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Apple rumors - page 3

New details leak on first touchscreen MacBook Pro — and it sounds awesome

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touchscreen macbook pro
It could be here in late 2026 or early 2027.
AI image: Grok/Cult of Mac

Apple is finally bringing touchscreens to the Mac, marking a major reversal from the company’s longstanding position against the feature in anything but iPads, according to a Thursday report with tantalizing new details. The first touchscreen MacBook Pro reportedly will arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.

Meta steals top Apple AI exec behind ‘answer engine’ project

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Image representing Apple's AI knowledge
The brain drain from Apple's AI team is real (and likely to accelerate).
Photo: Apple

Meta continues poaching high-profile executives from Apple’s AI team for its Superintelligence group. The latest hire is Ke Yang, who Apple recently appointed to lead its Answers, Knowledge and Information team.

Apple’s team is making an “answer engine” that will crawl the web to answer simple search queries. 

Apple’s smart home hub will cost $350

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AI-generated image of wall-mounted screen for home automation with the words
Apple's first smart display could be pricey.
AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Apple will build its upcoming smart home products in Vietnam to diversify its manufacturing away from China. This includes indoor security cameras, a smart display and a tabletop robot

A $350 smart display will be the first to launch in spring 2026. 

Pro Display XDR 2 may borrow a fan-favorite iPad feature

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A table of desktop Macs. Going clockwise around the table, starting at the front: the Mac Studio with Studio Display (height-adjustable stand and nano texture glass), the iMac, Mac Pro with Pro Display XDR (with Pro Stand) and Mac mini with Studio Display (tilt stand).
Pro Display XDR 2 with a Center Stage camera? Yes, please!
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next Pro Display XDR monitor could take a cue from MacBooks and iPhones and feature a Center Stage camera. Code strings referencing the monitor with the camera were discovered in the latest macOS 26.1 beta.

The Pro Display XDR is long overdue for a refresh, with the current model debuting in late 2019 for $4,999.

Base model M5 MacBook Pro could launch months before M5 Pro and M5 Max variants

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M5 MacBook Pro rumors
M5 MacBook Pro release date could come both sooner and later.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Some previous rumors point to an upgraded MacBook Pro with Apple’s M5 processor launching very soon, but other reports say it won’t be out until 2026. Turns out both might be correct.

A leak on Friday indicates the MacBook Pro running the base version M5 chip will debut quite soon. However, the variants with the M5 Pro and M5 Max supposedly won‘t launch before 2026.

Apple might launch Health+ with AI doctor, food tracking and more

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AI-generated cartoon of an iPhone in a doctor's uniform with stethoscope, used to illustrate a story about possible Apple Health+ subscription service.
Your iPhone with Health+ could dispense advice to make you healthier.
AI image: ChatGPT

An Apple each day becomes your doctor someday. That’s the rumor anyway: Apple is reportedly prepping a Health+ service for launch in 2026 that will use AI to dispense advice on nutrition, exercise and more.

Whether the service will someday give out medical diagnoses remains a much murkier question.

M5 MacBook Pro and iPad Pro could launch any day now

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MacBook Pro with chip on top
MacBook Pro's M5 refresh might land this month.
Photo: David Snow/Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Supplies of iPad Pros and 14-inch MacBook Pros powered by M4 chips are running low across Apple Stores. This indicates the imminent arrival of M5-powered models.

While reports of an M5 iPad Pro refresh surfaced before, this marks the first solid indication that Apple could launch an M5 MacBook Pro this year as well.

What to expect at Apple‘s October product-launch event

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Apple October event rumors
Apple CEO Tim Cook could soon be taking to the stage with more product announcements.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple isn’t done lunching new products this year, even though the iPhone 17 family and Apple Watch Series 11 reached customers in September.  There are so many new products coming out of Cupertino this fall that rumors point to an Apple October event.

For some Apple fans, the best is yet to come: the Apple M5 processor, a new iPad Pro and (hopefully) the next MacBook Pro. And there could be more.

Apple puts cheaper Vision Pro on back burner to focus on smart glasses

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A digitally altered image of a woman wearing an Apple Vision Pro headset in a workplace environment.
The rumored cheaper version of the Vision Pro headset is reportedly on hold.
Photo: Ali Colak/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

That cheaper Vision Pro you were waiting for? Don’t hold your breath. Apple reportedly shelved the project to redirect its focus on creating smart glasses to compete with Meta’s popular products.

Previous rumors indicated Apple would release a stripped-down version of its $3,499 Vision Pro headset by 2027. But Apple execs reportedly told employees last week that it’s putting the lighter, cheaper headset on the back burner.

M5 MacBooks and new Apple monitors inch closer to release

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M5 MacBook Pro render
M5 MacBooks and new Apple monitors are around the corner.
Photo: ChatGPT

Apple’s new external monitors for Mac inch closer to release, with their mass production set to begin soon. They should debut alongside the M5-powered MacBooks within the next six months.

In addition to the above, Apple will also refresh the Vision Pro and iPad Pro with faster chips.

Siri desperately needs the ChatGPT-like chatbot Apple is now testing

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Siri under construction
With a Siri revamp under way, Apple’s voice assistant needs a chatbot.
Graphic: ChatGPT

Apple is reportedly testing an AI-powered chatbot that can perform many tasks that the promised Siri upgrade will be able to handle. The app supposedly gives Apple employees a way to test future Siri capabilities, but also to explore whether Siri needs a chatbot functionality.

ChatGPT, Google Gemini and others made AI chatbots mainstream, so not having one in the long-promised Siri revamp would be a glaring omission. One that would draw considerable criticism.

Intel seeks Apple investment to fuel revival

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Intel wants Apple's money
Intel wants Apple's money
Photo: Intel/Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

After locking in a $5 billion investment from Nvidia and another $2 billion from SoftBank, Intel reportedly wants Apple as its next major backer.

Apple was once a long-time customer of Intel. However, it eventually shifted to its own in-house chips after Intel failed to innovate quickly enough.

What’s new in iOS 26 and watchOS 26? [The CultCast]

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Image of iPhone running iOS 26, with The CultCast podcast logo
Liquid Glass isn't the only thing going on in iOS 26.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Now that we’re all running the latest software versions on our iPhones and Apple Watches, it’s time to go over the coolest new features.

Yes, Apple’s new Liquid Glass user interface takes some getting used to, but it’s pretty sweet in the end. And there are a bunch of other great additions we love. Join us for the conversation!

Also on The CultCast:

  • A MacBook Pro with a touchscreen?!? It might be in the pipeline.
  • The updates in iPadOS 26 finally fix the tablet’s multitasking problem.
  • The Mac App Store is currently broken — but there’s a workaround.
  • Cult of Mac’s buyback program buys everything from AirPods and iPhones to MacBooks and Magic Keyboards, damaged or not. Get your quote now.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

First OLED MacBook Pro could add touchscreen support

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Keyboard and screen of 13-inch MacBook Air.
Are you excited about MacBook Pro finally getting touchscreen support?
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple’s next-gen OLED MacBook Pro supposedly will feature a touchscreen panel, further blurring the line between iPads and MacBooks.

TF International Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo thinks the new OLED MacBook Pro will enter mass production in late 2026.

Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs tried to bring ninja stars on plane

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Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs' love of ninja stars
Jobs apparently tried to take one of these on his private jet.
Photo: SecretNinjaNews

September 14: Today in Apple history: Apple denies Steve Jobs' love of ninja stars September 14, 2010: Security workers reportedly stop Steve Jobs at Japan’s Kansai International Airport. The reason? The Apple CEO supposedly tried to bring ninja throwing stars onto his private plane while heading home from vacation. The “Steve Jobs ninja stars” story quickly becomes one of the most bizarre Jobs stories ever.

Apple, however, quickly spoils the internet’s fun. Cupertino issues a statement describing the reports as “pure fiction” (although Apple acknowledges that Jobs visited Japan over the summer).

7 Apple products that launch this week

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Apple September event: Awe Dropping
The new iPhones and Apple Watches are almost here.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple’s biggest day of the year is almost here! September 9 brings the Awe Dropping event that’ll be jam-packed with product launches. We’re definitely expecting multiple redesigned iPhones and upgraded Apple Watches, plus there could be a few more products on the agenda.

Here’s the full list of Apple products rumored to be coming on Tuesday.

eSIM-only iPhone 17 models may ship with bigger batteries

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iPhone 17 and 17 Air may lack ProMotion display features
iPhone 17 seems set to deliver significantly longer runtime.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The alleged battery capacity of the iPhone 17 lineup has surfaced online. It points to Apple using significantly bigger batteries on its upcoming iPhone.

And for the first time since adding eSIM support with the 2017 iPhone X, Apple may equip the eSIM-only models with a larger battery.

AirPods Pro 3 might arrive this year without a rumored upgrade

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AirPods Pro in an open case ... an early Black Friday deal drops price
Will the AirPods Pro 3 debut alongside the iPhone 17 on September 9?
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

A new rumor suggests AirPods Pro 3 will debut this year, but won’t bring any breakthrough hardware upgrades. The rumored IR-equipped cameras, which supposedly will enable air gestures for interacting with the earbuds, might not arrive until 2026.

Apple could unveil its new flagship AirPods Pro 3 earbuds at Tuesday’s Awe Dropping event.

However, the earbuds won’t pack any breakthrough hardware upgrades, including IR-equipped cameras for air gesture support. That feature supposedly must wait until 2026.

Expect HomePod mini 2 to get a lot smarter

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HomePod mini 2 rumors
Apple’s tiny smart speaker should get an AI upgrade soon.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly preparing a new HomePod mini version, the first upgrade to the affordable smart speaker in five years. HomePod mini 2 rumors suggest a considerable jump in features, including support for Apple Intelligence.

Here’s what the rumors say about HomePod mini 2, which is supposedly coming soon.

Awe Dropping visions of the future! [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo with the Apple Awe Dropping event logo used to illustrate our predictions game episode
Can you beat us at our own predictions game?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: With Apple’s Awe Dropping event bearing down on us, it’s time to once again put our professional reputations (and our personal dignity) on the line with our traditional predictions game!

Who will win this time? And will a CultCast listener steal the glory once again?!?

Also on The CultCast:

  • A stripped-down version of the Vision Pro, possibly called the Vision Air, could reduce the strain on users’ necks (and wallets).
  • A proposed iMac Lego set is gaining supporters online. Let’s take it over the top!
  • Apple wins one in court — and it’s a big one. A judge rules that the $20 billion payments that Google forks over to Apple each year can continue.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video version on YouTube.

iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 12GB RAM, $100 higher price tag

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iPhone price increase
Will you be willing to pay more for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will bump the RAM to 12GB and the base storage to 256GB on at least three iPhone 17 models. Combined with other improvements, TrendForce analysts believe the iPhone 17 Pro will cost $100 more than its predecessor.

Yet, the analysts project the iPhone 17 lineup will see a 3.5% increase in shipments over the 2024 iPhone 16.

Folding iPad could redefine Apple’s tablet lineup in 2028

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Folding iPad 2028
The days of same-old iPad are almost over.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple is bringing real change to the iPad line, with the first folding model reportedly on the drawing board. An analyst with generally reliable sources in Apple’s component supply chain predicts the company’s first foldable tablet will launch in 2028.

The new report contradicts an earlier one that said Apple put the cutting-edge device on hold.

Apple preps AI search engine to take on OpenAI and Perplexity

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Image of an Apple logo and the words
Apple’s “World Knowledge Answers” could be baked into a future version of Siri.
Image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple will reportedly take on OpenAI and Perplexity with its own AI-powered web search. Known internally as the World Knowledge Answers, the feature should launch by next year.

The company will integrate it directly into Siri and may eventually bring it to Safari and Spotlight.

iPhone 17 Pro leak teases longer battery life and cooler performance

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iPhone 17 Pro rumors
iPhone 17 Pro might run cooler under load.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro family may use more efficient displays and feature improved thermal efficiency. They will seemingly also pack bigger batteries to deliver long battery life.

The information comes from a Chinese leaker known for his accurate iPhone-related leaks in the past.

Apple ups foldable iPhone shipment targets ahead of 2026 debut

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Foldable iPhone mockup
Apple expects foldable iPhone to sell in big numbers.
Photo: ChatGPT

Apple’s foldable iPhone won’t launch until at least H2 2026. Yet, the company is seemingly already optimistic about its demand, raising its shipment forecast.

A reputed Apple analyst says Apple has bumped its 2026 and 2027 shipment forecasts by a few million units.