Apple plans to hold an Apple Watch Activity Challenge to celebrate Global Running Day on Wednesday, June 3.
To complete the challenge, Apple Watch owners will be required to record a running workout of at least 5K on Global Running Day.
On June 3, the world runs as one. This Global Running Day, record a running workout of at least 5K (3.1 mi) to earn this award. Use the Workout app or any app that records workouts to Health.
As a reward, Apple Watch owners can unlock a dedicated award in the Fitness app, plus animated stickers that can be used in the Messages app.
Apple has been celebrating Global Running Day since 2024, and it comes after the April 2026 Earth Day and International Dance Day Activity Challenges.
Apple's iOS 26.6 update appears to add new wording around blocked contact limits, though it is unclear if the actual limits have changed.
Code in the beta suggests users will get a warning if they exceed the maximum number of blocked contacts. "You've reached the maximum number of blocked contacts. To block additional callers, remove a blocked contact in Settings," reads the alert, which is titled "Blocked Contacts Limit Reached."
Based on discussions on social media and Apple's Support Communities, some users have been unable to block additional contacts after hitting a 20,000 limit. Other people have mentioned running into issues after 8,000, and some have experienced issues with even fewer phone numbers blocked. Apple does not offer documentation on blocking limits.
With limits in the thousands at least, it's unlikely most people have had blocking problems, though a person who is blocking spam callers regularly could eventually hit a cap. iOS 26.6 might make it clearer when a limit has been reached, and what to do about it.
Removing older blocked contacts is the solution, which can be done by going to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts. There is no bulk unblocking tool, and the easiest way to remove a contact is to swipe left on each entry. Alternatively, you can select Edit, tap on the red minus button next to each contact, and choose the unblock option.
iOS 26 added an Ask Reason for Calling option that sends calls from people who aren't in your Contacts directly to voicemail, which is an easier option for spam call management than blocking phone numbers. With the feature turned on, a caller can state their reason for calling and the person receiving the call can decide whether to pick up. Alternatively, all calls from unknown numbers can be silenced and sent to voicemail with no alert using the Silence option.
Missed calls and voicemails from unknown callers can also be filtered into a separate Unknown Callers list in the Phone app. Some carriers also offer a separate spam detection option that can send calls from known spammers to the Spam list.
Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 26.6 to developers today, and the software may soon be made available to public beta testers. A public release is likely several weeks away. So far, there are no other known features in iOS 26.6.
Apple today provided the first beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.6 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple launched macOS Tahoe 26.5.
Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.6 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.
With macOS 27 set to be unveiled in less than a month, Apple is likely focusing most of its attention on the new software. We are not expecting any major new features in macOS Tahoe 26.6.
The beta is limited to developers right now, but a public beta is expected in the next week or two.
Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.
Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.
With the debut of iOS 27 approaching in early June, Apple is wrapping up work on iOS 26. We are not expecting any major new features in the iOS 26.6 update, and it will likely focus on bug fixes and performance improvements.
Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software two weeks after Apple launched the 26.5 versions of each platform.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.
There's no word on what's in the software as of yet. watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS often get few features in each new beta, with updates primarily focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements.
Apple will likely provide public beta testers with access to the tvOS 26.6 and watchOS 26.6 betas in a week or two, but visionOS 26.6 will remain limited to developers.
Android manufacturers are planning to adopt Apple's split launch strategy, releasing high-end and standard models in separate windows rather than simultaneously, according to the leaker known as "Digital Chat Station."
The leaker made the claim in a new post on Weibo this week, saying the "Android camp may repeat this style of play" with Pro series and standard models launching separately in a move to "comprehensively go head-to-head" with Apple. The leaker described it as a move to "fully benchmark" Apple, suggesting the motivation is competitive rather than logistical.
The same post reiterated earlier predictions about Apple's plans. Starting this year, Apple is widely expected to break from its long-standing September release cycle by splitting the iPhone 18 lineup across two windows: the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone are expected to launch in fall 2026, while the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and a second-generation iPhone Air are expected in spring 2027.
Digital Chat Station attributed the delay partly to supply pressure on memory and 2nm chip production, which is an explanation consistent with Nikkei Asia's corroborating report in January, which also cited a deliberate commercial motive to maximize revenue from premium models before cheaper alternatives arrive.
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information have also supported the rumor of the split launch. Kuo framed the strategy as a way to prevent "diluted marketing efforts" as Apple's lineup expands to six devices and to address the "marketing gap" created by Chinese Android brands that typically launch their flagships in the first half of the year, a window Apple has historically ceded entirely to Android.
If Android brands do adopt the same release plan, it would mark a noticeable departure from current practice. Samsung, Apple's most direct competitor, launches its Galaxy S flagship family, standard, Plus, and Ultra, simultaneously each February or March, then launches foldables in a separate mid-year event in July. All tiers of the S series ship together and there is no equivalent of deliberately holding the base model back.
Xiaomi regularly launches flagship models in China several months before a global rollout, and its Ultra-tier models often arrive weeks or months after standard and Pro variants within the same generation. Oppo and Vivo similarly stagger Ultra devices relative to their base flagships, but in each case the split is led by entry level models debuting first, followed by high-end devices.
Should Android manufacturers adopt Apple's new plan, it would largely represent an inversion of the current approach, with premium models leading and standard devices following months later.
For many years now, it has been rumored that the Apple Watch will eventually gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring capabilities, which would enable millions of people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels without needing to prick their skin with a needle or wear a dedicated continuous glucose monitor.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple recently shifted oversight of the project from its platform architecture chief Tim Millet to Zongjian Chen, a senior engineer overseeing advanced technologies within the company.
He framed this change as positive news for the project, which has apparently been in development for more than 15 years.
"Some view the transition as a sign the work may finally be progressing to a point where Chen, known as someone who delivers, can ramp up development of the technology into an eventual consumer-grade offering," he said.
In 2023, Gurman reported that Apple's system would rely on a laser that would emit light under the skin to determine a person's blood glucose level.
"The system uses lasers to emit specific wavelengths of light into an area below the skin where there is interstitial fluid — substances that leak out of capillaries — that can be absorbed by glucose," he said. "The light is then reflected back to the sensor in a way that indicates the concentration of glucose."
An algorithm would ultimately determine a person's blood glucose level, and the feature could also alert users to potential signs of prediabetes.
While the project has new leadership, the Apple Watch is still unlikely to gain non-invasive blood sugar monitoring for several more years, if ever. But if Apple eventually achieves this moonshot, the Apple Watch would provide diabetic people with a more comfortable and convenient solution for keeping track of their blood sugar.
The Pro iPhone models are unlikely to return to titanium in the near future due to the heat dissipation demands of local AI, according to a known Weibo leaker.
The claim comes from the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital," and pushes back on an earlier report from "Instant Digital," who suggested Apple was weighing up the use of liquid metal or an improved titanium alloy as a longer-term replacement for aluminum iPhone frames. Fixed Focus Digital argues that aluminum's thermal properties make it the only practical choice for now, given the processing requirements of AI features. The leaker adds that this is not an Apple-specific issue, noting that Android and Huawei HarmonyOS devices also prioritize aluminum for the same reason.
Instant Digital's earlier report argued that Apple's switch from titanium to aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro was a compromise solution while it continued to develop longer-term alternatives. The leaker claimed Apple was exploring both liquid metal and revised titanium alloys for future Pro models, with both materials reportedly already earmarked for the upcoming foldable iPhone.
Apple switched away from titanium following overheating complaints on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, although the iPhone Air continues to use it. Fixed Focus Digital's assessment suggests aluminum is more deeply entrenched in Apple's plans than Instant Digital's framing implied, at least for the foreseeable future. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to retain the same aluminum unibody design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, meaning any material change is unlikely before 2027 at the earliest.
Below, we have recapped 10 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of May 2026:
Dark Cherry: The special color for the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly be Dark Cherry, alongside Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver. The existing Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue colors are expected to be discontinued.
Variable Aperture: The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models is rumored to have a variable aperture, which would allow users to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. This would provide greater control over depth of field. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to smartphone size constraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.
A20 Pro Chip: Apple's next-generation A20 Pro chip is expected to use TSMC's first-generation 2nm process, whereas the A19 Pro chip is 3nm. With a 2nm architecture and a new packaging design, the A20 Pro chip should deliver solid year-over-year performance and power efficiency gains.
C2 Modem: Apple's custom C1 cellular modem for 5G and LTE debuted in the iPhone 16e last year, and that was followed by a C1X chip in the iPhone Air. Apple says the C1X modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem, and the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone ever. The improvements should continue with Apple's third-generation C2 modem in the iPhone 18 Pro models.
5G via Satellite: With the C2 modem, the iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly support 5G via satellite for web browsing without Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
N2 Chip: Most of the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air are equipped with an Apple-designed N1 chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. Apple says the N1 chip also improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop. iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have Apple's next-generation N2 chip, but it is not yet known what improvements would come with this upgrade.
Simplified Camera Control: Apple is expected to simplify the Camera Control button on the iPhone 18 Pro models, by removing touch sensitivity and haptic feedback. The redesigned button will only have pressure sensitivity.
Redesigned Rear Ceramic Shield: The rear Ceramic Shield area for MagSafe is rumored to feature a more frosted and seamless appearance on the iPhone 18 Pro models compared to the current two-tone design.
Amazon today has introduced a new record low price on the 512GB 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, available for $899.99, down from $1,099.00. This deal is available in all colors and as of writing only Amazon has the discount.
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This new price is about $50 cheaper when compared to past sales. Amazon also has $149 off the 1TB models of the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air, which match all-time low prices on these devices. Delivery dates vary depending on the color selected, but most will arrive before the end of the month.
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's first foldable iPhone is running into mass production yield problems at the pre-assembly stage, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" claims.
In a post today on Weibo, Fixed Focus Digital said Apple's troubles are not related to hinge reliability, as was previously reported, but rather due to surface-mount technology (SMT) during pre-assembly, with production yields failing to ramp up. The leaker framed the situation as somewhat concerning, stopping short of suggesting the fall launch is at risk.
The update arrives days after a separate leaker known as "Instant Digital" reported that the device's hinge was consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. Instant Digital described that issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection," though a follow-up post suggested the hinge difficulties were unlikely to affect the expected release window.
DigiTimesreported in April that production was already running roughly one to two months behind schedule, while still maintaining that a fall 2026 launch remained on track, with mass production planned to begin in July. Fixed Focus Digital reported in April that price negotiations with Apple's assembly partner were a potentially disruptive factor.
Whatever the precise nature of the problems, the picture that has emerged across multiple supply chain sources in recent weeks is one of unusual production difficulties. That said, a fall launch does not appear to be at risk; Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the foldable iPhone remains on track for a September debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, and that Apple is aiming to put it on sale at roughly the same time or slightly later. Gurman noted at the time, however, that "the release is six months away and production has yet to ramp up" and "the timing isn't final."
The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch cover display, the A20 chip and C2 modem, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and two rear cameras, with pricing rumored at around $2,000.
Ferrari today unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, designed with help from Apple's former design chief Jony Ive.
"Designed with Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson at the creative collective LoveFrom, a singular design language unites the exterior, interior, and interface with clarity and refined simplicity throughout," said Ferrari.
The exterior of the car has a "smooth, continuous, and uninterrupted" design, with a "shell-like form" and "floating front and rear aerodynamic wings."
The interior has "precision-engineered mechanical buttons, dials, toggles, and switches" combined with "multifunctional digital displays."
The three-spoke steering wheel is machined from 100% recycled aluminum.
The four-door, five-seat Luce is powered by four electric motors providing up to 1,035 horsepower, and it is equipped with a high‑capacity 122 kWh battery. Ferrari says the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 2.5 seconds.
A dedicated app offers climate controls and charging settings, and it displays the car's status.
Luce pricing starts at €550,000 ($640,000) in Europe, with production set to begin in late 2026. The car will launch in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2027.
Apple was rumored to be working on its own electric vehicle for more than a decade, but the project was ultimately canceled in 2024.
Apple will unveil watchOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on Monday, June 8, and a handful of new features have been rumored already.
The first developer beta of watchOS 27 should be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. The update should be released to all users with a compatible Apple Watch model in September.
Below, we recap watchOS 27 rumors so far.
Improved Heart Rate Tracking
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said watchOS 27 will include improvements to heart rate tracking, but he did not elaborate.
On watchOS 26, the following Apple Intelligence features are available on an Apple Watch when it is paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer:
Workout Buddy
Live Translation in Messages
Notification Summaries
When it announced the dates for WWDC 2026, Apple promised to unveil "AI advancements" across its platforms, and it can be reasonably assumed that watchOS 27 will include some additional Apple Intelligence features powered by the iPhone.
New Satellite Features
Apple Watch Ultra 3 has built-in satellite connectivity, enabling Emergency SOS, Find My, and Messages via satellite without any reliance on an iPhone.
Amazon last month announced plans to acquire Globalstar, the satellite company that powers Apple's satellite features on the iPhone 14 and newer and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. In turn, Amazon announced that it has signed an agreement with Apple to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features.
Stability Focus
Apple is largely focused on "stability, performance, and smaller refinements" for watchOS 27, rather than on major new features and capabilities, according to Gurman. This suggests that the update could include many bug fixes.
Anker's Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station is still available for $104.99 on Amazon this weekend, down from $149.99. This is one of Anker's newest accessories, and Amazon's sale today is a match of the all-time low price.
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.
The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe iPhone charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's MagSafe charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 MagSafe chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.
There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including Anker's Prime 14-in-1 Docking Station for $339.98, down from $399.99. Below you'll find a list of the best Anker discounts on Amazon this week, also including wall chargers, portable chargers, and more.
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 is readying the subdomain genai.apple.com, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris, but it does not yet lead to a live web page. The genai.apple.com subdomain has been added to Apple's domain name servers a few weeks ahead of Apple's annual developers conference WWDC, where the company has promised to announce "AI advancements" across its software platforms.
Apple's website already has an Apple Intelligence page, so it is unclear what the company's plans are for genai.apple.com at this time. The subdomain is clearly related to generative AI, which has been popularized by chatbots such as ChatGPT and Claude in recent years.
Apple's next major software releases like iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 are expected to include many new Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized version of Siri with on-screen awareness. Similar to other chatbots like ChatGPT, a dedicated Siri app will reportedly allow users to have back-and-forth conversations.
The week's biggest Apple stories revolved around a new Apple Card promo essentially offering free AirPods Pro 3 to new cardholders, as well as Apple's official announcement of the major WWDC 2026 events plus media invitations to the keynote.
Other popular topics this week included rumors about the upcoming foldable iPhone, tips and tricks for Apple Watch and iPhone, and more, so read on below for all the details!
Top Stories
New Apple Card Holders Can Get Free AirPods Pro 3, But There's a Catch
The promo officially launched this week, and while it does offer the free AirPods Pro 3, there is a bit of a wrinkle. The cash back comes in the form of $25 per month over 10 months with a requirement that the Apple Card be used at least 10 times in a given month to qualify for that month's rebate.
Apple Announces WWDC 2026 Schedule, Sends Media Invites
Apple this week provided a schedule for its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 8 and runs through June 12. Apple also sent out invites to members of the media who have been invited to attend an in-person keynote viewing at Apple Park.
Both the invites and schedule confirm that the WWDC 2026 keynote will begin at the usual time, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time or 1:00 p.m Eastern Time.
MacRumors will be on hand for keynote day and will have full coverage of WWDC announcements throughout the week.
Foldable iPhone Production Stalls Amid Hinge Issues
The leaker known as "Instant Digital" posted on Weibo that the foldable device's hinge is consistently failing to meet Apple's quality control standards under conditions of prolonged, high-frequency opening and closing. The leaker described the mechanical wear issue as one that "must be resolved with absolute perfection; otherwise, progress will simply have to be stalled for the time being."
The issues are reportedly unlikely to delay the phone's launch, as Apple still has time to get the kinks worked out and ship the device later this year. Rumors have already suggested that availability could come a bit later than that of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max that are expected to be introduced at the same time in September.
Apple Watch: 15 Tips Every Owner Needs to Know
Apple Watch is now eleven generations in, and packed with useful features that are easy to miss at first glance. To help you get more out of your device, we've rounded up 15 practical tips you might not have discovered yet, including a few that long-time users often overlook.
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro has been named the fastest-charging phone overall in a recent CNET lab test covering 33 smartphones, with Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra taking the top spot for wired charging speed.
To determine the rankings, CNET's lab team ran each phone through a 30-minute wired charging test starting at 10% battery or less, using the phone's included cable and a wall charger rated at or above the device's maximum supported speed. Phones that support wireless charging went through a matching 30-minute wireless test using a Qi (7.5W), Qi2 (15W), or Qi2.2 (25W) charger matched to the phone's peak supported speed. CNET then averaged the wired and wireless results into an overall charging score.
Apple Re-Releases a Sold-Out iPhone MagSafe Grip in Three New Colors
Apple this week re-released the Hikawa Grip & Stand for iPhone in three new colors, after the original version quickly sold out last year. The accessory is exclusively available on Apple's online store worldwide, with U.S. pricing set at $54.95. The latest color options include Orange Swirl, Glow Blue, and Speckled Stone.
Designed by Bailey Hikawa and produced by PopSockets, Apple says the accessory was created with accessibility in mind, in close collaboration with individuals with a wide range of disabilities affecting grip, strength, and mobility. The ergonomic grip magnetically attaches to any iPhone with MagSafe, and it doubles as an iPhone stand.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has just published documents related to an apparently unreleased Apple product with model number A3577, with the product described as "Bluetooth over-ear headphones."
These headphones do not appear to be the AirPods Max 2, which carry a model number of A3454, and there is little other information to go on, so it is unclear what these headphones are.
Most of the documents that would reveal details on this A3577 product are being temporarily withheld from publication under a confidentiality request, which is standard for Apple's product filings with the FCC. One figure showing the location of the FCC ID labeling on the product appears to show a generic-looking headphone ear cup, with no identifying design details.
It is possible these are an upcoming Beats product, such as an updated version of the brand's over-ear Beats Studio Pro headphones, but this is purely speculation. The Beats Studio Pro were released nearly three years ago in July 2023, so they could be due for a revision.
We'll share additional information as we learn more.
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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.
