly on Apple Silicon rather than through Intel emulation.

Early testers report dramatically faster launch times and smoother navigation through the Store and Library. The difference should be immediately apparent, with basic actions like switching tabs feeling fluid rather than laggy.

Apple announced this week at WWDC that macOS Tahoe will be the last version supporting Intel Macs, with Rosetta 2 set for deprecation. Starting with macOS 28, Apple said that only a limited version of Rosetta 2 will remain available for older games that rely on Intel-based frameworks

Mac users can access the beta through Steam's settings. Navigate to Interface, select "Steam Beta Update" from the Client Beta Participation dropdown, then restart to download the roughly 230MB update.

You can verify the native version is running by checking Activity Monitor – Steam should appear with "Kind: Apple" rather than "Kind: Intel."

Apple's Passwords app is getting a handy new feature in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe that should eliminate a particularly frustrating password management scenario.

The Passwords app now saves complete version history for stored logins that have been changed, which could be a lifesaver if you find yourself in a situation where a password gets accidentally overwritten.

Users will find a new "View History" button when opening any login that has multiple saved versions. The history display shows each different password iteration, creation timestamps, and an option to clear the stored versions.

Apple launched the standalone Passwords app in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia after years of burying password management tools within the Settings app, and the version history addition is a nice refinement in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and MacOS Tahoe.

The update should prove particularly valuable for users managing frequently-changing credentials or situations where you update a password on a website and something causes the new credentials to not register properly.

Apple TV devices will support Thread 1.4 when tvOS 26 launches this fall, according to network analysis by Matter Alpha. The update was discovered in the tvOS 26 beta announced at WWDC, suggesting the upcoming HomePod Software 26 will also support the latest version of the protocol.

Thread 1.4 addresses a particular issue in the form of competing Thread networks. Previously, border routers from different manufacturers would create separate networks, which fragments your smart home setup. The new standard ensures all Thread 1.4 devices join a single mesh network instead.

The protocol update also gives Thread devices direct internet access, enabling features like smart shades that adjust based on weather conditions or lights that change color with sports scores.

Since HomePod uses a fork of tvOS, the upcoming HomePod Software 26 will likely include Thread 1.4 support as well. Both Apple TV 4K and HomePod models work as home hubs in Apple's smart home ecosystem, and they also serve as Thread border routers.

Thread 1.4 was officially released in September 2024 and includes improved testing tools for manufacturers plus better network visibility for troubleshooting. The Thread Group reports major device and platform vendors are gradually adopting the standard, though Google and Amazon's adoption of Thread 1.4 is expected to come next year at the earliest.

Apple users will gain access to the new Thread 1.4 capabilities when tvOS 26 is released in September.