Illinois motorists can securely add a digital driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, which enables them to present their ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch. The option was announced Tuesday and becomes available on Wednesday.
That makes the Prairie State the fourteenth U.S. state or territory to support Apple’s digital ID program.
Apple continues to quickly push ahead with development of its next round of operating system updates. The result: the third betas of iOS 26.2 and macOS Tahoe 26.2 reached developers on Monday, and the public on Tuesday. The same goes for iPadOS 26.2 beta 3, watchOS 26.2 beta 3, tvOS 26.2 beta 3 and visionOS 26.2 beta 3.
Expect the full versions to be ready in only a few weeks.
Apple has achieved what many thought impossible: manufacturing millions of Apple Watch cases using 3D-printing technology with 100% recycled titanium — while cutting raw material usage in half. The breakthrough marks a significant milestone in both sustainable manufacturing and production efficiency, with the company estimating the process will save more than 400 metric tons of raw titanium this year alone.
“It wasn’t just an idea — it was an idea that wanted to become a reality,” said Kate Bergeron, Apple’s vice president of product design, in a press release Tuesday. “Once we asked the question, we immediately started testing it. We had to prove, with continuous prototyping, process optimization, and a tremendous amount of data gathering, that this technology was capable of meeting the high standard of quality we demand.”
The iPhone 17’s new N1 wireless chip brings a significant boost in Wi-Fi speeds. Tests conducted by Ookla show the newer iPhone models pulling faster speeds over Wi-Fi than their predecessors.
Based on the test data, the iPhone 17 pulled 40% faster Wi-Fi speeds than the iPhone 16.
Apple One makes life easier (and cheaper) by bundling multiple Apple services together — and hidden perks make everything even better. The initial draw is that you gain access to services like Apple TV, iCloud and Apple Music at a reduced price. But there’s more to each of these services than meets the eye.
There are several lesser-known features you might not know about. Some enhance your day-to-day experience, while others will help you save even more money.
Apple continues testing iOS 26.2, seeding the third beta to developers. Building on the first two betas, the third beta contains several changes.
Below is everything new in iOS 26.2 beta 3.
Apple will soon allow iPhone users in Japan to use the side button to trigger a third-party voice assistant they might prefer to Siri. It is laying the groundwork for this change in iOS 26.2, which is currently in beta testing.
The company posted a detailed post on its developer blog providing insight into this change.
Abidur Chowdhury, the industrial designer who helped shape the iPhone Air, reportedly left Apple for an unnamed AI startup.
“His exit made waves internally, given his rising profile within the design team,” according to a Bloomberg report.
With Apple’s M5 chip appearing in more devices, it’s time for an M5 vs. M4 chip smackdown. Apple unveiled its new M5 chip in October, marking a significant leap forward in on-device artificial intelligence performance over its predecessor. So let’s compare the M5 chip to the M4 chip.
While maintaining the same core architecture as the M4 chip, the M5 delivers dramatic improvements in AI processing, graphics capabilities and memory bandwidth that position it as Apple’s most AI-focused silicon to date. But it enough to temp would-be upgraders?
A new report says Apple has “largely written off the Mac Pro,” but before you get mad, you need to understand why Mac tower desktops don’t make sense anymore, and haven’t for years.
It all comes down to the architecture of Apple’s M-series processors.
While many people know the new Apple Watch Series 11 tracks your steps, heart rate and possible high blood pressure, the latest iteration also offers unexpected advantages that go beyond basic fitness monitoring. We put together 10 surprising benefits of Apple Watch Series 11 for you below.
Whether you’re a longtime Apple Watch user or considering your first purchase, these surprising benefits might just change how you think about what a smartwatch can do.
Contrary to a recent rumor, Apple didn’t delay the launch of the iPhone Air 2 to 2027 — that was seemingly the company’s plan all along.
A new report adds more info about the road map for the super-slim device, as well as shedding more light on Apple’s plans to spread out iPhone launches starting in 2026 to give its marketing team some breathing room.
Apple reportedly has “largely written off the Mac Pro” and does not plan to significantly upgrade its expandable desktop computer in 2026.
Instead, the company seems focused on the Mac Studio, a smaller desktop machine without expansion slots.
Don’t miss our explanation on why Apple killing the Mac Pro makes sense.
Apple’s board of directors is reportedly amping up the search for a new CEO to replace Tim Cook, possibly as early as January 2026. The board recently “intensified preparations for Cook to hand over the reins,” according to a Saturday report from the Financial Times, which says the announcement of a new Apple CEO could come alongside the company’s post-holiday earnings report.
The story cited “several people familiar with discussions inside the tech group.”
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Nobody saw this coming! The iPhone Pocket is a bizarre Apple product, and the press release announcing its precious existence is one of the most pretentious we’ve ever seen.
Still, it might be big in Asia!
Also on The CultCast:
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.
Not too long ago, the Mac was in a truly bad place — and then Apple silicon came along and radically reinvented the computer. With Apple’s destiny entirely within its own hands, rather than hamstrung by Intel processors, we’ve seen what Cupertino is capable of: delivering absolute computing magic on a regular, annual cycle, across its entire lineup.
With the first three Apple silicon Macs turning 5 on November 17, it’s worth reflecting on how the past half-decade has radically reinvented the Mac.
If you didn’t get up before dawn on Friday, you sadly missed your chance to buy an iPhone Pocket, an accessory that divides Apple fans. It’s been relentlessly mocked online — but sold out immediately on launch day.
Love it or hate it, it’s hard to argue with results like that.
Apple rolled out updated App Review Guidelines Thursday that require developers to explicitly disclose when they’re sharing your personal information with third-party artificial intelligence services — and get your permission first.
Watching Major League Soccer just got cheaper and easier. Starting in 2026, anyone with a subscription to Apple TV can enjoy every regular-season MLS match.
“We’re thrilled to bring MLS to more fans around the world next season on Apple TV,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, in a press release Thursday. “Every match, all in one place, alongside incredible Apple Originals — it’s a win for fans everywhere.”
The Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter is the USB-C hub your iPhone has been looking for. It magnetically attaches to the back of the handset and adds a collection of ports useful to anyone pushing their iPhone to the limit. That includes HDMI, USB-A, Ethernet and more.
“The OntheGo 7-in-1 Multiport Adapter combines power and portability in a sleek design so you can bring your desk anywhere without compromise,” said Brock Guclu, Satechi’s co-founder and president.
Apple’s new Digital ID can be very convenient for travelers, and also convenient for a repressive government intent on tracking its citizens’ every move. That’s the warning privacy advocates have for the ID system for iPhone and Apple Watch that Apple unveiled Wednesday.
Their concern is that a phone-based system can potentially be used to track everyone all the time.
In a major reversal, Tesla is developing support for Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles. That marks the end of years of resistance to one of the most requested features by potential customers, according to a new report Thursday.
The giant monster action of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters returns with season two in February 2026, Apple TV announced Thursday. The series is set in the MonsterVerse that includes Godzilla and other kaiju, with Kong taking a starring role in the teaser trailer that just premiered.
Watch the new video now for an early look at the other giant monsters that’ll be tearing up the scenery — and some of the actors — in season two.
Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 beta 2 may look like a minor update on the surface, but it hides a handful of clever changes. It builds on the changes found in iOS 26.2 beta 1 to deliver an even better experience.
Below are all the changes and tweaks iOS 26.2 beta 2 brings to your iPhone.
macOS 26.2 beta 2 adds a new Edge Light feature to improve the look of your video calls. As the name indicates, it will add a white light to the edges of your Mac’s display while you’re on a video call.
It’s like a built-in ring light that should improve your appearance when hopping on FaceTime to chat with friends or colleagues.