Earlier this year, Elevation Lab announced the launch of a "Silencer" for AirTag meant to pierce the speaker on the device to disable the sound.


Elevation Lab explained that it created the Silencer to keep thieves from detecting an ‌AirTag‌ on valuable products like bikes, but the company didn't think easy speaker removal would be problematic.

The ‌AirTag‌ plays a sound when it is away from its owner to alert users that a tracker might be following them. AirTags have been criticized for making stalking simple, and Apple has improved safety features multiple times since the trackers launched in 2021. The latest ‌AirTag‌ 2 even has a louder speaker and more adhesive to make the speaker harder to remove.

We did not cover the launch of the Elevation Lab Silencer because we didn't want to publicize an accessory that does away with the ‌AirTag‌'s anti-stalking feature, and Elevation Lab must have heard several complaints. Six Colors' Glenn Fleishman, for example, said the device was "appalling." When he asked Elevation Lab about it, Casey Hopkins, the company's CEO, explained that users can already silence AirTags themselves, and people will still get smartphone notifications if an unknown ‌AirTag‌ is traveling with them.

Elevation Lab reversed course and sent out emails today letting customers know that the Silencer is no longer available for purchase.

We launched an AirTag silencing tool recently. We've always made products we want for ourselves, and this was no different - we wanted it for AirTags on our bikes. (Some of us have bikes more valuable than our cars.)

In retrospect though, this also has the side effect of aiding someone with bad intentions to track someone that wouldn't get phone notifications.

We have removed the product and will use our patent on it to prevent anyone else from making one in the future.

The Silencer had a pin located where the ‌AirTag‌ speaker is. The device description instructed users to remove the ‌AirTag‌ battery, apply the Silencer, and hit it with a hammer to cause the pin to pierce the ‌AirTag‌'s plastic cover and the speaker below.

‌AirTag‌ alerts do make the trackers less useful for locating items stolen deliberately, but audible sound is an essential safeguard that exists to protect people from stalkers. Elevation Lab plans to use its patent to make sure other companies do not design and release a similar accessory.
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The iOS 27.2 beta Apple released today removes the updated Health app that Apple was testing in earlier betas.


The removal of the Health app is not a surprise because Apple previously said the redesign wouldn't be introduced until late 2026.

After upgrading to the fourth beta, the Health app has a popup that says the new app features will come in a future update. Data collected during the beta remains available in the Settings app.


Apple is planning to release iOS 27.2 later in October, and the removal of the Health app suggests a launch is getting closer. The HomePod mini 2 that launches on October 30 uses HomePod software 27.2, so the updates will need to come out before that date.
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The iPhone Duo ships with iOS 27.1, a version of iOS 27 exclusive to the foldable device. Apple yesterday released a new build of iOS 27.1 (24A94425), which means buyers will have a day-one software update to install.


The ‌iPhone Duo‌ is shipping with iOS 27.1 build 24A94232, and if it's not already in the hands of reviewers, it will be soon. Apple likely released the new build to address bugs while the Duo is being evaluated by members of the media.

Since the ‌iPhone Duo‌ isn't coming out until October 23, there's plenty of time for Apple to release another iOS 27.1 update or even iOS 27.2. Buyers might not have the 24A94425 update to install if it's replaced by something newer, but either way, there will be an update required during the ‌iPhone Duo‌ setup process.

Pre-orders for the ‌iPhone Duo‌ begin on Friday, October 16, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time or 8 a.m. Eastern Time. It will launch on Friday, October 23.

If you're planning to pre-order the ‌iPhone Duo‌, you can use Apple's Get Ready process to select a color and capacity, as well as confirm carrier status, choose accessories, and supply billing information and payment. Get Ready speeds up pre-ordering, and it is recommended given the expectation of supply constraints.
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Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware has a build number of 9B5043a and is rolling out for developers and public beta testers.


There's no word on what's included in the firmware update because Apple doesn't offer notes for AirPods beta releases.

When the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26 or later, there is a beta firmware option that can be accessed in the AirPods settings interface. Toggling on beta updates allows users to install the beta firmware.

Firmware updates can then be downloaded by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device and connecting them to power. It can take a few hours for new firmware to be installed because there is no software update option like there is for other Apple devices.
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Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming iOS 27.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple released the third iOS 27.2 beta. Apple also seeded a new iPadOS 27.2 beta.


Registered developers can download the beta updates by opting in under Settings > General > Software Update and selecting the iOS 27 developer beta.

iOS 27.2 includes Apple's redesigned Health app with new Insight and Longevity tabs. It also brings Siri AI in new languages. There are several other new features, with details available 4re5 our features guide.

Apple releasing an iOS 27.2 beta ahead of a iOS 27.1 beta was surprise because the company plans to ship the iPhone Duo with iOS 27.1, but it likely wants to keep some of the iPhone Duo features hidden for longer.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will launch on October 23. Apple previously said the new ‌Siri‌ AI languages in iOS 27.2 would be available in October, so it's likely iOS 27.2 will come shortly after the ‌iPhone Duo‌'s release date. iOS 27.2 is also required for the new HomeView.
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Apple is testing the next macOS Golden Gate update, and developers can download the fourth ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 beta. The fourth beta comes a week after Apple released the third beta.


Registered developers can download ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 by opening up the System Settings app, clicking on General, selecting Software Update, and opting into ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ betas.

‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 introduces Siri AI in new languages and includes new brightness and volume sliders.

We're expecting ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ 27.2 to launch toward the end of October.

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Alongside new betas of iOS 27.2, iPadOS 27.2, and macOS Golden Gate 27.2, Apple has released the fourth betas of watchOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2. The betas come a week after Apple released the third betas, but there is no tvOS 27.2 beta 4 yet.


Registered developers can download the betas through the Settings app on each device.

With iOS 27.2 and watchOS 27.2, Apple is testing the new Health app that it showed off during its September iPhone event. The updated Health app has new Insights and Longevity tabs with a readiness score that uses information from the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models.

There's no word on what's being added in visionOS 27.2 and tvOS 27.2, but Apple the fourth-generation Apple TV that Apple released today includes support for Siri AI features.
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The new Apple HomeView comes preinstalled with a selection of Apple apps, such as Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple News, Calendar, FaceTime, and Messages, but it will also support third-party audio and video apps.


Apple did not create an App Store for the HomeView, so there is no on-device way to download apps. It instead uses a CarPlay-like system where third-party apps will be displayed when the HomeView is connected to a compatible iPhone or iPad.

Audio apps made for CarPlay like Spotify and Audible will also work on the HomeView, and developers will be able to extend HomeView support to existing iOS video apps.

Up to six people in a household can use HomeView, and it tells users apart by voice and through the camera built into the front of the device. Each user's apps and personal information will be shown only when the person is enrolled and authenticated. Apple says users need to be recognized by the camera and have a paired and recently unlocked iPhone or ‌iPad‌ near the HomeView for it to display compatible third-party iOS apps and information from apps like Messages and Calendar.

Shared photo albums and music can be accessed by anyone in the home, including guests. Guests will not be able to see personal information due to the authentication requirement.

HomeView is priced at $299 and is available for pre-order now. It will launch on November 13.
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Apple offers two versions of the HomeView, one that can be mounted on the wall and one that's a standalone model with a speaker base. The wall-mounted version and the speaker version are both priced at $299, with no discount for the base-free model.


Wall mounting is the more expensive option because most buyers will need hardware that's sold separately and is currently priced starting at $60. There are three options for mounting the HomeView on the wall.

• Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector ($59.95) - The USB-C mount is from Schneider Home, and Apple says it is a self-install mount. It uses a standard USB-C cable that goes to a power adapter, which the user also needs to supply. It requires a 20W or higher power adapter.


• Power Mount AC Wired ($79.95) - The AC Wired mount uses in-wall power so there's no visible cable. Apple recommends having it installed by a licensed electrician and is partnering with ADT to offer installation services.


• Power Mount PoE Wired ($129.95) - The Power over Ethernet hardwired mount is not available right now. Apple says to check back later for availability. It will require a home with PoE wiring.


• No mount - There is an option to buy the wall-mounted version with no additional hardware. Presumably, accessory companies will eventually offer mounting solutions, but Apple has the only mount option right now.

In addition to being more expensive, the wall-mounted HomeView comes in more limited color options. It can only be purchased in silver or space gray, while the speaker version also comes in starlight and rose pink.

Both HomeView models have speakers with "two custom full-range drivers" in the display, and the wall-mounted version uses computational audio tuned for on-wall placement. The model with a speaker base also has a down-firing woofer and two force-canceling passive radiators that are not available in the wall-mounted version.

We'll need to wait for reviews to see sound comparisons on the speaker version and the wall-mounted version, but customers who opt for the wall-mounted version are going to be paying more for less hardware.

The HomeView is available for pre-order now and will launch on November 13.
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Apple today announced a new HomePod mini equipped with Siri AI, new colors, and improved audio experiences. The new ‌HomePod mini‌ has an S10 chip that supports advanced computational audio, and Apple says it optimizes dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance in real-time.


A Sound Glow feature turns the ‌HomePod mini‌'s top into a "visual canvas" that glows and animates in sync with music, reacting to bass and treble. It uses colors generated from the song's album artwork for a unique experience for each song.

Four HomePod minis can be paired together to create a four-speaker surround sound with the latest Apple TV 4K, which Apple also announced today. The speakers and the ‌Apple TV‌ are able to recognize their position in the room and levels are calibrated to the space. The ‌HomePod mini‌ also works as a speaker for the Mac.



‌Siri‌ AI will be available in a future software update, and will work when the ‌HomePod mini‌ is paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad. It will be able to recognize up to six users by voice and connect to their device for personalized information like Messages.

As with the prior version of the ‌HomePod mini‌, the new model is able to serve as a home hub and control smart home devices. It supports Sound Recognition and can listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, sending an alert if one is detected.

The ‌HomePod mini‌ 2 comes in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight and will launch on October 30. It's priced at $149 and pre-orders open now.
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Apple today debuted the "Apple Home Collection," an accessory lineup it developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The collection includes cameras, thermostats, temperature sensors, and a door lock.


All of the home devices are designed to work with the HomeView, Apple's new home hub. Apple says each one is made from premium materials with a minimal aesthetic. The accessories are able to be set up with a single tap from the iPhone, and can be controlled with the Home app and through Siri.

• LG Video Doorbell ($249.95) - The Video Doorbell has dual cameras that capture views of visitors and packages. The front camera has a 2.5K resolution and the bottom camera is HD resolution. It has a built-in spotlight and a chime that plays through HomeView, HomePod, or ‌HomePod‌ mini.


• LG Outdoor Cam ($299.95) - The Outdoor Cam has low-color night vision and can be angled in multiple positions.


• LG Indoor Cam ($199.95) - The Indoor Cam has a privacy-preserving feature that allows it to tilt up when people are in the home so it's not recording, and down when people leave for keeping an eye on the home. The tilt function works based on geofencing, but can also be controlled in the Home app or manually.


• LG Floodlight Cam ($399.95) - The Floodlight Cam has dual floodlights that activate when motion is detected and low-color night vision.


• LG Smart Deadbolt Lock ($349.95) - The lock has UWB and can unlock automatically when the homeowner approaches, with no tap required. It also supports unlocking via PIN or a hidden backup key slot, and there is detection for whether the door is opened, closed, or has been tampered with. The doorbell and lock can work together as one, letting users see who is at the door and unlocking it if needed.


• LG Thermostat ($199.95) - The thermostat supports Adaptive Temperature and in the U.S., heating and cooling can be activated during lower-cost periods for users with a compatible utility plan. The thermostat can read temperature and humidity across multiple rooms using separate temperature and humidity sensors. Sensors are priced at $39.95.


• Schneider Electric Thermostat ($199.95) - Also supports Adaptive Temperature and can be used with temperature and humidity sensors. Sensors are priced at $39.95.

Cameras work with iCloud+ plans and users can view live footage and camera activity from the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, and HomeView.

The Apple Home Collection will be available starting in December, though select accessories will not launch until early 2027.
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Apple has something special planned for customers who purchase an iPhone Duo in an Apple Store. Employees will be able to customize the Duo so it displays the name of the buyer at the "Hello" screen when it turns on for the first time.


Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple retail stores in the United States will have a personalization system for adding the buyer's name to an ‌iPhone Duo‌, with English and Spanish language options.

Fun little touch for the iPhone Duo launch: Apple retail stores will have a system to customize the boot of the device with the buyer's name so it says "Hello, Mark" (for example) when it turns on for the first time. (US only, Duo only, English and Spanish).

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 9, 2026

Presumably, the name option will be available for devices ordered for in-store pickup and devices purchased in person.

The ‌iPhone Duo‌ will be available for pre-order starting on October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, and it will launch on October 23. Pricing starts at $1,999.
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SpaceX this week announced two developments that further its goal of becoming a major U.S. carrier to compete with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.


It is acquiring a low-band spectrum license portfolio in the 800MHz band, which it says addresses one of the "remaining technical gaps" that will let it to compete with other carriers. Most smartphones already support the 800MHz band SpaceX is buying.

The FCC approved the Starlink Mobile Gen2 constellation application, letting SpaceX launch 15,000 satellites optimized for 2GHz spectrum globally. The company says the Starlink Mobile satellites will "deliver more than 100 times the bandwidth" of the current generation. The FCC also issued SpaceX a waiver permitting the company to offer wireless service through its satellites without a spectrum leasing agreement with a terrestrial carrier.

After receiving final FCC approval for the new spectrum purchase, SpaceX will combine its satellites with an "advanced terrestrial deployment" to connect devices everywhere. SpaceX says the 2GHz mid-band spectrum will offer high-bandwidth capacity in the U.S., while the new low-band spectrum will allow Starlink's signal to penetrate through obstacles like walls.

SpaceX plans to be the first network operator to deploy satellite and terrestrial spectrum. It says it will offer a single network with "a reliable service indoors, outdoors, in cellular dead zones, and everywhere in between."

SpaceX already powers T-Mobile's satellite feature, but T-Mobile recently removed SpaceX branding from its website after finalizing a joint satellite venture with AT&T and Verizon. SpaceX's Starlink Mobile announcement caused shares of AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to drop, with Verizon seeing its worst one-day fall since 2002.
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For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Southern Straps to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a nylon band from Southern Straps to go along with it.


Southern Straps is a California-based company that has been making high-quality bands for the Apple Watch since the device first launched in 2015, and the company's selection of bands offer a an alternative to Apple's bands in unique styles that Apple does not offer.


Southern Straps set out to make nylon NATO-style bands for the Apple Watch over a decade ago, and it is still making those same handcrafted watch straps today. With years of experience, Southern Straps has had time to perfect the band's look and construction.

Available for $60 or two for $105, each Southern Straps Apple Watch band is made from a single piece of nylon that is folded over, heat sealed, and stitched together for durability. The multi-step process makes sure that each band holds up for years of use, and they come with a five-year warranty.


Southern Straps offers over 10 color options, ranging from solid colors in green, black, and beige, to striped options in colorful combinations like blue and green, blue and red, khaki and red, blue and white, blue and orange, black and gray, and the classic red, white, and blue.

Bands can be ordered with hardware in black, silver, or gold to match the different Apple Watch models. There are two sizes: one that is compatible with 42mm to 49mm Apple Watch models, and one that is compatible with smaller 38mm to 42mm models. The bands work with every Apple Watch model from the original Apple Watch to the Apple Watch Ultra 4 and the Series 12.


Pegged spring bars are included with each band so that you can change the hardware if you get an Apple Watch in a new size or a new color. Southern Straps bands are perfect for daily use and transition easily from work to working out.



We have an Apple Watch Series 12 for one lucky MacRumors reader, plus a Southern Straps band. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.


Southern Straps Giveaway
The contest will run from today (October 9) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after October 16 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
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Apple is planning to introduce new products on Tuesday, October 13, Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak announced today. It won't be a traditional Apple event, but Apple has invited some members of the media to New York City to get some hands-on time with whatever's introduced.


Those of us not invited to the New York Experience are likely to be introduced to the new devices via press releases that'll come out on launch day. Since the NYC visits begin at 9:00 a.m. on the 13th, that may be when the product announcements will happen.

The video Joswiak shared gives us a major hint at what's coming, and as expected, it's home-related. We're expecting at least three new devices, including one all-new product.

Home Hub

We've been hearing rumors about Apple's home hub for months because it's been ready to ship and waiting on Siri AI. It's got a 6-inch display, and there are two varieties. One is meant to be mounted on the wall, and one is meant to be used with a half-dome speaker base.

‌Siri‌ AI is a central part of the hub, and they'll basically give users a way to get information and answers from ‌Siri‌. The hub will run a version of tvOS that could be called homeOS, with familiar Apple apps and widgets. It'll be a central home device, showing members of the family upcoming calendar events and other personalized information, along with offering an easy way to control connected smart home devices.

It will display the time when not in use, and it will be customizable so you can choose the widgets and apps you want to see. It has a camera so it can be used to make video calls, and it'll play videos too so you can put it in the kitchen and follow along with a recipe. Presence sensors and the camera will be able to tell the hub which member of the family is nearby, and it will show a custom interface for each person. It will use facial recognition for identification.

Pricing on the hub could start at around $350, and Apple envisions users putting several of the hubs in their homes.

HomePod mini

The HomePod mini is getting a refresh with new color options and a faster processor, plus an N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. We're expecting the ‌HomePod mini‌ to offer new ‌Siri‌ AI features.

Apple TV 4K

The Apple TV 4K is also getting an upgraded chip and more RAM. It could have the A19 or A19 Pro and either 8GB or 12GB RAM. It too will get the N1 networking chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread, and it is also expected to offer a full ‌Siri‌ AI experience.

Other Possibilities

There are more devices we're expecting Apple to launch before the end of the year, but Apple is going to hold another product launch on October 27 to introduce new Macs and the OLED iPad mini.

• iPad mini - The ‌iPad mini‌ is getting a major upgrade with an ‌OLED‌ display, improved waterproofing, and a faster chip. Expect it to be more expensive.


• OLED MacBook - Apple is planning to launch an ‌OLED‌ touchscreen MacBook, which could be a MacBook Pro or a new MacBook "Ultra." It's going to have the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips as the current ‌MacBook Pro‌ models, but it will have an all-new display and a thinner, lighter design. It's going to be a premium product that will likely cost more than the current 14-inch and 16-inch high-end ‌MacBook Pro‌ models.


• iMac - Apple is working on an M6 iMac.


• 14-inch MacBook Pro - We could get a 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with an M6 chip before the year ends.

We'll have full coverage of all of Apple's announcements on the 13th, plus we'll be sharing last-minute rumors ahead of the launch so make sure to stay tuned.
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Anthropic today updated its usage policy (via The Verge) to bar users from subjecting Claude to "sustained and needless abusive or cruel behavior."


Anthropic says the abuse rule is meant to apply only in extreme cases, where users "repeatedly act cruelly" toward the AI models with "no discernible purpose." The rule does not apply to ordinary user frustration, pushback, dark creative themes, or model testing and research.

Claude models are already able to end such conversations with persistently abusive users, and ending the conversation will continue to be the main enforcement tool. When Claude ends a chat, no further messages can be sent in that conversation, but other chats are not affected.

Anthropic initially gave Claude the option to end a conversation in August 2025 while researching AI welfare. At the time, Anthropic said it was unsure whether Claude has moral status, but the company wanted low-cost ways to reduce risks to Claude. Anthropic found that Claude Opus 4 had a "robust and consistent aversion to harm." The model demonstrated a preference against dealing with dangerous tasks, apparent distress when speaking with users seeking abusive conversations, and a tendency to end harmful conversations when allowed to do so.

Anthropic's usage policy has been reorganized to bring together related clauses, and several other rules have changed.

• Deceptive campaigns - A new section on deceptive campaigns aggregates rules against political and commercial fraud and disinformation, prohibiting fake reviews, astroturfing, fake sites, and bots acting as humans.


• Elections - A narrower elections section prohibits deceiving voters and interfering with voting.


• Weapons - Claude can't be used to develop weapons software or components, and a new rule bans modifying biological or chemical agents to increase lethality or transmissibility. Users are also prohibited from using Claude to arm drones and unmanned systems.


• Law enforcement - Law enforcement rules have been rewritten. Claude can't decide or suggest who to investigate, arrest, charge, or prosecute. Tracking people without consent is not allowed, and there is a new ban on building surveillance tools. Doxxing is also prohibited.


• Physical actions - A new section on physical actions says that if Claude is controlling hardware that could harm someone, a qualified person has to watch the work and be ready to stop it if needed.


• Harmful content - There is a new rule that bans creating, sharing, or threatening to share non-consensual intimate imagery and the tools used to make it.

Most of the changes clarify Anthropic's existing rules and are targeted at misuse Anthropic has tracked. Anthropic says it found state media outlets, government propaganda offices, and commercial firms were using Claude to run networks of fake accounts and fabricated news sites, leading to the new deceptive campaigns section.

The new policy takes effect on November 12. More information on the changes can be found on Anthropic's website, as can the full usage policy.
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Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an ‌OLED‌ iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ and an M6 iMac.


The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do two rounds of product launches during October.

Bloomberg says both the October 13 and October 27 product launches will include "an online video presentation" as well as a hands-on experience for members of the media.

Apple has been working on an ‌OLED‌ MacBook for several years now, and while some rumors indicated it could be named the MacBook Ultra, Bloomberg suggests the 14-inch and 16-inch notebooks will be in the ‌MacBook Pro‌ family. The devices will be thinner and lighter than current ‌MacBook Pro‌ models and they will have ‌OLED‌ displays, touchscreen capabilities, and a Dynamic Island.

The ‌iPad mini‌ will have a landscape camera for video calls, a redesigned speaker system, and a new ‌OLED‌ display.
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CEO John Ternus is making changes to Apple's leadership, reports Bloomberg. Apple veteran Steve Smith will take over mergers and acquisitions and corporate development, which was previously led by Adrian Perica. M&A is an important team at Apple, handling acquisitions and arrangements like the deal Apple had with OpenAI to add ChatGPT to Siri.


Perica will stay at Apple to oversee iCloud, Fitness+, and Apple News, which he has done since 2023, and will now report to App Store and services lead Eddy Cue. While Perica reported to Tim Cook in his M&A role, Smith will report to Apple CFO Kevan Parekh as M&A moves back to the finance division.

Carson Oliver is being promoted to vice president of the ‌App Store‌, and he has been in charge of the ‌App Store‌ since Phil Schiller stepped down from his role as ‌App Store‌ chief in late August. Oliver is reporting to Cue, who is now overseeing the ‌App Store‌ and other services.

According to Bloomberg, Cue is assessing potential successors, and Perica is a lead candidate. Apple Music lead Oliver Schusser is also in the running.
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Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini.


The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and a HomePod. It's rumored to have a 6-inch square display, and it's designed as a multi-person device to control smart home products, place FaceTime calls, watch videos, get news and weather information, stay up to date on calendar events, and more. It will integrate with Siri AI, and voice will be the main method of interaction.

Apple envisions people installing a hub in multiple rooms in the house. There will be a version meant to be mounted on the wall and a version with a half-dome speaker base, similar in design to the iMac G4. A camera and a presence sensor will detect when a person is in the room, and the device will be able to tell who it is to show a customized interface with widgets and apps. Pricing could be around $350.


The ‌HomePod mini‌ is going to get new colors, an N1 networking chip for improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a faster S-series processor that will support ‌Siri‌ AI. The ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is going to get an A19 or A19 Pro chip, a RAM upgrade, the same N1 chip as the ‌HomePod mini‌, and an upgraded ‌Siri‌ Remote.

There is an OLED iPad mini in development, and it could come during the home event. The ‌iPad mini‌ is expected to be more water-resistant with a faster chip and the first ‌OLED‌ display in a smaller tablet size.

Timing on the October 13 product launch is unknown, and it is also unclear if there will be an event component or if the devices will debut via press release. Some members of the media have been invited to an "Apple Experience" set to take place in Tribeca, New York on October 13 at 9:00 a.m. Attendees will likely get hands-on time with the new products Apple introduces.

Rumors suggest Apple has several Macs coming before the end of the year, but those could be introduced at later in the year instead of during the home product launch.

This article, "Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Since 2023, Apple's newer iPhones have had an 80 percent charge limit for those who want to extend battery lifespan. Charging to 80 percent instead of 100 percent is supposed to put less stress on the battery, improving longevity.


For the last three years, I've used that setting on my iPhone. I started with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, then did the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most recently, the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

After 12 months at an 80 percent maximum charge, my iPhone 17 Pro Max is at 97 percent maximum capacity with a cycle count of 277.


Last year, my iPhone 16 Pro Max was at 94 percent capacity after 12 months, and in 2024, my iPhone 15 Pro Max was also at 94 percent capacity.

During the year I tested the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max, I tried not to let the battery dip below 20 percent. This year, I did the same thing, but I also tried to do more charging over USB-C than Qi2 or MagSafe. I'm not sure if that helped, but 97 percent capacity is the best result I've had yet with the charge limit turned on.

I don't know how my battery result compares to others, but if you've kept yours at 100 percent, you can compare your capacity to mine to see if there's any real difference.

Apple transitioned to aluminum and added vapor chamber cooling with the ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max, and I did think my iPhone spent less time uncomfortably warm than the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max. It may be that the vapor chamber cooling made the biggest difference and limiting wireless charging didn't matter.

I don't use the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max as my main iPhones anymore, but I do use them daily as test devices. They still have the 80 percent limit turned on, so I can share some longer-term battery results.

• iPhone 15 Pro Max (36 months) - 88%, 369 cycles


• ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max (24 months) - 93%, 343 cycles


• ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max (12 months) - 97%, 277 cycles

Last year, my ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max hit 299 cycles by September 24. This year, I'm only at 277 cycles. It's nearly two weeks later than I usually report results too, so the larger battery meant less charging.

The ‌iPhone 17‌ Pro Max has a bigger battery and faster charging than the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max, so an 80 percent charge limit wasn't as difficult to live with as it was in the past. I rarely ran out of battery, though I did still bring a battery pack with me most places. My favorite battery packs right now are the ones with built-in USB-C cables, especially those that can attach to my iPhone magnetically but charge it over USB-C. It's faster charging that's still convenient. I also continue to be a fan of the super-slim battery packs that add little bulk and weight to an iPhone.

For the iPhone 15 Pro Max and ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max, I didn't think sacrificing a fifth of my battery was worth the capacity I ended up with, and that's still mostly the case. I'm guessing my 97 percent capacity isn't too far off from the battery health readings on iPhones that didn't have the charge limit turned on.

As for older devices, my two-year-old ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max only lost 1 percent capacity from 2025 to 2026, and my iPhone 15 Pro Max didn't lose any capacity at all during the year. Both phones had fewer battery cycles (44 and 17, respectively), but they're holding capacity even after sitting dead for short periods of time throughout the year.

The most hands-off way to manage battery health is to use Optimized Battery Charging, since it minimizes time spent at 100 percent battery while still charging to full. Setting an 80 percent limit and then turning it off on days you need 100 percent is also a good compromise that could save you battery capacity over time. Apple has 90 and 95 percent options too, which might be a better choice.

My iPhone 18 Pro Max is already set to 80 percent, so I'll check in again in September 2027. I'm going to stick with USB-C charging when I can, and I'm curious how the even bigger battery will affect longevity and what the 80 percent limit is like day to day.

What's your iPhone battery capacity and cycle count? Share it in the comments below and weigh in on whether you think battery charge limits are worthwhile.
This article, "Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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