MacRumors

Apple has been refining Liquid Glass during the developer beta testing process, and both beta two and beta three have introduced some major tweaks. There was little outcry over the updates that Apple made in the second beta, but the third beta's design updates have frustrated some users who feel that Apple is removing too much of the Liquid Glass aesthetic.

For context, Apple made navigation bars more opaque across many apps in iOS 26 beta 3, and we've got a series of side-by-side comparisons that demonstrate what's different. In all of the comparison images, beta 2 is on the left and beta 3 is on the right.

Apple Music

Apple Music's bottom navigation bar is more opaque, and it has the frosted glass look that Apple is now favoring. The change is most noticeable when scrolling over a background that has color. In beta 2, the navigation bar was almost translucent, allowing much of the background color to shine through. That effect is significantly reduced in beta 3.

Safari

The changes in Safari vary depending on what you're doing, the background color of the website, and which Tab View design you're using. In general, the URL bar is more opaque and less prone to notable shifts in color. Less of the background comes through.

The URL bar will still change from light to dark if the content you're scrolling over is predominantly dark, but there's a higher threshold for that to kick on.

It's easiest to see the difference with the Compact View, because it was the most translucent view to begin with.

App Store

The App Store's navigation bar has one of the most noticeable changes, and it's almost entirely opaque now.

Podcasts

As with ‌Apple Music‌, translucency has been almost entirely eliminated in the Podcasts navigation bar. The change is easiest to see with backgrounds that have color.

Apple TV

The Apple TV app has a darker background and the change is more subtle. The overlaying navigation bar is a darker glass color, but transparency appears to be similar.

Photos

For the Photos app, Apple tweaked the design in a similar way to the ‌Apple TV‌ app. The navigation bar is darker, but there's been little change to transparency.

Calendar

Calendar's navigation buttons are more opaque, both in Light Mode and ‌Dark Mode‌.

Keyboard

The Spotlight Search keyboard is both more and less translucent. The keyboard itself has slightly more background visible, but the search bar is darker.

Dark Mode

‌Dark Mode‌ has retained more transparency than Light Mode for the most part, so you may see less of a difference if you have ‌Dark Mode‌ enabled permanently. Some menu bar elements are darker than before, but white text on a dark background is more readable so Apple had to increase the opaqueness less.

This isn't true for all apps, though, and there are areas with dark navigation bars that also have less translucency.

Color Dependency

The difference that you see between beta 2 and beta 3 can vary quite a bit depending on the color in the background. With some white backgrounds, it's hard to tell that the Liquid Glass has a more frosted appearance, and the updates are mostly noticeable with light colors.

Over content that is are darker, navigation bars will often transition to their ‌Dark Mode‌ view that appears more translucent, as can be seen in the Safari screenshot below. This is the same effect you'll see with ‌Dark Mode‌ enabled.

Notifications, Lock Screen, and Home Screen

On the Lock Screen, the time is ever so slightly more opaque than it was before. With some background colors, notifications also have a darker background than before, but this isn't always noticeable. Home Screen and Control Center haven't changed much if at all.

For App Library, the search bar doesn't have blurred edges when scrolling, which makes it easier to see. Apple hasn't changed translucency.

Other App Changes

Most of Apple's built-in apps have tweaked buttons and navigation bars in ‌iOS 26‌ beta 3, with repeats of the design changes listed above.

• Weather - The buttons at the bottom of the app are much darker than before, and the search button is no longer translucent.
• Camera - No noticeable change.
• FaceTime - No noticeable change.
• Messages - The search bar isn't as translucent, nor is the message compose bar. Popover buttons haven't changed.
• Maps - Maps is actually more translucent, because it's using Liquid Glass for the turn-by-turn directions that are shown at the top of the app.
• Mail - Buttons have less translucency.
• Notes - The buttons and navigation bar in the Notes app already had little translucency, but it's been reduced further and is almost non-existent.
• Reminders - When you're composing a Reminder, the toolbar has less translucency. The search bar and popover menus are the same.
• Clock - No change.
• Health - The Health app's navigation bar and search bar are a little less transparent, but it was already fairly opaque.
• Wallet - Buttons aren't as transparent, so if you scroll over something with bright colors, it's no longer visible behind the button.
• Settings - The Search bar is more opaque.
• Find My - No change.
• Stocks - The translucency of Top Stories is unchanged, but the search bar has increased opacity.
• Home - Less opacity overall for navigation bar and home control buttons.
• Books - Navigation menus and search have less translucency.
• Fitness - Little change because the app uses a darker background, but the buttons are a touch darker than before.
• Contacts - Less translucency for search.
• Files - Less translucency for navigation bar and search.
• Translate - No change.
• Shortcuts - Less translucency for navigation bar. Keyboard translucency remains the same.
• Calculator - History interface is more opaque.
• Voice Memos - No change.
• Compass - No change.
• Passwords - Navigation bar and search interface lost translucency.
• Games - Navigation bar is darker and less translucent.
• Preview - No change.

What do you think of the changes that Apple made in ‌iOS 26‌ beta 3? Are you hoping for some of the Liquid Glass design to be reimplemented, or do you prefer the more opaque look? Let us know in the comments below.

Apple appears to be developing an AI-based "Support Assistant" for the Apple Support app. Signs of the feature were found in Apple code by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, but the Support Assistant doesn't appear to be live in the app as of yet.

Apple users will interact with Support Assistant through chats. The Apple Support app already has a chat feature that relies on Messages, but it is used for communicating with Apple's live support agents. Support Assistant would likely allow customers to open the Apple Support app, type in a problem that they're having, and get generative AI-based solutions as a step before contacting a live person. Apple's code says that users will have the option to consult with an Apple advisor for help after using the Support Assistant feature.

The code states that the Support Assistant "uses generative models," and that it will provide answers "related to certain Apple products and services." Apple warns that generative models can sometimes provide "incorrect, misleading, incomplete, offensive, or harmful outputs," and that customers should not rely on information from Support Assistant as a substitute for professional advice.

There is a reference to uploading content, which suggests Support Assistant could allow users to upload images, PDFs, or documents related to support requests. Apple also says that it works with partners to provide Support Assistant, so it's possible that this will be a ChatGPT-powered feature.

There isn't any indication of when the Support Assistant feature might launch, but Apple is already testing a ChatGPT-style generative AI tool for AppleCare support advisors.

That tool, called "Ask," is designed to generate responses to technical questions that advisors receive from customers. Ask brings up information from Apple's internal knowledge base, and advisors are able to ask follow-up questions.

Apple today announced a major executive shakeup: Jeff Williams will be stepping down as Chief Operating Officer (COO) later this month, and he will be succeeded by Sabih Khan, who has served as Apple's Senior Vice President of Operations since 2019.

Since being promoted to COO in 2015, Williams has overseen Apple's entire worldwide operations, as well as customer service and support. He has also led Apple Watch engineering and health initiatives, and he took over Apple's design team in 2023.

Williams will remain at Apple in a transitionary role until he fully retires from the company towards the end of this year. He will continue reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook and overseeing Apple's design team and Apple Watch engineering until he retires, at which point the design team will report directly to Cook.

Cook shared a heartfelt message about Williams, who has worked at Apple since 1998:

Jeff and I have worked alongside each other for as long as I can remember, and Apple wouldn't be what it is without him. He's helped to create one of the most respected global supply chains in the world; launched Apple Watch and overseen its development; architected Apple's health strategy; and led our world class team of designers with great wisdom, heart, and dedication. I am and will always be beyond grateful for his numerous contributions to Apple over the years and his loyal friendship. Jeff's true legacy can be seen in the amazing team he's created and, while he'll be greatly missed, he leaves the work of the future in incredible hands.

Williams shared his own heartfelt farewell message:

I have a deep love for Apple. Working with all of the amazing people at this company has been a privilege of a lifetime, and I can't thank Tim enough for the opportunity, his inspirational leadership, and our friendship over the years. June marked my 27th anniversary with Apple, and my 40th in the industry. Beginning next year, I plan to spend more time with friends and family, including five grandchildren and counting. I've had the pleasure of working closely with Sabih for 27 years and I think he's the most talented operations executive on the planet. I have tremendous confidence in Apple's future under his leadership in this role.

Apple said Khan will gradually transition into the role of COO starting later this month, as part of a "long-planned succession." For the past six years, he has been in charge of Apple's global supply chain, overseeing everything from manufacturing to logistics.

Cook expressed confidence in Khan, who has worked at Apple for more than 30 years:

Sabih is a brilliant strategist who has been one of the central architects of Apple's supply chain. While overseeing Apple's supply chain, he has helped pioneer new technologies in advanced manufacturing, overseen the expansion of Apple's manufacturing footprint in the United States, and helped ensure that Apple can be nimble in response to global challenges. He has advanced our ambitious efforts in environmental sustainability, helping reduce Apple's carbon footprint by more than 60 percent. Above all, Sabih leads with his heart and his values, and I know he will make an exceptional chief operating officer.

We wish Williams all the best in retirement.

iOS 26 was announced nearly a month ago, but there is one change related to phone calls and messages that flew under our radar until now.

As reported by German tech news website Heise last month, Apple has introduced new APIs that allow for developers to implement support for making cellular phone calls and sending and receiving SMS/MMS/RCS messages in third-party apps, but only iPhone users in the EU will be able to take advantage of this functionality.

These carrier-based capabilities have always been limited to Apple's Phone and Messages apps, so this is a big change. Apple likely expanded these features in response to current or anticipated regulations under the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Third-party apps could already offer Wi-Fi calling and messaging.

Apple says iPhone users in the EU will only be able to make cellular phone calls and/or send and receive SMS/MMS/RCS messages in a supported third-party app when they have selected the app as their default dialing app and/or default carrier messaging app on iOS 26. Otherwise, the functionality is not enabled.

These capabilities will not be available in third-party iPad apps, or in iPhone apps running on macOS or visionOS, according to Apple.

For the cellular phone call functionality in particular, even the developer of an app requires an Apple Developer account registered in the EU. Given how locked down these capabilities are, do not expect them to expand to the U.S. or elsewhere any time soon.

iOS 26 is currently in beta. The update should be released to the general public in September.

As Prime Day continues today, we're highlighting all of the best Apple deals you can get for under $100 on Amazon. This includes AirPods, Apple Pencil Pro, AirTags, iPhone cases, USB-C chargers, and more.

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.

You can find every Apple deal available during Prime Day in our dedicated post. Remember that you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get Prime Day deals, and you can sign up for Prime on Amazon if you don't have the service yet.

$30 Or Under

In the cheapest category, you can get Apple's 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $13.00, down from $19.00 and the AirTag 1 Pack for $19.99, down from $29.00.

$50 Or Under

For accessories priced between $30 and $50, there are a few sales on Amazon for Prime Day. You can get the 35W Dual USB-C Port Power Adapter for $49.98, down from $59.00, as well as discounts on iPhone 16 cases.

$100 Or Under

Lastly, we're tracking a few deals on Apple products that are just under $100 for Prime Day. You can get an AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99 ($34 off), an Apple Pencil Pro for $99.00 ($30 off), and AirPods 4 for $89.00 ($40 off).

If you're on the hunt for more Prime Day discounts, be sure to visit our big Prime Day post where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the event.

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Apple today provided developers with the third beta of tvOS 26 for testing purposes, with the beta coming two weeks after the second beta was released.

The software updates can be downloaded through the Settings app on the Apple TV.

tvOS 26 adopts new Liquid Glass design changes inspired by visionOS, much like iOS 26 and macOS 26. The update also includes support for karaoke using an iPhone as a microphone, improvements for using AirPlay speakers with a TV, new Aerial screen savers, and quicker logins to apps at setup thanks to Apple Account syncing.

The beta is limited to developers right now, but tvOS 26 will be available to public beta testers in the near future ahead of its fall launch.

Apple released ‌iOS 26‌, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26 yesterday, but tvOS 26 was held until today.

A new hands-on video of an iPhone 17 Air dummy model has surfaced, providing a closer look at the rumored design of Apple's thinnest iPhone ever.

According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 Air will measure just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, surpassing the 6.9mm record held by the iPhone 6. However, to achieve this impressively thin and lightweight design, the device is expected to have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, and an A19 chip instead of an A19 Pro chip.

iPhone 16 Pro models are 8.25mm thick, so the iPhone 17 Air would be 33% thinner than those devices, if Kuo is accurate. This ultra-thin design can be seen in the hands-on video, along with some of the device's other rumored features, including a 6.6-inch display with a Dynamic Island, a single 48-megapixel rear camera on a wide pill-shaped bump, a USB-C port, a single speaker, an Action button, and a Camera Control button.

Other rumored iPhone 17 Air features include MagSafe and 12GB of RAM, and Apple reportedly plans to release an optional battery case for the device.

The device is also expected to lack a physical SIM card slot worldwide, meaning it will rely entirely on eSIM technology, even outside of the United States.

Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 17 Air in early September, so there are only around two months to go until the device is finally official.

Like previous iPhone software updates, iOS 26 adds several new features to Apple's AirPods. While iOS 26 will be officially released this fall, there's nothing stopping you from installing the latest ‌iOS 26 beta –‌ and getting access to the new AirPods features today.

New AirPods Features

Apple's upcoming iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe updates add the following new features to AirPods, thanks to an AirPods firmware update (more on that below). Controls for the new features are also listed.

• Pause Audio for Sleep: If you're listening to music, a podcast, or a book while you're in bed and you're wearing AirPods, the AirPods will pause your audio when you fall asleep. (Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods ➝ Pause Media When Falling Asleep.)
• Camera Remote: AirPods can be used as a camera remote with the Camera app on ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌. Just press and hold on the AirPods stem to take a photo or start a video recording. (Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods ➝ Camera Remote.)
• Keep Audio in Headphones: When you use AirPods, you can opt to keep audio in your headphones when other playback devices like cars and speakers connect to the ‌iPhone‌. (Settings ➝ General ➝ AirPlay & Continuity ➝ Keep Audio with Headphones.)
• Improved Call Quality: The H2 chip in the ‌AirPods 4‌ and ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 brings more natural vocal texture and clarity to voice recordings, ‌iPhone‌ calls, FaceTime calls, and all CallKit-enabled apps like Zoom. (No change in Settings necessary.)

How to Get the New AirPods Features

Step 1: Install iOS 26 Beta

In order to gain access to the new AirPods features in beta, you'll first need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 26 beta or iPadOS 26 beta, respectively. Apple has released the beta versions to developers, but even non-developers can download beta software updates on their iPhones and iPads for free. Follow this link to learn how it's done, then meet us back here.

Of course, if you have reservations about installing the developer beta on your main device, you can always wait for the public beta that will be released very shortly. Apple said to expect availability sometime in the month of July.

Step 2: Install AirPods Beta Firmware

Once you have your device running the iOS 26/iPadOS 26 beta, you need to give Apple permission to install beta firmware on your AirPods.

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad, then open Settings ➝ [Your Name]'s AirPods.
2. Swipe to the bottom of the menu and tap AirPods Beta Updates.
   
   

3. Toggle on the switch next to AirPods Beta Updates to the green ON position.
   

After you've completed these steps, the firmware update will be installed automatically when your AirPods are in their charging case and near to your iPhone or iPad. This could take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, so be patient.

Once the firmware update is complete, additional options to control the new AirPods features will appear within the Settings app, in the menu screens described above. Bear in mind that the new features are in beta and as a result cannot be guaranteed to work consistently.

Apple today announced that four additional games will be added to the Apple Arcade library on Thursday, August 7, including Play-Doh World.

Exclusive to Apple Arcade, Play-Doh World lets you create digital Play-Doh characters and more.

"Whether sculpting, stretching, squishing, or squashing, kids are invited to unlock their imagination with creative activities, fun games, and rewarding interactions," part of the App Store description for the game says.

Apple's full description of the game, from its press release:

Play-Doh brings its magic to the digital space with Play-Doh World, allowing players to craft their own characters and watch them spring to life. From inventing wild zoo animals to styling outrageous salon hairdos, every corner of this colorful universe responds to the player's creative whim. With dozens of interactive zones, collectible special Play-Doh, and regular content updates, Play-Doh World offers creative activities and open-ended, imagination-led play — all in a safe, ad-free environment.

The three other games that are coming to Apple Arcade on August 7:

• Worms Across Worlds
• Let's Go Mightycat!
• Everybody Shogi

More details about all of the games are outlined in Apple's announcement.

Apple Arcade is a subscription service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All of the games are free of ads and in-app purchases. In the U.S., Apple Arcade costs $6.99 per month, and it is bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.

Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store and the new Apple Games app.

Amazon this week has Apple's AirTag 4-Pack for $64.99, down from $99.00. This beats the previous all-time low price by about $3, and it's one of the all-around best discounts during Prime Day.

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 provides delivery dates as soon as today for Prime members at some residences in the United States, and you won't need to clip an on-page coupon in order to see this deal. If you're shopping for just one AirTag, Amazon has the AirTag 1-Pack for $19.99, which is a record low price.

Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

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Samsung first showed off its OLED M9 Smart Monitor back in January at CES, but now the 32-inch Mac-compatible display is launching. We were able to check it out early to see how it performs with a Mac.

Samsung's M line is marketed as an all-in-one display that's ideal for work, watching content, and gaming, and it does deliver. The M9 is Samsung's premium display, and it's priced at $1,599, so it's on par with the Studio Display.

The M9 uses OLED technology and it's 4K, while the Studio Display has an LED panel with a 5K resolution. Samsung's display is basically a little OLED TV that works with your Mac, and while it's not as sharp as an OLED TV or as crisp as the Studio Display with its 5K resolution, it's impressive to look at. You're limited to 60Hz with the Studio Display, but the M9 supports up to 165Hz, and Macs support up to 120Hz, so you get smoother scrolling and gameplay with the M9. Samsung is using AI-based 4K upscaling to improve lower resolution content.

When it comes to design, the M9 is sleek and modern looking, and the wide stand is not too far off from the Studio Display. The M9 is adjustable, so you can tweak the height and the tilt, and turn the display vertical if you want. At the top and bottom of the display, there are thicker bezels. The top bezel includes a built-in 4K webcam and a microphone, plus the display has included speakers.

For connectivity, Samsung included an HDMI 2.1 port, a DisplayPort, a USB-C port with 90W power delivery, and two USB-A ports. Samsung says it included a unique cooling system with a coolant that can diffuse heat five times faster than a graphite sheet, which better prevents burn-ins. The monitor also detects static images like logos and drops the brightness.

This is a "smart" display with built-in AI, so you can stream content from apps like Netflix right from the monitor, plus you can stream games with no PC. The smart component is what really sets it apart from the Studio Display on a software level, while the 4K resolution, display size, and OLED display technology are the main hardware differences.

The M9 isn't a direct competitor to the Studio Display because the two monitors have different functions, but it is worth considering if you're looking for a great multifunction display for work and play.

Samsung's new M9 Smart Monitor can be ordered from Samsung's website for $1,599.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

A new leak has revealed several of Apple's next-generation chips coming to future iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and HomePod mini models.

Last month, an individual in China uploaded a YouTube video (with English subtitles) of an alleged iPhone 16 engineering prototype from last year. According to a MacRumors tipster, the device is running an internal build of iOS 18 from March 2024, but it is a non-UI version, meaning that you cannot load the Home Screen or other interfaces.

Within the code for this internal iOS 18 build, there are codenames and identifiers for many upcoming Apple chips, according to the video and our tipster:

• A19 chip for the iPhone 17 Air, and likely iPhone 17e
• A19 Pro chip for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
• M5 chip for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro
• M5 Pro chip for the MacBook Pro and Mac mini
• S11 chip for the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3
• C2 modem for the iPhone 17e, likely the entire iPhone 18 lineup, and more
• Proxima, the codename for an all-new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models and more

Most of those are obvious one-number-higher-than-currently chips, but the all-new "Proxima" chip is a little more interesting. The chip was first reported on last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and he said that it would be included in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models launching later this year. He also expects at least some iPhone 17 models to use the chip, along with future iPad and Mac models starting next year.

Similar to how Apple ditched Intel for Mac processors, and how it has started transitioning away from Qualcomm for iPhone modems, the company's planned Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip will allow it to replace a chip that is currently supplied by Broadcom. Apple's chip is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, which would be an upgrade for the Apple TV (currently on Wi-Fi 6) and the HomePod mini (currently on Wi-Fi 4).

Our tipster also claimed that Apple has tested a Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra chip, but it is unclear if it will be released at this point. They also uncovered evidence that Apple has no plans to release an M4 Ultra chip, as the company already strongly implied, so it is possible that the Mac Pro might not be updated until an M5 Ultra chip is ready.

It's Prime Day, and Amazon is now discounting the Apple Watch Series 10 to a new all-time low price for both the 42mm and 46mm GPS models. Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

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.

Amazon has the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $279.99, down from $399.00, as well as the 46mm GPS model for $309.99, down from $429.00. Both of these are record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and they're available in numerous case colors and band styles.

42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (S/M) - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $279.99, down from $399.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (S/M) - $279.99, down from $399.00

46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10

• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Jet Black Aluminum Case with Ink Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Plum Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Blue Cloud Sport Loop - $309.99, down from $429.00
• Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band (M/L) - $309.99, down from $429.00

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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Prime Day is in full swing today, and it now includes fresh record low prices on nearly every M3 iPad Air model, including Wi-Fi and cellular tablets. Be sure to check out our main post for even more Apple-related discounts during Prime Day.

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.

Prices start at $479.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi 11-inch M3 iPad Air, down from $599.00. Across the board these are all $120 discounts on the M3 iPad Air, and each one is a new best-ever price for the tablet.

Our list below focuses on Wi-Fi models, but you'll also find many cellular models on sale at $120 off right now. The 128GB cellular 11-inch iPad Air is available for $629.00 and the 128GB cellular 13-inch iPad Air is available for $829.00, both representing new record low prices.

11-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $479.00, down from $599.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $579.00, down from $699.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $779.00, down from $899.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $979.00, down from $1,099.00

13-inch M3 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $679.00, down from $799.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $779.00, down from $899.00
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $979.00, down from $1,099.00
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,179.00, down from $1,299.00

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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Prime Day has arrived, and we're tracking new record low prices across nearly every model of the iPad mini 7. If you're shopping for something else, you can find great Prime Day deals on AirPods, MacBooks, AirTag, and more in our dedicated post.

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.

Amazon has record low prices on every Wi-Fi model of the iPad mini 7 this week, starting at $379.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Cellular models are a bit more rare during this sale, but there are a few available at low prices as well.

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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We're covering the best of Prime Day as the event has officially kicked off today, and now includes discounts across the 11th generation iPad lineup. For deals on AirPods, MacBooks, and AirTag, be sure to check out our dedicated Prime Day post.

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.

Amazon is taking $70 off Wi-Fi and cellular models of Apple's 11th generation iPad for Prime Day. Prices start at $279.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00. Many of these deals are solid second-best prices on the tablet, and the lowest prices we've tracked in weeks.

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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Bluesky is rolling out some updates to enhance its notifications system, offering users of the social media platform and X (Twitter) rival a more customizable alerts experience.

First, there's a new Activity Notifications that enables you to receive alerts only for specific accounts, which is useful if you want to keep up to date with a particular friend, brand, or media outlet – like MacRumors, for instance.

Enabling this feature is similar to how it works on X: visit a profile and tap the bell icon to receive notifications every time that account publishes a new post.

Meanwhile, as part of wider notification preference updates, users can now opt to receive notifications only when certain accounts reply to them.

Other new options also include individual alert customizations for new followers, likes, replies, mentions, quotes, and reposts. Each option can be set to apply only to accounts the user follows or to everyone, or they can be disabled entirely.

Bluesky said that its previous "priority notifications" feature has been removed. This feature let users receive notifications only from accounts they follow. To replicate this behavior now, users need to manually set their reply, mention, and quote notifications to "people you follow only."

Bluesky has over 34 million active users, according to the company. That's still a lot less than Meta's Threads in total users, but the platform continues to gain popularity as an alternative to X.

Apple plans to launch a second-generation iPhone 17e next spring, reports Korean outlet The Elec.

According to the report, the iPhone 17e will use the same OLED panel as that found in the iPhone 16e – a panel that originally debuted in the iPhone 14 – as part of its efforts to use lower-cost components based on established production lines.

Similar to the iPhone 16e, which launched in February of this year starting $599, BOE and Samsung are said to be supplying the display panels, though LG Display may also be involved. The iPhone 16e offers a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, an A18 chip, and a USB-C port, positioning it as a more affordable alternative within the iPhone 16 family.

Back in April, one leaker claimed that iPhone 17e was nearing the trial production stage, with the mid-range device tentatively scheduled for a May release. Since then, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that Apple will launch a second-generation iPhone 17e in the first half of next year.

It is not expected to be the last of its kind. Looking further ahead, Kuo said a third-generation "e" device will reportedly be released alongside the standard iPhone 18 in the first half of 2027. The unusual timing is because Apple is said to be launching the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the spring – a full six months after the iPhone 18 Pro models – as part of its switch to a split iPhone yearly launch strategy.