Apple's all-new "Emoji Game" for Apple News+ subscribers is now available for users running iOS 18.4 or newer.

apple news plus emoji game
The Emoji Game was initially unveiled at WWDC earlier this year as an iOS 26 feature, but to coincide with World Emoji Day today, Apple has released the game for all ‌Apple News‌+ subscribers running iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, or newer.

The game shows words and blank spots with a selection of emoji and emoji combinations below, and the player needs to drag an emoji into the blank spot to fill in the word. If the word is "disappear," for example, you would drag a pear to the blank spot in the word. Pear could also be used to finish off the word "fruitful." The Emoji Game also uses Genmoji to offer unique emojis.

The game is limited to ‌Apple News‌+ subscribers. ‌Apple News‌+ is priced at $12.99 per month, but the whole family can use the service. Apple has been aiming to increase the number of games that are available, and the app also features Crossword, Quartiles, and Sudoku.

New Emoji Game puzzles will be released on a daily basis. The game is currently available in the U.S. and for English-speaking users in Canada. It can be accessed from the Following tab in the News app. Results can be tracked on Game Center leaderboards.

The AirPods market appears to be flatlining in the United States, but the launch of AirPods Pro 3 later this year could boost sales, a new report claims.

airpods pro 2
According to a new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), approximately 44% of iPhone owners in the United States now report owning Bluetooth earbuds, up from 41% in the previous year. Of those, 59% say they use AirPods. This represents a small gain from 57% the year before, effectively bringing the figure back to its 2023 level. This means AirPods are used by roughly 26% of all ‌iPhone‌ owners in the United States today.

While the data reflects a recovery in Apple's share of the Bluetooth earbuds market among ‌iPhone‌ users, it does not indicate meaningful growth beyond previous highs. The size of the market is increasing slowly, and Apple is maintaining its portion, but not expanding it.

AirPods face growing challenges from competitors including Samsung, Sony, and Bose, as well as a wide array of low-cost alternatives. Apple released the AirPods Pro 2 in September 2022, featuring the H2 chip, improved noise cancellation, enhanced Find My integration, and more.

‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 were offered at a substantial discount during Amazon Prime Day earlier this month, with the price reduced from $249 to $149. Best Buy and Walmart quickly matched the pricing, despite Apple maintaining its full price on its website and in stores.

The $100 discount represented one of the steepest markdowns ever for the current-generation model. CIRP speculated that Apple and Amazon may have sought to clear out existing inventory ahead of the anticipated launch of a new model. The more likely explanation was apparently a desire to drive high-volume sales through temporary margin flexibility.

The AirPods Pro 3 are likely to be announced later this year, perhaps alongside new ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch models in September. The new model is expected to feature improved ANC, enhanced sound, design tweaks, and heart rate monitoring.

The refresh is expected to target both new customers and existing users with degrading batteries or older models. CIRP says that, as one of the most frequently reordered items on Amazon, AirPods provide Apple with an opportunity to capitalize on a faster-moving product line amid slowing ‌iPhone‌ upgrades.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

We have just under two months to go until the debut of Apple's iPhone 17 models, and rumors have been ramping up in recent weeks. We went through everything we know so far, pulling out the most exciting rumors and highlighting some other changes that aren't going to be so great.

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

Top Tier

  • Ultra Thin iPhone 17 Air - The iPhone 17 Air is 2025's most exciting iPhone rumor, because it's the first real redesign that we've seen to the ‌iPhone‌ in years. We got to try Samsung's competing super thin Galaxy S25 Edge, and it's nice holding such a lightweight smartphone.
  • That Orange Color - The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to come in an orange-like shade. It's probably going to be more muted than we've seen and copper in tone, but it's still a cool color we haven't seen before.
  • 24-Megapixel Selfie Camera - Better selfies and FaceTime video quality? Nothing to complain about there. The 24-megapixel camera is rumored for all ‌iPhone 17‌ models.
  • More RAM - The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ models are expected to have 12GB RAM, up from 8GB. More RAM is always a plus for games and future AI features.
  • iPhone 17 Pro Battery Life - According to rumors, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will have the biggest battery of any ‌iPhone‌ to date with a capacity of ~5,000mAh, so it should last even longer than the 33 hour maximum of the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Pretty Awesome

  • iPhone 17 Colors - The standard ‌iPhone 17‌ is supposed to come in green and purple, two colors that we haven't seen for a while.
  • Bigger iPhone 17 - The standard ‌iPhone 17‌ will be 6.3 inches, so it'll match the size of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌.
  • ProMotion - There have been rumors that all four ‌iPhone 17‌ models will support 120Hz ProMotion refresh rates this year. If that happens, it's one less thing distinguishing the Pro models, but a plus for buyers who get the standard model.
  • Two-Tone Pro Design - The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models are rumored to have a two-material design with more metal and less glass at the back. Anything that makes the ‌iPhone‌ harder to break is a plus.
  • 48-Megapixel Telephoto - The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ is supposed to get an upgraded 48-megapixel Telephoto lens for improved zoomed-in shots.
  • A19 Chip - The ‌iPhone 17‌ and 17 Air could get an A19 chip, while the 17 Pro models get an A19 Pro. It's still a 3-nanometer chip, but it'll be faster and more efficient.
  • Improved Cooling - The ‌iPhone 17‌ models are supposed to feature better heat dissipation, which will let the A19 chips run faster with less thermal throttling.
  • Better Display Coating - The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ could have an anti-reflective display that's more scratch resistant. Anything that improves durability is a plus.

So-So

  • The Camera Bar - The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ are both rumored to have a horizontal camera bar that goes all the way across the back of the ‌iPhone‌. Apple's version will surely look better in real life than in renders and dummy models, but who really wants a bigger camera bump?
  • Titanium to Aluminum - Apple is apparently going to drop titanium for aluminum for the 17 Pro models. Aluminum is lighter than titanium, but it feels like a step backward in quality.
  • iPhone 17 Air C1 Modem - The ‌iPhone 17‌ and 17 Pro will get Qualcomm modems, but the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ is rumored to have Apple's C1 modem. It doesn't support the fastest mmWave 5G speeds.
  • Relocated Apple Logo - With the larger camera bar, the two-material design, and some rumored MagSafe changes, the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models may have an Apple logo that's lower on the device. In mockups, it's included in the design of the ‌MagSafe‌ ring, and it looks odd.
  • Apple Wi-Fi 7 Chip - Apple's using its own Wi-Fi 7 chip in all four ‌iPhone 17‌ models. This may bring battery life improvements, but it's mostly an under-the-hood change that lets Apple cut out external suppliers.
  • Mechanical Aperture - ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models could have a mechanical aperture that will let users adjust the amount of light reaching the lens. It's useful for depth of field in DSLRs, but the utility in a smartphone remains to be seen, especially because Apple already has software-based tools for adjusting depth of field.
  • 8K Video Recording - 8K video recording could be available on the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌. That's a cool feature, but there are a limited number of people who need to record in 8K. It's also going to take up a ton of space, and will probably require filming with an external SSD.

Lame

  • Price Increases - Base ‌iPhone‌ pricing might go up due to tariffs. Apple's facing high prices in China, and several other countries where it manufactures iPhones. Price hikes aren't a sure thing, but probable.
  • iPhone 17 Air Color - The ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ will supposedly come in black, white, light blue, and light gold, with that blue being similar to the super light M4 MacBook Air blue. Needless to say, these are boring choices.
  • Single-Lens iPhone 17 Air Camera - Due to space constraints, the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ is only getting a single-lens camera. It won't have the Ultra Wide lens for macro images or wider-angle shots, which limits versatility.
  • iPhone 17 Air Battery Life - With a super thin chassis, the ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ needs a smaller battery. Apple is making optimizations, but it won't be on par with the 17 and 17 Pro.
  • iPhone 17 RAM - Right now, rumors suggest the standard ‌iPhone 17‌ is only going to have 8GB RAM, while the other models get 12GB. With AI evolving so rapidly, it's less than ideal to handicap one of the 2025 smartphones.

Do you agree with our rankings? Let us know what you're most looking forward to in the comments below. For more rumors, check out our iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro roundups, which we update regularly.

Google plans to unveil its latest Pixel smartphones at an event that will take place on Wednesday, August 20. Google's new devices will be introduced just a few weeks before we're expecting Apple to unveil its latest iPhone models.

pixel 9 pro fold
Google's lineup is expected to feature the company's latest foldable smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. There will also be a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL, for a four-device smartphone lineup.

Rumors suggest that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold won't be as thin and light as Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold7, but Google might be first to improved weatherproofing for a foldable smartphone. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold could have an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, which would make it superior to the Z Fold7's IP48 water and dust resistance.

Few other changes are expected, but the display will increase in size a bit, and it might be a little brighter. Google is also going to add a bigger battery for some modest battery life improvements.

The new Google foldable will have a faster 3-nanometer Tensor G5 chip, as will the rest of the Pixel 10 smartphones that are in development. The G5 will be manufactured by TSMC instead of Samsung, which should bring notable improvements over last year's G4. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL aren't going to see major design or size changes, and they'll be similar to last year's Pixel lineup. Google is also expected to unveil new AI features, specifically AI photo editing options.

Google's Pixel 10 devices will compete with Apple's iPhone 17 models, though Apple won't have a foldable device until next year at the earliest.

Apple has addressed yield issues with the scratch resistant anti-reflective display layer that it wants to use for some iPhone 17 models, and now it looks like the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max might feature the upgraded technology.

iphone 16 display
A reliable source that spoke to MacRumors said Apple suppliers have been able to achieve a high enough yield on the anti-reflective glass to support mass production. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and Pro Max will get the new display technology, but it won't be coming to the ‌iPhone 17‌ or the iPhone 17 Air.

For context, we first heard rumors about the anti-reflective display layer in 2024. It's supposedly more scratch resistant than the current Ceramic Shield, so the ‌iPhone 17‌ models that use it may be able to better hold up to wear and tear.

Earlier this year, Apple was having problems with scaling the display coating process, and it seemed like the feature was going to be canceled as a result. Adding the anti-reflective layer was too laborious, and it was slowing down production. The process has since been improved, and the new display is once again a possibility.

Current iPhone models have a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating and the Ceramic Shield, but Apple hasn't focused on anti-reflectivity for the ‌iPhone‌ display like it has for iPad and Mac displays.

Samsung's latest smartphones feature Gorilla Glass Armor, a technology that cuts down on reflections by up to 75 percent and improves contrast in bright lighting conditions. Apple could introduce similar functionality to keep up with the improvements that Samsung has debuted.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17 Pro
Related Forum: iPhone

Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone will likely have a starting price between $1,800 and $2,000 in the U.S., analysts at investment banking firm UBS said this week. If so, the foldable iPhone would cost more than a MacBook Pro, which starts at $1,599.

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen
With a starting price of at least $1,800, the foldable iPhone would be the most expensive iPhone model ever released, topping the Pro Max at $1,199 and up.

In the U.S., Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999.99, so the foldable iPhone could be priced in line with competing devices.

In related news, the foldable iPhone's thickness has potentially leaked.

In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the foldable iPhone will have a thickness of at least 4.8mm. Earlier this year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the device would be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, but perhaps Apple will not quite hit that mark.

Instant Digital has more than 1.4 million followers on Weibo, and the account has accurately leaked Apple information before, such as the Yellow finish for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2's Titanium Milanese Loop. However, like most sources, the account does not have a perfect track record.

By comparison, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 4.2mm when unfolded. So, regardless of which source is correct here, the first foldable iPhone would be slightly thicker than Samsung's latest offering. Of course, Samsung has been releasing foldable smartphones since 2019, so Apple will be entering the market years later.

Earlier this week, Kuo said Apple is aiming to start mass production of the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, so the device should launch next year. He said the device will have a 7.8-inch inner screen with a "crease-free" design, a 5.5-inch outer screen, two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID.

Last week, Amazon introduced a few discounts across the M4 MacBook Air lineup for Prime Day, and many of these deals are still available today. You'll find both 13-inch and 15-inch models on sale, and some will require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the final sale price at checkout.

M4 MacBook Air 13 and 15 inch Feature Pink and TealNote: 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.

Starting with the 13-inch models, Amazon has up to $162 off two configurations of this notebook. Prices start at $849.00 for the 256GB model, then raise to $1,236.50 for the 24GB/512GB model. All of these are solid second-best prices on the M4 MacBook Air.


Moving to the larger display models, Amazon has both 512GB versions of the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air on sale this week, as well as the 256GB model. The 16GB/512GB model is available for $1,249.00 and the 24GB/512GB model is on sale for $1,414.50. Across the board, these are all second-best prices on the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.



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.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Razer has just released its Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma, a premium docking station designed for creative professionals and gamers seeking expanded connectivity options. The $399.99 device supports up to three 4K displays at 144Hz or a single 8K display at 60Hz.

razer chroma dock
The dock features four Thunderbolt 5 ports, three DisplayPort 2.1 connections, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. An SD card slot supports UHS-II speeds, while an M.2 PCIe Gen 4 slot allows up to 8TB of SSD storage expansion inside the dock itself.

Thunderbolt 5's 120Gb/s bandwidth enables rapid data transfers, and the dock can also deliver up to 140W power delivery for laptop charging. There's also an included 0.8-meter TB5 cable for connection via USB-C.

razer thunderbolt 5 dock
The device's anodized aluminum housing measures 206.5mm x 85mm x 30.84mm and weighs 524 grams, and if you like a bit of color on your workstation, Razer's signature RGB lighting adds some visual appeal.

The reality is that Thunderbolt 5 adoption currently remains limited in the Windows ecosystem, but Apple's latest Macs have embraced the standard, including MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, along with the M4 Pro-powered Mac mini. Razer's dock also offers backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, and Mac owners can use Razer's Synapse macOS utility to control the Chroma.

razer thunderbolt 5 dock chroma desktop
Available directly from Razer's website, the $399.99 Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma can be had in optional Black and Mercury White colors.

Amazon today is taking up to $55 off Wi-Fi models of Apple's 11th generation iPad. Prices start at $299.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad, down from $349.00, a second-best price on this model.

11th gen ipad purpleNote: 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.

Additionally, Amazon has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad for $399.00 ($50 off) and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad for $594.95 ($55 off). Free delivery estimates are placed around July 21 for these iPad models, but Prime members should be able to get same-day delivery in many locations.



Prices on these iPads were lower during Prime Day last week, but if you missed those deals Amazon's offers today are still solid second-best prices on each model.

The 11th generation iPad is mainly a spec bump for the tablet line, now featuring the A16 chip and more storage, with the same design as the 10th generation iPad. The new ‌iPad‌ starts with 128GB of storage, and is also available in 256GB and a new 512GB configuration. The previous model was only available in 64GB and 256GB configurations.

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.


Deals Newsletter

Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

We may finally have a definitive list of all color options for the iPhone 17 series, ahead of the devices launching in September.

iPhone 17 ColorsMacRumors concept

In a report for Macworld today, Filipe Espósito said he obtained an "internal document" that allegedly reveals all of the color options for the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

The report includes mockups of the color options, along with Pantone numbers.

Below, we have listed all of the alleged color options, many of which were already leaked by "Majin Bu" and Sonny Dickson.

iPhone 17

Black and White remain as classic color options, complemented by four new options, including a Steel Gray twist on Space Gray:

  • Black
  • White
  • Steel Gray
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Light Blue

iPhone 17 Air

Light Blue will be an even lighter shade of blue on the iPhone 17 Air compared to the iPhone 17, according to the report. For the iPhone 17 Air, the color option will apparently be similar to the MacBook Air's Sky Blue finish:

  • Black
  • White
  • Light Blue
  • Light Gold

iPhone 17 Pro

An all-new Orange color is the highlight, while Dark Blue could be similar to the iPhone 15 Pro's Blue Titanium finish from two years ago:

  • Black
  • White
  • Gray
  • Dark Blue
  • Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Max

The same color options as the iPhone 17 Pro:

  • Black
  • White
  • Gray
  • Dark Blue
  • Orange

As always, the appearance of these colors will vary based on lighting conditions.

All in all, three sources now agree on the above color options for the iPhone 17 series, so it seems pretty likely that this is what we are getting this year.

Less than two months to go.

Related Forum: iPhone

Google has confirmed that its upcoming Chrome 138 browser update will be the last version to support macOS Big Sur. Going forward, Chrome 139 and later versions will no longer support macOS 11, which Apple released in November 2020.

Chrome Feature 22
In a platform status update, Google says that on Macs running Big Sur, Chrome 138 will continue to work, but the browser will display a warning infobar and will not update any further. For new installations of Chrome 139+, macOS Monterey or newer will be required. Chrome 139 is set to ship at the end of the month.

To stay up-to-date with the latest browsing standards and to maintain online security, users on Big Sur are advised to update their macOS version (assuming their machine supports Monterey or later) or choose another third-party browser like Firefox that is still receiving updates for their version of macOS.

Some iPhone 15, 16, and 17 models could be banned in the United States amid a preliminary ruling that Chinese display maker BOE infringed on Samsung's OLED trade secrets (via Korea's ETNews).

iphone 16 apple intelligence
A preliminary ruling from the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) found that BOE and seven of its subsidiaries violated the U.S. Tariff Act by misappropriating confidential OLED technology from Samsung Display. The ruling recommends both a restricted exclusion order, which would block imports of infringing OLED panels and modules into the United States, and a cease and desist order, which would stop the company from selling existing inventories or suppling future shipments to U.S. assemblers.

The ITC concluded that the infringing products include OLED panels and modules as well as devices and components containing them. Products already manufactured using BOE panels would be exempt from the import ban, but the ruling could have substantial implications for the iPhone going forward.

Some ‌iPhone 15‌, 15 Plus, 16, 16 Plus, and 16e models sold in the United States today contain OLED displays supplied by BOE. Many of these models are likely to remain on sale after the announcement of the iPhone 17 lineup in the fall, presenting a problem for Apple if the ITC ruling is upheld. The company would need to divert BOE iPhones to other countries and ensure that models on sale in the United States use displays from other suppliers.

It is not yet known if the ‌iPhone 17‌ and iPhone 17 Air models could contain displays from BOE. Currently, BOE only supplies Apple with displays that do not use more advanced low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) technology, which delivers a variable refresh rate that Apple markets as "ProMotion." The ‌iPhone 17‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Air‌ are expected to feature ProMotion.

BOE is planning to supply Apple with LTPO displays for the first time this year, destined for iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max models sold in China. Apple reportedly plans to restrict the BOE iPhone 17 Pro models to China because they fail to meet its LTPO performance benchmarks. Nevertheless, BOE is aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future ‌iPhone‌ models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain.

The ITC's Office of Unfair Import Investigations previously submitted a recommendation in December 2024 supporting Samsung's allegations, calling for an import ban on BOE's OLED displays and the products that contain them. While the ruling remains preliminary, decisions from the ITC rarely change between preliminary and final judgments.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Samsung Display in October 2023, in which it alleged that BOE unlawfully used its proprietary OLED manufacturing technology. Samsung expanded its legal action in April 2025 by filing a civil suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The company is seeking damages related to lost profits, unjust enrichment, and punitive compensation.

If Apple is forced to find a replacement for BOE's role in the its supply chain for U.S. iPhones, orders are likely to shift to Samsung and LG, which already provide OLED panels for a range of ‌iPhone‌ models. A final decision is expected in November 2025, after which the President of the United States will have 60 days to determine whether to approve or veto the Commission's ruling.

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.

Apple is updating almost all of its built-in apps with new features and design changes in iOS 26, including Notes and Reminders. Many of the changes to the apps are visual, but there is some useful new functionality available that you won't want to miss.

iOS 26 Notes and Reminders

Liquid Glass

The Notes and Reminders apps adopt the Liquid Glass design that's been introduced in ‌iOS 26‌. Signs of Liquid Glass are more subtle in these apps than apps like Camera, but everything looks a little different.

ios 26 notes app
The Notes app's toolbar has rounded corners and is more compact with a frosted glass look, and the keyboard also has rounded edges. Buttons at the top are circles or pills, with the Liquid Glass effect.

In Reminders, the different inbox sections are full color instead of white, and all of the various buttons are rounder than before with a translucent aesthetic. Interfaces for entering and editing reminders also have the rounded edges that are part of the new design.

ios 26 reminders app

Reminders

The changes in the Reminders app go beyond simple design updates, with Apple introducing some useful new AI features. The new Reminders features require a device that supports Apple Intelligence.

Siri Suggestions

Apple added a Siri Suggestions section to the Reminders app, which will bring up items that you might want to add to your to-do lists that are found in conversations in Mail and Messages. Reminders is able to suggest tasks automatically, taking in information from notes, grocery items in a list, and more.

ios 26 reminders suggestions
You'll also see Reminder suggestions in apps like Mail, and you can tap these to add a reminder without opening the Reminders app.

Suggestions for reminders are contextual and personalized to each user, and are designed to make it easier to create reminders with fewer interactions. Apple says users will see suggestions for tasks, grocery items, and follow-ups based on emails and other text on the iPhone.

Automatic Categorization

The Reminders app is able to categorize related tasks into sections that are grouped together. If you need to pick up several items at the grocery store, for example, the Reminders app can aggregate these in one area.

ios 26 reminders app categorize
If you have several work tasks and errands to run, the Reminders app is able to separate them out, so you don't need to spend time manually sorting your lists.

Control Center

There's now a Control Center option for creating a new reminder. You can use it from the Control Center, assign it to the Action Button, or access it from the Lock Screen by assigning it to one of the Lock Screen buttons.

ios 26 reminders app control center

Notes

There are fewer updates in the Notes app in ‌iOS 26‌, but Apple made a couple of changes that will be useful to users.

Math Notes

Math Notes now supports creating 3D graphs using three-variable equations. An equation like z=sin(x2 + y2), for example, will create a ripple graph.

ios 26 math notes
Using this feature can be done by typing in an equation and then tapping on one of the variables. From there, choose the Insert 3D graph option. 3D graphs can be enlarged, resized, and moved using tap and drag gestures.

3D graphs are also supported in iPadOS 26, including with handwritten equations.

Scrolling Toolbar

You can now swipe along the toolbar in Notes to see all of the available tool options. Before, you had to tap into a tool section to get to all of the features. Even though swiping is an option to get to more tools, you can still tap to open different submenus for formatting, image generation, lists, tables, and more.

ios 26 notes app nav bar

Markdown

The Notes app supports exporting content in Markdown in ‌iOS 26‌, so you can save notes as Markdown (.md) files that can be imported into third-party apps that support Markdown. Writing in Markdown is not supported in the Notes app.

ios 26 notes app markdown

The Folders view of the Notes app now has an always-visible search bar at the bottom rather than a hidden bar that's accessible with a swipe from the top of the app.

ios 26 notes app main view

Call Recordings

Conversations from the new Phone app on the iPad and the Mac can be saved as audio recordings with transcriptions in the Notes app. This was previously available on the ‌iPhone‌ in iOS 18, but with the Phone app expanding to new devices, the call recording functionality has expanded as well. Transcriptions require ‌Apple Intelligence‌.

Read More

We have an iOS 26 roundup that has more information on all of the new features that are available in ‌iOS 26‌.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

Apple today announced that it has received 81 Emmy Award nominations, for Apple TV+ Shows like Severance, The Studio, Bad Sisters, Dark Matter, Presumed Innocent, Slow Horses, and more.

Severance 2025
The second season Severance earned 27 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Adam Scott, and Outstanding Lead Actress for Britt Lower. Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, Jane Alexander, Gwendoline Christie, and Merritt Wever also received nominations for their performances.

The Studio with Seth Rogen earned 23 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Seth Rogen, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Ike Barinholtz, and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O'Hara.

Other shows that received Emmy Award nominations include Slow Horses, Shrinking, Presumed Innocent, The Gorge, Bad Sisters, Dope Thief, Disclaimer, Pachinko, Your Friends & Neighbors, Dark Matter, Deaf President Now!, and Bono: Stories of Surrender.

Apple says that it had the most acting nominations of any network or studio this year, with 31 total acting nods. A full list of nominations can be found in Apple's Newsroom article.

The rumored iPhone 17 Air will have a titanium frame, according to Apple analyst Jeff Pu.

iPhone 17 Air Thumb 2 Blue Electric Boogaloo
In an investor note with equity research firm GF Securities this week, Pu also said the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have aluminum frames, so the iPhone 17 Air will apparently be the only new model to use titanium.

It is unclear why the iPhone 17 Air would have a titanium frame, as aluminum is lighter than titanium, which would be fitting for the device's rumored ultra-thin and lightweight design. Titanium is generally stronger than aluminum, however, so perhaps the material is necessary to ensure that the iPhone 17 Air's thin chassis is durable.

Last year, another Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 17 Air's frame would use both titanium and aluminum, so there could be a mix of both materials. Apple surely has its reasons, and it may discuss them during its iPhone 17 event in September.

Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, so the return to an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro models this year would be a notable change.

Here is what Pu expects:

  • iPhone 17: Aluminum frame
  • iPhone 17 Air: Titanium frame
  • iPhone 17 Pro: Aluminum frame
  • iPhone 17 Pro Max: Aluminum frame

Here are the materials used for the iPhone 16 series:

  • iPhone 16: Aluminum frame
  • iPhone 16 Plus: Aluminum frame
  • iPhone 16 Pro: Titanium frame
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max: Titanium frame
Related Roundups: iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro
Tag: Jeff Pu
Related Forum: iPhone

Apple today confirmed that it will be permanently closing its store at The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township, a northern suburb of Detroit, Michigan.

Apple Partridge CreekApple Partridge Creek

Apple did not provide a timeframe for the store's closure, but a source familiar with the matter told us that the location's final day of business will be in mid-August.

Apple's statement did not provide a specific reason for the closure, but local news outlet WDIV last year reported that The Mall at Partridge Creek had been sold in receivership and was struggling to retain tenants. Apple permanently closed its store at another dying mall in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook earlier this year.

Fortunately, there are two silver linings to this news.

First, Apple said that all affected retail employees at Apple Partridge Creek will have the opportunity to continue their roles with the company.

Second, Apple confirmed that its all-new store in Downtown Detroit will open later this year, so the company's total number of stores in Michigan will ultimately not change. Apple Somerset will continue to serve customers in Detroit's northern suburbs.

Apple's full statement, shared with MacRumors:

At Apple, we're committed to delivering an exceptional experience for all customers, and we're excited to open our new retail location in Downtown Detroit later this year. As we prepare to open, we will not continue our lease at Apple Partridge Creek, and all of our valued team members will have the opportunity to continue their roles with Apple. We've loved serving the Partridge Creek community for nearly 20 years, and look forward to welcoming our customers at our other stores in the Detroit metro area, including nearby Apple Somerset, as well as Apple.com and the Apple Store app.

Apple Partridge Creek opened in 2007.

This is the second Apple Store closure that we have reported on in as many days, with the other location set to close being Apple Hornsby in Australia.

Apple is one of the world's most successful companies, but even it is not immune to dying malls or declining areas, and it makes changes to its retail fleet as necessary. The company is still opening and remodeling stores in several countries, including the U.S., Spain, Sweden, Malaysia, South Korea, China, and others.

The sleep apnea detection feature that Apple's most recent Apple Watch models offer has expanded to several more countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and more.

sleep apnea detection apple watch
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person's breathing repeatedly stops and starts again during sleep, preventing rest. Sleep apnea detection on Apple Watch uses the device's accelerometer to monitor tiny movements at the wrist that are linked with interruptions in respiratory patterns. Disturbances that occur multiple times over several nights can indicate sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea detection and notifications have expanded to the following areas:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Ecuador
  • Heard and McDonald Islands
  • Honduras
  • Indonesia
  • Moldova
  • Norfolk Island
  • Serbia
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Ukraine
  • Vietnam

Sleep Apnea detection is available on the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in more than 150 countries around the world. Apple Watch users have to wear the watch for several nights in a row to get an initial reading, though nightly Breathing Disturbances are listed in the Health app on iPhone.

In addition to bringing sleep apnea detection to more countries, Apple is also expanding AFib History, ECGs, and Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications to a few more areas.

ECG readings and Irregular Rhythm Notifications have launched in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Serbia, while AFib history is now available in Argentina and Serbia.

AFib history is designed for people who have a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation from a physician. Irregular Heart Rhythm notifications are meant to detect high heart rates, low heart rates, or irregular heart rhythms, all of which can be indicative of a problem. The Apple Watch ECG feature can detect atrial fibrillation, low heart rates, and high heart rates.

ECG, Irregular Heart Rhythm Notifications, and AFib History are features that can be used by Apple Watch owners in over 150 countries worldwide. Apple maintains a dedicated list of Apple Watch feature availability on its website.

Apple is bringing the AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Tests and Hearing Aid functionality to multiple new countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.

AirPods Hearing Aid Thumb 1
Hearing test options are now available in the following countries:

  • Argentina
  • Ecuador
  • Honduras
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Kazakhstan
  • Moldova
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Serbia
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Ukraine
  • Vietnam

Hearing tests can be conducted by connecting the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 to an iPhone running iOS 18.1 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 18.1 or later. The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 hearing test mimics the hearing tests one might encounter at a doctor's office or when visiting an audiologist.

Tones at different frequencies and sound levels play in each ear, with users instructed to tap the ‌iPhone‌'s display whenever a sound is heard. Apple tests four frequencies, including 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz, and 4kHz. Results up to 25 dBHL indicate little to no hearing loss. 26 to 40 dBHL is a sign of mild hearing loss, while results of 41 to 60 dBHL suggest moderate hearing loss. 61 to 80 dBHL is severe hearing loss, and a result above 80 dBHL is considered profound hearing loss.

Tests that demonstrate mild to moderate hearing loss will give ‌iPhone‌ users the option to turn on the Hearing Aid feature of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ in countries where it is available. Hearing Aid functionality is expanding to these locations:

  • Cyprus
  • Ecuador
  • Honduras
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Kazakhstan
  • Moldova
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Serbia
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Ukraine
  • Vietnam

Cyprus already had hearing testing available, and while Argentina is new to the Hearing Aid test list, it does not yet support Hearing Aid features with ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2. In all other countries listed in this article, both the Hearing Tests and Hearing Aid are newly available.

When Hearing Aid functionality is turned on, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ can use the data from a person's hearing test to boost the frequencies that are lacking. The Hearing Aid features are meant to make it easier for users to hear voices and other sounds, with Apple also offering a Media Assist option that adjusts music, videos, and calls in response to a hearing test.

Hearing Health options, including the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features, are now available in over 150 countries around the world. A full list is available on Apple's website.