Apple

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.00 during its Big Spring Sale, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, and one of the best all-around deals you can get during the Amazon's springtime Prime Day.

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

This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, 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.



You can also get the AirPods 4 for $99.99 in the Big Spring Sale, down from $129.00, which is a solid second-best price. You can find all of the best discounts going on during this event in our dedicated post, which highlights discounts on AirTag, iPads, MacBooks, and more.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

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App Store Connect is a tool that allows app developers to view App Store metrics such as total downloads, and today it is receiving a major update.


"Analytics in App Store Connect receives its biggest update since its launch," said Apple, in a post on its developer news portal.

Apple says App Store Connect has a refreshed user experience that makes it easier to measure the performance of apps and games. There are more than 100 new metrics available, including new in-app purchase and subscription data.

Here is what is new, according to Apple:

• More than 100 new metrics. Now you can access monetization and subscription data in Analytics to better understand the performance of your In-App Purchases and offers.

• New cohort capabilities. Analyze user behavior based on common attributes — such as download date, download source, offer start date, and more — to measure how a particular group of users performs over time. For example, if you’ve expanded your app to a new region, you can monitor how long it takes users in that region to make a purchase compared to other more established regions. Cohort data is aggregated to ensure user privacy.

• New peer group benchmarks. Discover how you stack up to peers with two new monetization benchmarks: download-to-paid conversion and proceeds per download. Benchmarks incorporate differential privacy techniques to protect individual developer performance while also providing meaningful and actionable insights.

• Two new subscription reports. Export these via the Analytics Reports API to perform offline analysis and integrate Analytics into your own data systems.

• Additional filters. Apply up to seven filters to your selected metrics at once allowing you to drill down further and uncover additional insights.

• App Store Analytics Guide. This new guide in App Store Connect Help enables you to develop a data-driven strategy and understand App Store tools and features you can use to grow your business.

Apple has an App Store Connect app for the iPhone and iPad. App Store Connect is also available on the web at appstoreconnect.apple.com.
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Apple is accepting pre-orders for the AirPods Max 2 headphones that were introduced on March 16, with a purchase option now available on the Apple.com website.


In the U.S., Apple's online store lists a delivery timeframe of April 1 to April 3.

Priced at $549, the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ feature the same design as the original AirPods Max, but Apple updated the over-ear headphones with an H2 chip that adds new capabilities already offered by other AirPods models.

The H2 chip delivers up to 1.5x better Active Noise Cancellation with computational audio algorithms that are better able to detect and mitigate outside sound. Real-time Live Translation is supported, and features like Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation, Conversation Awareness, Loud Sound Reduction, and Personalized Volume are available.

Audio quality has improved with a new high dynamic range amplifier that offers more consistent bass, more natural-sounding mids and highs, and improved localization of instruments. Transparency Mode sounds more natural than before, and the Digital Crown on the AirPods Max can now be used as a camera shutter for the iPhone or iPad. Bluetooth has been upgraded to Bluetooth 5.3.

The ‌AirPods Max 2‌ charge using USB-C and last for up to 20 hours in ANC mode before needing to be recharged. Like the prior-generation USB-C model, the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ support 24-bit 48kHz lossless audio over USB-C, and ship with a Smart Case. Color options continue to include midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue.
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Apple on Tuesday released version 26.4 of its major operating systems, delivering a substantial collection of refinements, new capabilities…

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Amazon this week is hosting a "Big Spring Sale," which includes deals and offers on everything from Apple devices to clothes, kitchen electronics, furniture, and much more. The new event is set to run through March 31, so you'll have a few days of discounts to shop, with new markdowns appearing every day.

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

This Prime Day-like event has record low prices and great deals on a huge variety of Apple products and related accessories, and in this article we're focusing mainly on Apple devices. Below you'll find big discounts on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more. Similar to Prime Day, some deals will require a Prime membership.

AirPods

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $199.00, down from $249.00. This is a match of the all-time low price on the AirPods Pro 3, which has been rare on Amazon in recent weeks.




This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, 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.

AirTag

Amazon has the first generation AirTag 4-Pack on sale for $59.99 during the Big Spring Sale, down from $99.00. This is a new record low price on the first generation accessory.

Apple Watch Series 11

Amazon this week has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. We first started tracking the return of these deals last month, but this sale has now expanded with many more options on both 42mm and 46mm GPS models.




You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models on sale at this all-time low price, and four of the 46mm GPS models on sale as well.




If you're shopping for cellular models, you can find record low prices on multiple models this week on Amazon. The 42mm cellular Apple Watch Series 11 has hit $399.00, down from $499.00, and the 46mm cellular model has hit $429.00, down from $529.00.

M4 iPad Air

Amazon is taking up to $100 off the brand new M4 iPad Air during its Big Spring Sale this week. Specifically, Amazon has up to $80 off the 11-inch M4 iPad Air and up to $100 off the 13-inch M4 iPad Air. All of these discounts have been automatically applied and do not require a coupon code or a Prime membership.




The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, C1X modem, and N1 networking chip, which brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. In terms of design, the 2026 models are identical to the 2025 iPad Air tablets, with an edge-to-edge display, slim bezels, and aluminum chassis.

11-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $559.00 ($40 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $649.00 ($50 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $839.00 ($60 off)


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,017.34 ($82 off)

13-inch M4 iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $749.00 ($50 off)


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $836.50 ($63 off)


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,044.00 ($55 off)

iPad

Amazon this week is taking $50 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad, as well as $100 off the iPad mini 7. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, which is a solid second-best price on this model.





We saw a few of these iPad models around $20 cheaper over the holiday season last year, but those all-time low prices never reappeared. As of now, Amazon's discounts are the best prices we've tracked so far in 2026.

iPad mini 7

There are also quite a few $100 discounts on the iPad mini 7 this week on Amazon, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. It's been a few weeks since we last tracked prices this low on the iPad mini 7.

M5 MacBook Air

Apple's new M5 MacBook Air just launched, and now Amazon has the first cash discounts on these models. You'll find $50 off nearly every new MacBook model on Amazon, without the need of a membership or clipping a coupon.




Although only $50 markdowns, these are the first and most notable discounts on the new M5 MacBook Air.

M5 Pro/M5 Max MacBook Pro

Similar to the MacBook Air, Amazon is also taking $49 off the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro for its Big Spring Sale.

Apple Studio Display

Apple just launched the new line of Studio Displays this month, and now Amazon has introduced the first discount on the Standard Glass model with Tilt-Adjustable Stand. You can get this Studio Display for $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00, a new all-time low price.






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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OpenAI is overhauling the shopping experience in its ChatGPT app by shifting the focus from in-app purchases to product discovery, after the company's Instant Checkout feature apparently failed to gain traction.


Launched in September, Instant Checkout let users buy items from retailers like Etsy, Walmart, and Shopify directly within ChatGPT. In a new product post, OpenAI now says it is deprioritizing the feature as a standalone offering, because it "did not offer the level of flexibility that we aspire to provide."

In place of it, ChatGPT is getting richer visual shopping tools, including side-by-side product comparisons, image-based search for finding similar items, and conversational result filtering.

OpenAI says the updates are powered by an expansion of its Agentic Commerce Protocol, which lets merchants feed product catalogs and promotions directly into ChatGPT. Retailers including Target, Sephora, Nordstrom, Best Buy, and The Home Depot are already on board.

Meanwhile, Walmart is launching a dedicated in-app ChatGPT experience that supports account linking, loyalty programs, and its own payment system. The updates are rolling out this week to all ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, and Pro users.

In related news, OpenAI yesterday said that it is ending support for its Sora AI video app just six months after it initially launched.
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macOS Tahoe 26.4 includes a new slow charger indicator that tells MacBook users when their charging setup isn't delivering full power.


As described in an updated Apple support document, a "Slow Charger" label now appears in orange text in the battery status menu and above the Battery Level graph in Battery settings. The indicator is accompanied by an info button for more details.

Apple says that to charge more quickly, users should use a power adapter and cable that deliver at least the minimum wattage recommended for their MacBook model.

The feature is similar to one Apple added to iPhone with iOS 18, where periods of slow charging appear as an orange bar in the Battery section of the Settings app.

The slow charger indicator is one of two battery-related changes in macOS 26.4. The update also adds a Charge Limit feature that lets MacBook users set a maximum charge level anywhere from 80 to 100 percent, with the aim of preserving long-term battery health.

macOS Tahoe 26.4 is available now via System Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.
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The latest version of iOS 26, iOS 26.4, is now available for download. The update doesn't have the Siri feature set we were hoping for, but there are quite a few new additions like new emoji and an AI music feature.

Playlist Playground

Apple Music has a new Playlist Playground feature that lets users create a playlist with a text-based prompt.


In the ‌Apple Music‌ app, there's an option to type in an idea and get automatic song suggestions for a playlist. Apple has some pre-set suggestions that include "morning coffee music," "hip-hop party songs," and "disco songs that defined the 1970s," but you can type in any idea, mood, or feeling.

From there, the Playlist Playground feature will automatically generate a list of 25 songs, along with a custom title. Playlists that you create can be customized further with additional text prompts, and you can select a cover and a description.

Playlist Playground is limited to the United States.

New Emoji

iOS 26.4 adds eight new emoji characters, including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature (Sasquatch), fight cloud, orca, landslide, and ballet dancer.


There are also new skin tone modifiers for people wrestling and dancers with bunny ears.

Apple Music

‌Apple Music‌ features a "Concerts Near You" feature that helps you find shows in your area and tour dates for artists that you're a fan of. Apple is partnering with companies like Ticketmaster to provide local concert info.


Apple has redesigned albums and playlists, adding full-page artwork.

A song can be added to multiple playlists at the same time in the ‌Apple Music‌ app. In the add to playlist interface, there is a list button, and tapping it allows you to select multiple playlists at the same time.

Offline Music Recognition

In Control Center, the song recognition feature is now able to identify songs without an internet connection, providing results when you're back online.

Purchase Sharing Changes

Adult members in a Family Sharing group can now use separate payment methods for purchases, rather than having to share a single payment method.

Apple Podcasts

With iOS 26.4, Apple added video podcast capabilities to the Apple Podcasts app. The feature uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to provide podcast creators with "unprecedented control and monetization opportunities" while also providing a high-quality viewing experience.


The iOS 26.4 Podcasts app will let users switch between watching and listening to shows, with videos able to be downloaded for offline viewing. HLS ensures smooth playback regardless of network connection, so videos will work on Wi-Fi or cellular. Apple says that the new video episodes will integrate with existing ‌Apple Podcasts‌ features, including personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions in the New and Category sections.

Stolen Device Protection

Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default for all iPhone users, rather than being an opt-in feature.


Apple implemented Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 after reports about a new iPhone theft method. Thieves would spy on an intended victim to learn their passcode, then steal the target's iPhone. With the passcode, criminals were able to empty bank accounts, access passwords, and turn off Find My.

Stolen Device Protection requires additional authentication through Face ID or Touch ID to access certain iPhone features like the Passwords app, Lost mode in ‌Find My‌, Safari purchases, and more. Some features are disabled entirely without authentication, while others have a one-hour security delay.

Messages App

There are new animations in the Messages app for actions like launching a new conversation.

Apple Account Unified Design

In the App Store, ‌Apple Music‌, and other apps that have user settings, there is a new unified Apple Account hub that replaces the existing profile feature.


It offers largely the same functionality as the prior profile settings for each app, but there is a new unified design.

The ‌App Store‌ merges apps and purchase history, and has a dedicated section for app updates. It now takes two taps to get to app updates rather than having them available at the bottom of the profile page.

The ‌App Store‌'s navigation bar also no longer features Search as a separate button, and the search bar itself is at the top when tapped rather than the bottom.

Ambient Music Widget

There is a new Ambient Music widget for the Home and Lock Screen. It supports playing different built-in ambient music options for sleep, productivity, wellbeing, and more.

Wallpaper and Watch Face Gallery

The Wallpaper Gallery has an updated design that allows Wallpapers from each category like Weather, Astronomy, Emoji, Colors and More to be downloaded to the iPhone.


The Watch Face Gallery in the Apple Watch app also features the same design change.

Captions

Subtitle and caption customization settings are available from the captions icon when viewing media, which makes them easier to access and change.

Freeform Creator Studio

Freeform Creator Studio is live in iOS 26.4, allowing Creator Studio subscribers to access new Freeform features. Creator Studio for Freeform adds a dedicated Content Hub that houses the Freeform shape options.


Creator Studio users will be able to access free, high-quality content like graphics, photos, and illustrations that are not available to non-subscribers, plus there are AI capabilities for creating and editing images.

When Creator Studio launched, Apple said the premium content and features in Freeform would be coming to the Apple Creator Studio subscription later this year.

Freeform also has a new icon.

Reminders

The Reminders app has a new "Urgent" section. Reminders that have Urgent toggled on during creation will show up here. Urgent ensures that reminders have an accompanying alarm so you get a clear warning when a reminder is due.


Reminders can also be marked as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding.

iCloud Web Settings

In the iCloud section of the Settings app, there's now an "iCloud.com" option if you scroll all the way to the bottom of the interface. It replaces the simple "Access ‌iCloud‌ Data on the Web" toggle that was previously available.


The setting includes a new "Allow Search" toggle that lets trusted Apple devices provide search results to iCloud.com.

Health App

iOS 26.4 includes a new Average Bedtime metric for the sleep section of the Health app, providing a better idea of how bedtime can impact sleep quality.



Apple also updated the Vitals section of the Health app in the U.S., and now includes blood oxygen level on the line graph overview that's available each day. In iOS 26.3 and earlier versions of ‌iOS 26‌, there was a section for the blood oxygen level, but the graph did not include a blood oxygen measurement.

Reduce Motion and Bright Effects

There's a new Reduce Bright Effects option that minimizes bright flashes when tapping on interface elements like buttons. The Reduce Motion setting also more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for those who prefer less movement.

Camera

In the Settings section of the Camera app, there is a new "Audio Zoom" option. The feature causes recorded audio to focus on the subject when the camera is zoomed while recording a video. It can be turned on or off, depending on the audio settings you prefer.

CarPlay

With iOS 26.4, AI services like Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT are accessible through the CarPlay system for the first time.

The new integration lets ‌CarPlay‌ users access voice-based apps like ChatGPT to ask questions hands-free, but the apps will not be able to control vehicle or iPhone functions. There also won't be a wake word option to activate a third-party app, so users will still need to open the app to use the chatbot. After an app is launched, the customizable voice control screen will give users vehicle-optimized chatbot experiences.

Third-party apps need to implement support for the feature, so it may take some time for the functionality to be available.

We also found mentions of Apple TV support for CarPlay during the beta period, indicating that Apple will eventually allow users to watch Apple TV content through their car's dashboard when the vehicle is not in motion.



At WWDC 2025, Apple said that it would add support for AirPlaying video content to a ‌CarPlay‌ display.

Hotspot Data

Apple moved the location of hotspot data usage. Rather than having data usage metrics tucked away under Cellular, you'll see how much data you've used right in the Personal Hotspot section.

Live Captions

Chinese (Taiwan) is a new language option for Live Captions in the Accessibility section.

Passcode Settings

In the ‌Face ID‌ and Passcode section of the Settings app, when you enter a passcode to access your options, the text is now center aligned instead of left aligned.

Shortcuts

Apple added a Set Charge Limit action to the Shortcuts app. It sets a battery charge limit for the iPhone.

Keyboard Bug Fix

iOS 26.4 offers improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly, addressing a bug in iOS that caused some characters to be missed when a user was typing rapidly. The missed characters could impact how autocorrect worked, causing the feature to be unable to predict what the user meant to type.

Carrier Updates

The iOS 26.4 beta has a Voice Over New Radio (VoNR) feature for Telus iPhone users. The feature lets compatible devices remain on the 5G Standalone network during voice calls instead of 4G LTE.

Security Updates

iOS 26.4 fixes more than 35 security vulnerabilities impacting everything from Safari to Messages, and multiple underlying services.

There were no actively exploited vulnerabilities that Apple encountered, but it is still a good idea to update to iOS 26.4 to get the latest patches.

Now that Apple has publicized the vulnerabilities, they might be taken advantage of by bad actors.

How to Get iOS 26.4

You can install iOS 26.4 by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the General section, and navigating to Software Update.

Compatibility

iOS 26.4 runs on all iPhones that support ‌iOS 26‌, which includes the iPhone 11 and later.

What's Coming Next

We could get the first beta of iOS 26.5 as soon as this week now that iOS 26.4 is publicly available.
This article, "iOS 26.4 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.4" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released watchOS 5.3.10 and watchOS 8.8.2 for older Apple Watch models that are not able to run the current watchOS 26 update. watchOS 5.3.10 is available for the Apple Watch Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, and Series 4, while watchOS 8.8.2 is available for the Apple Watch Series 3, Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, and original Apple Watch SE.


According to Apple's release notes, the updates extend the certificate that features like device activation, iMessage, and FaceTime need to function. The certificate update ensures that these apps and features will continue to work after January 2027, which is when the existing certificate was set to expire.

watchOS 8 is the final version of watchOS that's supported on the Apple Watch Series 3.

watchOS 5 is the final version of watchOS able to be installed on an Apple Watch Series 1 or Series 2 using an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, or iPhone 6 Plus. The Series 1 and Series 2 do support watchOS 6, but installing watchOS 6 requires an iPhone 6s or later.
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In a newly surfaced 15-minute video from an internal Apple company meeting on July 27, 1999, Steve Jobs addresses employees at the…

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OpenAI today said that it is ending support for its Sora AI video app just six months after it initially launched.

We're saying goodbye to Sora. To everyone who created with Sora, shared it, and built community around it: thank you. What you made with Sora mattered, and we know this news is disappointing.

OpenAI did not provide more detail into why Sora is being discontinued, but the company said that it plans to share more soon, including specific information on when the app and API will be shut down. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees that ending Sora will free up resources for OpenAI's next-generation AI models, according to The Information.

Sora generates AI videos of real people, with each user uploading a "cameo" or short video of themselves that's used as the basis for AI prompts. Users are able to share their cameos with others, allowing anyone on the app to generate AI video with their likeness.

When it launched at the end of September 2025, Sora gained viral popularity. It was downloaded more than a million times just a week and a half after launch, reaching the milestone faster than ChatGPT, and for a period of time, it was the top free app on the App Store.

OpenAI received criticism for deepfake videos featuring celebrities both dead and alive, and the company stopped allowing users to create videos featuring celebrity likenesses or voices without express consent. The guardrails that OpenAI put in place killed some of the interest in the app, and its popularity died down.
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iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps.


To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later.

Below, we have outlined the two new CarPlay features.

Ambient Music Widget

CarPlay gained support for widgets on iOS 26. To view them, swipe right on CarPlay's interface until you reach the Dashboard screen, shown below.


Starting with iOS 26.4, both the iPhone and CarPlay now have an Ambient Music widget option.

Apple introduced the Ambient Music feature on iOS 18.4 last year. It offers curated playlists based on themes such as Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing, with no Apple Music subscription required to listen to the songs.

To add the Ambient Music widget to a CarPlay widget stack, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General → CarPlay → [Your Vehicle] → Widgets → Add Widget, select the Ambient Music option, and tap on the Add Widget button.

Chatbot Apps

Starting with iOS 26.4, CarPlay supports voice-based conversational apps, according to Apple's CarPlay Developer Guide. This means that chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude will be able to extend their iPhone apps to CarPlay for voice-based conversations, should any of them choose to do so.


Of course, Apple's own assistant Siri remains available on CarPlay, without needing to open an app. It was recently reported that Apple is testing a new Siri app for iOS 27 with chatbot-like functionality and conversation history, so it will be interesting to see if that Siri app is available on CarPlay in a voice-only state later this year.
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Smart lock company Nuki today launched the Keypad 2 NFC, which is the first keypad that includes support for Aliro. Aliro is a smart lock standard that supports interoperability between mobile devices and platforms, allowing smart locks to work with any smartphone or wearable device without the need for a dedicated app.


Aliro was designed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes Apple, and the Aliro 1.0 specification was released at the end of February. Nuki has one of the first Aliro-supported devices, and the Keypad 2 NFC allows a paired Nuki smart lock to be unlocked with Apple Home Key.

To use the Home Key functionality, you need the Nuki Smart Lock and the new Keypad 2 NFC, and I was able to test the setup prior to launch. The Nuki Smart Lock has Matter integration so it works with HomeKit and can be added to Apple Home without the keypad, but the Keypad 2 NFC adds Home Key for automatic unlocking with a digital key stored in the Apple Wallet app.

The Nuki Smart Lock has a clever design. It's meant to work with a standard deadbolt, and it uses the framework of the existing lock. I had a smart lock already, so I needed to install a regular deadbolt to test the Nuki. It's not a smart lock to smart lock upgrade, but it's a good hassle-free lock for adding digital unlocking to a lock you already have.


Nuki's Smart Lock reminds me of a doorknob, because it's a similar size and shape, plus you turn it like a doorknob to unlock the door. You keep your standard deadbolt outside, and the Nuki lock mechanism is on the inside. It's smaller than locks from some competing companies, and there's no big box on the door. I like the design because it looks like a normal lock on the exterior, and it's minimally distracting on the inside. I recently swapped all of my bulkier smart locks with the minimal Level Locks because I got tired of looking at boxes, and while Nuki's lock adds a little more bulk to a door than a Level Lock, it's not bad at all.

The only Nuki lock downside is the charging method. It uses a proprietary cable that attaches magnetically to the lock, and it seems easy to misplace. I even prefer Nuki's unlocking method to other smart locks, because I just turn the handle.

The Smart Lock has been around for a while, but the Keypad 2 NFC that adds Home Key is new. On its own, the Nuki Lock supports ‌HomeKit‌, but not Home Key. The Keypad is a candy bar-shaped device that attaches to the outside of your door with adhesive. It has a touchpad that you can use to enter a code, plus a fingerprint sensor. It can be opened with NFC using Home Key, the code, or the fingerprint sensor, so it adds multiple access methods to the Nuki Smart Lock.

I didn't find the process of setting up the Keypad 2 NFC with Home Key to be the most intuitive process. I added it to the Nuki app first, then tapped on the option to associate it with a smart home platform. The app instructed me to open up Apple Home, but there were no further instructions because an associated support document was unavailable (it could be up post launch).

It turned out I was able to set up Home Key by tapping my iPhone to the keypad, which added it to my existing Home Key setup. I have Level Locks that support Home Key, so the Home Key card in my Wallet app can now control multiple locks in my home.

With Home Key, I'm able to tap my iPhone or Apple Watch on the keypad without having to unlock the iPhone or open up the Nuki app.

There are already smart locks that support Home Key, but Aliro is a standard like Matter that makes it easier for lock companies to implement one unlocking feature that works across a variety of platforms. Locks that have Aliro support going forward will be compatible with Home Key and other smart home platforms. Aliro does have Ultra Wideband support for unlocking the door as you approach, but Nuki's product doesn't include UWB.


The lock can be used with geofencing and automations in the Home app or the Nuki app for automatic unlocking, and there are settings to automatically lock the door after it's opened as well.

Using Home Key with the Keypad does require a Matter-enabled Apple hub, which includes the Apple TV, HomePod, and HomePod mini. There are also hardware requirements, and it works with the iPhone XS or later with iOS 18.6 or later or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 11.6 or later.

Nuki's Keypad 2 NFC supports up to 20 fingerprints so multiple people in the family can unlock the door via biometric authentication, plus users can have 200 access codes and 35 tap-to-unlock keys.

The Keypad 2 has IP54 water and dust resistance, so it can hold up to poor weather outside, but it's best to keep it in a covered location. It uses AAA batteries that are supposed to last for up to a year, and the Nuki app will provide a notification when the battery is low. There isn't a backlight, but if you're using NFC, you don't need that for the tap unlock functionality.

Nuki's Keypad 2 NFC is available from the Nuki website for $179, while the Smart Lock is priced at $199. Nuki products are also available from Amazon.

Note: Nuki provided MacRumors a Nuki Lock and Keypad 2 NFC for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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Wall Street analyst Amit Daryanani of Evercore ISI is doubling down on his bullish stance on Apple, declaring that the company's powerful…

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Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the ‌AirPods Pro 3‌, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the ‌AirPods 4‌.



There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance improvements.

To get the new firmware, make sure your AirPods are in range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and are connected via Bluetooth. From there, connect your Apple device to Wi-Fi, 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.
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Apple is testing a standalone Siri chatbot app for iOS 27, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple plans to debut a chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ that will compete with Claude and ChatGPT, and the new ‌Siri‌ could be accessible through a dedicated app.


Gurman previously said that Apple was not going to develop a standalone ‌Siri‌ app, but it appears plans have changed. It was not clear how the rumored chatbot version of ‌Siri‌ was going to work without an app, because people often have multiple back-and-forth text-based conversations with chatbots, and not having a dedicated space would have been confusing.

Like ChatGPT and Claude, ‌Siri‌ will support both text and voice-based conversations. The app will display either a list or grid of past conversations, with options to favorite chats, search through chats, initiate new chats, and save chats. Conversations with ‌Siri‌ will resemble iMessage conversations, with Apple using chat bubbles. New conversations will start with suggested prompts on what to ask.

‌Siri‌ will be able to do much of what current chatbots can do, such as searching the web with visually rich results, providing summaries, and evaluating uploaded documents, and the personal assistant will still be integrated into Apple devices. Pressing the side button on an iPhone or using the ‌Siri‌ wake word will activate ‌Siri‌. ‌Siri‌ integration will replace the current Spotlight search functionality, but Apple plans to keep and expand on ‌Siri‌ Suggestions. ‌Siri‌ Suggestions will have more access to user data to provide more relevant prompts.

Chatbot ‌Siri‌ will have an updated look to go along with the dedicated app. Activating ‌Siri‌ will have a new animation that prompts the user to search or ask a question, and Gurman says Apple is testing a version of ‌Siri‌ integrated into the Dynamic Island. Apple's test interface includes a glowing ‌Siri‌ icon and a "searching" label in the ‌Dynamic Island‌ while ‌Siri‌ is processing a request, and once done, ‌Siri‌ expands into a larger translucent panel with the results. Pulling down on the menu initiates an interface for a conversation.

It's also possible Apple will integrate an "Ask ‌Siri‌" button into the menus of other apps, giving users a way to send content directly to ‌Siri‌ alongside a request. The iOS keyboard could get a Write with ‌Siri‌ option that surfaces Writing Tools.

Apple Intelligence ‌Siri‌ features that were originally planned for iOS 18 will be introduced in ‌iOS 27‌, with ‌Siri‌ able to use personal data and context to answer queries. ‌Siri‌ will also be able to do more in and between apps, and will be able to see what's on the user's screen. Apple promised that those features would appear before the end of 2026.

Apple is planning to introduce the new version of ‌Siri‌ at the June WWDC keynote. Dates for WWDC were announced yesterday, and the keynote event is set to take place on Monday, June 8.
This article, "iOS 27 Siri Overhaul: Standalone App, New Design, Dynamic Island Integration and Ask Siri Button" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is raising concerns about artificial intelligence as the technology becomes more embedded in everyday life…

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Apple today released a new firmware update for the Studio Display and ‌Studio Display‌ XDR, its two new monitors that came out earlier in March.


The ‌Studio Display‌ Firmware 26.4 update is only for the new ‌Studio Display‌ options, and it is not available on the older model.

‌Studio Display‌ firmware can be updated by connecting the display to a Mac and going to System Settings > Software Update.

Apple did not provide release notes for the firmware update.
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Apple as officially announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2026) will take place from June 8 to June 12…

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Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.4, the fourth major update to the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ operating system. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ comes six weeks after Apple released ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3.


Mac users can download the new software by opening up the System Settings app and navigating to the Software Update section.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 returns the compact tab bar option to Safari for those who prefer the slimmed down look, along with a new Charge Limit feature for the Mac so you can set a maximum charge level from 80 to 100 percent. It also adds new eight emoji characters, and it displays warnings for apps that will stop working in the future. Apple is ending support for Rosetta 2 after macOS 27, so app that are still using Rosetta will display a popup letting users know that the app won't work starting with macOS 28.

macOS 26.4 also includes Apple Creator Studio for the Freeform app and it has the same Family Sharing change as iOS 26.4. Adult members of a family group can now opt to use their own payment methods for purchases instead of having to share one.
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Apple today released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The new software comes six weeks after Apple released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 26.4 adds a new Apple Music feature called Playlist Playground, which uses AI to generate playlists for you based on text-based prompts. You can ask for moods, feelings, occasions, and more when making a request.

The update also has new emoji characters, a useful change to payment methods for Purchase Sharing in family groups, and much more. Apple's notes for the update are below.

Apple Music
- Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
- Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
- Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you're back online
- Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
- Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

Accessibility
- Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
- Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview
- Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion

This update also includes the following enhancements:
- 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
- Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio
- Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
- Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer
- Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/.

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039

We should be getting iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas in the near future, perhaps as soon as this week.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 With New Emoji, Playlist Playground, Purchase Sharing Changes and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released watchOS 26.4, the fourth major update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.4 comes a month and a half after Apple released watchOS 26.3.


watchOS 26.4 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.4 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

The update makes it quicker to start a workout in the Workout app by tapping on a Workout type icon, plus it has eight new emoji characters that include orca, trombone, treasure chest, fight cloud, hairy creature, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face. Apple's release notes are below.

This update introduces 8 new emoji, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Apple Watch This update also includes the following enhancements:

- Support for AirPods Max 2
- Workout type icon in the Workout app lets you start a workout with a single tap
- 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard

More on what's new in ‌watchOS 26‌ can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup.
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Apple today released tvOS 26.4, the fourth update to the tvOS operating system that came out last fall. tvOS 26.4 is available for the Apple TV 4K and the ‌Apple TV‌ HD, and it comes over a month after Apple released tvOS 26.3.


tvOS 26.4 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 26.4 automatically.

Apple added a new Genius Browse section to the ‌Apple TV‌ app in tvOS 26.4. Genius Browse is a content discovery feature that provides recommendations for TV shows and movies across multiple suggested categories. Suggestions vary based on content preferences, and the options are updated regularly.



The update removes the dedicated iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps that Apple started phasing out in 2023, which means wishlists will no longer be available. Apple sent emails to affected customers with instructions on how to transfer wishlist content to the ‌Apple TV‌ app watchlist.

tvOS 26.4 also adds more easily accessible customization options for subtitles, and it improves ‌Apple TV‌ Audio Format settings with an option for Continuous Audio Connection for HDMI output.

Full release notes for tvOS 26.4 are available through Apple's tvOS support document.
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Apple today released visionOS 26.4, the fourth update to the visionOS 26 operating system that launched in September. visionOS 26.4 comes 1.5 months after Apple released visionOS 26.3.


‌visionOS 26‌.4 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option. To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the exterior EyeSight display.

Apple's release notes say that visionOS 26.4 includes bug fixes and security improvements, along with improved Spatial Audio and eight new emoji characters. New additions include distorted face, fight cloud, landslide, ballet dancer, treasure chest, trombone, orca, and hairy creature.

This update introduces 8 new emoji, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Apple Vision Pro This update includes the following enhancements:

- Support for AirPods Max 2
- 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
- Spatial Audio starts faster in familiar spaces by remembering the acoustic properties of rooms you’ve been in before

visionOS 26.4 is recommended for all Vision Pro users.
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Alongside iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4, Apple has released new HomePod 26.4 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and the HomePod mini. The update comes a little over a month after Apple released ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.3.


According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.4 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.
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Apple is preparing to introduce search-based advertising in its Apple Maps app, marking a significant expansion of its services business…

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Samsung Electronics Co. has rolled out a major cross-platform update: Galaxy S26 series owners can now share photos, videos, and files…

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Apple today announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) online from June 8-12, bringing developers…

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The hit Apple TV sci-fi series "For All Mankind" has surged in popularity, breaking into the top 10 most-watched titles on Apple TV…

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Apple retail stores worldwide are seeing low stock levels for the full-sized HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV set-top box…

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The MacBook Neo caught many people off guard with its stunning price-to-performance ratio, impressive overall quality, and surprising…

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As speculation mounts over Tim Cook's eventual successor at Apple, John Ternus faces scrutiny for mirroring Cook's cautious…

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While everyone is careful to note that Apple CEO Tim Cook isn’t likely to retire anytime soon—and that no final decision on his…

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Apple's MacBook Neo is exceptionally well-equipped for the very thing tech companies obsess over these days: AI. With its powerful…

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Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung’s smart TVs and virtual assistants should fall under the EU’s toughest tech rules because of their…

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While tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta pour hundreds of billions into building massive AI infrastructure and frontier…

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In a significant development for Apple and its popular Apple Watch wearable lineup, a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)…

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Apple TV has officially announced "What Happens at Night," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence…

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Apple CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday sidestepped questions about his retirement and reaffirmed that he will continue to lead the company…

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Following last week’s excellent Apple@50 panel, the Computer History Museum has announced “TechFest: Happy Birthday, Apple,” to be held…

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