Those of you who keep up to date with your iPhone rumours will know that things are set to change from later this year. While we'd normally expect to see a full suite of new handsets every Autumn, things could be very different this time out.

According to a slew of rumours from the last year or so, the base model iPhone will be left out of the Autumn event. That will leave only the Pro models and the long-awaited iPhone Ultra – the brand's first foldable phone – launched at that event.

Instead, the base model iPhone 18, the iPhone 18e and the iPhone Air 2 are all slated to arrive early in 2027. That could give rise to one of the most phone-heavy release years the brand has ever had, with six models slated to drop.

That would see those three married with another trio in the following Autumn, with the iPhone 19 Pro models and an iPhone Ultra 2. It's a lot to take in, and it also confirms that Apple is anticipating a yearly release cycle with its Ultra device.

Some had called that into question, after the launch of the iPhone Air. That – at least according to these rumours – seems to be on a two-yearly launch cycle, and some predicted that a foldable would follow suit.

The leak also suggests that all three of the models launching in the early part of 2027 will come with no major upgrades to the screen specs. That will disappoint some users, though it is likely a necessary evil to combat price hikes in the wake of the RAMageddon crisis.

Personally, I'm more annoyed about the splitting of the model family. Having the Pro version of a device launch prior to the standard version just feels clumsy and confusing.

Apple and Google have both taken another step towards making smart homes work more seamlessly, rolling out Thread 1.4 support to their latest streaming devices. The update introduces a standardised way for Thread Border Routers to share network credentials with one another – something earlier versions of the protocol promised but never fully delivered.

If you're unfamiliar with the term, a Thread Border Router acts as the bridge between your Thread smart home devices and your home's Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Therefore, rather than each ecosystem creating its own isolated Thread network, compatible border routers will eventually be able to securely share network information with one another.

The news comes after Matter Alpha reported that Thread 1.4 first arrived on compatible Apple TV models through the tvOS 27 developer beta, whilst the Google TV Streamer received the same specification via a separate software update, according to 9to5Google.

That said, whilst both devices now support the Thread 1.4 specification, some of its headline features are still being implemented. For example, the Google TV Streamer's QR code credential-sharing feature isn't working reliably just yet, whilst Apple's tvOS 27 developer beta currently doesn't include a user-facing interface for credential sharing.

We'll keep you updated as and when we know more, but until then, it's clear we're one step further towards the interoperable smart home that Matter has been promising all along.

Anyone who has been following the Apple story and, specifically, via the technology media will remember "bargate" – the moment in 2010 when a prototype iPhone 4 was accidentally left in a bar and found its way into the hands of Gizmodo.

It ended in criminal proceedings and a lot of ill feeling. And it could be argued that the tech site has never truly been the same again.

Well, as scandalous and shocking as it was at the time (and admittedly, a little exciting), it could turn out to be nothing in comparison with the new, major Apple leak.

As revealed by Reuters, a data breach at one of Apple's main suppliers – Tata Electronics – has resulted in many thousands of files hitting the dark web and slowly winding their way onto the general internet. And many of those contain images and documents about the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro.

Trusted leakers Evan Blass and Ice Universe have each posted videos of the alleged device, too. And while it hasn't been confirmed whether they were part of the data breach, they do seem official.

Ice Universe calls it the "biggest leak in Apple's history".

The online leaker credits Evan Blass (@evleaks) for the video, but it seems to have been taken down Blass' own feed. He's followed up with another angle instead.

If these are genuinely of the iPhone 18 Pro, it's clear to see that the phone will look almost identical to the current 17 Pro model. That's likely the case with the iPhone 18 Pro Max too.

Ice Universe does even state that the "real star" will be the foldable iPhone Ultra. And that's where Apple will be even more worried.

What else is coming from the huge Apple data leak?

Considering the stolen data dump comprises an estimated 200,000 files, how many of them relate to the iPhone Ultra?

If they start to get out more widely, Apple will have a tricky task in containing the leak – and controlling the narrative.

Some companies wouldn't care that much and embrace the "free" publicity and hype, but that's never been Apple's way. It would rather have some surprises to behold during its iPhone keynote and in many ways, we agree.

It's just becoming harder to do these days – after all, how much of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will truly show us something we don't know about its new foldables? And we've seen plenty of other smaller leaks and CAD renders to have a good idea of what everything looks like from both manufacturers.

But there is something to be said about the mystique of a big tech launch – so we hope Apple has at least something else up its sleeve, and doesn't have to spend the next few months firefighting its "biggest leak" in its history.

Camera-equipped AirPods sound familiar? That's because this is far from the first time the idea has surfaced.

T3 previously reported on claims that Apple was exploring AirPods with built-in cameras, and multiple reports since then have suggested the project has moved from experimentation to active development.

Now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says the earbuds are being lined up for a late-2027 launch alongside Apple's foldable iPhone and 20th-anniversary iPhone.

The latest report suggests Apple sees the earbuds as one of its first true AI-era wearables. According to Gurman, the devices would include tiny cameras embedded in the stems, allowing Siri to understand what's happening around you in real time.

That might sound invasive, but the cameras reportedly aren't designed for taking photos or recording video. Instead, they're expected to act as sensors that feed visual information into Apple's Visual Intelligence system, helping Siri identify objects, answer contextual questions and provide more useful assistance without needing you to point an iPhone camera at something first.

The bigger picture is that Apple appears to be building an entire ecosystem of AI hardware. Recent reports suggest the company is simultaneously working on smart glasses, camera-enabled AirPods and other wearable devices that use visual context to make Siri more aware of the world around you.

Rather than relying solely on a phone screen, future Apple devices could continuously gather information about your surroundings and provide assistance when needed.

The AirPods can make more sense than smart glasses in one way: hundreds of millions of people already wear earbuds every day. Adding visual intelligence to an existing product category may prove easier than convincing consumers to adopt an entirely new form factor.

There's even academic research demonstrating that low-power camera-equipped earbuds can provide surprisingly effective environmental awareness for AI systems.

There's still no word on pricing, and Apple hasn't confirmed any of the rumours. But after multiple reports over the past two years – and claims that the hardware has reached advanced testing – AirPods with cameras are starting to look less like a strange experiment and more like a product that's genuinely on the way.

As someone who's nursing his iPhone 15 Pro through what can only be termed as an obvious battery decline, it's tempting to keep an eye on the horizon for the next generation of iPhones and get pretty excited about potentially upgrading. That is, until you start to do some research and see grim tidings about likely price hikes and component shortages – the next generation of iPhone might be a little off-putting.

So, that means it could be worth looking back rather than forward, and seeing whether iPhones already on the market could offer the best value moving forward. That's what I've been doing this Amazon Prime Day, and it's left me thinking the iPhone Air might just be the best iPhone deal hidden in plain sight right now.

When we reviewed the iPhone Air last year, we were impressed by its build quality and design, unsurprisingly, and that impression has only become more cemented over time. It's really amazing how thin and light the phone is, especially when compared with the Pro models that you might be used to.

That makes the Air really nice to carry around in a pocket or bag by comparison, and its big screen ensures you don't feel any real compromise. Crucially for future-proofing it also has the A19 Pro chip inside it, which means that all of Apple's much-anticipated Siri AI upgrades will work when they're deployed, which is far from true for every iPhone released in the last few years.

The big question for me remains around battery life, given that's my beef with my slowly ageing 15 Pro. I now have to carry a slim battery pack around with me most of the time, since navigation kills the phone pretty fast, and that's a bummer that I'd like to avoid with the Air. Since it's less than a year old, it's hard to know how the battery will hold up over time, but I'm hopeful that it could be solid for a good few years.

I'm mulling this one over, but if you've been eyeing up the Air for while, then you might want to pull the trigger more quickly – this price might not last all that long.

The Apple Studio Display XDR is the second generation of Studio Display, providing a relatively affordable home monitor to pair with the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro.

It replaces the former 32-inch Pro XDR model, which sat alongside the original Studio Display, which was close to five grand. At double the price of the original Studio Display, it’s by no means cheap though.

This new 27-inch model is a step up from the Studio Display in almost all areas. It uses a mini LED rather than an LED display, which is much brighter, and finally offers a faster refresh rate of up to 120Hz – something previously lacking from Apple’s lineup.

Those using a Mac mini or MacBook Air are probably better served by the standard Studio Display or one of the many third-party options. However, for those wanting ultimate performance, the Studio Display XDR is likely to fit the bill.

Having used the Studio Display as my main display for the last year, I was keen to see how much better this new model is. I’ve been running both the Studio Display and Studio Display XDR from a Mac Studio for the past few weeks, to compare. While the Studio Display still holds up as an excellent monitor, the XDR model is that much better.

How much is the Apple Studio Display XDR?

Released in March 2026, the Apple Studio Display XDR starts from £2999 in the UK, $3299 in the US or A$5499 in Australia. Unlike the Studio Display, the height-adjustable stand comes as standard, though you can purchase it with a VESA mount adapter for wall mounting or attaching to monitor poles.

The only configurable feature is the option to have the nano-texture glass display. This provides a matte surface to the display, much like on the iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro. This isn’t a coating, this is part of the display, and the difference is stark. It does add £300 to the price, but if you are placing it in a bright room where reflections are likely, it’s well worth it.

Design and features

Design-wise, it’s difficult to tell the XDR version apart from the standard Studio Display. From the front, the black bezels are identical, with a 12MP CentreStage camera built in at the middle of the top bezel. Meanwhile, the back view has the same two USB-C and two powered Thunderbolt 5 ports.

The one potential giveaway is if it has just a tilting stand, though it’s possible to get both with the height and tilt adjustments. To really tell the difference, you need to plug the display in and take a look at the picture, as that’s where the difference really lies.

While the Studio Display XDR still offers a 5K resolution, it now has a 120Hz refresh rate with adaptive sync to adjust the frame rate to suit different media. This makes the display ideal for gaming, which is an area the Studio Display range has previously fallen down on.

The display itself now also uses mini-LED backlight technology, as opposed to standard LEDs, with 2304 dimming zones to provide more precise lighting and, therefore, deeper blacks and whiter whites. This is high compared to most mini-LED TVs, especially considering the size of the screen.

It’s brighter, too with up to 1,000 nits in standard definition and a peak of 2,000 nits for HDR content

Using the Apple Studio Display XDR

The Studio Display XDR is a great-looking monitor. With the brushed aluminium stand and back, along with the clean black bezels on the front, it looks every bit the Apple product and therefore sits perfectly alongside any Mac.

Due to the cost of this monitor, it’s likely to be paired with higher-end machines, but it will work perfectly well with any MacBook, Mac mini or Mac Studio. A 27-inch display is the perfect size for most desks, and more than enough real estate for most users. If you are connecting it to a MacBook, you can still use the laptop’s screen as a second display, but in practice, it’s not necessary.

The main requirement is that your machine is running on Apple silicon (so M1 and above) and is using macOS 26.3.1 or later. It is also compatible with newer iPad models, including all iPad Pro models and the iPad Air 5th generation or newer. The latest iPad Pro M5 will even support 120Hz when connected to the Studio Display XDR, while all other iPads are limited to 60Hz.

I love how clean and simple the Studio XDR display looks, thanks to the ports being kept on the back. I also love the height adjustment on this model, as it means you can position the screen in the right place for your line of vision – there’s nothing worse than spending out on a fancy monitor and then having to prop it up on books, or an additional stand.

As with the standard studio monitor, the built-in webcam is excellent, giving you 12MP images or high-quality video calls. It also has built-in microphones and speakers – the speakers especially sound nice and big, giving you full spatial audio from the six-speaker system.

The best thing about the display, though, has to be the picture. As I said in my review of the original Apple Studio Display, its picture is absolutely stunning, and for general use the Studio Display XDR looks very similar.

Where it differs most is in the brightness, though there are subtleties between the images from the XDR and the standard model, with a little more contrast and gentler gradation on tones. It’s a tough call to the naked eye, though, and you wouldn’t be unhappy with either.

Refresh rate is the big ticket feature here, and having 120Hz on the XDR. You can test this quite easily for yourself using different online tools, like Test UFO, but you can really see it if you play fast-frame-rate games, such as DOOM Eternal. I noticed the difference playing Cyberpunk 2077 and even in the sequences of Civilization VII.

Should I buy the Apple Studio Display XDR?

For most Apple users, the regular Studio Display is still more than enough monitor, and if you want 120Hz, there are other options that cost significantly less. However, if you want the very best experience for your Mac, the Studio Display XDR is the one to go for.

Using this monitor is a dream, whether you’re working or gaming. The quality of both still and moving images is hard to beat, and the built-in speakers, microphone and cameras save you needing any add-ons apart from the computer itself.

While possibly overkill for most home users, it does offer pro-quality, so whether you’re editing video, images or 3D modelling, you will get a precise image and accurate colour. It’s the perfect pairing for the Mac Studio devices, but equally at home with a MacBook Pro.

Some users may miss the 32-inch size of the former model, but there’s always the option to pair two of these screens together for a giant workspace. Personally, I wouldn’t want anything bigger than 27 inches on my desk. I would love to see an iMac Pro offering, though, at this size.

It seems that RAMageddon is about to claim another victim – and this one is going to hurt millions of us. Fresh rumours and reports over the price of the iPhone 18 Pro suggest it's going to hit consumers in the wallet like never before.

It comes after Tim Cook confirmed that price rises were "unavoidable" across the Apple portfolio. The reason seems clear – ongoing RAM and component shortages arising from the unprecedented needs of AI data centres.

Now, the folks over at the Wall Street Journal have taken an educated guess at the cost of the new handset. That could see a start price of US$1,399 (approx. £1,050 / €1,220 / AU$1,995) for the handset. It's worth noting that Apple often prices its devices to the same number irrespective of location, so the actual figure could be more bleak here in the UK and Europe.

Sticking with the US pricing for ease, that would represent a US$300 price hike over the current entry point for the iPhone 17 Pro. It's going to be a pretty gnarly pill to swallow for consumers, particularly after a few years of miniscule or no rises.

What's more concerning is that it's likely to shape a trend across the wider phone market. It's no secret that Apple's size and influence makes it a bit of a figurehead.

If the cost of an iPhone goes up to account for the RAM shortage, you can bet your bottom dollar that every other phone will also go up to match it. That makes the whole thing less appealing, and could have some really devastating consequences for the market at large.

It feels like an inevitability at this point – particularly as there seems to be no sign of the RAM shortage easing in the near future – but it's still a nuisance for cash-strapped tech lovers.

We've been writing about the iPhone Ultra for more than a year – previously as the "iPhone Fold" – but it's only now that we've realised what it really is. And you know what? It's not actually an iPhone at all.

Nope, while it might still be called iPhone Ultra on release (although that's not confirmed, either), at its heart it's actually a foldable iPad. A foldable iPad mini, to be precise.

Serial Apple leaker Jon Prosser has revealed a set of new renders on his FPT (FrontPageTech) YouTube channel, which show the concept more clearly.

He claims the animated renders are the "most accurate" and up-to-date yet, and they show an inner display that looks more like an iPadOS homescreen than iOS. So, is this an iPhone than opens, or actually an iPad that folds?

It's actually both, of course, but you'll only likely buy one to use that internal screen regularly – after all, why not just buy the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want a big screen iPhone?

It's raison d'être is to be a bigger screen device that you can fold in half to more easily carry around. So, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I put it to you that it's actually an iPad mini Ultra. Ahem.

All that aside, Prosser's new renders certainly make the device look good – with that (almost) crease-less inner display and a relatively slim build. We're not sure exactly, but it would be good to see some of the more iPad-centric features found in iPadOS creep into the iOS 27 system it is likely to employ – such as Stage Manager and Apple Pencil support.

Prosser also states that it'll only be available in white or black, although it will also be interesting to see the cases Apple could release – how much extra girth could they add?

But, perhaps the biggest question mark that still lingers is on pricing. With Tim Cook saying this week that Apple products will get more expensive due to the RAM crisis, and the iPhone 18 Pro even thought to cost $200 extra this year, will the iPhone iPad mini Ultra break the $2,000 / £2,000 barrier?

Sadly, I think it's inevitable. We'll find out for sure come September.

Apple's unannounced Beats headphones have surfaced once again, this time on England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, suggesting the long-rumoured over-ear cans could be nearing an official reveal.

The latest sighting comes via a comparatively small Instagram post from Manchester United fan account united.core, showing Mainoo wearing a pair of previously unseen Beats headphones alongside teammate Marcus Rashford.

Curiously, I was unable to trace the image back to an original source.

A reverse-image search using TinEye returned no matches, indicating the photograph has yet to appear elsewhere online.

That could mean this is one of the earliest public appearances of the mystery headphones to date.

The design matches earlier leaks but appears in a new colourway, featuring white earcups paired with dark blue ear cushions.

It's the third public appearance of the mystery headphones in recent weeks.

Previous sightings included Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal and South Korean star Lee Kang-in, with each athlete wearing a different colour combination.

That growing collection of finishes hints that Beats could be planning an unusually broad colour lineup at launch.

More than just another leak?

The repeated football connections are particularly notable, with every major sighting so far involving players competing at or associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This suggests Beats may be using elite athletes as part of a coordinated teaser campaign, which is not uncommon for the brand.

There's also a possibility that the contrasting colours point to some form of customisation.

While there's no evidence that ear cushions or other components are interchangeable, the different combinations seen so far have sparked speculation that Beats could be experimenting with a more modular design.

For now, though, Apple and Beats remain tight-lipped about what could become the company's first major over-ear headphone release since the Beats Studio Pro launched in 2023.

It's always a bit of a task to sift through everything that Apple announces at WWDC, and this year was no different. It was a big year for the tech giant, with huge changes unveiled for Siri and showcases of all its new operating systems to get through in around an hour and a half of keynote time.

Still, Apple managed to run through it all, and that was partly by skipping through some surprisingly impactful announcements really quickly. My pick of the bunch? A tweak to how AirPods and AirPods Pro work that could mean way more control for people when they listen to music.

We're now almost a decade into the AirPods era, and for much of that time, some audio experts have been clamouring for one thing – EQ customisation on the earbuds. Apple has long taken the simplest possible approach by shipping its earbuds with a fixed tuning setup and ensuring that everyone, therefore, gets the exact same experience.

However, plenty of much more affordable earbuds let you tweak their sound signature to get something a little more personalised, and since the release of the AirPods Pro 3, these demands have been louder than ever. I love the Pro 3, but some people feel that its sound is a little less natural than the Pro 2's, despite clear improvements in other areas like ANC and battery life.

Perhaps because of that reaction from some of its audience, Apple's finally bringing a very limited form of EQ customisation to its AirPods in iOS 27, which is a game-changer in many regards. It showed off the feature in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it part of the WWDC presentation, but that confirmed a few things for us.

Firstly, this is just a three-band EQ system that lets you adjust the strength of lows, mids and highs, without any more granular control than that. Secondly, Apple isn't labelling these segments with frequency ranges, and it also doesn't give a scale of how much you're boosting or limiting frequencies, so you'll be mostly going off a graph and your ears.

That makes this a pretty rudimentary version of the system that others use for their earbuds, but in this case, something is a million miles better than nothing. I've been wanting any control over my AirPods for years (since I used the Pro 2 for their entire lifespan), so I'll definitely be jumping on it the moment iOS 27 drops later this year. I'm not a beta kind of guy, though, so I will have to wait until the official release to get my ears on it.

I'm adamant that the AirPods 3 are the best earbuds going for the majority of iPhone users, even without EQ, but you can always improve things. It's great to see Apple leaning more into customisation, and the only big question left is which AirPods models will support the feature. The more the better, of course, so let's hope it's all of those still on sale, and a couple of generations back, too.

Tim Cook will soon step down as Apple CEO, with engineer John Ternus set to take over in September, but it seems one of his last jobs before he goes is to confirm a price hike on Apple products.

"Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable," Cook told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. "We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable."

No other details were shared, including which products that are to be affected, but the move always seemed inevitable.

Component costs have risen to record highs in the last year or so, with the prices of RAM and storage in particular being three to four times more than they were previously.

And sadly, while the focus of the recent WWDC 26 was mainly dedicated to the upcoming launch of Siri AI, it and other AI systems are largely to blame.

Why is AI to blame for the RAM crisis?

The global RAM shortage – often referred to as "RAMageddon" – has been enacted by the rapid rise of AI data centres. They require vast amounts of RAM chips, and so AI companies have been snaffling them up faster than an anteater at a picnic.

It has had a knock-on affect with other components too, including SSD storage, and so many tech products have seen price increases or even cancellations this year. Analytics firm CCS Insights even believes we'll see the mobile phone market shrink by 15% by the end of 2026 as a result.

Apple was initially thought to have safe guarded itself by stockpiling chips prior to the crisis, but is clearly running out of available hardware. And as Cook has confirmed, it will now pass on its costs to consumers.

This could mean that the expected iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models will be more expensive than their predecessors when they arrive in September. The much-rumoured foldable iPhone Ultra was already expected to be in the $2,000 - $2,500 category.

However, the price increases could start sooner, with existing devices seeing big hikes.

So, if you are after an Apple product and not waiting for its fall (autumn) releases, you should consider taking the plunge now. Or better still, wait until next week and see what the Amazon Prime Day sale has to offer.

Apple announced a new version of Siri during WWDC 26, which drags the voice assistant kicking and screaming into the AI era. And so, after a false start in 2024 following the announcement of Apple Intelligence, a more capable Siri AI will debut with the arrival of iOS 27.

It'll also spell the end of the current assistant, which has seemingly had its run.

We've already tried out Siri AI, which now has a dedicated app, and it promises much greater scope than Siri previously offered. Like Google's Gemini is to Google Assistant, Siri AI is to Siri and that experience is going to be universal across all Apple devices.

It helps Apple reset its position with AI, having struggled to deliver the experience that was originally promised – and when iOS 27 lands, phones from the iPhone 15 Pro and newer will get access to the new and improved Siri AI.

The reason that Apple has taken so long to reach this point is because it basically had to start again. The voice assistant – first announced in 2011 – has become the subject of much ridicule over the years, as rivals like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant outstripped its functionality.

But that now changes, with Apple's agreement with Google to use Gemini technology a part of the puzzle.

In a recent interview (via 9to5Mac), Mike Rockwell – who now leads the team developing Siri – confirmed that Apple "rebuilt Siri from the ground up, literally, tore it to the ground".

Apple had previously "built a first version of this that was sort of incremental on top of the original Siri that added tool calling, and we had it working. But we didn’t feel it was really delivering on the vision and the experience that we wanted to do".

That means the new Siri is now a completely different beast to the previous version: this isn't the old Siri with bits bolted on: "It allowed us to build a profoundly more capable Siri. So it’s a Siri that has its own application, it’s natively multimodal, it’s privacy from the ground up," said Rockwell.

While Siri will be supported on iPhone models back to iPhone 15 Pro – the same as Apple Intelligence – the very best version of Siri AI, which allows "expressive voices and more advanced dictation" will only be available on iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Those are the models that have 12GB RAM – something that Apple typically doesn't talk about, and doesn't include in the specifications on its product pages. Now, in the AI era, RAM becomes much more important.

It'll also be available on any new iPhone models coming later this year, of course – such as the company's first foldable, the iPhone Ultra.

For those with an iPhone older than iPhone 15 Pro, we expect that "old" Siri will keep plodding on, but a bit like Google Assistant, it will likely stay in place but get no new functionality.

Giving a child a phone or tablet is never an easy decision – the internet is wonderful, but there are many parts of it that aren’t, and it’s difficult to stay on top of our own devices, let alone constantly monitoring our children’s too.

Indeed, the UK government has just announced a ban on social media platforms for under-16s, which comes into affect next year. So the subject is clearly a concern for many.

Apple is one of the brands looking to do something about its own devices.

It already offered a number of new child safety features for its iPhones, iPads and Macs, but those are expanding with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 later this year. From a new Ask to Browse feature to redesigned Screen Time controls, here’s what’s new and why they should make it easier to keep your child safe.

Set up is easier

The starting point for all of Apple's parental controls is a child account, which Apple is making easier to set up.

In my WWDC 26 demo, it took around five minutes to set up a box-fresh device for a child. You are walked through the account creation process step by step, with initial options allowing you to choose to set up a device for someone 12 or younger, a teen aged 13-17, or an adult over 18.

Once a child account is active, age-appropriate restrictions are automatically applied across the system, from blocking adult websites in Safari to filtering out age-inappropriate apps in the App Store.

You can also decide exactly which apps are available on the device from the outset, with the option to start with a minimal set, such as Phone, Messages and Photos, and add more over time as your child grows.

In addition to selecting ‘Allowed Apps’, you can determine ‘Allowed Websites’ and select the rating for what content is allowed, too, like '9+' or ‘Clean’.

Control in your hands

Building on the existing Ask to Buy feature, which requires your permission before a child downloads an app, Apple has introduced Ask to Browse for Safari.

It works in a very similar way: when a child tries to visit a website that hasn't been pre-approved, a request is sent to the parent's device via Apple’s Messages app. You, as the parent, can then approve or deny it from wherever you are. The feature works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Pre-approved websites are clever too. You can make sure something like Times Table Rock Stars (TTRS) is approved, while limiting YouTube by only approving certain channels and YouTubers, for example.

It means the pre-approved website list can be as granular as you want, giving you more control over what your child can and can’t access.

There’s control over contacts, too. It was previously possible to set Communication Limits, allowing parents to select the contacts a child could talk to during specific times. However, with the new software, this feature has been extended.

If a child wants to add a new contact, they first need parental approval with the request coming through in Messages, like Ask to Buy and Ask to Browse, where the parent can then accept or decline.

There’s also a feature called Communication Safety, which already automatically blurred nudity detected in Messages and FaceTime video calls, though sadly not apps like WhatsApp at the moment.

With the new software, this feature will now detect and block gore and violent content in shared images and videos as well, and it is turned on by default for all users under 18. Again, this will work in Apple’s native apps, though there are APIs that would allow third-party apps to adopt the feature.

In the future, I’d love to see Communication Safety expand to look out for bullying or specific words that might indicate bullying in messages, but for now, these features all contribute to making it easier to keep children safer on devices, and that’s great to see.

Easier monitoring

Parental controls on Apple devices have long had Screen Time, but it was somewhat limited. With iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate, there is a new Time Allowance feature that lets parents set separate limits by app category – like Entertainment, Games, and Social Media.

Apple provides age-based starting points drawn from expert research that you can adjust to suit your family.

The redesigned Screen Time dashboard, meanwhile, gives you a cleaner, at-a-glance view of daily usage and the apps your kids are using most.

You can pause device access instantly, in case someone isn’t doing what they are told and they need a time out. On the flip side, you can also extend a limit quickly if your kid needs a few more minutes to finish something or perhaps you are giving them a reward.

Other features coming with iOS 27 include a Screen Time Passcode Notifications alert for parents if the Screen Time passcode is entered on a child's device. This might give you a heads-up if a child is attempting to change their own restrictions.

User Reporting Tools are also being expanded globally, allowing harmful content to be flagged directly to Apple from more countries and regions. And the company has also launched a dedicated website for parents, covering setup guides, recommended settings, and answers to common questions.

Determined teenagers will always find workarounds, and no features replace actual conversations with your children about how to behave online and the dangers of online. But the new tools coming with iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 are considered, easier to set up and maintain than those that came before.

They're certainly a step in the right direction, which I am thrilled about.

As an avid AirPods Max user, I can only recommend these premium over-ear headphones – they look great and sound even better. The only issue is that they are rather expensive. Well, not anymore! The USB-C version is at its lowest-ever price on Amazon ahead of the big shopping event next week.

Shop all Apple Featured Deals on Amazon

To clarify, these aren't the latest AirPods Max 2 but the previous version, which, to be fair, is very similar to the new cans. Those added better noise cancellation and somewhat better sound, but between you and me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the ANC and sonic quality of the USB-C AirPods Max.

The Apple AirPods Max USB-C retains the same distinctive design as its predecessor (and successor), featuring anodised aluminium ear cups, a stainless steel frame and a breathable knit mesh canopy that helps distribute weight more evenly across the head.

It utilises the company's H1 chip, enabling features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Transparency mode and Adaptive EQ. ANC continuously monitors external sounds and works to reduce unwanted noise, while Transparency mode lets you hear your surroundings without removing the headphones.

The USB-C AirPods Max also support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, creating a more immersive listening experience when watching films or listening to compatible music. Apple has additionally enabled lossless audio and ultra-low-latency audio over a wired USB-C connection, making the headphones a stronger option for music enthusiasts and content creators.

Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio enabled. Other highlights include automatic device switching, Find My support, voice control via Siri, and effortless pairing with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

2026 is certain to be a landmark year for Apple. With the departure of long-term CEO, Tim Cook, happening in just a few months, we're expecting big things to mark the dawn of John Ternus' reign.

According to the latest reports and rumours, that could include as many as four new members of the Mac family. It comes after a trio of MacBook models arrived earlier in the year, including the more affordable MacBook Neo.

Here's everything you need to know about what's expected.

Mac Studio

The most professional Mac in the brand's range looks set to get another boost later this year. That's set to include the M5 Max and an as-yet-unreleased M5 Ultra chip.

Current reports don't suggest any other changes, but that's not too uncommon. More power is never a bad thing, and it should make a big difference for power users.

iMac

The iMac got boosted up to the M4 chip in late 2024, which does make another change feel sudden. Still, fans certainly won't complain, with a bolstered M5 chip-equipped model slated this year.

The report also suggests a new palette of colours for the range, though there's no greater detail on offer.

Mac Mini

This is the one I'm personally most excited for. I've been eyeing up the current Mac Mini for a while, but I've been holding out for the added boost of an M5 chip.

According to reports, the new device will look much the same as its predecessor, but will gain the M5 and M5 Pro chips inside. That's a decent enough boost, and should make it worth the wait.

MacBook Ultra

Last, but certainly not least, is the long awaited MacBook Ultra. That's the expected name given to the redesigned MacBook Pro model, which has been the subject of rumours for years now.

That's said to include an OLED, touchscreen panel as the key feature of a new design. It's also said to feature a Dynamic Island in place of the current notch, which would tie the design in more closely with other devices like the iPhone.

I'm a big fan of Apple TV – there's a list of reasons why it's been sitting pretty for a long while at the top of our list of the best streaming services, and one of the biggest is the boldness of its commissioning decisions. Sure, you get some interesting series coming to Netflix and Prime Video, but not with the hit rate that Apple boasts.

It seems like every month it has something new to offer that does things genuinely differently, and not just if you consider how many cultish shows it develops, whether they're sci-fi inflected or just a little paranormal. It has traditional thrillers and crime dramas, too, but I just love how willing Apple seems to be to take punts on edgier, more niche material.

That approach has brought it huge hits like Severance, and also some more modest successes, which is how I'd describe Widow's Peak, which is on the cusp of its first season's finale right now (it airs on 16 June). The show stars Matthew Rhys as the beleaguered mayor of a small coastal town, but its trailers really underplayed how weird the show actually is.

Now it's getting a second season, which is great news, and which has been confirmed by a short trailer making the announcement:

It's brief, and obviously contains no actual new footage, instead cleverly reworking a moment from the show, but it's still great news for those who've been enjoying its weird, paranormal mix of genres. I've seen some people saying it's a bit like if Twin Peaks had a kid with Parks & Recreation, which is quite the enticement, and its mixture of scary thrills with deadpan black comedy has been a word-of-mouth hit.

Crucially (from Apple's point of view, you'd imagine), the show's also gone down really well with critics, who have left it sitting on a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%. While audiences haven't quite matched that, 93% on that front is still an excellent showing, and the two scores together suggest that people who take a gamble on the show almost certainly enjoy it a lot.

We'll find out if Apple can convert that into a proper fanbase with a second season in due course, although don't hold your breath for it to arrive any time before late 2027 if we're being optimistic.

The Apple Watch already does a lot. It tracks your sleep, monitors your heart rate during workouts, helps you find your iPhone when you drop it down the side of the sofa (that latter one is a classic). However, Siri on Watch has always felt a little like an afterthought – a voice assistant that could set a timer but not much else.

The upcoming watchOS 27 is set to change that, however.

During Apple’s WWDC 26 conference, the company announced all the new software and features coming to its iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch devices, with Siri AI sitting at the centre of it all.

There’s a little bit of bad news in that watchOS 27 requires an Apple Watch Series 9 or newer. That means support is dropped for several models compared to watchOS 26, including the original Watch Ultra and Watch SE 2. But, I've been attending WWDC all week to find out more and so, if you do have a compatible model, here’s what Siri AI will be able to do.

Conversation, from your wrist

Siri AI will let you ask open-ended questions, brainstorm workout ideas, and have natural back-and-forth conversations from your wrist. There should be no more barking commands and hoping for the best only to be disappointed with the results.

Instead, Siri AI will be able to tap into your personal context across all your Apple devices, from your iPhone to your Mac.

Need your passport number on the go? The door code for your Airbnb? A note you saved three weeks ago with your workout routine? You should just be able to ask, and as long as that information is available somewhere within Apple’s native apps, like Mail or Messages, Siri should be able to pull it up.

Siri AI will also be able to take actions in apps, like share flight details with your family, play the song your personal trainer recommended to get you motivated, or update your Activity ring goals without you having to fiddle around in the settings on your wrist.

Siri gets its own home

Like iPhone, a dedicated Siri app is coming to Apple Watch with watchOS 27.

As you would expect, it has a slightly different layout to what you will see on iPhone, but the premise is the same: it brings all your Siri conversations into one place, and syncs them across iPhone and Apple Watch. That means you can start with a question or prompt on your phone and pick it up from your wrist.

You’ll also be able to pin conversations for quick access, or kick off a fresh one from the icon in the bottom right corner.

Beyond personal context, Siri AI can pull real-time information from the web, whether you need workout inspiration, check your train timetable, or get some wellness tips.

A new dynamic grid

There are a couple of other features worth mentioning, too, which are partly related to Siri.

The watchOS 27 software will bring a new dynamic app grid that will automatically surface your most-used apps and Siri suggestions, with the Siri app sitting in the middle.

There’s also a feature called Call Context that is coming to iPhone with iOS 27, and Apple Watch with watchOS 27. This brings relevant information to your Watch face during business calls, such as your booking reference code when you are on the phone to British Airways trying to change your flight because you haven’t closed your rings yet.

Other watchOS 27 features worth noting

Beyond Siri and the dynamic app grid, watchOS 27 brings several other improvements.

A new single tap gesture lets you open a Smart Stack widget just by pinching your index finger and thumb together once. The Smart Stack will also be smarter, surfacing more contextually relevant widgets, such as birthday reminders for close contacts or the location of your parked car.

On the fitness front, Workout Buddy which arrived with watchOS 26 is getting new data insights around pace, distance, and workout duration, and it will also be able to run without your iPhone nearby.

Improved motion tracking algorithms also promise more accurate distance measurements for treadmill runs and walks for those who prefer to workout inside.

There are health improvements in watchOS 27, too: the Cycle Tracking app now offers perimenopause and menopause support, sending notifications when your logged cycle patterns suggest perimenopause, along with related symptom tracking and educational resources.

Meanwhile, the Find My app is being consolidated so that Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items all live in one place with a map-centric view (thank god, this one might become my favourite), and the Wallet app will let you create custom passes for any membership or card that uses a QR or barcode. It'll also pin it in the Smart Stack for easy access.

Which Apple Watch models are compatible?

Apple's watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), running iOS 27. You’ll also need an Apple Watch SE 3, Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3.

However, with the Apple Watch SE 3, it is worth noting that Apple Intelligence features will require a compatible iPhone to be nearby.

Although it was barely mentioned in passing during Apple's WWDC keynote address this week, the Apple TV 4K box is getting several new tricks in the coming months. The release of tvOS 27 is expected around September time, and it'll add new features to existing set-top-boxes.

One of them will be of particular interest to audiophiles and lovers of Hi-Res Audio, as the Apple TV is set for higher quality music streams.

Hidden in a press release sent by Apple after the keynote was reference to Hi-Res Lossless Audio, which is coming with the next major build of tvOS. The Apple TV 4K box currently supports Apple Music Lossless Audio streams, running at up to 24-bit / 48 kHz when connected to a suitable system.

However, the addition of Hi-Res Lossless Audio could offer much higher bitrates and frequencies – possibly up to 24-bit / 96 or even 192 kHz. Apple hasn't revealed specifications as yet.

You'll need to connect your Apple TV to a compatible amp, receiver or hi-fi system, but the fact that it will be capable will come as great news to audio purists.

Also coming to Apple TV boxes will be AutoMix, which intelligently transitions Apple Music tracks from one to another. And there will be Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features too, although it's currently thought that they might be exclusive to a new Apple TV 4K model, also tipped for release later this year.

Certainly, if there are further performance boosts that will be available on the new device, it could be worth considering an upgrade anyway. A new model is expected to run on a much more powerful processor, so will be a lot faster to operate for starters.

That being said, the existing Apple TV 4K is still arguably the best streaming device out there, a staggering four years after its debut.

We’ve been waiting a while (since WWDC 24, if you’ve been counting), but the new, more personalised and contextualised Siri will finally arrive this year. It comes in the form of Siri AI, and was revealed at Apple’s WWDC26 alongside new Apple Intelligence features, which include new photo editing tools and Suggestions in messages.

I’ve now had a few demos of the new Siri AI, but I have also been playing with it myself on my iPhone 16 Pro Max using the iOS 27 Developer Beta. I must admit, I have been pleasantly surprised so far.

Siri AI actually does what I want

There are a few things I have asked Siri AI to do. I started with asking it to find my Swedish auntie’s marinade recipe that my mum had sent me in Messages. The recipe is in Swedish and my mum sent it as a photo back in 2023.

My prompt to Siri AI was: “Can you find the BBQ marinade recipe I was sent by Mum”. Much to my surprise, Siri summarised the conversation my mum and I had had about the marinade and highlighted a couple of messages at the bottom of the results in the "sources". Tapping one of the two listed messages took me to the photo I needed.

I also asked Siri AI to tell me which dates in July I could do a lunch meeting (turns out I am pretty free in July except a few dates, which Siri listed for me), and I asked Siri AI to create an event every Friday in July from 6pm to 8pm, which it managed without a problem.

When my friend Aaron sent me a message in the Messages app asking if I was free for dinner on a specific date, I asked Siri to check my calendar and find alternatives when it noted a clash. It then constructed a message in a similar tone to the rest of our conversation to respond to him.

Other examples I tested Siri AI with included asking it to pull a packing list from an email I received with information about WWDC, and add it to a Reminder list with a note to pack when I got back to the hotel. I didn’t tell it which hotel but Siri knew.

When I asked it to show me photos from my holiday to Sweden last year, it pulled up all the photos I took, along with ones from this year. And asking it how much I spent on train station parking last month also returned the right result (based on me prompting it with the sender to look for in my email receipts).

There are a few things Siri AI didn’t quite manage, yet

Of course, Siri AI is still very much in beta, and with this come a few dropouts and errors.

While it found the messages with the photo of the marinade I was talking about earlier, it didn’t pull out the photo in its initial response. I had to click on the message from the source, then the photo and then I was able to ask Siri to translate it, which it then did brilliantly.

When I asked it how much I spend on my window cleaning every month, it told me I had a direct debit going out (which it knew from my emails), but despite the email saying the amount, Siri didn’t give me this.

I also asked it for my driving licence number, knowing that I had a photo of it in my Photos, but it didn’t retrieve this surprisingly.

What about the new Apple Intelligence features?

As for the Apple Intelligence features, these seem to work very well. The Reframe feature for photos is very impressive, allowing you to adjust the composition of a shot after you took it.

I got it to reframe a shot of me next to a WWDC sign, and it handled my patterned dress, as well as the translucent sign. Extend also works well, expanding a photo by up to 25% on each side and I had good results with Clean Up too, especially when selecting the "High Quality" option.

Suggestions also work well, with helpful buttons like "Add to Calendar" appearing when someone suggests a date in a message, and the ability to use natural language to describe a calendar invite is much more user-friendly than filling in all the fields separately.

I enjoyed playing around with creating Shortcuts using natural language, too – my test subject Aaron is going to enjoy receiving a message when I leave the Apple Visitor Centre after I finish this story.

A couple of things worth remembering

I use Apple’s native apps, including Mail, Messages and Apple Photos, so I am probably one of the best use cases for Siri AI at the moment.

In the Developer Beta of Siri AI, it wasn’t able to use context from an open WhatsApp chat screen with Aaron to search my calendar for the new lunch date that had been suggested, instead only pulling from the initial message in Messages about dinner.

There will also no doubt be a number of other hurdles Siri and third-party developers still need to overcome.

But from my interactions so far, Siri AI is head and shoulders above the current assistant, which, is quite frankly useless in comparison. It’s taken a couple of years more than I'd have liked, but so far, Siri AI actually seems to be pretty good.

There are rumours that Apple could be planning to announce a MacBook Ultra, a premium tier device that sits above the MacBook Pro and offers something we've not seen in Apple's laptops before – a touchscreen OLED display.

With WWDC 2026 came the announcement of Apple's next macOS software, called Golden Gate. That new software has been released in beta and it contains an interesting new function – full touch support for a Mac via Sidecar.

Previously, with macOS 26, you could only control your Mac on iPad using a mouse or trackpad – ie., it behaved in the same way as it did on your actual Mac. That's now different in macOS 27, pointing to Apple implementing full touch support across macOS.

This was discovered by @BLCNYY on X, who shared a video of the touch support in action after accessing the macOS 27 beta (via Notebookcheck).

As with rumours about Apple's iPhone Ultra, this isn't an absolute confirmation of Apple launching a touchscreen MacBook – it's more the case of showcasing software support for something we expect to happen. It might simply be that Apple decided to add touch controls via Sidecar.

But, that doesn't account for other pointers we have towards a new touchscreen MacBook. We've previously reported that Samsung Display is expected to ship OLED screens to Apple for the new MacBook in July, in 14.3- and 16.3-inch sizes.

That's on top of previous confirmation that Apple is creating an Ultra tier of devices, as well as other Apple plans from Mark Gurman, one of the most reliable leakers of Apple's future products.

The idea of a touchscreen MacBook was shot down in 2010, with Steve Jobs saying during the launch of Mac OS X Lion that it wasn't a good experience: "We've done tons of user testing on this and it turns out it doesn't work. Touch surfaces don't want to be vertical… it's ergonomically terrible".

But the assumption that Jobs had made was that you're using touch a lot of the time. I have a Windows laptop that supports touch and I don't use it often, but I can't imagine it not being there.

I use it for ad hoc interactions, for casual things. It's not a replacement for the keyboard or trackpad, but sometimes, I just want to tap – especially when I'm showing someone else something on the screen.

The introduction of touch to the Mac would open up a whole new world of opportunities for users and for some, that might be the incentive to move to the MacBook Ultra.

Just make sure that if it does happen, you have your Apple Polishing Cloth to hand.

Apple’s WWDC dominated the web earlier this week, unveiling everything from its long-awaited Siri AI to a redesigned Liquid Glass interface. However, as usual, smart home fans were left a little disappointed by the lack of any hardware announcements, despite new HomePod rumours swirling since last year.

That said, we did get a small glimmer of hope in the form of a new Apple Intelligence feature that could make Apple Home a far more compelling option for anyone considering entering the smart home space and choosing their ecosystem.

Before we get into that, it’s worth noting that access to these new AI-powered features will come via an iCloud+ subscription. Plans currently start at £0.99/$0.99 per month for 50GB of storage and one camera, £2.99/$2.99 per month for 200GB and up to five cameras, and £8.99/$9.99 per month for 2TB of storage with unlimited cameras.

Right – now onto the good stuff.

Once the upgraded Apple Intelligence features arrive, Apple Home Secure Video users will be able to receive AI-generated summaries of what’s happening across their recorded footage. This means events will be analysed across your stored videos, making it much easier to understand what’s happening around your home.

Apple is also introducing natural language search to Home Secure Video, allowing users to find specific events using simple phrases. In practice, this should make it significantly quicker to locate key moments without endlessly scrolling through hours of recordings.

Taken together, these upgrades mean Apple could effectively deliver AI-powered smart home video search from as little as $0.99 per month, which is a notably lower cost than many rival subscription services from competing brands.

That said, it’s worth remembering that iCloud+ storage isn’t dedicated solely to Home Secure Video. The same allowance is also used for things like iPhone backups, photos and documents, so if you’ve got multiple devices or cameras constantly recording, you could max out your storage limit faster than expected.

However, if you’ve got your settings adjusted properly, with motion detection and recording limited exclusively to important events, it could actually work out very well.

During its WWDC 26 keynote, Apple revealed that iOS 27 will work on pretty much every iPhone released in the last seven years – from the iPhone 11 and up.

However, it has now also been confirmed that the vast majority of them won't be getting all the new features. In fact, only a small handful will support the most powerful on-device Apple Intelligence and Siri AI capabilities.

That's because, as 9to5Mac explains, the more advanced features will require at least 12GB of RAM to operate, while most older iPhone models have a maximum of 8GB. Of those currently available, only the iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air fit that particular bill. Even the iPhone 17 is not powerful enough.

The same is true with other Apple devices. You'll need an iPad running on at least M4 silicon and with 12GB of RAM, or a Mac on M3 with 12GB.

The better news is that most of the new features will work on other models too, although they will require data connections and are likely to return slower results, as they'll need to use Apple's remote Private Cloud Compute services to process commands.

We don't know yet which models those will be, and whether all iPhones will support the remote services. However, it is likely many of the more creative features, such as the enhanced Image Playground, will be included in that category.

When will the new Apple Intelligence and Siri AI launch?

Siri AI will arrive with the full release of iOS 27 – likely in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models and new, foldable iPhone Ultra.

It will be restricted to supported iPhones set to English language as default.

Unfortunately, that won't include any devices in the EU. Apple has decided to withhold Siri AI support from users in the European Union on privacy and security grounds, as it gets to grips with the ramifications of the EU's Digital Markets Act.

Many of the Apple Intelligence features unveiled during WWDC will be more widely available across multiple countries.

A developer beta of iOS 27 is available to download now, but it is highly inadvisable to do so unless you know what you're doing. The software can be bug-ridden and missing some other important phone features.

A public beta will follow in July.

Several new features are coming to iPhone when iOS 27 launches later this year, from performance improvements like faster AirDrop transfers (not that I find it particularly slow now) to new child safety features.

The new (and very long-awaited) Siri AI is unsurprisingly a highlight of the upcoming software, along with a few new Apple Intelligence features. So, here are the top five iOS 27 features that really caught my attention during my in-person demos at WWDC 26. They are the ones I'm looking forward to most.

1. A more helpful assistant in Siri AI

We’ve been waiting a long time for the new contextually aware Siri – two years in fact – but from what I was shown, it looks like it might finally be ready to be a helpful personal assistant.

Siri AI is a redesigned assistant powered by Apple Intelligence and unlike the old Siri, it handles open-ended questions, brainstorms ideas, and holds natural back-and-forth conversations.

It understands personal context, surfacing buried emails, old photos, or saved notes with a simple request. It can also take actions across apps like Messages, Music, and Reminders, and tap into the web for up-to-date answers on pretty much any topic.

A new, dedicated Siri app keeps all your conversations synced across iPhone, iPad and Mac, and it can also write drafts and match your personal tone for each recipient you reply to, as long as you have at least two messages with them for context.

2. Clever new photo editing skills

The enhanced photo-editing skills were rumoured before WWDC kicked off, but I’ve now seen them in action, and they are impressive.

A new ‘Tools’ icon appears alongside Adjust, Filters and Crop when you tap to edit a photo. From here, there’s a Reframe feature that allows you to change the composition of a photo – perhaps you got the angle slightly wrong or didn’t notice the sign in the background, for example.

Clean Up, which lets you remove unwanted objects from a photo, has also been upgraded. In the demo I saw, Clean Up was able to remove a chair and large cuddly toy from an image, place a child’s leg in its place and even match the stripy sock from the child’s other leg.

There’s also Extend, which lets you expand a photo by 25% in any direction.

3. Context-aware suggestions

Siri Suggestions bring intelligent, context-aware actions into Apple’s native apps and this is one feature I am really looking forward to see expand.

To start with, in Messages and Mail, quick actions might be suggested based on your conversation, such as adding a calendar event or opening the Photos app to send a photo.

It can also proactively surface relevant information during phone calls, such as pulling up a confirmation code from your inbox while you're on the line with an airline.

It’s taken further with the Shortcuts app, where you can simply describe a task in plain language, and Siri can build a multi-step automation that connects actions across multiple apps. I can see plenty of potential here.

4. Fixing passwords without my input

This is not one to be underestimated. If you have compromised passwords in the passwords app, you’ll have no excuse for not sorting those out with iOS 27.

The Passwords app in the new software takes the hassle out of keeping your accounts secure. It automatically alerts you to any weak or compromised passwords and can update them on your behalf with no manual effort from you required except one quick tap.

5. Personalising Liquid Glass

This one might not seem that exciting, but for those who found the Liquid Glass design of iOS 26 a little hard to read, there’s a new slider in iOS 27 that will help.

The slider can be found in the Appearance section of Settings, and will allow you to personalise how Liquid Glass looks across your iPhone.

It can be dialled anywhere from ultra clear to fully tinted, with the latter making it a little easier to see. The new software also improves the underlying Liquid Glass design itself, with more uniform refraction and better contrast.

Apple has said iOS 27 will be available from this fall (autumn), though there should be a public beta available from July if you want to try some of the new features out beforehand.

It will be compatible on iPhones from the iPhone 11 and newer, but Siri AI and Apple Intelligence features require an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 model or iPhone 17 model.

The iPhone Ultra is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026. That will see Apple with its first foldable phone, but thanks to WWDC 2026 a number of references to the forthcoming device might have surfaced.

The first of these cropped up in the iOS 27 developer beta, which was released immediately after the keynote. That's given some users time to dive through the code and find new references.

Highlighted by 9to5Mac, X user @samhenrigold pointed out that within the code were references to "foldState" and "angleDegrees", as well as a new MobileGestalt key to highlight the number of displays on a device.

MobileGestalt is a system library in iOS that the device can refer to – and in the past, all iPhones have had one display, so there's been no need to find out how many displays there are. In a folding phone, you'd need that information, because there are two.

That perhaps hints that iOS 27 is ready to support a new format of device.

Elsewhere, some users have spotted that iPhone mirroring on macOS can be resized to look like an iPad, with many suggesting this is preparation to support the iPhone Ultra's unfolded display.

While there might not be a need to mirror the iPhone Ultra's main display, it perhaps gives an insight into how apps might shift from the external display to the main internal display.

That's not the only place where this happens: with the introduction of Xcode's Device Hub, apps can quickly be resized, again giving us a good look at how developers might adapt apps for a different display. Of course, this could just be about making apps work better across iPhone and iPad.

Although digging through the details of code and minor references for a hint of iPhone Ultra might seem a little desperate, there's another Easter egg that some are pointing to. I wouldn't go as far as saying this is a smoking gun, but definitely looks like it's designed to get people talking.

Part of the presentation by Stacey Ford takes place in mock workshop environment, with tables filled with tools and devices in pieces.

On a quick pan we pass some of the usual suspects, like an Apple Watch in bits, there's the latest iPhone and then a tray with some thicker devices on them. Some are pointing to these as folding device prototypes.

As I said, it's hardly a smoking gun. The tray in question has a blower brush (common in photography) and what looks like a pocket magnifying glass of some type, so there's sort of a photography theme happening there and very little that looks like an iPhone Ultra.

Still, if you're looking for it, you'll find it, even if it's not actually there.

You'll need to have been living under a rock for the last 24 hours to have missed the news of Siri AI. Apple's long-awaited AI-powered personal assistant is finally ready to launch, and was showcased at the WWDC 2026 event.

Now, Google has also made an appealing change to one of its AI-powered offerings. That sees the AI Plus subscription plan become much more appealing, with the double-whammy of a price cut and a storage boost.

Here in the UK, that sees the platform drop to just £4.49 per month with 400GB of storage. Those in the US will pay US$4.99 for the same storage level.

However you spin it, that's a great deal. You're getting twice the storage for less cash – not quite half price, but not too far from it – allowing you to make even more use of the features.

For those not familiar with Google AI Plus, the plan is designed to offer a more appealing prospect than standard Gemini for those seeking more from their AI. Users will get twice as much usage from Gemini, with greater access to Gemini 3.1 Pro and Deep Research in Gemini.

You'll also enjoy more access to image, music and video generation platforms, and more access to features in NotebookLM. And, of course, there's 400GB of cloud storage on offer, too.

It's a compelling package. If you've dabbled with the base level of AI platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini, and are looking to move to the next level, this subscription will give you a decent upgrade.

The brand also offers higher levels again, with Google AI Pro offering more usage, up to 5TB of storage and other perks like YouTube Premium. For any real hardcore users, Google AI Ultra offers 20TB of storage, substantially more access to different Gemini models and early access to new innovations.

It's a largely open secret that a new Apple TV 4K box will arrive later this year – most likely in September – but existing models are getting updates, too. The only issue is, which ones.

Although Apple mostly swerved from mentioning the Apple TV 4K and tvOS 27 during its WWDC keynote on Monday, it did release the first beta for developers. And there are a few new features coming in later builds.

However, it also turns out that there's some less than welcome news for owners of older Apple TV streaming devices – your boxes will not be supported.

Indeed, it looks like pretty much all of the existing models will be exempt from some of the best new features, such as Siri AI and the new Apple Intelligence add-ons. That's because even the 2022 Apple TV 4K runs on a chip – the A15 Bionic – that is unlikely to be compatible.

But it will still get a range of additional new tricks coming with tvOS 27, such as smart downloads, a redesigned podcasts app, faster AirPlay connections, the ability to change the text size, and a more responsive Control Centre.

That's more than its predecessors, which won't be getting the latest software at all.

According to MacRumors' analyst Aaron Perris (via 9to5Mac), tvOS 27 will not be coming to the Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K (1st gen).

The HD model was released in 2015, while the first Apple TV 4K followed in 2017. We've had two additional 4K boxes since then, which will be supported, it seems, but nothing since 2022.

That's why a new model is expected – it'll be the first compatible with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI.

We'll find out more in the coming months, and we'll keep you informed whenever there are additional details to share.

Video playback has finally come to Apple CarPlay after its first announcement in 2025. During WWDC 2026, Apple confirmed the news in a supporting video for developers, saying that the video category was being added.

There's a big catch though: Apple goes on to say "in new cars that support the video in car feature". This means that your current CarPlay vehicle is unlikely to support the video function.

This support for video is going to come in two forms. If an app supports AirPlay streaming then that will be coming to CarPlay in iOS 27, so you can just select the CarPlay display in AirPlay from your phone.

But this will go further, allowing video apps to appear so that movies can be watched when the car is parked, with a UI to navigate that app on the car's screen. This is likely where Apple TV support will come in.

Throughout this announcement, Apple makes a point of saying that this will only work with cars that support the "video in car feature". It's outlined that AirPlay support is needed in the car, which is likely the hardware barrier to this on older vehicles.

That's the bad news here: if your car doesn't support AirPlay then you're not going to be getting the video functions in iOS 27 – even if you will benefit from other enhancements like the new and smarter Siri.

There are some other small details in the announcement too, similar to those we saw from Google's update to Android Auto. It will also be possible to run compatible video apps in audio-only mode, meaning that you can move from watching a podcast to just listening to it.

Because Apple CarPlay is linked to the iOS version, don't expect the update to arrive until September 2026, when it will land on devices back to iPhone 11.

While you'll need a new car to support Apple's video in car feature, it's expected to be widely supported in future vehicles. Some third-party head units already support AirPlay as a separate feature from CarPlay – whether they will be able to support the new feature remains to be seen.

There's sure to be plenty more news about video on CarPlay over the coming months as apps move to support the feature and testing progresses through the iOS developer beta.

At the same time, we can expect a wide number of car manufacturers to apply for certification to bring AirPlay to their vehicles.

If you've been around the tech space for a while, you'll know that the near-constant back-and-forth between Apple and the European Union is almost perpetual. The two often find themselves at loggerheads, which has caused some high-profile moments over the years.

Now, it seems to be rearing its head once again. Mentioned briefly at WWDC 2026 and noted in the footnotes of its press briefing, Apple confirmed that the new Siri AI feature would "not be available initially in the EU."

Well, that's a half truth, actually. It'll be available across MacBooks, Apple Watches and Apple Vision Pro, but will be held back for iPad and iPhone users.

Why? Well, it all comes down to the EU's Digital Markets Act. That's nothing new, and is designed to ensure fair competition in digital spaces, but forcing larger technology gatekeepers to follow rules around open app stores, data sharing and more.

Now, that's not too much of an issue for Android phones, where that kind of open functionality has been a feature for years. But Apple has made a big deal of its walled garden design, so it's more of a change there.

According to a press release from the brand, Apple offered a range of solutions to effectively find a middle ground, which were rejected by the EU. That release goes on to regale horror stories about some – notably unnamed – AI agents stealing data and altering files.

Personally, I'm slightly sceptical. While I have no doubts that Apple wants to keep its users walled into its own services, I can't help but feel that these claims are somewhat embellished – particularly with other brands seemingly able to comply.

Still, there's one ray of light for those of us in the UK – it's not set to affect us. The issue only arises for those in the 27 member states of the EU, leaving the UK unaffected.

After two years of waiting, Siri AI is now here. Announced (again) at WWDC 2026, the new AI-powered assistant looks set to be the big highlight of the event, complete with the promise of some killer features.

For starters, the system is built on the brand's next-gen Apple Intelligence platform. That's built in collaboration with Google's Gemini, which should offer a more stable base than Apple's previous attempt. It's pretty recognisable, too, so anyone who has spent a long time using Gemini in the past will feel right at home.

The new Siri can use personal context, as well as context from what's on your screen, in order to provide a more natural, conversational experience. In the presentation, we see the user ask where a location in an image is, with Siri able to recognise it and share a location.

It'll also be able to recognise the people and faces in your image library, making it easier than ever to find images. You can say things like "find the picture of John from our trip to the park in April" and it should be able to do just that.

The voice has also changed, with a lot more expressiveness in its delivery. It's quite cool, if a little cringey, especially when you hear it trying to use modern slang and language. It's a bit like hearing your Granny do the same.

You can even adjust the pace and expressivity of the voice, as well as change the accent, to really tailor the assistant to exactly how you'd like them to respond.

There are lots of dedicated changes for the system on Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro and MacBooks, too. Most notably, that includes the ability to speak to Siri from the Spotlight window on Mac, and to simply look at the Siri window and start speaking on Vision Pro.

Apple has announced that iPhones released as long as seven years ago will continue to support the latest iOS software. All handsets that can run iOS 26 will essentially run iOS 27 too.

Speaking during the WWDC 26 keynote address, the company revealed that the iPhone 11 and above will work with the next big upgrade.

The iPhone 11 was released in 2019 and so was never expected to meet the cut this time around, but it'll get many of the new features and tweaked Liquid Glass design – much like the latest devices, too.

The list also includes a couple of iPhone SE models as well.

iOS 27 iPhone compatibility list

• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max
• iPhone Air
• iPhone 17e

Of course, not all of the new features will make their way onto the older devices. The current Apple Intelligence is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and above, for example.

It would be hugely surprising for the new Siri AI and Apple Intelligence capabilities to appear on anything less.

However, there will be plenty of other new tools and features that will be available, such as the tweaked Liquid Glass design where you can adjust the translucency of the background. Or the new parental controls to limit content for youngsters.

That makes sense considering many parents hand their older iPhones down to their children.

We'll undoubtedly find out more about iOS 27, Siri AI and Apple Intelligence over the coming days, as WWDC progresses. Make sure you come back to T3 to find out exactly what's happening out in Cupertino.

While today's WWDC event is likely to showcase a lot of software from Apple, there's another event expected later this year with more significance. That's because the brand is slated to drop a bevy of hardware this Autumn, including its first attempt at a foldable phone.

That's expected to debut as the iPhone Ultra, and has been leaked once again. Notable and respected tech industry insider, Sonny Dickson, has shared a new suite of images of a dummy unit of the handset.

The images themselves show off a fairly similar design to others we've seen before, though this unit definitely looks a lot more finalised. The unit features a shorter, fatter design than other units currently on the market, which more closely resemble the aspect ratio of standard phones when folded.

Personally, I'm not such a fan of this stubbier appearance, but it does make it a better alternative to something like the iPad Mini. See, where most standard foldable phones open out to something almost square, this device will open out to a more traditional tablet aspect ratio.

That's likely to be the big sell for Apple, with a product which could feasibly replace both an iPhone and an iPad for most users. It's a marked departure from Apple sales of old, where the goal was to embed users in a multi-device ecosystem.

Elsewhere, Dickson suggests that the device will only be available in one colour – white. That's another shocking suggestion, with other devices at least offering a darker hue.

We also see the previously suggested top-mounted volume buttons, which sit atop the back panel. That also houses the power button on the side, which should ensure the placement of those buttons doesn't change when the device is folded or unfolded.

Regardless of what you think of it, this device is certain to shake up the market when it launches.

Apple's annual Worldwide Developer Conference for 2026 – WWDC 2026 for short, or 'Dub Dub' as it's lovingly known – is now over. And it was a pivotal moment for Apple.

The current CEO, Tim Cook, presented for his final time – as John Ternus will take over in September, just in time for the iPhone 18 launch. WWDC 2026 gave us a preview of the software that'll bring, though.

The show was all about iOS 27, plus Apple's other platforms – macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS – because the next-generation of Siri, called Siri AI, will be key for the whole ecosystem. And it's powered by Google, just delivered in a very 'Apple way'.

With the 8 June keynote now behind us, you can catch the biggest headlines below, or read our musings from throughout the day, post by post. There's a lot more to come, too, as this WWDC was a major one – and the iOS 27 opinions (with the beta software imminent), backwards compatibility, and Siri AI region limits are all talking points.

WWDC 2026 biggest news headlines:

• The 5 best new features coming to iOS 27
• Apple's Siri AI is finally here – and will look familiar
• We tried out the new Siri – here are our honest thoughts
• Your older iPhone will support iOS 27 – here's what's compatible
• While iPhone owners in the EU won't get Siri AI yet, those in the UK will

What's Cookin'?

While the big news is inevitably going to be about new iOS 27 and MacOS software innovations, it's impossible to ignore that Tim Cook will be passing the baton to John Ternus – officially from this coming September.

That gives WWDC 2026 more of a 'people story' aspect than others in its recent past, with both Cook and Ternus expected to present – along with many other Apple executives in their respective roles.

It's the end of one era and the beginning of another – which means significant software announcements are a must to kick-off Ternus' leadership with a bang.

Return of the Mac

While the expectation is for lots of iOS 27 updates for the incoming iPhone 18 Ultra launch in September, don't expect any hardware reveals today.

However, 2026 has been a massive year for Apple's MacBook line-up, with the MacBook Neo shaking up the proposition entirely this year.

That's a good reason for the foundations of MacOS to get a further shake-up, therefore, with WWDC 2026 the obvious platform for such reveals.

What exactly could we expect? Rumours suggest that the Mac could get a Liquid Glass-style overhaul, for starters, tying it in with the Apple ecosystem even closer.

Apple TV surprise?

As reported last month, following Apple's update of its tvOS, there are ongoing rumours that a new Apple TV 4K box could be coming.

Could this mark a rare hardware reveal of sorts at WWDC 2026? Chances are that'll get too distracting for the core audience, when the key push will be for iOS 27 developments.

Nonetheless, the expected Siri enhancements – that true Agentic AI agency is incoming for Apple – will also affect the way you can control Apple TV.

Quiz time!

Tim's late-night post

A 3am Twitter post from Apple's CEO! Well, what's that all about? Don't worry, it's nothing untoward. Just WWDC 2026 student winners hanging out at Apple Park in the lovely sunshine.

"Coming bright up"

With just over four hours to go until WWDC kicks off proper, let's take a look back at the official event reveal – and its "Coming bright up" tag line.

It's widely thought that this play on words – 'coming right up' – will refer to second-generation Siri. An "All systems glow" alternative is what's used on Apple's Developer Portal instead, both using brightness and glowing in their language. Quite the tease!

How will this apply to Siri? It's thought that the AI Agent will live always-on in your iPhone's Dynamic Island, ready on your command, revealing in a new bright/glowing interface for interactions.

As voice will be a large part of 'Siri 2.0' – perhaps it'll be called something even grander, we'll have to wait and see – this glowing visual reference will be an ideal cue that Siri is active, ready for interaction.

Just a touch

Much as Siri 2.0's voice interaction will be the big sell of WWDC 2026, we're all used to using our iPhones with our hands. Touch-based control is a staple for iOS 27.

But it hasn't been for Mac. Ever. There's long been rumours about that changing, but at this Dub Dub there's wider expectation than ever that macOS will actually bring an update to cater for touch-screen MacBooks.

That's centred around speculation of a MacBook Ultra, rumoured to be launching towards the end of this year, with an OLED panel for the first time. And, supposedly, a touchscreen too.

That would be a huge step-change for Apple's laptop line. It's not a 100% confirmation yet, of course, and there are plenty who wouldn't want touch to be added – given the iPad's position as that go-between product.

iDroid?

So where is the Siri 2.0 intelligence coming from? Well, after Apple Intelligence didn't quite hit the mark after its iOS 18 beginnings (that being the old naming format – it was released in 2024), Google has stepped in to assist.

Google Cloud's CEO, Thomas Kurian, said earlier this year: "We’re collaborating with Apple as their preferred cloud provider to develop the next generation of Apple Foundation Models based on Gemini technology."

But this isn't 'Google Gemini for iPhone'. It's Apple utilising Google's AI expertise to apply to its own models and systems, in order to make for "a more personalised Siri". It's long been known that Apple had turned to Google to develop new Foundation Models, which are the backbone behind Apple Intelligence.

What these AI advances could mean

So we've got Google providing some expertise to make Apple Intelligence truly, y'know, intelligent – with Siri 2.0 being at the forefront of that upgrade.

But what else could this actually mean? Expect to be able to do much more! Apple's Image Playground is one aspect likely to take benefit. This AI-image-generation tool is fun, but it's fixed to a given Genmoji style.

Google's Gemini Omni (formerly Veo 3) can already create much more realistic AI results, or produce a wide variety. So you can expect Genmoji and Image Playground to deliver far more options.

Siri, meet Claude. Claude, be nice to ChatGPT.

Rumour has it that Siri 2.0 won't be a closed book either. While Apple already permits you to pass queries through ChatGPT, if Siri is going to be truly agentic – i.e. acting like an agent, so pooling from multiple sources to create actions – that's expected to expand to also include Claude.

This isn't a major surprise. Other phone-makers already do similar – Samsung's Galaxy AI utilises Google Gemini as its core model, but you can also use Perplexity (in addition to Samsung's own Bixby – not that anyone really does).

While this will enable Siri 2.0 to be more intelligent, due to its potential pool of resources, Apple does run the risk of isolating some users if there are simply too many pay-for additional options. Claude is free to use at its most basic, but there is a ceiling to volume of queries – bypassed by paying for a Pro membership.

The waiting game...

But, here's a thought: while Siri 2.0 is likely to roll out with iOS 27 beta ahead of the full software launch – anticipated to be in September, along with the new iPhone 18 models – it might not be available in every region from day one.

The UK, for example, is typically at least six months behind Google's and Apple's software rollouts. It's because US English is signed off – often alongside Korean – for launch date, with other languages/regions having extended waits for approval.

So all the fancy new tricks that Siri 2.0 will be shown to offer during WWDC might not be immediately available everywhere. At least you'll get a taste of what's to come, though, and just how much better your next iPhone might behave.

Do you need to upgrade?

There's a big question. Will Siri 2.0 be coming to all iPhone models? Short answer: no.

That's because there's not endless software support and some older hardware doesn't have the goods to deliver at the level required – despite some AI being performed off device, in the cloud.

The iPhone X series, for example, didn't get iOS 26. Granted, that device is approaching nine years old. But even more recent handsets, such as the iPhone 15, wasn't compatible with Apple Intelligence – only the Pro and Pro Max models were for that generation.

Chances are, however, that those with an iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 model – and any model in those ranges – will get full iOS 27 support with Apple Intelligence and Siri 2.0, no features missing.

Hello and Good Morning Apple

Good afternoon, it's Mat Gallagher here, taking over the live blog, ahead of the big event. It's just gone 3:30pm here in the UK which means it's 7:30am in Cupertino, where WWDC will be taking place. We've already had early posts from Tim Cook, including this Good Morning post featuring a number of Apple TV stars.

Clues in the code

While it's highly likely we won't hear any details of new hardware in today's WWDC keynote, there could be clues in some of the new features of what's to come. Could we see more touchscreen friendly operation for Mac OS, suggesting a touchscreen Mac is around the corner? Could we see bigger screen dynamics for iOS that could be the groundwork for the iPhone Fold?

Seeing is believing

One interesting area will be Apple's Vision OS and smart glasses development. The Vision Pro is believed to have now been retired but it is likely to still gain updates in this round. Could those updates also make way for a smaller screen smart glasses display, like the Android XR system?

I don't suspect we will hear anything specifically about Apple's smart glasses plans today, but Vision OS developments could be telling.

What about the iPhone Fold?

Hardware's a no-no at this WWDC right? That's likely to be the case. But there's still a question mark over the iPhone Fold.

Not it actually being revealed – perhaps that'll happen as an 'and another thing' moment in September – but any alluding to its presence through iOS 27 feature updates.

If we start seeing new ways to share between apps, any notion of split-screen, and so forth, then could provide some early clues.

There is, of course, a chance that we're still way away from a folding iPhone launch actually happening – it might all be a pipe dream.

After all, the Apple Car was shelved. Well, kinda. That Ferrari Luce sure does look kinda suspect...

1 hour to go

Tick tock, it's almost Dub Dub o'clock. One hour until the show officially kicks off. Apple hasn't started to play tunes on repeat on its official WWDC 2026 live stream YouTube video just yet, mind – but it can only be a matter of time!

How will 'Super Siri' work?

For all the talk of an upgraded Siri, however, how is that functionality going to be integrated?

The likelihood is that, just like with Google Gemini and other AI systems, it will have a dedicated Siri app as part of iOS 27.

In here you'll be able to view your history of queries and responses, while accessing settings to enable or disable various features.

Siri is likely to be an always-on option, if you provide permissions, living in the Dynamic Island and ready to roll upon your request. Outside of iPhone, however, cross-device handover will surely be a significant aspect of the delivery.

Siri 2.0 ought to have cross-app accessibility with other Apple apps and, if Apple has done the necessary groundwork – and it's had over two years to do so – then third-party tie-ins could be the big upsell that Google's Android system hasn't quite nailed yet.

With Siri semi-contained through an app, you'll be able to monitor your history – but also disable the system as and when you please, hopefully with an app-by-app based control.

Looking back to look forward...

It's worth harking back to 12 months ago and WWDC 2025 for a moment, though. How will that affect what WWDC 2026 will deliver?

There's a typical theme at Dub Dub. Without a doubt it's software focused. And last year the keynote was used to talk about the following topics:

• Apple confirms iOS 26 with huge updates and major new features
• Your iPhone will look very different after Apple's Liquid Glass update
• Apple's new Mac software brings iOS 26 benefits – and adds one thing
• Apple's AirPods to get a useful new upgrade – although not all models
• Apple just gave your workouts a personal AI coach on the Apple Watch
• Apple takes gaming seriously at last – separate Games app coming to iOS 26

Liquid Glass was the major design change and biggest takeaway from last year's event. With that now well-established, however, it gives room for more Siri at WWDC 2026.

But history does repeat – and WWDC is a time to reflect on all of Apple's platforms. So let's not forget about watchOS, as new features are likely be appear there too – likely with a Siri angle.

We'll be back

Well, well, well, Apple's beta.apple.com page has been taken offline ahead of WWDC kicking off.

"We'll be back. We're busy updating the Apple Beta Software Program website and will be back soon" reads the page.

That'll be where iOS 27 beta with Siri show their faces, then, you can bet your bottom dollar.

What's in a name?

There's a lot of chat about what macOS 27 might be called. Long-running rumours that it would be 'Big Bear' aren't convincing everyone – including Apple insider, Mark Gurman, of Bloomberg.

So what'll it be? Here are some of the most likely options, with Emerald [Lake] becoming a late front-runner.

And we're off!

Strap in everyone, as it is time. WWDC 2026 is go – sorry, "glow time".

Golden Gate

Tim opens that the "latest advancements in Apple Intelligence and Siri," are key for WWDC 2026. Setting the stage for Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering.

And now everything's got really kinda trippy. But here's the answer to that earlier query – the next macOS will be Golden Gate. Not Emerald. Not Big Bear. Quite the unexpected result, that!

Liquid Glass personalisation

Liquid Glass was the big development for 2025, so what's next? It's all about refinement.

"Now, we're making some additional refinements. Starting with the foundations of how Liquid Glass is built."

A new slider in settings allows you to adjust how translucent Liquid Glass windows are – from completely clear to fully clouded.

App icons now have "additional layer of Liquid Glass" to add more character to apps – whether in your Dock, on your iPad or iPhone.

System animations are also smoother. A lot of things are now faster, too. iPhone and iPad apps can launch up to 30% faster – as the team found a way to pre-load data so they're ready to go. Photos appear much quicker in your camera roll, too.

iOS 27 backwards compatibility

An updated CPU scheduler "ensures the right work is executed at precisely the right time". But it's also been possible to bring enhancements to older iPhone models – all the way back to iPhone 11.

That means iOS 27 will come to iPhone models that launched in 2019 onwards. That's seven years of previous launches, which is impressive.

Search gets a much-needed update

Search across iPhone, iPad and Mac also gets improved across Spotlight, Photos and Mail.

Apple has re-architected the search index, so it knows you have and where to find it. This new infrastructure "has a complete picture of what's already there".

Child Accounts

Powerful parental controls are the next step of Apple's focus. With a Child Account, controls are there to handle what content kids can see.

"Start focused and add more over time" is the message – with the ability to take control over which apps they wish to add.

Screen Time evolves into Time Allowances – with Entertainment, Games and Social Media divided so that parents can allocate time per category. It's also possible to limit when such categories are available – being blocked during school time, for example.

Apple Intelligence – "big step forward"

"More personal and more useful" is the message for the updated Apple Intelligence.

This uses a new architecture, unlocks an entirely new Siri, and makes your apps smarter and more useful.

That's thanks to the relationship with Google Gemini, bringing many familiar features to Apple that have lacked.

From powerful image understanding and generation – so you can edit photos like never before – to even more powerful on-device speech.

Siri just got serious

"A profoundly more capable assistant."

Siri finally gets the update it has needed – and that was promised years ago.

The latest Apple Intelligence integration means Siri can do far more.

It possesses on-screen awareness – so can tailor its effectiveness depending on what you're doing in which app.

With broad world knowledge, Apple Intelligence can go to the web to then use private cloud compute to research an answer – all delivered via Siri.

Greater contextual understanding thanks to system-wide cross-over also means Siri can use your Photos, Contacts, Maps and more to thread together more personalised responses.

Siri also has a new voice – sounding a little more human – with customisation of pace and expressivity to match your preferences.

iPhone users can swipe down from Dynamic Island to activate, or you can use the side button to activate instead of voice – if you prefer.

Mac users, meanwhile, can Ctrl+click to ask Siri within an app. It's also possible to ask Siri directly in Spotlight, to create a conversation there.

Siri app

As expected: there's a new Siri app. It allows cross-device sync, too, so you can dig into your history of queries.

That means from macOS to iOS, iPadOS to watchOS, even visionOS, Siri sits across the full range of platforms.

There's also a Siri mode for the Camera app, which can prompt Visual Intelligence suggestions.

'Write with Siri' can create generative drafts, too. Be that full pieces from a prompt, or Mail suggestions based on your history.

Let's go on a Safari

Apple's browser gets updates too.

It can use Apple Intelligence to organise your tabs into topics, bringing related tabs together automatically.

Stay on top of updates you care about, without the need to constantly refresh. That's thanks to the addition of Notify Me, which automatically monitors your important pages for changes – be that concert tickets, re-stocking or similar.

Home gets a boost too

The Home app banishes multiple notifications – instead opting to update a notification as to not barrage you with excesses.

There's an update to cameras integrated into Home, too, with the ability to voice search for specific moments – such as when your kid arrives home or that parcel was delivered.

Shortcuts helps people get more done faster by automating all manner of things. By using Apple Intelligence, you can now simply describe a custom shortcut – no need to manually build one.

Image Playground

This gets an overhaul, too, as expected. No longer is image generation "cartoon only", with more powerful options at your fingertips – including photo-realistic options.

Brand new ways to modify your images are available too. Apple Intelligence can deal with multiple prompts, one step at a time, to adjust a generated image until your result is fitting to what you wanted to achieve.

Photos adds AI upgrades

Clean Up gets a big upgrade. Remove distractions with more realistic in-fills.

Extend can expand images – be that a new aspect ratio or adding extra space around a subject.

Spatial Reframing adds a suite of adjustments – available after a picture has been taken. At its core it's about reframing, but to an advanced degree – so much that you can even move a camera position to recompose a shot.

Siri AI is not for the UK... yet

While Siri AI will be available in iOS 27, that doesn't apply to Europe or China just yet. There's regulatory processes to get through – and that'll take time.

It's also worth noting that some of the more advanced iOS 27 features will only function on the most powerful current hardware.

When can you get it?

Developer beta is available today, with the public beta coming "next month". The public full release will be "this fall" – in sync with the expected iPhone 18 launch.

Tim Cook, signing off

No John Ternus to be seen anywhere for this presentation, then, as was largely expected. However, he was posing with many WWDC attendees yesterday, so is very involved.

But Tim Cook signed off in heartfelt fashion, quipping it had been the "honour of a lifetime" to work with his teams.

And that, each and everyone, is WWDC 2026 over and out.

Splitting a restaurant bill could finally become painless if a new Apple Wallet feature arrives as expected in iOS 27.

According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is working on a tool that can scan a receipt, work out who owes what and send payment requests automatically using Apple Cash. It could end up being one of the most useful iPhone upgrades yet.

The feature is expected to live inside Apple Wallet. You would simply take a photo of a receipt, the software then identifies items and assigns them to different people before calculating exactly what everyone owes.

If it works as claimed, it could put an end to the post-meal maths session that seems to follow every group dinner.

Plenty of apps have tried to solve this problem already. Most still require us to manually enter costs or convince everyone involved to download the same app. Apple's advantage, Wallet is already on millions of iPhones.

The feature is also reportedly tied to Apple Cash, allowing payment requests to be sent automatically once the bill has been divided up. No more trying to remember who ordered the extra round of drinks then.

Apple Watch could be getting this upgrade too. The report claims payment approvals may be handled directly from the smartwatch, while Messages integration could make it easier to send and manage requests between friends.

There is one potential catch. Apple Cash is currently only available in the US, so it's not yet clear how the feature might work in other areas including the UK. Apple could expand Apple Cash, adapt the feature for other payment systems or limit some functionality outside the US.

With WWDC just around the corner, we may not have long to wait to find out if this rumoured feature makes the final cut. And if it does, splitting the bill could finally stop being the worst part of eating out with friends.

Plans for the next-gen MacBook Ultra have been revealed, detailing that it could use a hybrid OLED display, with the release expected in Q3 2026, likely October.

Rumours about MacBook Ultra have been floating around for some time. After a flurry of releases that gave us updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines – and introduced the MacBook Neo – Apple could have something even bigger in store.

The details come from analyst firm Omdia, talking about the rise in OLED display shipments for laptop use. In the report, it says that Samsung Display will provide the panels from July, lining up a launch later in the year.

Apple hasn't used OLED for its laptops so far, instead opting for Mini-LED. The report says that Apple will use "oxide TFT and RGB tandem OLED technology", which sounds like it will be similar to the display in the iPad Pro.

The aim will be to provide power efficiency, without losing the high brightness that Mini-LED offers. While OLED's self-emissive properties mean greater light control and the elimination of blooming, maintaining high brightness will be the challenge here.

But the MacBook Ultra might offer more: it could debut touchscreen onto the MacBook line for the first time, about a decade after the rest of the market. Apple has long maintained that touch doesn't fit on a laptop (despite the ill-fated Touch Bar), but rumours point to a significant shift in policy.

It's hard not to point out the irony in calling it the MacBook Ultra, if it's then the only model that supports touch, a feature the company has avoided for so long. It's expected that this model will sit above current M5 Pro and M5 Max model, and might also see the debut of the new M6 chip.

The Ultra name is expected to be introduced across Apple products, with the iPhone Ultra the anticipated name for the folding phone. We could also see an iPad Ultra and AirPods Ultra in the future to create a new super class of Apple devices.

According to 9to5Mac, the new MacBook Ultra could come in 14.3 and 16.3-inch sizes, while the new panel might allow for slimmer packaging than the Mini-LED panels in the current Pro models.

By the end of 2026, Apple could have effectively topped and tailed its MacBook line, with the Neo at the bottom and Ultra at the top, providing a wider choice of models and price points than ever before.

You can now drive your own car like you're in Mario Kart thanks to a recent update from Nintendo that brings compatibility with Apple CarPlay.

The Nintendo Music app has been updated (via 9to5Mac), so that it can now be used in CarPlay. That means you can fire up the Mario Kart soundtrack while you're driving just like you're in the game.

Of course, you'll need to make sure that you don't actually drive like you're in Mario Kart, or you're unlikely to stay on the road for long. And we don't condone throwing bananas out of the window, either.

The update to Nintendo Music also includes Siri integration, while there's a dedicated iPad app now as well, meaning you don't have to use the upscaled iPhone app.

Siri integration means that you can search for songs using your voice so it's easier to find the track that you're looking for.

It's not just Apple that benefits, it's also available in Android Auto.

To use the Nintendo Music app you'll need Nintendo Switch Online membership, while the tracks covered include hits from NES right up to the latest Switch 2 games.

That includes Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Super Mario, Wii Sports, Donkey Kong and more.

There are also some interesting features, such as the ability to extend a song for up to an hour loop of the soundtrack. That's just what happens in games and some might find that it makes for great concentration or relaxation music.

For those wanting to avoid spoilers you can omit particular games, while fans of Animal Crossing will be excited by the fact you can match the music to the time of day.

The Nintendo Music app remains something of an anomaly, but there are plenty of fans who appreciate it, with lots of positive reviews. It's certainly cheaper than the Legend of Zelda LP, that's for sure.

So when you're not playing Mario Kart on your Nintendo Switch 2, you can just fire up the soundtrack in your car and bring a little fun to the drive.

Apple could be looking at using liquid metal in the construction of the new iPhone Ultra folding phone. It's thought that it could be used for the hinge.

The details come from a leak on Weibo, but let's just clear something up before imaginations run wild: this isn't liquid metal like the T1000 in Terminator films, able to keep its form while transfiguring into different shapes a normal temperatures.

Instead, liquid metal is an amorphous alloy where the atoms form a disorganised structure rather than a crystalline grid like traditional metals. That allows it to be formed into complex shapes and it allows greater flexibility in manufacturing.

It's called liquid metal because it behaves more like a liquid and it's something that Apple has been interested in for a long time. Indeed, rumours that Apple would use liquid metal for its folding phone appeared in 2025 and was even discussed in 2010 by the likes of Cult of Mac.

The tech has also been referred to as metal glass.

The aim would be to make the hinge lighter and stronger, while being able to form the complex shapes needed and to ensure durability. Liquid metal is a good application for this and Apple won't be the first to use it: it's already used by Oppo.

While the hinge is often highlighted as a point of failure for folding phones, there are two parts to consider. There's the mechanical hinge itself and then there's the display that sits over it. In the folding phones I've owned (or rather my wife has owned) the screen has failed through delamination of the screen at the point of bending.

That could perhaps be aided by producing a stronger hinge that better supports the display from the rear. Oppo's approach here is interesting for exactly that, because it uses a 3D scanning and liquid printing technique to flatten out the hinge and produce a "no crease" hinge.

Apple's first use of liquid metal was to produce a SIM tray tool for the iPad, but since then, the company's interest in the material hasn't resulted in anything substantial – it hasn't been used in a product (that we know of).

The iPhone Ultra could change that, with a much more substantial use of the material that Apple has been interested in for more than 15 years. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be announced in September 2026.

The iPhone Ultra could feature a vapour chamber to help keep the phone cool and sustain performance over longer periods of time. That suggests Apple is positioning it with Pro level performance.

When Apple switched to aluminium in the iPhone 17 Pro models, controversially moving away from titanium, it also introduced a vapour chamber. Together, Apple said that they "efficiently move heat away from the A19 Pro chip, allowing for even higher sustained performance".

That Apple didn't use vapour chambers before might come as a surprise, as they have been common in high-end Android phones for some time.

"This breakthrough in thermal management is key to the most powerful iPhone ever created," said Apple and it looks like that's going to be repeated in the iPhone Ultra.

According to a leaker on Weibo (via 9to5Mac) Apple is going to use a vapour chamber in the iPhone Ultra, which should aid chip cooling.

This will allow the first foldable iPhone to run more intensive tasks for longer, reducing the chance of performance issues under load. It's thought that Apple will use a blend of titanium and aluminium in the device.

We've seen a flurry of leaks for the forthcoming folding phone from Apple, with dummy units starting to surface and giving us a look at the short and wide design that Apple is expected to announce.

Apple's folding phone is expected to be announced in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.

Before we get to that point though, Samsung is expected to release a similar format device, with two book-style folding phones expected on 22 July – the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Apple's first foray into the folding phone market comes some seven years after Samsung made its debut. Samsung has subsequently dominated discussion of folding phones and is expected to supply the screen that Apple will use.

The question mark that hangs over folding phones is durability, as well as the high price they attract and questionable advantages over regular phones, often being thicker, heavier and harder to use one-handed.

Exactly how Apple tackles the durability and usability of the iPhone Ultra will be the most interesting aspect over the coming year.

The smart glasses market is certainly growing, with more models released in the last 12 months than pretty much every previous year put together. But don't expect Apple to come to the table anytime soon.

Even though it is rumoured to be joining the likes of Meta and Ray-Ban, plus newcomers Samsung and Google, with its own AI-powered spectacles, a new report claims that the project has been delayed.

We're not likely to see Apple Glass until "late 2027", in fact.

According to Bloomberg's resident Apple expert, Mark Gurman, even though Apple planned to announce its own smart glasses this year and launch them early next "there have been delays".

"There have been some bumps on the road to Apple becoming an eyewear giant," he wrote in his PowerOn newsletter this weekend.

"As is often the case with major new Apple products, there have been delays. The company is now working toward launching the glasses at the end of next year, I’m told," he added.

This gives the Meta x Ray-Ban / Oakley partnership further time to strengthen its position as market leader. Even the launch of Samsung Galaxy Glass – part of the Intelligent Eyewear platform and collection announced during Google I/O – won't come until later this year.

We suspect the first Samsung glasses will be officially launch during July's Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the latest foldables, but we're not sure when they'll be available to buy as yet.

As for Apple, the other suggestion is that even what Apple Glass arrives, it could be locked to the company's ecosystem. This comes as no surprise as Apple products don't tend to work natively with Android that often.

But a delay makes sense anyway, considering Apple Intelligence has largely lagged behind rival AI systems until now. We fully expect to learn about the all-new version – powered by Google systems and Gemini – during WWDC 26 next week, but even that would have to be bedded into other devices before becoming the bedrock for a new product line.

So, if you are after a pair of smart glasses, you're best to look elsewhere at present.

Apple is expected to launch its first folding phone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026. While Apple's plans remain closely guarded, we've seen a number of recent leaks now joined by this video of a dummy model.

It's not the first dummy that we've seen of the iPhone Ultra, but this model looks a lot more advanced than the device shown off by Unbox Therapy.

The latest video was shared on X (via NotebookCheck) and shows the anticipated device, with a short but wide format. It generally matches previously leaks, but there's no telling what the source of the device is – it could easily be based on existing leaks.

That makes verification slightly tricky: all we can really tell is that this seems to have come from the factory that produced it.

Unlike the previous dummy we saw, which just appeared to be a machined shell, this latest model appears to have sections that look like screens.

The video shows a bit of a struggle to open the phone one-handed, but once opened it appears to be very floppy, suggesting the hinge in far from the hinge that Apple will actually use.

The crease in the screen also appears comical, but I suspect it's just a black plastic sheet that's in place to look like a display.

Otherwise we can see the locations of the USB-C charging port, the buttons and speakers, as well as a large camera bump on the rear of the phone. It's only a dual lens, but it's expected to make the phone thicker than any iPhone previously.

With dummy devices doing the rounds, it's no surprise that we're starting to see case manufacturers starting to flog their wares as the excitement continues to build.

While we're sure that Apple will produce a great quality device, Apple's biggest challenge will be to justify this device's use case. Flip phones are popular because get more compact and have that retro feel to them, but larger folding phones are very expensive and lack a definitive purpose – often it's just a larger display that's easier to view spreadsheets on, but that's about it.

We're expecting a lot more leaks – and speculation – before Apple actually launches its folding phone.

It feels like we've been writing about new Apple TV and HomePod mini models for years – after all, the last Apple TV 4K hit stores in 2022. However, we might finally be in the last stretch, as there's a strong indication they could arrive around the same time as new iPhone models.

After numerous delays, it looks like Apple's positive progress with the new, AI-powered Siri will result in new devices this year – with Apple TV and HomePod finally on the cards for upgrades.

According to Apple expert Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple has been holding off from refreshing each product line until the new version of Apple Intelligence was ready. And now that it is on the immediate horizon, so too are the new models.

"These refreshes have been held back for many, many months because they were designed to launch in tandem with the new Siri and Apple Intelligence updates," wrote Gurman in his latest PowerOn newsletter.

"That software is now scheduled for this fall, following numerous delays."

That suggests the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini will also arrive in the fall (autumn).

The only issue is that Gurman doesn't think the Apple TV upgrade will be that extensive: "In terms of new features, don’t expect much from the Apple TV box other than an updated chip," he added.

While that's a shame, it's understandable. The current Apple TV 4K is still one of the best streaming devices on the market – if not THE best. And although the hardware hasn't been renewed in the last four years, Apple has released regular software improvements.

It's likely the chip inside the new model will be upgraded purely to copy better with the new Apple Intelligence features. However, we might also find that the new capabilities won't run on the existing box – it runs on the A15 Bionic chipset and that's not compatible with current Apple Intelligence features, let alone new ones.

So it could be argued that the new model will be a fairly significant upgrade anyway. Also, Gurman claims the included Siri remote could be fully refreshed, albeit inside rather than its overall design.

As for the new HomePod mini, we shouldn't expect much to change in terms of design, but the S5 chip inside will similarly be swapped for one that's compatible with the all-new AI features.

Hopefully, all will become clear next week when Apple's annual developer conference kicks off. The main WWDC 26 keynote will take place on Monday 8 June and we'll be covering it all live, both from a UK perspective and from Cupertino in the States, too.

It’s been suggested a few times recently, but the more it is said, the more likely it seems.

Yet another report has claimed Apple is planning to split its iPhone launch this year with the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max still launching as usual, while the regular iPhone 18 is delayed until “early 2027”.

The report comes from Techlusive, though it also mentions the iPhone 18e being delayed until early 2027, and given the launch of the previous iPhone 16e and iPhone 17e, the iPhone 18e wouldn’t be due until early 2027 anyway.

It has never launched alongside the standard iPhone. I’m therefore going to ignore the chat about the iPhone 18e based on this report.

Why it makes total sense to have no iPhone 18

Delaying the iPhone 18 would be a big deal, however, and one that although surprising, makes a lot of sense.

It would allow Apple to focus on the premium models during its next major launch event – not just the iPhone Pro but likely the heavily rumoured folding iPhone Ultra too, which is thought to finally be arriving this year.

The Techlusive report also talks about the iPhone Air 2 not launching until early 2027, which again would be a sensible decision. It had its limelight around the September 2025 launch so it’s only fair to give the folding phone its time to shine should it arrive.

The report says analysts believe the wider launch window is “designed to ease the manufacturing pressures and to optimise supply chain logistics”.

“By splitting the launch, Apple can dedicate its 100 per cent time to its initial launch and production capacity for its most expensive iPhones. Simultaneously, the company will be able to extend the sales life of its existing catalogue during the crucial winter holiday shopping window,” it added.

None of this is confirmed by Apple, of course, so we will need to wait until September to know for sure, but in my opinion, it’s a strategy that makes complete sense and the iPhone 17 remains superb.

We thought iOS 26 and Liquid Glass were big steps forward for iPhone last year, but iOS 27 is looking like it will be even bigger, with the new Siri set to take centre stage.

It’s expected to be fully revealed at WWDC26 in June, and we’ve already seen a number of rumours and reports surrounding the new software. However, a major new leak has given us our clearest look yet at what could be coming – and it's a lot.

What is coming in iOS 27?

Via 9to5Mac, Bloomberg has published illustrated mockups of iOS 27, giving us an excellent first glimpse at the redesigned Siri experience, Siri chatbot, and more features coming to your iPhone this year.

The Bloomberg report claims the images are based on information from sources with knowledge of Apple's internal plans, though it notes the final version revealed at WWDC in June could still differ.

The big change is a completely overhauled Siri.

Rather than the familiar colourful border around your iPhone screen, Siri will now live inside the Dynamic Island. You’ll be able to trigger it in the usual way by saying "Siri" or holding the power button, but you'll see a redesigned animation appear at the top of your screen, Bloomberg says.

There's said to be a new trick too: swiping down from the top centre of the screen anywhere in iOS 27 launches a new "Search or Ask" interface for typing or speaking queries.

"From there users can launch apps, start text messages, ask about the weather, add calendar appointments, search through notes, trigger shortcuts within apps, or search the web using Apple’s new AI-powered search system, which competes with tools like Perplexity," the Bloomberg report says.

"Results are displayed in a rich text card that pops out of the Dynamic Island. Users can swipe down further to open a chatbot-style conversation inside the Siri app."

Apple will also reportedly open iOS 27 to third-party AI agents. This will go beyond its partnership with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, with the likes of Google’s Gemini and Anthropic PBC’s Claude being offered as alternatives. There will be a choice on which one you want to use, are the claims.

Elsewhere, the iPhone’s native Camera app is getting a customisable widget panel, while Photos gains new AI editing tools including Extend and Reframe that have been rumoured previously. AI grammar checking is also said to be on the way.

Nothing is official yet, of course, but WWDC kicks off on 8 June so it’s not too much longer to wait until we should see iOS 27 in all its glory

If you want to see all the leaked pictures, you can head to the Bloomberg report.

If you're frustrated that your iPhone won't play high-quality music over Bluetooth, then there's a simple solution in the form of the Acoustune ATX001. It's a USB-C accessory that can boost the Bluetooth performance of your Apple device.

Apple's problem – despite offering lossless tracks through Apple Music – is that the iPhone is limited in its support for higher quality streaming formats. It turns to AAC for its Bluetooth music and lacks support for formats and standards, such as aptX Lossless and LDAC.

These allow for higher quality streaming over a Bluetooth connections (as long as your headphones or speakers support it), which can mean that you get closer to the quality of the original track.

While many Android phones have offered Qualcomm's aptX and/or LDAC support for years, iPhone users who want more from their audio can plug the Acoustune ATX001 into their device's USB-C port and enjoy the upgrade, according to TechRadar.

The Acoustune ATX001 contains Qualcomm's QCC5181 audio chipset which can bypass and boost the audio processing powers that your phone will offer. That will allow the use of more advanced audio codecs, as long as the headphones you're using are compatible.

It's worth noting that the AirPods Max don't support aptX or LDAC either, so you're better off using something like the Sony WH-1000X series, which have long offered LDAC for a superior listening experience.

While Acoustune ATX001 will use the USB-C on your iPhone, it contains an additional USB-C of its own, so you can plug it in for charging – or indeed use it to connect to wired headphones for a better experience, with support for 24-bit/96kHz audio, a boost over the 24-bit/48kHz native support the iPhone offers.

If you are considering using wired headphones, that's not your only option as there are a number of compact DACs that could be used as an alternative, such as the iFi Go Link Max.

If you're a typical iPhone user using a pair of AirPods on your daily commute, then the upgrade probably isn't worth the bother. But, if you've invested in a good quality pair of earbuds like the Technics AZ100 and want to make use of the higher quality that they support, then the Acoustune ATX001 could be the solution.

You'll have to use the device's app to control the quality, but beyond that, it should all be plain sailing.

The Acoustune ATX001 is listed for £57 / $75 and when I tested a UK address it came up with free delivery, so it sounds like good value too.

Apple CarPlay finds itself under attack again, as Rivian's chief software officer, Wassym Bensaid, has outlined that "the possibilities now for such deep AI integration in the car make the entire CarPlay debate completely obsolete".

Rivian is one of the brands that doesn't support Apple CarPlay and has no plans to, instead preferring to develop its own software experience. As a new car manufacturer, it's taking a similar line to Tesla, choosing to offer minimal physical controls and turn of bespoke software and voice control instead.

Revealed during a winding interview on The Verge's Decoder podcast, the impact of Bensaid's position on CarPlay could reach much further than just Rivian's EVs. Bensaid is also co-CEO of Rivian's joint venture with Volkswagen to develop future EVs for the group.

Rivian's avoidance of Apple CarPlay aligns with the messages that come out of Tesla, but are also echoed by companies like BMW and Mercedes who want to own the customer experience rather than hand it over to Apple.

That's thought to be one of the leading barriers to CarPlay Ultra adoption in cars: manufacturers don't want to lose that connection with customers.

Rivian goes on to say that the decision to avoid Apple CarPlay is backed by its own data: "Five years ago when we first shipped the R1T and the R1S, the number one request from customers was CarPlay. We did all sorts of surveys with customers at the time, and more than 70% were requesting CarPlay."

That position has changed, however: "In the recent survey, that number is less than 25% because with the level of features that we have shipped to customers, level of end-to-end integration, and the level of convenience that we are bringing, CarPlay or Android Auto is no longer the topic of discussion."

While on the surface that suggests that Rivian is doing the right thing in developing alternative solutions, it's not clear whether that drop to 25% is driven by changing attitudes of car buyers, or if existing Rivian owners have just got used to not having access to Apple's systems.

Returning to the point about AI, Bensaid's position is that AI integration can do all the things that you might want CarPlay to do, while advancements in voice interaction allows for much better control.

In the past, voice systems developed by car manufacturers were pretty poor and very limited in the commands that they understood. The likes of Google Assistant changed that, but with the advent of modern AI, there are much greater opportunities.

That perhaps doesn't account for easy and familiar access to your favourite apps, but Bensaid's argument is that voice and AI – especially with agentic powers – is a better experience:

"I deeply believe that voice has the chance to be the primary interface in the car. I also think that buttons can exist, but they shouldn’t be the primary way with which you interact with the car. I think there’s more that is possible with voice since you can do more than one single function."

While that seems to be the future of Rivian – podcast host Nilay Patel talks about having long discussions with the AI in the car – it will be interesting to see how this lands with Volkswagen. Based on user feedback, Volkswagen has just performed a significant u-turn, restoring buttons to its latest ID models, to improve the driver experience.

This looks like a debate that's going to continue to divide the driving community.

The iPhone Ultra might have been exposed thanks to case makers, with images leaking showing the rumoured Apple folding phone from many angles – including the screen.

This type of leak isn't rare, but it should be approached with caution. Before a device is launched, the measurements are supplied to accessory manufacturers so they can make cases and avoid the delay of not being able to support the device as soon as it launches.

Those measurements often feed into the rumour cycle to produce renders of the device before it is released – and sometimes that comes in the form of a device in a case, which is what we have here, shared by Phone Arena.

What's not always clear is whether the phone that we see is based on Apple's details, or if it comes from the same leaks that have been widely reported, with the case manufacturer – in this case iFunSmart – coming up with a few designs in advance.

With all that considered, we're left looking at a case for Apple's iPhone Ultra, the latest name associated with the folding phone.

As this phone folds, this case clips to the front and the back, providing all-round protection, but we get a good look at the two cameras on the rear and the wide aspect cover and main display.

Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold models, Apple is thought to be looking at a device that's more like a folding iPad than most folding phones that have come before.

There's no notch shown on the screen, as it's expected that Apple will use a fingerprint scanner in the power button, like the iPad. There are two buttons on the "top" of the phone, which are likely volume controls.

The case boasts that it has powerful magnets integrated, there to support the MagSafe functions that the phone is expected to offer. That's about all there is to extract from these images.

In recent leaks, it has been claimed that the device will be 9.23mm thick when folded, suggesting it will be less than 5mm thick when unfolded.

While Apple is working on this wider phone, we've already seen a similar format device announced by Huawei, while Samsung is expected to announce a wider Galaxy Z Fold model on 22 July.

Apple's entry into the folding phone segment will certainly shake things up and provide iPhone owners with a folding option to get to grips with – but what we're really excited to see is what unique functions it offers, something that's been lacking from other folding phones.

Apple’s Image Playground has been around since Apple Intelligence was first introduced in December 2024, when iOS 18.2 was released.

It’s Apple’s answer to the multiple AI-image generation apps that exist, offering users the ability to create images on-device, though the quality of the results is a little underwhelming compared to competing image-generating tools.

What improvements can we expect for Image Playground?

But, that could be about to change. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple has significantly improved the underlying models powering both Genmoji and Image Playground. He claims quality set to receive a "big boost" when iOS 27 arrives later this year.

It will be welcome news for anyone who has created a Genmoji or played around with Image Playground over the past 18 months and thought the results could be better.

Genmoji has generally been considered passable, but Image Playground could certainly improve. In their defence, both tools run on-device models, which naturally come with limitations, though it remains to be seen whether that will still be the case after iOS 27's improvements.

Gurman also said the quality upgrade isn't the only improvement coming. It’s previously been rumoured that iOS 27 will introduce suggested Genmoji based on your photo library, which should make the feature feel a lot more personal and useful day-to-day.

And Image Playground is set to expand its support for third-party AI models. It already works with ChatGPT for image creation, so perhaps it could soon support Google's Nano Banana models and other competitors, too.

Nothing is officially confirmed as yet, of course, but with WWDC 2026 just around the corner on 8 June, we at least don’t have long to wait to see exactly what Apple has in store, not just for Image Playground but Apple Intelligence in general.

Apple could equip future iPhone models with Google Cast to meet demands from the European Union's DMA. That will mean that other beaming protocols will be supported alongside Apple AirPlay.

The EU's Digital Markets Act includes a section about interoperability, designed to force "gatekeepers" (in this case Apple) to allow other providers access to hardware and software features on devices.

It's designed to ensure that choices remain open and that brands can't effectively monopolise their device by denying service parity. That clause is comically article 6(7).

While Apple has offered its own AirPlay service for many years, support for other protocols has been contained to within apps, rather than across the device as a whole. The change – coming in iOS 27 could give the option to change the default sharing option to something other than AirPlay.

That's according to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who refers to the move as "extreme requirements from the European Union's Digital Markets Act".

Apple AirPlay allows iPhone owners to mirror the device or device content (like music or video) on another screen or speaker. Google Cast basically does the same thing, the difference being that some receiver devices don't support AirPlay (just as some don't support Google Cast).

However, Google Cast is widely offered – especially on more affordable devices – so the addition of the option for iPhone users could be a great benefit. That might only come to devices in the EU, however, rather than being a global change.

Whether it's actually a useful feature will depend on how you use your device. While Google Cast was a great option for streaming media over the last decade, it's now fairly easy to access content directly on the device you're using, without needing a phone.

Exceptions include photos and self-made videos, with Google Cast and Apple AirPlay great options for sharing holiday photos and home videos with friends and family.

The biggest change expected with iOS 27 is the relaunch of Apple Intelligence and Siri, but this time powered by Google's Gemini, with Google's technology seeping into Apple's flagship device.

The gap between Android and iOS certainly seems to be narrowing.

It's no secret that the camera quality of phones has gotten better and better over the years. It's a big part of the reason why many have ditched owning a 'proper' camera, with the ease of having it in your pocket worth more than the increased resolution.

But just how good are they really? Well, we're about to find out, as Apple TV is putting the iPhone 17 Pro to the test in a big way.

This weekend, the MLS fixture between LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo will be filmed entirely using those devices, for the first time ever. That's not a typo – there won't be a professional broadcast camera hidden just out of sight, just a stack of the same iPhone you could go out and buy.

The brand has been incorporating the devices into its workflow for a few month now, kicking off with some of its baseball coverage in September 2025. However, those are normally part of a larger slew of more professional kit.

So, will it work? Well, there's only one way to find out – tune in and watch the game on Saturday at 7:30pm PT (3:30am BST).

The game is available to watch for Apple TV subscribers in over 100 countries, and I suspect this one might see higher viewing figures than most, given the interest in the technology. Anyone who isn't already subscribed can sign up for a one-week free trial, just in time to catch the game.

Personally, I'm really excited to see this. While there are all manner of examples of 'good enough' footage from phones, this is one of the first like-for-like tests with real-world significance.

If the output is up to par with professional systems – or, at the very least, not so far behind that the average Joe notices something wrong – it could make it much easier to showcase a wide variety of content without such significant overheads.

Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, is a couple of weeks away and we're therefore close to finding out all the new features and capabilities coming to our devices.

That includes iPhone, Mac and iPad, of course, but also the likes of the Vision Pro and Apple TV 4K. Indeed, Apple isn't even waiting until WWDC 26 to reveal one new feature it'll be adding to its streaming box later this year – it's announced details already.

In lieu of a new Apple TV 4K model, which may or may not debut in the coming months, at least existing versions will be getting a neat new trick.

Coming as part of tvOS 27 – likely this September – will be a new larger text feature. This will give you the ability to increase the onscreen text size to make it easier to read. It will affect all aspects of the Apple TV 4K experience – at least when it comes to Apple's own apps and services.

Some third-party apps may adopt it too.

As someone whose sight is gradually getting worse as I get older, this is a godsend. And I'm far from alone.

You will be able to increase and decrease the onscreen text size to your own preferences, thanks to a new slider bar in the settings. This will be particularly helpful for those who have smaller TVs and/or failing eyesight, and you can adjust the setting further as needed over time.

The new feature will be part of additional accessibility options being added across Apple devices. These include new measures to help reduce motion sickness when wearing Vision Pro in a vehicle, touch accommodations in iOS and iPadOS, and better compatibility with hearing aids.

There will be plenty of other new features too, some of which we should find out about during the WWDC 26 keynote address on Monday 8 June – Tim Cook's last as CEO.

We'll bring you all the news as it happens.

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 arrived last year with a handful of meaningful upgrades, including improved sound, longer battery life and built-in heart rate tracking. Apple has also redesigned the earbuds, although the changes won’t work for everyone.

After my initial tests, I wasn't 100% happy with the buds' design, and, if I'm 100% honest, I still prefer the AirPods Pro 2 to their successors for long-term wear. However, it's undeniable that the new model is better in almost every conceivable way, from sound to ANC and beyond.

I've been testing the AirPods Pro 3 on and off since its launch, and even though I can't say I'm just as impressed with them as I was with their predecessors, I can certainly see their appeal. Sure, you might often find me sporting my purple Apple AirPods Max 2, but when I need something more subtle, the AirPods Pro 3 will do.

As you've probably already guessed, the AirPods Pro 3 might not be the best of the best noise-cancelling headphones, but I'm confident many people will find what they are looking for in them. Should you upgrade? Let's find out.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

Price and availability

The AirPods Pro 3 were launched in September 2025 and are available to purchase now directly from Apple UK, Apple US, and Apple AU, with prices starting at £219/ $249/ €249/ A$429.

They are cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2 were when they launched in the UK. The AirPods Pro 2 originally sold for £249, and the USB-C version knocked that down to £229. In other regions, the price remained the same, at $249/€249/A$429.

Design and build quality

At first glance, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 don’t look radically different from their predecessor, but Apple has made several subtle tweaks to the shape and fit.

Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 redesign was intended to improve fit, comfort and stability through changes such as a deeper nozzle angle, new foam-infused ear tips and revised acoustic architecture.

According to the company’s official launch materials, the new shape was specifically created to improve fit, stability and passive noise isolation. Apple claims the redesign was informed by “over 10,000 ear scans” and “more than 100,000 hours of user research.”

The brand also explained that the internal architecture was “completely re-engineered” to make each earbud smaller internally, while changing the external geometry and ear tip alignment to increase stability during activities like running and HIIT workouts.

In practice, and unlike the AirPods Pro 2, which sat neatly and almost flush inside my ears, the new model protrudes more noticeably and feels bulkier.

As a result, I struggled to achieve the same secure fit as before, especially during movement, with the earbuds feeling less “locked in” than the previous generation.

Swapping to the largest ear tips improves passive isolation and helps the ANC perform better, but introduces discomfort during longer listening sessions.

Build quality, however, remains predictably excellent. The earbuds still feel premium, lightweight and durable, with the same polished Apple finish and pocketable charging case people expect from the brand.

Features

Thanks to the new H3 chip, for the first time on a pair of AirPods, the AirPods Pro 3 lets you record workout heart rate data directly from the earbuds without needing to wear an Apple Watch, immediately making the buds feel more connected to Apple’s wider health and fitness ecosystem.

In practice, the feature worked surprisingly well during runs and gym sessions. I wouldn’t replace a dedicated chest strap or sports watch with it, but for casual fitness tracking and general workout data, it felt accurate enough to be genuinely useful.

Apple also introduced a new Live Translation feature, which is... fine, I guess, but nothing revolutionary. Not yet, anyway! If you think you can pop the buds in and chat with a Spanish-speaking friend on a busy street, you will be bitterly disappointed.

The AirPods Pro 3 hasn't ushered in the Babel Fish moment, but it certainly shows in which direction the technology is headed. Once companies like Apple can reduce response time (e.g., real-time translation) and isolate the voice of the person speaking to you, things will be different.

Apart from this, the ecosystem integration remains as seamless as ever. Pairing is instant, device switching is effortless, and all the small Apple conveniences people expect are present and working flawlessly. If you already use Apple hardware daily, the AirPods Pro 3 slot into that ecosystem almost invisibly.

Audio performance

Apple makes some huge claims about the audio performance of the Apple AirPods Pro 3, saying the earbuds deliver “the world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation” and up to twice the noise reduction of the previous generation thanks to the new acoustic architecture, updated microphones and computational audio enhancements.

In some areas, I can absolutely see where those claims are coming from. Sound quality is excellent here, with the AirPods Pro 3 producing a clean, balanced and detailed sound signature that works brilliantly across different genres.

Apple says the redesigned internal airflow system and next-generation Adaptive EQ improve bass response and instrument separation, and, in practice, the earbuds do sound more spacious and refined overall.

Apple’s Adaptive Audio system dynamically blends ANC and transparency depending on your surroundings, and the effect feels remarkably natural in day-to-day use. External sounds come through with almost eerie realism at times, to the point where I repeatedly forgot I was even wearing earbuds.

Where things became more complicated for me was active noise cancellation. Despite Apple’s confidence about the upgraded ANC performance, I actually found the AirPods Pro 2 more effective in real-world environments.

The new earbuds never formed quite the same seal in my ears, which meant external noise crept in more noticeably during commuting and in busy indoor settings.

I suspect part of that comes down to the redesigned fit rather than the ANC system itself. Apple says the updated shape and new foam-infused ear tips improve passive isolation and stability, but, in my case, the opposite happened. The largest ear tips improved isolation somewhat, but also became uncomfortable during longer listening sessions.

So while the underlying audio tech here is clearly impressive, and the sound quality itself is arguably the best Apple has delivered in a pair of earbuds so far, the overall listening experience felt slightly compromised by the new fit.

Battery life and charging

Apple claims the Apple AirPods Pro 3 offer up to eight hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled, alongside up to 36 hours in total when using the charging case, a noticeable improvement over the previous generation and one of the more meaningful everyday upgrades introduced by the new H3 chip.

During testing, the battery performance largely lived up to those claims. I found myself charging the earbuds less frequently than the AirPods Pro 2, especially during long workdays and extended listening sessions.

The efficiency improvements aren’t dramatic enough to completely change how you use the earbuds, but they do make the overall experience feel less interrupted.

The case supports USB-C charging alongside wireless charging options, and it integrates seamlessly into Apple’s broader accessory ecosystem. Fast charging is still impressively convenient too, with short top-ups delivering enough battery life for several hours of playback.

Verdict

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are a slightly frustrating product because, in many ways, they’re objectively better than their predecessor.

The new H3 chip delivers excellent sound quality, battery life is noticeably stronger, and features such as heart rate tracking help the earbuds feel more tightly integrated into Apple’s growing health ecosystem. Transparency Mode also remains astonishingly good and continues to set the benchmark for the category.

At the same time, the redesigned fit simply didn’t work as well for me as the AirPods Pro 2. The earbuds never felt quite as secure or comfortable, and that had a direct impact on ANC performance in real-world use. Apple clearly had good intentions with the redesign, but, in my experience, the changes created as many compromises as improvements.

If you’re upgrading from older AirPods, these are excellent earbuds. If you already own the AirPods Pro 2, especially the USB-C version, the decision feels much less straightforward.

Also consider

The Sony WF-1000XM6 are probably the closest non-Apple equivalent to the AirPods Pro 3. They combine excellent audio quality with class-leading noise cancellation, strong battery life and broad Android/iOS compatibility. Unlike Apple’s earbuds, though, you don’t need to be fully invested in one ecosystem to unlock their best features.

If you want premium ANC and a more universally comfortable fit without paying AirPods Pro 3 money, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are a strong option. They don’t lock you into an ecosystem, work brilliantly across iOS and Android, and deliver a warmer, more immersive sound signature than Apple’s earbuds.