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Rajesh Pandey - page 15

macOS 26 Tahoe debuts with sleek design and smarter Spotlight

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macOS Tahoe running on Macs
macOS Tahoe brings the "Liquid Glass" design to Macs.
Photo: Apple

Like iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe follows Apple’s new yearly naming scheme. It also adapts the new Liquid Glass design, using glassy UI elements and updated system icons.

But that’s not it. macOS 26 Tahoe includes a redesigned Control Centre, a revamped Spotlight, and, for the first time ever, brings the Phone app to the Mac.

“macOS is the heart and soul of the Mac, and with Tahoe, we’re building on what users love most. Whether you’re a power user or just getting started on Mac, there’s something for everyone, with even more features to turbocharge productivity and make working across Mac and iPhone more seamless than ever before,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering.

Goodbye iOS 19, hello iOS 26: Apple switches to year-based names

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iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 naming scheme
Going forward, Apple operating systems will be named after the upcoming year.
Image: Apple

In a significant shift in its software branding strategy, Apple is moving away from its traditional iOS and iPadOS version numbering. Instead, the company announced the move to a year-based naming convention at WWDC25.

So, rather than iOS 19 and iPadOS 19, the company will market its releases this year as iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. Apple’s other operating systems will also adopt the same naming style.

“We’re unifying our version numbers across all our platforms. Our releases for the fall that will power us through the coming year, 2026, will be version 26,” said Craig Fedrighi during WWDC’s opening keynote.

Apple retail stores could soon ease carrier promo rules

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Apple Store in Atlanta
Apple's Back to School promo goes live soon, too.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple’s yearly Back to School promo will supposedly go live in the US later this month. Like every year, the company will bundle gift cards with selected devices as part of the promo.

Additionally, Apple will double the carrier promos in its retail stores from late June to boost iPhone sales.

Apple’s 2027 iPhone makeover will start with iOS 26

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2027 iPhone Render
2027 iPhone may build on iOS 26's new visual design.
Photo: ChatGPT

Apple’s new visual language for iOS 19/iOS 26 reportedly will lay the groundwork for its upcoming hardware products. This will include a revamped design for the 2027 iPhone, dubbed “Glasswing.”

The device apparently will feature an all-glass design, with a “extraordinarily slim bezels” and a notch-free display.

iOS 19 wish list: Apple needs to deliver these features

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iOS 19 Wish list
iOS 19 can make up its missing AI features with other changes.
Illustration: ChatGPT

iOS improvements over the years have made the iPhone more customizable, more useful and more fun. But iOS 19 (which might be called iOS 26 instead) could raise the bar even higher by adding the features on my wish list.

Leaks strongly suggest the iPhone’s next operating system update will introduce a bold new visual design, drawing heavy inspiration from visionOS, which powers the Apple Vision Pro headset. But that visual overhaul — part of a project reportedly called Solarium that will unify the look and feel of all Apple operating systems — should not be the sole talking point during the iOS segment of next Monday’s WWDC25 keynote.

From long-overdue interface changes to smarter multitasking and better system controls, iOS 19 (or iOS 26, if Apple goes ahead with a rumored change to its naming system) has the potential to push the iPhone experience forward in meaningful ways.

With WWDC25 just days away, here’s what I hope Apple delivers with its next big update.

watchOS 12 could play nice with older Apple Watch models

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk
watchOS 12/26 will apparently work with your old Apple Watch.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly does not plan to drop support for any older Apple Watch models with watchOS 12 (or watchOS 26). A leaker indicates the upcoming watchOS release will support Apple Watch Series 6 and newer models — the same as watchOS 11.

Apple discontinued support for several older Apple Watch models with the release of watchOS 11 in 2024

Apple sees stronger iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 adoption across devices

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iOS 18 logo inside an iPhone frame
iOS 18 adoption outpaces iOS 17.
Logo/Graphics: Apple/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac

Ahead of iOS 19‘s unveiling at WWDC25 next week, Apple shared updated iOS 18 adoption figures. As of June 4, 2025, the OS powers 88% of all iPhones launched in the last four years.

This number drops slightly to 82% when considering all active iPhones. More iPhones have adopted iOS 18 than iOS 17 during the same timeframe last year.

Apple Watch Control Center might open up to third-party apps

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Apple Watch Control Center
watchOS 12 could give the Apple Watch's Control Center a big upgrade.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The upcoming version of watchOS reportedly will shake up the Apple Watch’s Control Center by adding support for third-party widgets. Right now, it only surfaces toggles for Wi-Fi, Battery, Focus mode, and other system settings.

However, like the iPhone, Apple supposedly will open the watchOS Control Center and allow for greater customization.

iOS 19 may turn your AirPods into a remote camera button

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Apple AirPods 4 review
iOS 26 could make the AirPods Pro even better.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

iOS 19/iOS 26 will reportedly enhance the AirPods experience by introducing new head gestures. The earbuds will also become smart enough to stop audio playback when you fall asleep while wearing them. Plus, you may finally be able to use the AirPods as a remote shutter for the camera.

With every new major iOS release, Apple added new features to AirPods as well. It appears the company may continue that trend this year as well.

iOS 19 will bring smart upgrades to Messages and Music apps

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iOS 19 render logo
iOS 19 will offer more than a redesign.
Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Apple reportedly will introduce several enhancements to its Messages, Notes and Music apps as part of iOS 19. New additions in the Messages app include automatic translations and support for polls. And the Music app will enhance the Now Playing view on the Lock Screen by adding animated, full-screen album art.

macOS 16 rumors: What to expect at WWDC25

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Image of the Apple logo with
The next major macOS release could pack bigger changes than anticipated.
Illustration: ChatGPT

WWDC25 is nearly here, with iOS 19 and iPadOS 19 possibly set to steal the spotlight. However, the latest rumors indicate you shouldn’t count macOS 16 out just yet, as it might bring more upgrades than expected. It might not even be called macOS 16, if Apple’s rumored switch to year-based release names happens. (We’ll refer to it as macOS 16 until the big switch happens.)

With June 9 fast approaching, here’s a breakdown of what macOS 16 could bring to the table.

Instagram app for iPad moves closer to launch

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Instagram for iPad mockup
iPad may finally get a native Instagram app.
Illustration: ChatGPT

Meta finally released a native WhatsApp app for iPad last week, following years of user requests. Now, the company appears to be going “full steam ahead” with an Instagram app for Apple’s tablet.

The app may launch as early as this year, with internal testing already underway.

Hands-on video shows chunkier iPhone 17 Pro Max design

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iPhone 17 Pro Max rumors
Would you accept a thicker iPhone 17 Pro Max for better battery life?
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The iPhone 17 Air should become Apple’s lightest and thinnest iPhone yet later this year. In contrast, the company will seemingly take the opposite direction with its Pro Max model, making it thicker and heavier.

A hands-on video of an iPhone 17 Pro Max dummy unit reveals what could be its final, noticeably thicker design.

How Raycast transforms the way I work on my Mac [Awesome Apps]

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Raycast on Mac render
Raycast transforms how you get things done on a Mac.
Photo: Raycast/Rajesh Pandey/CultOfMac
Awesome Apps

Anyone who’s used a Mac for years understands the value of Spotlight search, as it can quickly help you search through your Mac, email, apps, and system settings. But if you want to take things to the next level, check out Raycast — a powerful Spotlight alternative that goes beyond simple search.

From setting reminders and tracking flights to running Terminal commands and finding files, Raycast is built for speed and efficiency. It really is a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. Here’s how I use it to supercharge my productivity on the Mac.

iOS 19 could finally fix the Android eSIM transfer headache

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iOS 19 and Android eSIM transfer
iOS 19 might address a big flaw with eSIM transfers.
Illustration: ChatGPT

Apple could make moving eSIMs from iPhone to Android easier with iOS 19. Evidence found in the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 suggests that Apple and Google are working closely to achieve this.

Currently, it’s not possible to directly move an eSIM from an iPhone to Android.

The wait is over: WhatsApp launches on the iPad

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WhatsApp for iPad
WhatsApp for iPad is finally here.
Screenshot: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

After years of waiting, WhatsApp finally landed on the iPad on Tuesday. You can now use Meta’s popular messaging service on your iPad alongside other devices.

Like on the Mac, WhatsApp’s iPad app won’t let you register with a new number. It functions solely as a companion device linked to a primary phone.

Future iPhone might go ultra high-res with 200MP camera

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The iPhone 15 Pro Max camera array, pictured in front of a green plant.
Do you want an iPhone with a 200MP main camera?
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple might finally catch up to Samsung and use a 200MP primary camera on future iPhones. A new rumor hints that the company is experimenting with a 200MP main camera sensor.

Current iPhone models ship with a 48MP primary shooter, while the Pro models also use a 48MP ultrawide.

tvOS 12 and watchOS 12 to get a visionOS glow-up

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Apple Watch 10 review
watchOS 12 might feature a glassy design.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming iOS 19 design overhaul will extend to Apple Watch, Apple TV and even the Vision Pro headset that inspired the glossy refresh, according to a new report. This will help the company deliver a more consistent experience across all its devices.

“tvOS and watchOS will both be redesigned to match their more popular siblings [iOS, macOS and iPadOS], while visionOS will get some adjustments — in cases where the changes make sense for a headset,” wrote Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman in Sunday’s Power On newsletter. “While iOS 7 in 2013 was the biggest-ever visual change to the iPhone’s software, the latest overhaul will be much more widely felt.”

Apple analyst warns political pressure may outweigh tariff impact

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Apple logo with White House in the background.
Apple should take the 25% tariff hit instead of making iPhones in the U.S.
Illustration: ChatGPT

President Donald Trump wants Apple to make iPhones in the United States. Otherwise, he threatens to impose a 25% tariff on the company.

A well-connected supply chain analyst thinks that, from a profitability standpoint, it’s better for Apple to absorb the 25% tariff on iPhones. But the bigger concern is the growing political pressure from the U.S. president.

Gemini Live brings camera and screen sharing to iPhone

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Gemini Live mockup on iPhone
Gemini Live will get a lot more powerful on the iPhone.
Photo: ChatGPT

Gemini Live gets better on the iPhone, with Google rolling out free camera and screen sharing support to all users.

The feature allows you to feed a live stream of your surroundings using the iPhone’s camera, and interact with Gemini to get more information about it.

iPhone 17 Air’s small battery might punch above its weight

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iPhone 17 Air render
You might not like iPhone 17 Air's rumored battery capacity.
Photo: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac

Apple’s upcoming super-slim iPhone 17 Air could weigh just 5.11 ounces, according to a new leak. That would make it one of the lightest smartphones on the market. However, the phone’s thinness could come at the expense of battery life.

The leaker says the device will come with a paltry 2,800mAh battery. But Apple might tap new technology to make that tiny battery last longer than you would expect.

Apple might finally let you ditch Siri for a smarter assistant

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Siri desperately needs some ChatGPT-like smarts
There's a lot Siri doesn't understand. And that's a problem.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple might allow users to replace Siri with another virtual assistant on iPhone, iPad and Mac, according to a new report.

While Apple’s smarter Siri will not arrive until at least next year, Apple users in the European Union might get something even better in the near future.

AirPods Pro 3 might not arrive until 2026

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Of course, if the stock ear tips that come with AirPods Pro 2 may work fine for most people.
You may have to stick to your AirPods Pro 2 for another year.
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

The wait for Apple’s next-gen AirPods Pro might stretch out longer than anticipated. According to a respected supply chain analyst, Apple won’t refresh its flagship earbuds until 2026.

Trump calls out Apple for building products in India

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iPhone 14 Pro in India
Trump does not want Apple to expand its manufacturing in India.
Photo: Cult of Mac

President Donald Trump made it clear Wednesday he doesn’t want Apple to manufacture its products in India.

“I don’t want you building in India,” Trump reportedly told Apple CEO Tim Cook during a phone call Wednesday.

Apple Music wants to make switching from other music services easier

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Spotify to Apple Music migration.
A new tool from Apple makes migrating from Apple Music to Spotify easier.
Photo: Apple/Spotify/Rajesh Pandey

A new tool from Apple will make it easier to import your playlists and library from Spotify to Apple Music. As part of a limited rollout, the company currently offers this feature in Australia and New Zealand.

Apple joined forces with SongShift, a popular playlist transfer tool, to bring this feature to life.