The second beta of macOS 26.2 introduces a new Edge Light feature that's designed for video calls on FaceTime and other video calling platforms. It adds a light border around the edges of your Mac's display, providing improved lighting. Apple says that it is meant to help you look your best on video calls.
Edge Light mimics a ring light, eliminating the need for a separate device. It can provide illumination when you're in a dark room, and customize the light to match the brightness of the ambient lighting.
The Mac's Apple Neural Engine is able to detect your face, relative size, and location in the video frame to position the light appropriately, and it will fade out to allow you to access content on your screen when needed by detecting your mouse cursor. You can adjust the color of the light using a slider that transitions between warm and cool options.
Edge Light can be accessed in the settings of video conferencing apps alongside other options like backgrounds, Portrait mode, Studio Light, and Voice Isolation. The feature is available on Macs that support Apple silicon, and it works with both webcams and external cameras that are connected.
On Macs from 2024 and later, Edge Light can turn on automatically when ambient lighting in the room drops.
Developers can try Edge Light today, and macOS Tahoe 26.2 is set to launch to the public in December.
Apple today provided the second beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple released the first beta.
Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.2 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.
The Reminders app is getting an option to have an alarm go off when a reminder is due, the News app has some design updates, and Apple is adding new features to the Podcasts app.
We'll likely see Apple release macOS Tahoe 26.2 right around mid-December given past launch timelines.
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the first betas.
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.
iOS 26.2 has a Liquid Glass slider on the Lock Screen to adjust the transparency of the clock, plus it brings AirPods Live Translation to the European Union. The Reminders app now supports alarms for when tasks are due, and there are updates to the Podcasts and Apple News apps.
Apple today provided developers with the second betas of upcoming watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS 26.2 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple seeded the first betas.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.
watchOS 26.2 features updated Sleep Score ranges that better match how people might be feeling after a night's rest.
In tvOS 26.2, Apple added support for creating a profile without an Apple Account, plus there is a dedicated Apple TV app kids mode for profiles created for kids.
We don't know what new features might be added in watchOS 26.2, visionOS 26.2, and tvOS 26.2. Apple doesn't typically provide release notes for betas, so we might not know what's new until the software updates see a public launch unless there are outward-facing changes.
The new updates will probably launch sometime between December 9 and December 16, given Apple's historical release timelines for .2 updates.
OpenAI today upgraded GPT-5 to GPT-5.1, the next-generation version of the AI model that powers ChatGPT. There are two versions of GPT-5.1, including Instant and Thinking.
Instant is warmer, more intelligent, and better at following instructions, according to OpenAI, while GPT-5.1 Thinking is easier to understand, faster on simple tasks, and more persistent on complex tasks.
OpenAI says that users can expect a more enjoyable communication experience, with options to more easily customize ChatGPT's tone. There are new presets for tone, including Professional, Candid, and Quirky. The new presets join the existing Default, Nerdy, Cynical, Friendly (previously Listener), and Efficient (previously Robot) options. ChatGPT can also proactively offer to update preferences during conversations when you ask for a certain tone or style, and there are fine tuning options to adjust how concise, warm, or scannable responses are, along with how often it employs emojis.
By default, GPT-5.1 Instant is warmer and more playful, and more likely to adhere to parameters that you set. GPT-5.1 Thinking is able to adapt thinking time more precisely to the question, and responses are clearer with fewer undefined terms. It's also warmer and more empathetic than before.
Questions will continue to be routed to the most suitable model using GPT-5.1 Auto. GPT 5.1 Instant and Thinking are rolling out to users today, with paid Pro, Plus, Go, and Business users set to get access first, then free and logged-out users. Enterprise and Edu users will get a seven-day early-access toggle, after which GPT-5.1 will become the default model.
OpenAI plans to roll out GPT-5.1 gradually to keep performance stable, so not all users will see it right away.
GPT-5 will remain available in the legacy models dropdown for paid subscribers for the next three months.
While it was rumored that Apple planned to release new versions of the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag this year, it is no longer clear if that will still happen.
Back in January, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year," while he at one point expected a new AirTag to launch "around the middle of 2025." Yet, nothing so far.
There are reasons to believe that at least one of the products could be updated imminently, but there are also signs that Apple might hold off until next year.
For starters, HomePod mini inventory is running low at many of Apple's retail stores, and the speaker is completely out of stock at select resellers. That would typically be a sign that a hardware refresh is imminent, but it is already mid-November, so it is getting late in the year. Apple just updated its online store for the holiday season, and it even highlights the existing five-year-old HomePod mini as a gift idea.
"We are excited to be sharing our most extraordinary lineup of products as we head into the holiday season," said Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a press release at the end of October. Did he mean no more new products this year? Maybe. Maybe not.
Apple rarely launches new products in the second half of November or December, but it has happened a few times. For example, the original 16-inch MacBook Pro was announced in November 2019, and the AirPods Max were unveiled in December 2020. So, anything is possible. Just keep your expectations low.
All in all, the reality is that nobody seems to know if the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag will be updated this year anymore — at least until the next rumor surfaces.
If the HomePod mini and Apple TV do not end up being updated until 2026, it could be the result of Apple delaying its more personalized version of Siri until next year, as Gurman expects both devices to support the revamped assistant. The improved Siri is currently expected to launch as part of iOS 26.4 in March or April. It is possible that Apple would want to show off the new-and-improved Siri at the same time as the first new devices that will run it, including the company's long-rumored smart home hub.
The current HomePod mini was unveiled in October 2020, while the latest-generation Apple TV 4K was released in October 2022.
It is harder to explain why the AirTag has not been updated yet. Apple unveiled the current version of the accessory in April 2021.
Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product:
HomePod mini:S9 chip or newer with support for next year's revamped version of Siri powered by Apple Intelligence, Apple's N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 support, improved sound quality, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for proximity features, and potentially new color options like Red.
Apple today announced that iPhone users can now create a Digital ID in the Apple Wallet app based on information from their U.S. passport.
To create and present a Digital ID based on a U.S. passport, you need:
An iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.1 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 26.1 or later
Face ID or Touch ID and Bluetooth turned on
An Apple Account with two-factor authentication turned on
A valid U.S. passport that is not expired
Your device region set to United States
To create a Digital ID, tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner of the Wallet app on the iPhone, and then select Driver's License or ID Cards. Next, select Digital ID and follow the on-screen instructions to start the setup and verification process.
During the setup process, one must use their iPhone to scan the photo page of their physical passport. They will also be asked to use their iPhone to read the chip embedded on the back of their passport, to ensure the data's authenticity. From there, they are asked to take a selfie for verification, and as another security step, they will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process.
After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you can present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for age and identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple said it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.
At launch, Apple said Digital IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S., but the company said the feature is still in public beta.
To present a Digital ID in person, double-click the iPhone's side button and select Digital ID. Then, hold the iPhone near a scanner, review the information being requested, and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. The feature is also available on the Apple Watch.
In the future, Apple said users will be able to present their Digital ID at select stores for identity and age verification in person, as well as in supported apps and online on supported websites. No specific timeframe for this was shared.
Apple said Digital ID data is encrypted, and it ensured that iPhone and Apple Watch privacy and security features help protect against tampering and theft. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their Digital ID.
This feature builds on the existing driver's license feature in the Wallet app, which is currently available in 12 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Japan's My Number Card can also be added to the Wallet app.
Apple's extended return policy went into effect today for the 2025 holiday shopping season. The policy applies to most products sold by Apple online and in its stores, but there are a few exceptions, including most carrier-financed iPhones.
In the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and many other countries, most products purchased between November 12 and December 25 of this year may be returned through January 8, 2026, according to Apple's website. All purchases made after December 25 in those countries are subject to Apple's standard 14-day or 15-day return policy.
In some countries, such as Italy, Spain, Japan, and Mexico, the return window is slightly longer. Apple says eligible products purchased in those countries between November 12 and January 6, 2026 may be returned through January 20, 2026.
Apple has also updated its online store with gift recommendations for the holidays. Notably, this includes the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and AirTag, even those though products have not been updated in years. HomePod mini inventory is low at many Apple Stores, and the speaker is entirely out of stock at select resellers, but there is no clear consensus on whether it will still be updated this year, as was initially rumored.
In the Apple Store app on the iPhone and iPad, you can send someone a personalized gift email.
Apple Arcade will be adding five games on Thursday, December 4, including endless runner Subway Surfers, the world's most downloaded mobile game. Since its launch in 2012, the game has received billions of downloads across all platforms.
The premium Subway Surfers+ edition on Apple Arcade will offer the same run as the classic game, but without in-app purchases and ads. As a result, there will be new ways to revive your character, collect items, and progress.
A spin-off game Subway Surfers Tag was already released on Apple Arcade in 2022.
The other four games coming to Apple Arcade on December 4:
In addition, the popular Apple Arcade game Sneaky Sasquatch recently launched a massive farming town in the game.
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 also bundled with other Apple services in all Apple One plans.
Apple Arcade can be accessed through the App Store, and in the Apple Games app.
Apple today shared a study commissioned from Analysis Group [PDF] that looks at App Store pricing changes before and after reduced fees took effect in the EU in March 2024 under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The report shows that the DMA has not resulted in lower prices for consumers.
In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that the DMA has reduced privacy and security without the outcomes that EU lawmakers expected.
The DMA has failed to live up to its promises, delivering less security, less privacy, and a worse experience for consumers across Europe. This study provides further evidence that the DMA is not benefiting consumers in the form of lower prices. At the same time, we know the regulation is creating new barriers for innovators and startups while exposing consumers to new risks.
The European Commission believes that if developers pay reduced fees, those savings will be passed on to consumers through lower prices, but the study suggests that lower fees have not led to lower App Store prices.
Analysis Group looked at 41 million App Store transactions across 21,000 paid apps and in-app purchases, comparing app prices for three months before developers enrolled in the alternative business terms to prices for three months after they enrolled. 91 percent of the time, prices did not go down, even though fees dropped by 10 percentage points on average. In some cases, developers raised their prices.
The top five EU app developers did not change their app pricing despite the reduced commission, instead keeping the additional revenue. Developers paid an estimated 20.1 million euros less in commission fees to Apple after the change. More than 86 percent of the savings went to developers outside of the European Union.
When developers did lower prices, the average decrease was 2.5 percent, seemingly unrelated to the DMA. Apple says that it saw the same effect when it launched the App Store Small Business Program. The lowered fees did not result in meaningful savings for consumers because only a small minority of developers decreased their prices.
The study says that the percentage of fee reductions does not change over a longer eight-month period, and that the Core Technology Fee paid by apps with more than one million first-time installs per year also does not change the results. 80 percent of the apps in the study did not pay the CTF.
The study was done on behalf of Apple, and it wasn't independently produced. It is limited to App Store data, and only applies to apps using Apple's services. It didn't include web or alternative marketplace pricing, and developers do have those distribution options under the DMA. A more in-depth look at the results and the data are available in the full study. [PDF].
Apple argues that the Digital Markets Act leads to a worse experience for consumers in the European Union, with less security, less privacy, less innovation, and more complexity. Apple has delayed several iOS 18 and iOS 26 features in the EU, and it attributes those delays to DMA requirements.
Live Translation was not available in the European Union when the AirPods Pro 3 launched, but it is coming soon. Apple hasn't found a way to bring iPhone Mirroring to non-Apple devices without privacy risks, so it remains unavailable. Automatic Wi-Fi network syncing is being disabled in iOS 26.2 because Apple wants to keep consumer Wi-Fi data from being shared with third parties. The DMA would give developers access to usernames, Wi-Fi network history, and more.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Amazon this week has a few notable sales from popular brands like Jackery, Anker, and Ecovacs. These include discounts on everything from MagSafe-compatible car chargers to portable power stations, Find My compatible wallets, and robot vacuums.
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.
Highlights of the sales include Anker's 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank for $35.99 ($14 off), Jackery's Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station for $399.00 ($100 off), and Ecovacs' Deebot X9 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum for $699.99 ($600 off). Some of these deals will require a Prime membership in order to see the final deal price.
Anker's discounts on Amazon include big savings on MagSafe-compatible charging stations, USB-C accessories, portable batteries, and much more. The popular Anker 60,000mAh Power Station with Smart Digital Display and Retractable Light is available for $99.99, down from $149.99.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.
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Google this week announced Private AI Compute, a new cloud-based system designed to deliver AI capabilities using its Gemini models while maintaining strict data privacy controls, a framework that closely parallels Apple's own Private Cloud Compute technology.
According to Google, the service enables AI tasks that exceed the processing capacity of local hardware to be handled securely in the cloud without exposing personal data to the company or third parties.
For decades, Google has developed privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) to improve a wide range of AI-related use cases. Today, we're taking the next step in building helpful experiences that keep users safe with Private AI Compute in the cloud, a new AI processing platform that combines our most capable Gemini models from the cloud with the same security and privacy assurances you expect from on-device processing. It's part of our ongoing commitment to deliver AI with safety and responsibility at the core.
Private AI Compute is built using custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) with integrated Titanium Intelligence Enclaves (TIE). These hardware-secured enclaves form an isolated, "fortified space" where AI workloads can be processed without direct access to raw user data. Devices connect to the environment using remote attestation and encrypted channels, ensuring that all data transferred remains inaccessible to Google's engineers or infrastructure administrators.
The system will first power new AI experiences on Pixel 10 devices, such as enhancements to Magic Cue, an AI assistant that provides contextually aware suggestions, and an upgraded Recorder app capable of summarizing transcriptions in additional languages. Both rely on Gemini's larger models in the cloud, which require significantly greater computing resources than on-device NPUs can provide.
Private AI Compute is extremely similar to Apple's Private Cloud Compute, which it launched last year. Apple's system supports Apple Intelligence features and uses custom servers containing Apple silicon chips that operate as verifiable, sealed environments for processing AI tasks.
OWC kicked off a Black Friday sneak peek sale this week, offering big discounts on a variety of USB-C docks, external drives and enclosures, and Mac accessories. Some of these deals won't be applied until you add the items to your cart, at which time an automatic coupon will be applied to your order.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
There are a few notable deals in this sale, including $100 off the popular 14-Port Thunderbolt Dock for Mac, available for $179.99, which is the steepest discount we've seen since the summer on the accessory. If you purchase a qualifying new or used Mac at the same time as this dock, you can get an additional $20 off the accessory at checkout.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
The package includes left and right controllers with attached straps, a controller charging station, a charging brick, a power cord, and two USB adapters.
visionOS 26 added support for the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers to Vision Pro models with the M2 chip and the M5 chip, enabling high-precision motion tracking in supported games, complete with finger touch detection and vibration feedback.
Elu Legend, Pickle Pro, Ping Pong Club, and Spatial Rifts are some of the first Vision Pro games that support the controllers, according to Apple.
In addition to being available for delivery on Apple's online store, the PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers and charging station will be available for in-store pickup at select Apple Store locations in the U.S. starting Monday, November 17.
Apple is not selling this PlayStation VR2 Sense set in any other countries.
Hardware changes Apple has planned for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will make it the heaviest iPhone yet, claims a Chinese leaker.
Apple isn't expected to change the screen size of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and it will feature the same 6.9-inch display as the current model. However, according to Weibo-based account Instant Digital, the body of the iPhone 18 Pro Max will be slightly thicker than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, tipping its weight over 240 grams.
In a follow-up post on Weibo, Instant Digital says the difference between the two generations will be about 10 grams, so it sounds like we're looking at around 243 grams. That would make next year's iPhone 18 Pro Max approximately 3 grams more than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is currently the heaviest model Apple has produced.
Apple's use of titanium instead of stainless steel made the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models lighter. Apple then switched away from titanium to less-dense aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models, but internal changes and slightly thicker designs bumped up their weight again. The iPhone 17 Pro Max weighs 233 grams, up from 227 grams.
Pro Max model weights:
iPhone XS Max: 208 grams
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 226 grams
iPhone 12 Pro Max: 228 grams
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 238 grams
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 grams
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 221 grams
iPhone 16 Pro Max: 227 grams
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 233 grams
iPhone 18 Pro Max: ~243 grams?
In a swipe at the iPhone Air's reported poor sales, the leaker claims Apple has "figured out" that making iPhones thinner and lighter doesn't necessarily make them more attractive to consumers if that means compromising on features and battery life.
The leaker doesn't give a specific reason for the alleged thicker design of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but a larger battery is the most likely cause. Apple is also said to be adopting a new type of vapor chamber that uses stainless steel.
In addition, there are camera upgrades rumored – a Main camera with a variable aperture and a new three-layer stacked image sensor developed by Samsung – and potentially changes coming to the Dynamic Island and Face ID. Whether the weight increase is due to the cumulative effect of multiple changes or a single hardware upgrade remains unclear.
Instant Digital has a mixed but occasionally reliable track record. The account previously revealed accurate details such as the Yellow iPhone 14 and 14 Plus finishes and the Titanium Milanese Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, though not all of its past claims have proven correct.
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in the fall of 2026.
Apple's website is causing some confusion among Mac owners, and for good reason – its device compatibility listing for Apple Intelligence appears to have dropped support for M1 Macs.
The U.S. version of its Apple Intelligence webpage has been updated at the bottom to list "M2 or later" Mac models as eligible for the AI features, replacing the long-standing "M1 and later" requirement.
However, regional versions – including the UK and Canada sites – continue to reference M1 Macs as compatible with Apple Intelligence. Meanwhile, Apple's support page, titled "How to get Apple Intelligence" and dated November 10, still lists "Mac with M1 or later" under the device requirements.
Looking at the difference between the live webpage and the last archived snapshot from November 6, Apple appears to have intentionally changed Apple Vision Pro from "M2" to "M2 or later" to reflect the recent launch of the Vision Pro with M5 chip. But whoever did the edit also appears to have erroneously changed the Macs in the list to "M2 or later" as well. (Another clue is that Apple never released an M2 iMac.)
On the Canada and UK pages, Apple has not yet updated the Vision Pro to "M2 or later", which is a further sign that this is exactly what has happened. We expect Apple will correct the U.S. webpage later today once it learns of the mistake.
Apple Intelligence began rolling out in October 2024, bringing generative and contextual AI tools across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It touts a range of capabilities, including composing text and emails, generating images, summarizing documents and texts, and more.
We are still waiting for Apple to release a more advanced version of Siri with contextual awareness that has been promised since last year. Apple is expected to roll out the new version of Siri around March or April 2026.
With the latest version of the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, released today, hosts can now allow guests to specify the number of adults and kids they are bringing to an event. This way, the host will not be surprised if you bring a plus-one.
The update also contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
Released earlier this year, the Apple Invites app makes it easy to invite people to events, such as birthday parties and baby showers. First, you create an event invitation, which can include a description, a custom background, and even a shared photo album. Then, you can generate a link to the event that you can share with invited guests.
The ability to create an event in the app is limited to iCloud+ subscribers, but anyone who receives an event link can RSVP for free. In the U.S., the cheapest iCloud+ plan with 50GB of storage currently costs 99 cents per month.
Amazon today has a steep discount on the 46mm cellular Apple Watch Series 11 with the Natural Titanium Case and Natural Milanese Loop. You can get this model for $679.00, down from $799.00, one of the biggest sales we've tracked to date on any Series 11 model.
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.
Deals on Apple Watch Series 11 models have been sparse so far this holiday shopping season, but we're starting to see a few noteworthy sales as we get closer to Black Friday. This Natural Titanium Case model has an estimated delivery date of November 16 for free shipping options.
Apple Watch deals are some of the best early Black Friday deals we've seen so far this month, with all-time low prices available for Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and previous generation models. We've provided a quick list of the best deals below.
You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2025.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find as we head into the holidays? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. 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.
