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.
This article, "Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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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.
This article, "SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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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.
This article, "MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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