Alongside iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and macOS Tahoe 26.2, Apple has released new HomePod 26.2 software for the HomePod and the HomePod mini. The update comes a month after Apple released HomePod Software 26.1.
According to Apple's release notes, HomePod Software 26.2 includes performance and stability improvements.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but the HomePod can also be manually updated in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.
Well-known game developer Halfbrick this week launched Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen, an iPhone, iPad, and Mac adventure game that's currently exclusive to Apple's platforms. The game was made for children and adults who are fans of the wildly popular Bluey animated series.
Like the show, the game features Bluey, an anthropomorphized six-year-old blue heeler puppy, along with her sister Bingo and her parents. Bluey's Quest was inspired by the Dragon and Escape episodes from the TV show, where Bluey and Bingo's drawings come to life. The game uses a charming hand-sketched art style that ties into the Bluey universe while still creating a unique gaming experience.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a game designed for children, and Halfbrick kept that in mind when developing it. The game has no ads and no in-app purchases to trick children or their parents into spending more money. It's a free download with a demo to play before purchase, and then a $14.99 in-app purchase to unlock the full game. $14.99 is on the more expensive side for a game, but it is refreshing to see a thoughtfully designed experience for children that's not just a digital loot box cash grab.
Bluey creator Joe Brumm wrote an original story for the game, and Halfbrick made it feel like the player has been transported into an episode of Bluey. In the game, Bluey and her family are once again transported into a world of drawings, where they team up to hunt down the Gold Pen. Gameplay consists of simple puzzles, fun challenges, item collecting, and animated cutscenes, with a touching, humorous Bluey story unfolding as players progress through nine different worlds.
There are simple controls, and children can glide, fly, and skate through levels while interacting with fun characters and uncovering treasure. As in the show, there are a range of Australian landscapes, from mountains and beaches to forests. The original TV show actors reprise their roles in the game, so it will feel just like an episode of Bluey. Younger children can play alongside parents, while older children will be able to explore the game on their own. Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen offers hours of gameplay, and children will likely want to experience the adventure again and again.
Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is available from the App Store for free, and unlocking the full game requires a one-time $14.99 fee. It will eventually come to consoles and other platforms, but for now, it is exclusive to Apple devices. [Direct Link]
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has said that he will never agree to share revenue with Apple for external purchases linked from iOS apps, even after a U.S. appeals court ruled that Apple is entitled to charge a reasonable fee for such transactions.
Speaking to The Verge following the U.S. Court of Appeals decision that partially modified the injunction in the Epic Games v. Apple case, Sweeney outlined his position on what Apple should and should not be allowed to charge developers as the dispute returns to the district court for further proceedings. The appeals court ruled that Apple must be allowed to collect some form of compensation for purchases made through external links in iOS apps, reversing a lower court order that had permanently barred Apple from charging any commission at all.
Sweeney acknowledged that Apple incurs operational costs in reviewing apps that include external payment links and said Epic would accept flat, submission-based fees tied directly to that work. However, he rejected outright the idea that Apple should receive any percentage-based commission on revenue generated outside the App Store.
Sweeney characterized the appeals court ruling as a decisive rejection of Apple's longstanding approach to App Store fees. He said the decision "completely shuts down, I think, for all time, Apple's theory that they should be able to charge arbitrary junk fees for access." He went on to suggest that the U.S. decision could influence regulators abroad, arguing that other countries would be unlikely to permit Apple to charge fees that a U.S. court had found to be unlawful.
However, the appeals court did not block Apple from charging commissions on external purchases. Instead, it said the district court went too far by permanently banning all commissions, calling that approach more like a punishment than a corrective measure. Although the court agreed that Apple deliberately violated the original injunction by making external links hard to use, it ruled that Apple must still be allowed to cover its costs and receive some payment for the use of its intellectual property.
As a result of the ruling, the case has been sent back to the Northern District of California to determine what constitutes an appropriate fee structure. The appeals court said that Apple may not charge any commission on purchases made via external links in iOS apps until the district court approves a rate.
Apple's next-generation Studio Display is widely expected to feature the same 27-inch screen size as the current model, but with mini-LED technology instead of LCD. This upgrade would result in increased brightness and a higher contrast ratio compared to the current model, bringing it in line with the MacBook Pro, which has touted mini-LED since 2021.
Leaked Apple code suggests that the new Studio Display will also feature an A19 chip. The Studio Display's chip supports features like Center Stage, Spatial Audio, and "Hey Siri" commands. The current Studio Display contains the A13 Bionic, a chip that started out in the iPhone 11 lineup back in 2019. The new model could also feature ProMotion for a refresh rate up to 120Hz, just like the MacBook Pro, along with HDR.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022, alongside the first Mac Studio. The standalone display features a 27-inch LCD screen with a 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, a single Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $1,599.
Reports suggest that the next-generation Studio Display will come out in early 2026, when we're also expecting new Macs with the M5 chip.
Apple has been rumored to be working on an updated version of the Pro Display XDR since 2022, adding an Apple silicon chip. As a result, the Pro Display XDR is likely to gain speakers, microphones, Hey Siri support, and a camera with Center Stage, just like the Studio Display. Further parity with upcoming Studio Display features such as mini-LED and ProMotion is also possible.
At the very least, the new monitor is expected to feature the same quantum-dot display technology adopted by the MacBook Pro. The latest quantum-dot display films have equal to better color gamut support, and offer improved motion performance, compared to the KSF phosphor film that Apple uses for the existing Pro Display XDR and previous MacBook Pro models. This means the new Pro Display XDR should have improved color accuracy and faster response times compared to the current model.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about Samsung's new Galaxy Z TriFold smartphone and how it could compare to Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone.
The MacRumors Show is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Best Buy has a few new offers on Apple's M4 MacBook Air this week, including a match of the all-time low price on the notebook, plus a free $25 Best Buy gift card with purchase. You can get the 13-inch 256GB model for $749.00, down from $999.00, as well as discounts on every other 13-inch model.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
When you purchase one of the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air computers at Best Buy, you will get a free $25 Best Buy gift card with your purchase. This is an e-gift card that will be sent out after the eligible product is fulfilled or picked up in a Best Buy store, and a valid e-mail address is required to claim the card.
As of writing, no 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models are matching any all-time low prices, or include the $25 gift card offer. 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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Switzerland's competition authority has launched a preliminary investigation into whether Apple's terms for granting third-party access to NFC technology on iPhones violate its antitrust laws.
The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission opened the probe on December 10 to examine whether rival mobile payment apps can compete fairly with Apple Pay for contactless payments in stores.
Android devices freely allow third-parties to use NFC technology, but Apple only began allowing Swiss app developers to access its NFC interface in late 2024. The regulator is looking into whether the conditions differ from those Apple separately agreed to in the EU last year.
After pressure from the European Commission, Apple agreed in July 2024 to open NFC access across the European Union, of which Switzerland is not a member.
Switzerland's competition watchdog has been engaged in discussions with Apple since that time. The COMCO investigation is now gathering information from market participants to decide if Apple's Swiss-specific terms do in fact comply with local competition law.
Foldable smartphone panel shipments are projected to jump 46% year-over-year in 2026, with Apple's entry into the market serving as the main catalyst, according to Counterpoint Research's latest Foldable-Rollable Display Shipment Tracker.
"Apple is the key driver as it starts to procure panels for its first foldable iPhone," said Counterpoint's Guillaume Chansin. The research firm expects Apple's foldable iPhone to "reinvigorate the broader market," spurring massive growth in panel shipments next year.
Apple's "iPhone Fold," which we are provisionally calling it, is said to have an outer display and opens like a book to reveal a larger iPad mini-style internal display. The report indicates that Apple's entry into the market will see similar book-type foldables cement their position as the dominant form factor in 2026. Meanwhile, multi-fold panels, like those used in Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, will account for only low single-digit market share.
Samsung Display stands to benefit most from the shift, with its panel market share expected to climb past 50%. Samsung is also reportedly supplying the panels for Apple's first foldable. The move toward book-type designs is also expected to drive up average selling prices for foldable panels.
Consumer preference appears to be shifting toward larger displays that offer tablet-like productivity. Counterpoint notes that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold outsold the Flip model during the early sales window in the second half of 2025, which was a first for the series.
Counterpoint expects overall foldable smartphone shipments to grow 14% in 2025 and 38% in 2026. Apple's foldable iPhone is expected to arrive next year, around mid-September.
Epic Games launched its mobile store for iPhone and iPad in the EU last year, and it has since established a popular program of weekly game giveaways. This week, it is making one of the most awarded indie action games of recent years free to download for a limited time.
Dead Cells is an action-platformer from developer Motion Twin that combines elements of traditional side-scrolling combat with roguelike design. Players explore a procedurally generated castle, where levels, enemy placements, and rewards change with each run.
The game is known for its responsive combat, permanent progression mechanics, and branching level paths that unlock over time. Its pixel-art presentation and soundtrack have been lauded by critics, and regular post-launch updates have expanded the game with new content, keeping players coming back for more.
Epic has reported that hundreds of millions of free games have been redeemed on its store. If you're in the EU and haven't taken advantage of previous Epic Games store giveaways, grabbing a free copy of Dead Cells is, by all accounts, a good way to start. The offer ends on December 18, and you'll need to create an Epic account if you don't already have one.
The Epic Games Store for iOS is only available in the European Union right now because alternative app stores and distribution methods are not allowed in other countries.
Acclaimed sports thriller "F1: The Movie" starring Brad Pitt is now available to stream on Apple TV.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer alongside Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton, the film casts Pitt as a veteran driver chasing one last shot at glory.
According to Deadline, the film has surged to $629 million at the global box office, making it the highest-grossing Apple Original Film to date, and the biggest sports movie of the year.
After premiering worldwide on June 27, the film's momentum was strong enough to justify a rare second theatrical run in August, coinciding with its home-release debut.
The success has reportedly gone beyond ticket sales. The film's popularity apparently emboldened Apple to bid for the U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 itself. In October, Apple and Formula 1 announced a five-year partnership that will bring all F1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the United States beginning next year.
And in case you missed it, Apple updated the logo and name for its streaming service in November – what was once "Apple TV+" is now simply "Apple TV."
Apple is working on a smart home hub that will rely heavily on the more capable version of Siri that's coming next year. We've heard quite a bit about the hub over the last two years, but a recent iOS 26 code leak provides additional insight into what we can expect and confirms rumored features.
Macworld claims to have access to an internal version of iOS 26 that references several upcoming Apple devices, including the home hub. The site said that the code hints at these options:
Camera - The device will have a camera, but it will be limited to 1080p.
Face ID - The home hub will use Face ID for authentication and to identify who is in a room.
Profile switching - With the Face ID feature, the home hub will be able to switch to the profile for the person in the home who is interacting with the device. Apple engineers are apparently using an app to test the accuracy of the system.
Apple Intelligence - It will support Apple Intelligence and the new version of Siri.
Other rumors suggest that the home hub will be something of a cross between an iPad and a HomePod. It will have a square-shaped screen that's around seven inches, and an optional speaker base. We're expecting the home hub to launch right around the time that the new version of Siri comes out in iOS 26.4, likely March or April.
Macworld also spotted signs of another device, identified as J229. This is apparently a "never-before-seen product" that has multiple sensors that can detect alarm sounds and capture images, but it is an accessory rather than a standalone device. Apple is rumored to be working on a home security camera to go along with the home hub. There's no word on when the camera could launch.
Just a month after introducing GPT 5.1, OpenAI introduced GPT-5.2, the next-generation model that will power its popular chatbot. GPT-5.2 is OpenAI's "most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work."
GPT-5.2 is designed to help people get more done quicker. It's better at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, perceiving images, understanding long context, using tools, and completing multi-step projects. The new model offers improved general intelligence, long-context understanding, agentic tool-calling, and vision, so it is ideal for real-world, professional use.
GPT-5.2 Thinking hallucinates less than GPT-5.1 Thinking, and responses with errors were 30 percent less common. Long context capabilities have improved, and it is able to handle reports, contracts, papers, and multi-file projects, maintaining accuracy across hundreds of thousands of tokens. It is also better at interpreting screenshots, technical diagrams, and visual reports.
OpenAI says that GPT-5.2 outperforms industry professionals at knowledge work tasks spanning 44 occupations, with the model scoring 70.9 percent on the GDPval test. GPT-5.1 scored 38.8 percent on that benchmark, and it is OpenAI's first model that performs at or above a human expert level.
For ChatGPT users, GPT-5.2 will feel more structured and reliable, and it will have a warmer, more conversational tone. OpenAI says GPT-5.2 Instant is a capable workhorse for everyday work, with improvements in info-seeking questions, how tos and walkthroughs, technical writing, and translation. GPT-5.2 Thinking is meant for more complex tasks, like summarizing long documents, coding, answering questions about uploaded files, and planning decisions. GPT-5.2 Pro is ideal for difficult questions where a higher-quality answer is worth waiting for.
GPT-5.2 Instant, Thinking, and Pro are rolling out today in ChatGPT to paid users. The API is available to all developers.
OpenAI's next-generation model comes just a week after CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red," asking employees to focus on improving ChatGPT so it doesn't fall behind competitors like Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude.
Anker is well-known for its charging accessories, including the Solix line of high-capacity power stations. Earlier this year, Anker came out with a new Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I've been testing for the last several months.
The C1000 has your standard power station aesthetic, made from durable black and gray plastic. It has two handles at the sides, which makes it simple to distribute the weight across two hands, along with fan grilles and an LED display that shows the current power level and the power draw of anything that's plugged in. Rubber feet at all four corners ensure that it remains stable.
There's no revolutionary design here, but the Solix C1000 looks and feels rugged. Curves at the corners make it feel a little more modern than some other power stations, and while it's not waterproof, you can get a protective carrying case that keeps it safe from moisture. It's 25 pounds, so it's probably not a battery that you're going to want to be lugging to the beach or the park, but it is good for all-day power if you're in a location where dragging around 25 pounds isn't a hassle. It isn't overly large, measuring in at 15 inches by 8.2 inches by 9.6 inches.
At the front, there are five AC outlets, two 140W USB-C ports, one 15W USB-C port, and a 12W USB-A port. I appreciate that Anker is phasing out USB-A and only included a single USB-A port, because USB-A connectors are growing more uncommon. In the future, you may have no USB-A devices at all, so you won't have several wasted ports. 140W USB-C should also be good for years to come. There's a charging port at the side, a solar input port, and a 12V car port.
I like the port arrangement, and was fine with all of the AC ports on the front, but spacing could be an issue if you want to plug in multiple devices with large plugs. For the AC outlet, you need to turn on AC power manually, a feature that exists to prevent battery drain when idle.
This is a 1024-watt-hour battery with support for devices that draw up to 2000W, though it does support 3000W peak output. It should be able to handle almost any small appliance, including refrigerators, TVs (even large screen), heaters, portable air conditioners, lights, coffee makers, microwaves, medical devices, aquarium and animal setups, and tools that require a lot of power. I tested it up to 1500W and it worked with no issue.
It uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) technology, which is what you want for a power station because LiFePO4 batteries are safe and last for more charge cycles. The C1000 is able to hold a charge in standby mode for a long time, which is great if you want to have a battery on hand for the occasional power outage. I charged it to full and left it powered off for a month, and it remained at 100 percent when I turned it back on at the end of the test. It's probably better to store it at around 80 percent capacity, but the point is you can charge it up, tuck it in a closet, and pull it out months later to use it in an emergency.
The C1000's 1024 Wh capacity is enough to charge an iPhone dozens of times. Charging my iPhone 17 Pro Max from 0 to 80 dropped the battery level from 53 percent to 51 percent, which is only a two percent hit. Subsequent testing consistently used between 2 and 3 percent for iPhone charging.
You can get fewer full MacBook charges, but it's still enough to keep multiple people up and running for a couple days. Charging my MacBook Pro from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 88 percent, and charging my MacBook Air from 0 to 100 percent dropped the battery from 100 to 90 percent.
It was able to run my MacBook Pro for a full 8-hour work day, doing day-to-day tasks like writing. I started at 76 percent and ended at 57 percent. It lasted almost 24 hours running my full Mac setup, which included my MacBook Pro, Studio Display, three LED lights, and a phone charger. That does include around 10 hours of time where the MacBook and display were in rest mode, but it is more than capable of supporting a full work setup for a day or two.
What's great about the C1000 is that it tells you exactly how long it will last based on the power draw of what's plugged in. On the LED, you'll see an estimated readout. It predicted around 14 hours of usage for my 67W MacBook Air, which was accurate.
It's not going to last super long when using high power devices like a microwave, but you often aren't using high power accessories for very long. It can run a mini heater, but those often range from 750W to 1500W, so it would last around an hour. For something like a mini fridge, though, you would be able to run it for several days.
The C1000 is able to charge quickly, which has the potential to be useful when you're in a hurry. It can recharge to full in 49 minutes from a standard household plug, drawing around 1200W to do so (Anker says it can go up to 1600W, but you need to enable it). When it is under that kind of load, the fans kick on, and the fans are loud.
I wouldn't be able to sleep with the fans on that high, and it's definitely a loud, irritating fan noise when going full blast. Luckily, the fans only come on at that level when it's under heavy load, and charging doesn't take too long. It also can't run high watt devices for super long, and it's much more tolerable at lower power levels. When charging small devices, it's near silent.
You can connect the C1000 to a car or to solar panels to charge it up. For solar, charging times vary based on the size of the panel, the number of panels, and the available light. It can accept up to 600W through the solar input.
For devices where you might like a backup feature that activates automatically in a power outage, the C1000 supports that. It has a UPS system with a sub 10ms switchover time. So if you plug something like a CPAP machine into the C1000 then plug the power station into power, the C1000 will come on right away when there's an outage.
Anker has an app that connects to the C1000 over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can use the app to check power level, power draw, and time remaining when a device is plugged in. You can also turn on the AC output or car charger output from the app, and fine tune controls like charging power, device timeout, charging and discharging limits, and more. It delivers new firmware too, which I struggled with. For several days, the firmware update kept failing, but it worked flawlessly later on, so I'm not sure what the issue was.
Bottom Line
This is a well made power station that's versatile thanks to its 1024 Wh capacity and the ability to support devices up to 2000W. It's a good home backup battery to have on hand in case of an emergency, but it also works well for camping, short trips where you need power, medical devices, and powering tools.
I keep a battery like this one in two closets in my house so they're accessible, and I also like to pull out a large power stations when I need to operate a corded tool like a sander or a bright light in an area where I don't have a plug. That's been one of the more compelling use cases for me.
The C1000 can be loud when it's charging or powering appliances that have high energy draw, but that's about the only downside I found during testing.
Since April, Apple has been forced to let developers offer links to non-App Store purchase options in their apps, with no control over the design of those links. Apps like Spotify can advertise deals and direct customers to their websites, something that was not previously allowed.
Apple has not been able to charge any commission at all for purchases made using these in-app links, but that's going to change in the future. The appeals court says that Apple should be able to charge a fee that covers its necessary costs and intellectual property.
Apple is not going to be able to start charging a commission immediately, though. The case has been sent back to the district court so that a reasonable fee can be determined.
In our view, as the April 30 Order is written, it is more like a punitive criminal contempt sanction than a civil contempt sanction or modification of the Injunction. The biggest problem with the commission prohibition is that it permanently prohibits the compensation that Apple can receive for linked-out purchases of digital products, regardless of whether the commission is itself prohibitive.
Rather than coercing Apple to comply with the spirit of the Injunction with a reasonable, non-prohibitive commission, the district court used blunt force to ban all commissions, abusing its discretion.
Some other aspects of the initial ruling were also found to be too broad, so there are other updates in store. Here's an overview of what's changing:
Fees on links - Apple will be able to charge a reasonable commission
Link design - Apple can restrict developers from making external links more prominent than in-app purchase options. Specifically, Apple can restrict a developer from putting buttons, links, or other calls to action in more prominent fonts, larger sizes, larger quantities, and more prominent places than buttons for in-app purchases. Apple has to allow developers to place buttons in "at least" the same fonts, sizes, and places as Apple's own.
Link language - Apple may restrict developers from using language that violates its general content standards, if such standards exist.
Link access restrictions - The original court ruling prevents Apple from restricting certain categories and developers from using links, such as subscriptions provided using the News Partner Program. The appeals court says Apple is not specifically enjoined from excluding developers participating in the VPP and NPP programs.
Apple created a situation requiring court oversight because after the original ruling ordered it to allow in-app links, Apple didn't charge a reasonable fee for purchases made using those links. Apple charged developers 27 percent instead of 30 percent, knowing that developers would also need to pay a fee for payment services. Almost no developers opted in to Apple's link program because it ended up being more expensive than the in-app purchase fees.
The appeals court agreed that there was clear and convincing evidence of civil contempt, and it declined to vacate the injunction. With the exception of changes to fees and link design, the rest of the injunction will remain in place because Apple made external links "as hard to use as possible," which "flies in the face of the Injunction's spirit."
The appeals court recommends that the district court calculate a commission that is based on the costs that are necessary for its coordination of external links for linked-out purchases, along with "some compensation" for the use of its intellectual property. Costs should not include commission for security and privacy.
While Apple is not able to charge any commission until the district court approves an appropriate fee, the appeals court suggests that both Apple and the district court should work to settle on a fee "expeditiously." The full text of the ruling is available here.
Apple today released new firmware designed for the AirPods Pro 3 and the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 firmware is 8B30, up from 8B25, while the AirPods Pro 2 firmware is 8B28, up from 8B21.
There's no word on what's include in the updated firmware, but the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 are getting expanded support for Live Translation in the European Union in iOS 26.2, which is being beta tested and is close to release.
The firmware could be related to that upcoming functionality, or it could add bug fixes and performance improvements.
To install the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. From there, put your AirPods in the Charging Case and connect the Charging Case to power. Keep the case closed and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware update to install.
The AirTag 2 will include a handful of new features that will improve tracking capabilities, according to a new report from Macworld. The site says that it was able to access an internal build of iOS 26, which includes references to multiple unreleased products.
Here's what's supposedly coming:
An improved pairing process, though no details were provided. AirTag pairing is already fairly simple, but there's room for improvement with the naming and emoji selection.
Detailed battery level reporting.
An "Improved Moving" feature that Macworld speculates will allow users to find the precise location of an AirTag when it's moving. Precision Finding in the current AirTag can't handle movement well.
A feature for improving tracking in crowded places.
We've been hearing rumors about a new version of the AirTag for years now, and it's supposedly getting upgraded tracking with a new Ultra Wideband chip. The new chip will improve Precision Finding range, and it could also add these new tracking capabilities.
So far, there have been no rumors of a redesign, so the AirTag 2 will presumably look like the original AirTag. It will continue to feature a replaceable battery, though it could also get upgraded speakers that are harder to remove.
The AirTag is apparently labeled "2025AirTag" in the iOS 26 code, which suggests that Apple might have been planning to release it in 2025. At this point, it's not clear when it will launch, but it's looking like we might get it in early 2026.
Macworld also spotted signs of the next-generation HomePod mini with S10 chip, a smarter version of Siri, and references to the home hub device that Apple is working on. We've previously seen extensive rumors about all of these products, and rumors suggest we'll see them around the March or April timeframe.
Apple seeded the second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to developers earlier this week, meaning the update will be released to the general public very soon.
Apple confirmed iOS 26.2 would be released in December, but it did not provide a specific date. We expect the update to be released by early next week.
iOS 26.2 includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, such as a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted eight new features in particular.
iOS 26.2 adds offline lyric support to Apple Music, allowing you to view a song's lyrics even when you are not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
Apple says sleep scores are calculated based on how long you slept, the consistency of when you fell asleep, and the frequency and duration of waking up during the night. The feature is available in the Health app on all iPhone models compatible with iOS 26, and in the Sleep app on all Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 26.
When adding a reminder, selecting a time and then toggling on the "Urgent" option will cause an alarm to go off at the designated time.
Apple Podcasts Enhancements
Apple's Podcasts app has three new features on iOS 26.2, including automatic chapters for episodes, timed links on the screen, and the ability to view other podcasts that a podcast mentions right from the audio player and the transcript.
Apple News Revamp
In the Apple News app, there is now a dedicated "Following" tab, and buttons for quick access to topics like sports, puzzles, politics, business, and food.
iPhone Screen Flash for Notifications
Starting with iOS 26.2, your iPhone's screen can flash when you receive a notification. Previously, this setting was limited to the LED camera flash on the back of the iPhone.
In the Settings app, under Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts, there are now options for LED Flash, Screen, and Both. Or, you can keep the setting turned off.
Live Translation allows you to understand someone who is speaking a different language than you. For example, if you speak English, and someone is speaking to you in French, Siri can tell you what they are saying in English through your AirPods.
The feature works best when both participants in a conversation are using Live Translation on AirPods. If you are talking with someone who is not wearing AirPods, you can display a live transcription in the other person's language on your iPhone.
Live Translation is available on the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and higher-end AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The feature launched in the U.S. and select other countries with iOS 26, but it was not available in the EU until iOS 26.2, as Apple said it needed additional time to ensure compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act.
Shazam today announced it is rolling out a new Popular Segments feature that reveals exactly which part of a song is most popular with listeners.
For example, the image above shows that the given song was most discovered around 30 to 35 seconds into the track during the preceding week. This was the moment in the song when the most people asked Shazam to identify the song.
More details about the feature:
Popular Segments spotlights the key moments within a track that drove the most Shazam activity within the past week. Available for top tracks ranking on Shazam's charts and based on Shazam tag volume, this interactive feature displays relative segment popularity throughout a song, allowing users to hover over the graph and reveal precise time markers and corresponding segments.
Shazam says Popular Segments will provide both listeners and artists with helpful insights into what makes songs resonate.
The feature will begin rolling out today on the Shazam.com website across desktop and mobile platforms, according to Apple. The announcement did not indicate if the feature will be coming to the Shazam app on the iPhone and iPad.
Shazam is a popular music identification service that Apple acquired back in 2018, and it has Apple Music integration. In addition to being available on the web and as an app, Shazam powers a Recognize Music control in Control Center on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also use Shazam via Siri voice commands.
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have hit a new record low price of $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This deal beats the Black Friday price we saw last month by about $20.
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The AirPods Pro 3 have 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the prior-generation AirPods Pro 2, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.
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.
Update: This deal has been fluctuating today, sometimes disappearing and reappearing in the span of a few minutes. If you don't see it when you visit Amazon, it may be worth trying again later in the day.
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Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
