MacRumors

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple seeded the first betas.

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 were found in the first 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 second 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 second betas of upcoming visionOS 2.6, tvOS 18.6, and watchOS 11.6 updates for testing purposes. The software comes two weeks after Apple released the first betas.

The betas are available to registered developers 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 int he first betas, but we'll update this article if anything new is found.

Apple today updated Pixelmator Pro, the drawing and photo editing app that it acquired last year. The new version of Pixelmator Pro incorporates Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Image Playground.

‌Image Playground‌ integration allows Pixelmator Pro to generate original images based on a photo, description, or people from the Photos library. There's an Add to Playground feature to recreate image layers or drawings in animation, illustration, or sketch styles, plus created images can be inserted as separate layers. Apple says that when using Pixelmator Pro's templates or mockups, placeholder images can be replaced with ‌Image Playground‌ creations.

Writing Tools integration lets users proofread, summarize, rewrite, and modify the tone of any text that is incorporated into a Pixelmator Pro creation. Compose with ChatGPT is an available option, and using the tools can be done by control clicking highlighted text and clicking Writing Tools.

Other improvements include support for RAW images from OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II cameras, improved VoiceOver support, and an option to hover over items in the Tools sidebar to display names in a larger size with Hover Text.

Pixelmator Pro is priced at $50 and it can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.

Today we're tracking an all-time low price for the Apple Pencil Pro at Amazon and a solid deal on the AirTag at Best Buy. Amazon also has matching deals on the AirTag, but prices have been unreliable today, with frequent fluctuations between all-time lows and higher prices.

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.

Starting with the Apple Pencil Pro, you can get this accessory for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a match for the record low price on the Apple Pencil Pro, and it's a deal that doesn't typically stick around long on Amazon, so if you've been waiting for it to return, be sure to check it out soon.

Secondly, Best Buy has the AirTag 1-Pack on sale for $22.99, down from $29.00, which is a match of the all-time low price on the accessory. You can also get the AirTag 4-Pack for $74.99, down from $99.00.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Google has released a new Apple Watch app for Google Calendar, bringing its native calendar and task functionality to watchOS for the first time.

As of version 25.24.1, users can now access a dedicated Apple Watch app that displays a simplified overview of upcoming events and Google Tasks directly on their wrist. The app presents a week's worth of schedule information in a list format, with each entry appearing as a color-coded card. Each card includes the scheduled time, title of the event or task, and associated location.

Tapping an item reveals additional event details, although the app does not currently support the creation or editing of events from the watch itself. A message within the app prompts users to open the Google Calendar iPhone app to view more.

Alongside the app, Google has also introduced two new complications compatible with watchOS watch faces and the Smart Stack. The first, labeled "What's next," is available in circular and rectangular formats and displays the user's upcoming appointment. When tapped, the complication opens the Google Calendar watch app and displays the corresponding event's details. The second complication, "Today's date," shows the current day and date in a small circular format and also serves as a launch point for the app.

Prior to this release, only Google Maps, YouTube Music, and Google Keep had dedicated watchOS apps. Version 25.24.1 of Google Calendar with Apple Watch support is now available on the App Store.

Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors.

Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

MacRumors can now reveal that it first spotted evidence of such a device in backend code related to Apple Intelligence last summer, and subsequently confirmed its use of the A18 Pro chip. The machine features the identifier "Mac17,1."

This would be the first Mac powered by an ‌iPhone‌ chip. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series chips, which offer higher core counts, support for larger amounts of memory, and better external display support. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year.

According to Kuo, the new MacBook is expected to enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of 2025 or early in the first quarter of 2026, which situates launch in the first half of next year.

Apple users can now back up and access their iPhone photos directly via Xiaomi Cloud, following a new update to the Xiaomi app for iOS.

Version 1.7.2 of the Xiaomi Interconnectivity app introduces full cloud photo album support for ‌iPhone‌ and iPad users running iOS 14.0 or later. Apple device users can now sync their entire photo libraries directly to Xiaomi Cloud, Xiaomi's proprietary cloud storage platform. This marks the first time native photo backup support has been made available on Apple devices for Xiaomi's cloud services.

Previously, the Xiaomi Interconnectivity app for iOS primarily featured basic tools such as file transfer and device discovery between Apple and Xiaomi hardware using the same Xiaomi account. The latest version changes that, enabling users to upload, browse, and manage their ‌iPhone‌ photos via Xiaomi Cloud and then access them from other Xiaomi devices, including those running HyperOS.

Xiaomi describes the functionality as a "cloud album" feature that mirrors the experience available on Xiaomi devices natively. This includes automatic photo backup, synchronization across devices, and full-resolution image access from within the app. The feature is designed to streamline workflows for users managing data across multiple operating systems.

Version 1.7.2 of the Xiaomi Interconnectivity app is available now on the App Store.

Apple will delay bringing some features to users in the European Union because regulations are making it increasingly difficult for it to do so, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Speaking at a workshop with EU officials and developers in Brussels earlier today, Apple's vice president of legal, Kyle Andeer, said, "We've already had to make the decision to delay the release of products and features, we announced this month for our EU customers." Users' security could be compromised if the company is obliged to open up its ecosystem to competitors, he added.

Tools such as "visited places" in the Maps app will not be available in the EU when iOS 26 is released later this year. Apple said it is still determining which features may not be available in the EU, and is working to find solutions to deliver them as swiftly as possible.

Apple has to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is designed to curb the market power so-called "gatekeeper" technology companies by opening up their platforms. Apple profusely disagrees with the implementation of the DMA and argues that it degrades the quality of its products, exposes users to security and privacy risks, and makes rolling out updates in the EU more complicated.

Andeer said that the changes Apple has had to make to bring its products into compliance with the rules "create real privacy, security, safety risks to our users." An EU official present at the meeting apparently said the regulator and Apple disagree on the reach of the DMA and potential security risks.

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.

As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history.

The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to ‌Apple Music‌, but now, Replay All Time shows a comprehensive list of the top 100 songs across all subscriber years. Since ‌Apple Music‌ has now been available for a decade, long-standing ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers will be able to get a picture of their long-term listening habits for the first time.

Replay All Time appears in the ‌Apple Music‌ Home tab and will continue to be updated dynamically updated based on the user's full listening history.

Apple may reposition the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro for the first time in six years, according to a new leak that points to the redesigned top camera system potentially requiring the visual shift.

The claim originates from the leaker known as "Majin Bu," who posted an image and description of the alleged change on social media and their personal blog. According to Bu, the Apple logo will move to be noticeably lower on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, closer to the bottom-center of the device's rear. The shift is apparently necessitated by the new, full-width camera bar that is expected to span the entire width of the back of the device. The camera design is as a significant departure from the current module layout, with both the flash and LiDAR scanner moving to the right edge of the device.

This is the first report to link the anticipated top camera redesign with a repositioning of the Apple logo, but the change could make sense. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ is expected to move to a new aluminum frame that encompasses almost the entire rear, with a cutout for a glass squircle below the full-width aluminum camera bump to enable wireless charging. As a result, it could make sense for the Apple logo to be centered within that glass cutout.

However, moving the Apple logo could cause some amount of confusion among users or require changes to the way MagSafe-compatible accessories are designed. This is because since its introduction with the iPhone 12, the Apple logo has indicated where users should align MagSafe accessories, with the magnets embedded beneath the center of the back panel around the logo.

Majin Bu added that a company which makes accessories for Apple devices has begun adapting their case production based on this new logo placement. In one image shared on his website, Majin Bu shows a transparent case with a break in the circular ‌MagSafe‌ ring to expose the repositioned Apple logo. This suggests that Apple may not be altering the internal placement of the ‌MagSafe‌ magnet array, which would otherwise require extensive changes to a broad range of accessories. Accessory manufacturers are said to be watching the situation closely.

Leaker Sonny Dickson has since corroborated the rumor with digital schematics, suggesting that iPhone 17 accessories will move to a new design with a break in the circular ‌MagSafe‌ ring to expose the repositioned Apple logo:

Apple has made notable changes to the placement and styling of the rear logo in the past. From the original ‌iPhone‌ through the ‌iPhone‌ X, the logo was placed higher up on the back, and a small "‌iPhone‌" inscription appeared toward the bottom. With the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup, Apple removed the "‌iPhone‌" wordmark entirely and centered the Apple logo on the rear for visual balance with the new square camera bump. This layout has remained consistent across all subsequent models, including the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌.

Amazon today has the USB-C AirPods Max on sale for $479.99 in all colors except Purple, down from $549.00. This is an overall second-best price on the headphones.

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.

Colors available on sale include Blue, Midnight, Orange, and Starlight. All colors have an estimated delivery date of early July, with most providing a delivery estimate around July 5 for free shipping options. Prime members in certain cities should be able to see same-day delivery options.

It's also worth noting that Best Buy is matching these prices and has every color on sale, if you prefer shopping at that retailer. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art studio complex in Los Angeles and a series of special programs to mark the 10th anniversary of Apple Music.

The new facility is located in Culver City, California and spans three stories and over 15,000 square feet. The space is designed to support the creation of artist-driven content, immersive audio innovation, and connection between musicians and their audiences through various forms of media.

Described as a "creative campus," the new studio includes two advanced radio studios equipped with immersive Spatial Audio playback, as well as modular configurations that can accommodate live interviews, informal conversations, and spontaneous performances. Apple added that the Los Angeles location will serve as the anchor point in a broader network of ‌Apple Music‌ studios operating in cities including New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, and Nashville.

To mark the 10-year anniversary, ‌Apple Music‌ Radio is hosting a day-long programming event today. The schedule begins with a retrospective segment titled "Don't Be Boring: The Birth of ‌Apple Music‌ Radio with Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden" airing from 6 to 8 a.m. Pacific Time. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, ‌Apple Music‌ 1 will air "10 Years of ‌Apple Music‌," featuring highlights from artist interviews, exclusive song premieres, and milestone cultural events hosted on the platform. The day concludes with a live event from 4 to 7 p.m. PT titled "Live: 10 Years Of ‌Apple Music‌," hosted by Lowe and Darden, with a lineup of artists who have played significant roles in the platform's trajectory.

Apple also announced a multi-day programming block that begins on July 1, during which ‌Apple Music‌ Radio will count down the 500 most-streamed songs in the streaming service's history. The countdown will cover 100 songs per day, ending with the top 100 on July 5. On the same day, the company will release the complete "10 Years of ‌Apple Music‌: Top Songs" playlist for streaming.

In addition, ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers can now access a new personalized playlist called "Replay All Time." Expanding on the company's annual Replay feature, which provides listeners with a retrospective of their most-played tracks each year, Replay All Time aggregates and ranks songs that users have streamed most frequently since first joining the service. The playlist appears in the ‌Apple Music‌ Home tab and is dynamically updated based on the user's full listening history.

Chinese display manufacturer BOE is aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain.

In May 2022, Apple halted BOE's inclusion in the ‌iPhone‌ 13's supply chain after detecting unauthorized design modifications. The crisis began when BOE, facing component shortages and yield issues, expanded the circuit width of thin-film transistors in its panels without Apple's approval. When Apple discovered this, Apple instructed BOE to halt production.

Since then, BOE has gradually sought to return to Apple's good graces. The company was later granted approval to resume supplying OLED panels for the ‌iPhone‌ 14, albeit in limited quantities. According to data published in UBI Research's latest China Display Trend Report (via ZDNet Korea), the Chinese supplier intends to play a major role in ‌iPhone‌ production in the future and grow its share of Apple's highly competitive display supply chain.

BOE has concentrated its ‌iPhone‌ panel production capacity at its B11 fabrication plant in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The facility has been under continuous expansion and now includes 26 Apple-only OLED module lines. Of these, 11 are reported to be in mass production, while an additional three are used solely for development. With each line capable of producing 350,000 panels per month, BOE's output capacity for ‌iPhone‌ displays now totals approximately 8 million units per month. At a 90% utilization rate and an 85% yield, this equates to an annual output of at least 100 million panels.

Today, Apple sources the majority of its OLED panels for iPhones from South Korea-based Samsung Display and LG Display. The reintroduction of BOE into Apple's main ‌iPhone‌ production plans is expected to put price pressure on Samsung Display and LG Display, giving Apple much more negotiation power on unit prices. BOE is also planning to narrow the gap with Samsung and LG in terms of panel brightness, efficiency, and long-term durability.

BOE's presence in Apple's panel supply chain still remains contingent upon meeting strict quality and reliability standards. BOE has been gradually increasing its supply share over successive ‌iPhone‌ generations, but its participation in the initial shipments of new ‌iPhone‌ models remains limited. For the iPhone 16 lineup, BOE did not play a significant role during the early stages of the launch cycle, and a similar outcome is expected for the iPhone 17. As a result, a major increase in supplier share may not occur until the iPhone 18 next year.

Apple held off on announcing two iOS 26 features that it still plans to release this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple did not want to risk repeating WWDC 2024, where it announced an array of features that were ultimately delayed by months or still haven't arrived. As a result, at least two ‌iOS 26‌ features were not shown at WWDC, but are still apparently scheduled to arrive as part of ‌iOS 26‌ this year.

The first of these is live translation of conversations using AirPods. If an English speaker with AirPods is talking to someone who is speaking Spanish, the ‌iPhone‌ will detect the audio, translate the speech, and relay it back in English to the person wearing AirPods. The person speaking English will then be able to respond and have their response translated to Spanish and spoken aloud by the ‌‌iPhone‌‌.

Apple's ‌‌iPhone‌‌ Translate app can already be used for conversations like this, but having the function included in the AirPods will streamline the exchange. Apple announced a wide range of language translation features at WWDC this year, but the widely rumored AirPods live translation feature was noticeably absent.

The second feature is the ability to sync public network login information across devices. The system will allow users to enter login details for captive Wi-Fi networks, commonly found in hotels, airports, and coffee shops, just once, and then automatically sync that information across their ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac devices. The time-saving feature should eliminate the frustration of repeatedly logging into the same network portal across multiple Apple devices.

"When you go to a new hotel, office building or gym, you're often asked to fill out a web form on all your devices before you can access the internet," Gurman said in May. "This new feature will let you enter that information on one device and have it synched to your other products."

‌iOS 26‌ is set to officially release as a free update for the ‌iPhone‌ 11 or newer in the fall.

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Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared a detailed roadmap of the company's Vision and smart glasses plans until the end of the decade.

Apple apparently has at least seven projects in development, including three "Vision" devices and four smart glasses products. Kuo says that five of these products have "confirmed" development timelines, while two remain to be confirmed. Here's what to expect:

2025

• Apple Vision Pro (M5): A refreshed first-generation Vision Pro. Featuring the M5 chip with no other changes, the new device will not be considered to be a "second generation" model. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025 and Apple is expecting to ship 150,000–200,000 units this year. It will likely remain a niche product. The second generation model is simply designed to maintain market presence and support ecosystem development, as well as reduce inventory of excess components in the supply chain.

2026

• No new Vision or smart glasses products to be released.

2027

• Apple Smart Glasses: Similar to Meta Ray-Bans, Apple's first smart glasses product will offer multiple frame and temple material options for a more personalized look. It will feature voice control and gesture recognition, but there will be no display. Key features include audio playback, photography and videography, and AI-powered environmental awareness. Some users will use the smart glasses to replace their AirPods or iPhone camera in certain situations. Mass production is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, with Apple expecting shipments of three to five million units in the launch year. It will likely be the first Vision or glasses product to achieve significant sales volume.
• Apple Vision Air: Featuring all-new design that is "substantially lighter," with over 40% weight reduction compared to the Vision Pro. This weight reduction will be achieved by replacing glass with plastic, using magnesium alloy, and reducing the number of sensors on the device. It will contain Apple's latest flagship ‌iPhone‌ processor of the time, rather than an M-series chip. It will come at a "significantly lower price point" than the Vision Pro. Mass production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.

2028

• Apple Vision Pro (second generation): Apple's true second generation Vision Pro headset will debut an entirely new design with a significantly reduced weight. It will feature a powerful, Mac-grade processor and a lower price point. Mass production is projected to begin in the second half of 2028.
• Apple XR Glasses: While the product will feature voice control and gesture recognition like the company's first smart glasses, this more advanced version will add a color Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) display with waveguide optics. AI will apparently be critical to the device's success. Mass production is scheduled for the second half of 2028. Several other brands are expected to release similar products before Apple to establish early market presence, but due to the nature of this category of devices as early technology, these products will probably remain niche offerings over their first few years of existence.

2029 and Later

• Apple XR Glasses (second generation or variant): A different version of Apple's XR glasses introduced in 2028, with a later production timeline. Little is known about this device at present.
• Display Accessory (development paused): An all-new kind of device that uses a tethered connection to display content from Apple devices like iPhones and Macs. It features display technology from Birdbath optics with electrochromic dimming. The device was originally scheduled to enter mass production in the second quarter of 2026, but its development was paused in the fourth quarter of 2024 because Apple questioned its competitive advantage over other existing products. Apple's version had a weight of 120–130 grams, versus a sub-100 gram weight of competitors. Apple is currently reviewing the product for "repositioning and specification refinement," and a project restart is possible.

Kuo believes that Apple has considerable competitive advantages in its plan to offer a range of Vision and smart glasses products, due to its robust hardware development capabilities and unique ecosystem integration. The main challenge facing the company remains AI-powered features and software. See Kuo's full report for more information.

Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an ‌iPhone‌ chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series chips, which offer higher core counts, support for larger amounts of memory, and better external display support. The more-affordable MacBook could come in Silver, Blue, Pink, and Yellow finishes.

The new MacBook is expected to enter mass production late in the fourth quarter of 2025 or early in the first quarter of 2026. Apple is hoping that it will drive MacBook purchases and account for 20–28% of sales next year. Chinese technology company Everwin Precision is set to benefit from the release of the new MacBook, serving as a key supplier for its casings.

Amazon this weekend has record low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. You'll also find a few deals on cellular models during this sale.

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.

Compared to past sales, this is a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the tablet, and it's available in all four colors. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.00, both $100 discounts and available in all colors.

Deals on cellular models are a bit rarer on Amazon, with two colors of the 128GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $549.00 and a few colors of the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $649.00, both $100 off.

You can also pair a new iPad mini with the Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 on sale right now on Amazon, down from $129.00.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

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Amazon today is offering numerous discounts on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch SE, including both GPS and cellular models. These deals are being matched at Best Buy in most cases, and if you're looking for bands to go with a new Apple Watch be sure to check out Woot's massive sale on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands.

Apple Watch Series 10

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.

Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $299.00, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in about 5-6 case colors and band styles.

Apple Watch SE

In addition to Series 10 deals, Amazon is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.00 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.

Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE for $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.

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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