2026 iPad Mini to Debut Innovative New Speaker System
Apple is developing a next-generation iPad mini with a novel vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker holes, according to Bloomberg.
The new acoustic design would allow sound to emit from flat surfaces on the device's chassis rather than through conventional grilles. By removing these openings, Apple aims to create a more water-resistant enclosure similar to the iPhone's protection level.
However, the approach described by the latest Bloomberg report differs from the iPhone, which relies on adhesives and gaskets around speaker openings to prevent water ingress.
Current iPad mini models lack any official IP rating, and that means they're vulnerable to moisture damage, but the speaker hole redesign addresses one of the main areas where water typically penetrates a device.
Apple has been exploring related speaker technology for years. A 2014 patent describes a "mechanically actuated panel acoustic system" that turns portions of a device's body into a speaker diaphragm through vibration, negating the need for speaker grilles. With the iPad mini 8, Apple could be finally ready to implement a similar solution.
Apple last updated the iPad mini in 2024 with the seventh-generation model. The water-resistant version with the new speaker system could arrive as soon as 2026, and it's also expected to benefit from a brighter OLED display that replaces the older LCD panel currently used.
Popular Stories
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.
In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
