Are you ready to upgrade your listening experience to the world’s best in-ear Active Noice Cancellation?

You’re in luck! We’re giving away the AirPods Pro 3 to one lucky winner.

AirPods Pro 3 deliver rich, immersive audio in a compact, wireless design that fits effortlessly into your everyday life. With Active Noise Cancellation, you can tune out distractions and focus on what matters — whether that’s work, travel, workouts, or simply enjoying your favorite playlist. Need to stay aware of your surroundings? Transparency mode makes it easy to hear what’s happening around you without removing your earbuds.

Better yet, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver a spatial listening experience with high definition, three-dimensional audio. They even track your heart rate and calories burned during workouts with all-new heart rate sensing. Are you a globe-trotter? Live Translation will help you communicate across multiple languages. The AirPods Pro 3 also comes with Hearing Aid capability and automatic Conversation Boost. To top it off, there’s 67% more battery life in Transparency mode and up to 8 hours listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation.

Designed for comfort and performance, AirPods Pro feature customizable silicone tips for a secure fit, seamless Apple device pairing, and intuitive touch controls. From taking calls to switching songs to activating Siri, everything is smooth and instant.

AirPods Pro 3 Specifications

1. Active Noice Cancellation
2. Adaptive Audio
3. Transparency mode
4. Conversation Awareness
5. Voise Isolation
6. Personalized Volume
7. Loud Sound Reduction
8. Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
9. Hearing Test and Hearing Aid
10. Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature
11. Hearing Protection
12. Live Translation
13. Apple H2 headphone chip
14. Touch controls
15. Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) both AirPods Pro and charging case
16. 1.22 inches x .76 inces x 1.06 inches
17. .2 ounce
18. Up to 8 hours listening time on a single charge
19. Bluetooth 5.3

Apple AirPods Pro 3 Giveaway

This is not our only giveaway.  Make sure to see all our giveaways here!

Please note that neither these giveaways nor Mactrast is affiliated with Apple, Inc.

Apple on Tuesday seeded the third public beta of its upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate update. Registered public beta testers can download the new beta software through the System Settings app. Just go to: System Settings -> General -> Software Update and toggling on the macOS 27 beta.

macOS 27 introduces the new Siri‌ AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”

Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.

A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, Visual Intelligence capabilities are now on the Mac. Siri‌ can now answer questions about what’s on your screen, and a Write with ‌Siri‌ feature lets ‌Siri‌ generate text or offer feedback on your writing.

There are Apple Intelligence photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, AI can automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app can now generate photorealistic images.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Mac. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Tuesday seeded the third public beta releases of its upcoming iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 operating systems for the iPhone and iPad, respectively. The public seeds allow anyone with a compatible device to test the software. The third betas come two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas.

Registered public beta testers can download the public betas from the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.

‌iOS 27‌ introduces the new Siri‌ AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”

Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.

A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, will offer expanded Visual Intelligence capabilities, and even offer integrated writing tools. Siri will offer detailed, engaging responses in a natural back-and-forth conversation.

There are also new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Passwords, Safari, Shortcuts, and Wallet, as well as a standalone ‌Siri‌ app that houses ‌Siri‌ conversations. Write with ‌Siri‌ is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new ‌Siri‌ mode.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver iPhone or iPad. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Tuesday seeded the third public beta releases of its upcoming tvOS 27 and watchOS 27 operating systems to testers. A new HomePod Software 27 beta is also available for the ‌HomePod‌ and HomePod mini.

Registered public beta testers can download the public betas from the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.

tvOS 27

tvOS 27 brings only a few new features, including a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center. AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is also faster, and apps and animations are smoother. AppleCare coverage details are now available in the Settings app.

watchOS 27

watchOS 27 drops support for the the following Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra. It is only compatible with the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3

watchOS brings several new features to the Apple Watch.

With this beta, Apple adds support for Siri AI and the ‌Siri‌ app, allowing Apple Watch users to now use the features right from their wrist.

The Dynamic App Grid that pops up when the Digital Crown is pressed now displays the ‌Siri‌ app in the center, providing access to the smarter version of ‌Siri‌.

‌Siri‌ AI on Apple Watch relies on being linked to an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone for processing. Conversations in the ‌Siri‌ app on Apple Watch sync to the ‌Siri‌ app across all other devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Siri

The headlining feature at WWDC 2026 this year is of course, Siri AI, and the Apple Watch has not been left out of the fun.

Users can ask open-ended questions directly from their wrist, as well as brainstorm ideas and continue conversations across multiple responses.

Siri can also use information stored across notes and other personal content to answer questions.

New Gesture Controls for Smart Stack

A new tap gesture allows users to select a widget in the Smart Stack by tapping their thumb and index finger together once to select widgets and access information with one hand. Smart Stack suggestions now surface more contextually relevant widgets.

Users can also create custom passes for any membership or card that uses a QR code or barcode and access it directly from the Apple Watch’s Wallet app or pin it to the Smart Stack. Transit cards and IDs will also appear in the Smart Stack.

Dynamic App Grid

The new dynamic app grid surfaces and rearranges five apps based on context and usage. Users can simply tap the bottom center icon to go to the rest of their apps.

Liquid Glass

Liquid Glass in watchOS 27 has been improved, offering better readability, with more uniform refraction and better contrast.

Find My

Find My on the Apple Watch is completely redesigned, providing a more map-centric layout, while consolidating the Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items apps into a single unified view.

watchOS 27 also brings more flexible sharing options within ‌Find My‌, offering users greater control over how they share their location and item tracking with other users.

New Call Context Feature

A new Call Context feature proactively provides relevant information from other apps during a phone call to a business, including displaying such information as a confirmation code from Mail when a user calls an airline.

Fitness, Workout, and Sleep Tracking

watchOS 27 also brings a large number of fitness, workout, and sleep tracking improvements.

Workout Buddy is gains new data-driven motivation features, delivering progress updates for pace, distance, and workout duration based on a user’s fitness history. Workout Buddy can now function without a nearby iPhone. Workout Buddy is also expanding to Spanish, meaning Spanish-speaking users can now receive personalized fitness motivation in their preferred language.

Indoor run and walk distance tracking is also more accurate in watchOS 27, thanks to improved motion tracking algorithms, without requiring a connected iPhone. Route maps in the Fitness app are also receiving an accuracy improvement.

Sleep tracking is also more accurate, though Apple has not yet detailed what changes it has made for the improvements. The update also brings a step count sync fix.

Other Improvements

Other improvements include faster app extension launches, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, faster Music playback startup, better battery efficiency with suggested optimizations, more efficient water detection, Guest Key support, and the ability to view card balances in the Wallet app.

The settings interface in the Apple Watch app on iPhone also features a new design.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Apple TV or Vision Pro. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

The DRAM shortage is spurring Apple to scale back its hardware shipment plans for 2026, says Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo‘s comment comes in a longer post disputing a recent report that TSMC has $1 billion of unpackaged processors waiting for memory chips that Apple has not yet been able to secure. Kuo states that Apple plans processor production at least three months in advance, based on the amount of memory it expects to be available, meaning TSMC does not have to build large numbers of wafers ahead of time.

Kuo said He believes there are indeed memory shortages, but no situation where TSMC is sitting on unused inventory.

A recent media report claims that tight DRAM supply has left TSMC holding around US$1 billion worth of Apple 2nm processor work-in-process (WIP), described in the report as “processor wafers,” that cannot yet be packaged. As supporting evidence, it points to TSMC’s 2Q26 earnings…

— 郭明錤｜Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) August 10, 2026

We have seen memory shortages affect the Mac Studio, Mac mini, and MacBook Air, and ongoing supply problems will likely also impact the availability of upcoming iPhone models. This is due to memory manufacturers redirecting their output to AI data centers, because those chips are more profitable, meaning there is less capacity available for consumer device memory and storage chips.

The lack of supply has driven prices up and Apple raised prices on all of its Macs and iPads in June. iPhone prices are widely expected to increase in September. The iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the “iPhone Ultra,” are expected to sell out during the pre-order period, due to memory shortages.

The fifth beta of iOS 27, released on Monday, brings expanded voice customization options for Siri AI. Now, Pace and Expressivity can be adjusted for more voice options than the original two American voices.

iOS 27 now offers the ability to customize different Pace and Expressivity settings for seven American voice options and four British voices. Pace changes talking speed of Siri, while expressivity changes emphasis.

You’ll need an iPhone 17 Pro, ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max, or iPhone Air to use voice customization on an iPhone, as Siri‌ AI voice customization is done on-device, so it is only available for newer iPhones.

The feature is also available on Macs with an M3 chip or newer and at least 12GB RAM, and the M4 iPad Pro and newer, also with at least 12GB RAM.

The fifth beta of iOS 27, released to developers on Monday, includes hidden code referencing six unreleased iPhones, although regular readers shouldn’t be surprised at the names of the new models.

Macworld reports that the following references are said to have been found alongside references to existing iPhone models, in system files associated with the iPhone’s battery drivers and Battery Intelligence features:

• V62 — iPhone Air 2
• V63 — iPhone 18 Pro
• V64 — iPhone 18 Pro Max
• V67 — iPhone 18
• V68 — iPhone Ultra
• V69 — iPhone 18e

This is the first time we seen the full iPhone 18 lineup mentioned in iOS 27 beta code. It should be noted that the discovered references are the codes in bold in the above list, excluding the names (which are inferred). These internal Apple identifiers have appeared in previous leaks or have been mentioned by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman in his reports.

Apple is taking a bit of a different approach to the launch of its iPhone 18 lineup, trying out a split-launch strategy with the the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Ultra debuting in September. The regular iPhone 18 will be unveiled in spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2.

Apple today released new betas of iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2, which are available to developers and public beta testers. The iOS and iPadOS 26.6.1 betas come two weeks after the launch of iOS 26.6, while the macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta comes just a few days after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.6.1, another security update.

Registered developers and public beta testers can download the iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.

Apple’s release notes say iOS 26.6.1 and iPadOS 26.6.1 includes security fixes for the iPhone and iPad. The macOS Tahoe‌ 26.6.2 beta includes security fixes for the Mac. The updates are available in a beta capacity only right now.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Monday seeded the fifth betas of its upcoming iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 updates to developers for testing. The new betas come two weeks after Apple released the fourth beta seeds.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 beta software using the Software Update section of the Settings app.

‌iOS 27‌ introduces the new Siri‌ AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”

Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.

A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, will offer expanded Visual Intelligence capabilities, and even offer integrated writing tools. Siri will offer detailed, engaging responses in a natural back-and-forth conversation.

There are also new Apple Intelligence features in apps like Photos, Passwords, Safari, Shortcuts, and Wallet, as well as a standalone ‌Siri‌ app that houses ‌Siri‌ conversations. Write with ‌Siri‌ is available systemwide for generating text or offering feedback on your writing, and Visual Intelligence has been relocated to the Camera app with a new ‌Siri‌ mode.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver iPhone or iPad. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Monday seeded the fifth developer beta of its upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate update. The new beta comes two weeks after the fourth beta.

Registered developers can download the new beta software through the System Settings app. The ‌macOS 27 Golden Gate beta is currently limited to developers, but it will likely be seeded to public beta testers in July.

macOS 27 introduces the new Siri‌ AI, powered by “next-generation Apple Intelligence.” Apple says the new version of Siri is “profoundly more intelligent, knowledgeable, and capable.”

Siri AI will boast personal context understanding, broad world knowledge, and onscreen awareness, allowing users to find what they need at that point in time. The new Siri will be able to answer questions using the web for most any topic, and can use relevant information drawn from a user’s personal messages, emails, photos, and more.

A dedicated Siri app, also powered by Apple Intelligence, will allow users to revisit conversations from across their devices, Visual Intelligence capabilities are now on the Mac. Siri‌ can now answer questions about what’s on your screen, and a Write with ‌Siri‌ feature lets ‌Siri‌ generate text or offer feedback on your writing.

There are Apple Intelligence photo editing tools in the Photos app, AI tab organization in Safari, AI can automatically update weak passwords in the Passwords app, and a revamped Image Playground app can now generate photorealistic images.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Mac. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Monday seeded the fifth beta releases of its upcoming tvOS 27 and watchOS 27 operating systems to developers for testing. Registered developers can install the betas from the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.

tvOS 27

tvOS 27 brings only a few new features, including a redesigned Podcasts app, options for larger text, and a more responsive Control Center. AirPlaying to an ‌Apple TV‌ from another Apple device is also faster, and apps and animations are smoother. AppleCare coverage details are now available in the Settings app.

watchOS 27

watchOS 27 drops support for the the following Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra. It is only compatible with the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch Ultra 3

watchOS brings several new features to the Apple Watch.

With this beta, Apple adds support for Siri AI and the ‌Siri‌ app, allowing Apple Watch users to now use the features right from their wrist.

The Dynamic App Grid that pops up when the Digital Crown is pressed now displays the ‌Siri‌ app in the center, providing access to the smarter version of ‌Siri‌.

‌Siri‌ AI on Apple Watch relies on being linked to an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone for processing. Conversations in the ‌Siri‌ app on Apple Watch sync to the ‌Siri‌ app across all other devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Siri

The headlining feature at WWDC 2026 this year is of course, Siri AI, and the Apple Watch has not been left out of the fun.

Users can ask open-ended questions directly from their wrist, as well as brainstorm ideas and continue conversations across multiple responses.

Siri can also use information stored across notes and other personal content to answer questions.

New Gesture Controls for Smart Stack

A new tap gesture allows users to select a widget in the Smart Stack by tapping their thumb and index finger together once to select widgets and access information with one hand. Smart Stack suggestions now surface more contextually relevant widgets.

Users can also create custom passes for any membership or card that uses a QR code or barcode and access it directly from the Apple Watch’s Wallet app or pin it to the Smart Stack. Transit cards and IDs will also appear in the Smart Stack.

Dynamic App Grid

The new dynamic app grid surfaces and rearranges five apps based on context and usage. Users can simply tap the bottom center icon to go to the rest of their apps.

Liquid Glass

Liquid Glass in watchOS 27 has been improved, offering better readability, with more uniform refraction and better contrast.

Find My

Find My on the Apple Watch is completely redesigned, providing a more map-centric layout, while consolidating the Find Devices, Find People, and Find Items apps into a single unified view.

watchOS 27 also brings more flexible sharing options within ‌Find My‌, offering users greater control over how they share their location and item tracking with other users.

New Call Context Feature

A new Call Context feature proactively provides relevant information from other apps during a phone call to a business, including displaying such information as a confirmation code from Mail when a user calls an airline.

Fitness, Workout, and Sleep Tracking

watchOS 27 also brings a large number of fitness, workout, and sleep tracking improvements.

Workout Buddy is gains new data-driven motivation features, delivering progress updates for pace, distance, and workout duration based on a user’s fitness history. Workout Buddy can now function without a nearby iPhone. Workout Buddy is also expanding to Spanish, meaning Spanish-speaking users can now receive personalized fitness motivation in their preferred language.

Indoor run and walk distance tracking is also more accurate in watchOS 27, thanks to improved motion tracking algorithms, without requiring a connected iPhone. Route maps in the Fitness app are also receiving an accuracy improvement.

Sleep tracking is also more accurate, though Apple has not yet detailed what changes it has made for the improvements. The update also brings a step count sync fix.

Other Improvements

Other improvements include faster app extension launches, improved Wi-Fi connectivity, faster Music playback startup, better battery efficiency with suggested optimizations, more efficient water detection, Guest Key support, and the ability to view card balances in the Wallet app.

The settings interface in the Apple Watch app on iPhone also features a new design.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Apple TV or Apple Watch. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple on Monday seeded the fifth beta release of its upcoming visionOS 27 operating system to developers. The new beta comes two weeks after the release of the fourth beta.

Registered developers can download the new betas from the Software Update section of the Settings app on their Vision Pro.

What’s New in visionOS 27

Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features now seem more integrated with the visionOS platform than in previous versions. Vision Pro user can now query Siri about anything in their surroundings, and the assistant will use Visual Intelligence to see it, identify it, and interpret it in real time, answering questions and providing contextual information about it.

When summoning Siri, a 3D orb will appear that can be placed anywhere in the user’s virtual space. Just looking at the orb can launch a conversation. The new Siri app also makes it easier to refer to previous conversations and interactions.

Panorama photos can now be turned into immersive spatial environments. Panoramas are no longer viewed as flat images. Instead, users can now step into them, experiencing added depth and realism.

Apple says visionOS 27 significantly improves wireless performance, with speeds up to three times faster than before.

A new extra-small widget size allows users to place more widgets throughout their physical space without overwhelming their environment.

A new Web Environments feature allows developers to use a new immersive API to launch users into a full 360-degree environment from within Safari.

Mac owners can now preview and edit 3D models from their laptop directly in visionOS. Meanwhile, Quick Look enhancements allow for annotations to be added directly to 3D models.

Control Center has been reorganized with dedicated sections for notifications and media playback, system controls, and immersive environments.

Notifications will now automatically expand when a user looks at them, providing quicker access to information.

Apps such as Apple TV, Safari, and others now sport new curved window layouts that wrap content around a user’s field of view, creating a more immersive workspace to make better use of Vision Pro’s virtual display area.

A new immersive environment, based on Thórsmörk, a nature reserve in Iceland known for its dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers, is now available.

New frameworks, APIs, and tools are now available to assist developers in building more advanced spatial experiences.

As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver Vision Pro. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.

Apple TV+ and Major League Baseball have announced the September 2026 schedule for Friday Night Baseball, the weekly doubleheader of MLB games streamed on Apple TV+. The slate includes the first “Friday Night Baseball” live games broadcast in Immersive Video on Apple Vision Pro.

For the first time, baseball fans can take in all the action of “Friday Night Baseball” live in Apple Immersive on Apple Vision Pro, leveraging 3D video recorded in 8K with a 180-degree field of view. On August 28, viewers with Vision Pro will experience the iconic Red Sox vs. Yankees rivalry from unique camera angles that place viewers right in the game, immersed in the drama of each at-bat, the celebrations in the dugout after a big hit, close plays at the outfield wall, and more.

The experience features bespoke commentary from Paul Severino (play-by-play), Xavier Scruggs (analyst), and Michelle Margaux (sideline reporter); dedicated replays; and an immersive graphics package that includes team lineups and stats floating in the viewer’s space. During breaks in the action, the broadcast remains live, immersing viewers in the stadium experience from all angles as ambisonic microphones capture sounds in Spatial Audio.

In total, Apple TV will stream four games in Immersive Video. They are:

• Friday, August 28, 7 p.m. ET: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees
• Friday, September 4, 6:30 p.m. ET: Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates
• Friday, September 11, 10 p.m. ET: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants
• Friday, September 18, 10 p.m. ET: San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers

The rest of the schedule is as follows:

September 4

• Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians @ 7 P.M. ET

September 11

• Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers @ 7:30 P.M. ET

September 18

• Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets @ 7 P.M. ET

Apple TV subscribers can watch “Friday Night Baseball” on the Apple TV app on iPhone; iPad; Apple TV 4K; Apple Vision Pro; Mac; popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others; Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices; Chromecast with Google TV; PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles; and at tv.apple.com. visit apple.com/tvpr to see the full list of supported devices.

Fans can also follow their favorite MLB teams, featuring full team stats and scores in the Apple Sports app on the iPhone. The free app allows sports fans to follow all of their favorite teams in major sports, with real-time stats, scores, and more.

Apple will likely release a new M6 MacBook Pro and updated iMacs in October, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

Gurman’s comments came in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, where he reiterated his previous claims that Apple is readying the launch of a refreshed base-model MacBook Pro with a 14-inch display powered by an M6 chip.

Apple also has a new M6 MacBook Pro and refreshed iMacs — in addition to a revamped iPad mini — in the works. But the Macs at least are more likely to debut in October, matching the typical launch schedule. Finally, the company is readying a high-end MacBook with an OLED touch screen for sometime between the end of this year and early next year. Like the foldable iPhone, that will be a groundbreaking product for Apple.

Gurman reported last month that Apple was testing the new laptops with macOS 27.1, which is scheduled for release to consumers at the end of October.

The new iMac version is likely to be an updated 24-inch model powered by an M5 chip or M6 chip. No major design changes are expected. While Apple is reportedly developing a 24-inch iMac with an OLED display, that isn’t expected to hit shelves for several years.

Original plans for Apple’s recently implemented Apple Upgrade leasing program almost offered a “white glove” option that would have loaded a customer’s data onto their new iPhone, but the idea never made it past the planning stage, reports Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

The new “Apple Upgrade” program launched in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28. The plan allows buyers to finance most most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, giving them 24-months to pay off new iPhones and Apple Watches and 36-months to pay for new iPads and Macs. Customers are allowed to pay off the device early during the term, upgrade early to a newer device, or keep the existing device after it is fully paid off.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says the concept was first discussed years ago, and Apple also considered having each year’s device arrive at the customer’s door ready to use, restored from their iCloud backup before it shipped. The final version of Apple Upgrade does not include that option.

While such an option may have proven popular among Apple customers, as setting up a new iPhone or iPad can often be a long drawn-out process, Gurman believes Apple didn’t abandon the idea over technical issues, but instead were concerned about possible privacy optics. Receiving an iPhone with thier personal account data pre-installed, may have made some customers uncomfortable, raising questions over who handles the data and how it is protected.

The Apple Watch ceramic case could be making a comeback this model year or next, and Apple is also considering a variety of radical designs of the Apple Watch lineup, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Ceramic Is Back! (Maybe)

Gurman’s comments came in the latest edition of his “Power On” newsletter. Gurman expects a return of the ceramic case option for the Apple Watch this model year or next. The ceramic option hasn’t been offered for the Apple Watch since it was dropped for debut of the Series 4 lineup in 2018. The original ceramic Apple Watch Edition debuted with the Series 2 back in September 2016, selling for the low low price of $1,249 (well, it’s a low low price when compared to the $17,000 price tag of the Gold Edition it replaced).

Apple marketed the ceramic finish (which was made from a a compressed zirconia and alumina powder polished with a diamond slurry) as being four-times as hard as stainless steel. The Series 3 brought a gray ceramic option, but Apple dropped that option with the Series 4 in 2018, when Apple dropped all high-end case options for that model year.

Gurman says to expect only modest upgrades to the Apple Watch lineup in the upcoming Series 12 and Ultra 4 lineups, including under-the-hood improvements that should provide the first real jump in performance in years.

Gurman says Apple is also working on new colors and bands, as well as a series of new health and fitness-related upgrades.

A New Apple Watch Design?

Gurman also said Apple is mulling over a list of new designs for the Apple Watch lineup, as it scrambles to adapt to the increasing popularity of screenless fitness bands and smart rings. Gurman says those options are “cheaper, lighter and, for many people, more fun and convenient to use.” He says Apple’s industrial design team has been “exploring a broader rethink of its smartwatches” for quite a while.

Directions being considered include new Apple Watches with different types of screen and various new sizes, or even Apple Watches with no display, or ::GASP!:: an Apple Watch with a round screen! (Gurman says don’t hold your breath waiting for a round screen though.)

Additions to both ends of the lineup are also under consideration, with premium options that would be priced above the Ultra and Hermès models, and more affordable options like the Apple Watch SE at the lower end of the price range.

Gurman says Apple also has plans for more AI features, including long-term plans to revamp the Health app.

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to debut in September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone.

Apple’s iPhone owns 65% of the global premium smartphone market, contributing to the premium segment’s  share of overall smartphone sales climbing to a record 29%, according to Counterpoint Research’s Handset Model Sales Tracker, which tracks smartphones with a wholesale average selling price of $600 or more.

Apple’s premium segment revenue grew 9% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, thanks to the strong sales of the iPhone 17 lineup.

Even though revenue grew, Apple’s share of the premium segment slipped from 74% in the first half of 2022, thanks to intensifying competition in China where Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo have all improved their flagship offerings, enticing more Chinese consumers to their devices.

Over all the broader premium segments unit sales grew 5% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, with the segment’s overall market share up from 25% in the first half of 2025. Counterpoint says those gains are due largely from fast-rising memory and component costs, which have hit low- and mid-tier phones harder than high-end models.

As mid-segment Android smartphone prices rise, the price gap with premium devices, especially older or discounted flagship models, is narrowing. This trend makes flagship smartphones a better upgrade option for consumers. To support this shift, OEMs are expanding financing, trade-in and buyback programs to improve affordability. Samsung has also expanded its Galaxy Forever program to several markets to make flagship devices more accessible.

Meanwhile, Samsung holds 19% of the premium segment after 3% year-over-year growth.

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max, and foldable iPhone could sell out earlier than usual, says semiconductor analyst Tim Culpan.

Culpan says Apple is having trouble getting enough DRAM to finish production of the new iPhone models, with chip supplier TSMC holding on to $1 billion worth of unpackaged processors that need memory chips.

Apple’s new A20 Pro chips, built on TSMC’s 2nm process, use Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module packaging to integrate the processor and DRAM at the wafer level. While this improves performance, it also means TSMC’s production of the A20 Pro chips is on hold as the DRAM cannot be aded at a later step.

While Apple and its assembly partners believe they will be able to meet initial demand, if inventory sells through quickly, we could see extended delivery estimates. DRAM shortages have already caused delays for Apple’s Mac lineup leading to long wait times for the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and MacBook Air.

The DRAM shortages are due to companies that make memory prioritizing chip production for AI data centers. The chips used for AI data centers are more profitable, meaning the capacity available for manufacturing chips for consumer devices is lower than ever.

If you’re planning to get your hands on one of the new iPhone models in September, you’ll want to pre-order as soon as the devices become available for purchase for any chance of scoring one on launch day.

Apple’s software engineers are internally testing iOS 26.6.1 for iPhones, as devices running the unreleased version of iOS are showing up in websites’ analytic logs, reports MacRumors. This is usually a reliable indicator of an upcoming iOS update.

iOS 26.6.1 would likely include bug fixes and/or security fixes, as is common for “minor” versions of the updates. Apple yesterday released macOS 26.6.1, fixing a security vulnerability in the Screen Sharing app. Apple also released updates for macOS Sonoma 14.8.9 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.9, both offering the same fix.

While we don’t know what the iOS 26.6.1 update fixes, it has been reported that iOS 26.6 introduced a in the Shortcuts app, so it’s possible that the update fixes that.

Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition is now available on Apple Arcade. The full Madden NFL game has no ads or in-app purchases, and is available exclusively on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.

Designed specifically for Apple Arcade, this all-new release in the popular franchise “lets fans live out their gridiron dreams, offering an immersive season-based experience featuring current NFL teams and realistic simulation gameplay.”

Users can lead and coach their team through an NFL season, controlling games, making strategic decisions, and more as they make a run for NFL the championship.

The game has controls designed for mobile devices, authentic football gameplay, and offers guided tutorials. Franchise and Quick Play modes are available, with updates for current NFL teams and dynamic player ratings built on real-world performances.

“From the pitch to the court to the gridiron, Apple Arcade delivers an unmatched lineup of sports games for every kind of fan,” said Alex Rofman, Apple’s senior director of Apple Arcade. “I’ve been a longtime Madden NFL player and adding this legendary franchise to our catalog is a dream come true. Just in time for the new season, our Arcade community can now dive into an authentic NFL experience alongside other massive sports hits like NFL Retro Bowl, NBA 2K, and Football Manager, all in one place.”

Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition delivers the pure football experience players seek, a complete Madden NFL game free from ads or in-app purchases. Players can dive into fan-favorite Franchise and Quick Play modes featuring dynamic player ratings built on real-world NFL performances. Powered by a weekly story engine, Franchise mode puts players in the GM seat to navigate season-shifting narratives, win over fan bases, and build a championship team. With seamless controller support across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition brings players closer to the action exactly how they want to play, wherever they are.

In addition, Arcade also welcomes NFL Retro Bowl ’27 and Retro Bowl College+, adding to the already impressive catalog of hit sports games on the service including Football Manager 26 Touch, Mini Football Legends, NBA 2K26 Arcade Edition, NFL Retro Bowl ’26, PGA TOUR Pro Golf, Skate City: New York, and more.