Your next iPhone could be assembled in India, not China. Photo: Cult of Mac
We’ll have to stop thinking of the iPhone as a product made in China — nearly all Apple’s handsets for sale in the United States are reportedly now assembled in India.
It’s part of Apple’s effort to reduce paying the tariffs President Donald Trump places on most products imported into the U.S., especially ones that come from China.
A high-level Apple exec explains why iPad and Mac will stay separate. Image: Cult of Mac
iPadOS 26 moves the iPad closer to the Mac than ever before. But don’t take the upcoming operating system as a stepping stone toward an eventual unification between iPadOS and macOS. That’s clearly not going to happen.
The reason can be summed up with a phrase that Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software development, used in an interview at WWDC this week: “iPad’s gonna be iPad.”
It's described as an "edge-of-your-seat thriller," and it might actually be one. Photo: Apple TV+
“It” girl actress Sydney Sweeney plays a drug addict and probable killer whose mom, played by Julianne Moore, will do anything to save her, according to a trailer Apple TV+ dropped recently for the new Echo Valley movie. It’s now streaming, as of Friday, and you can watch the trailer below.
Ridley Scott produces the thriller, which also stars Kyle MacLachlan and Domhall Gleeson.
Update:Echo Valley, now available to watch on Apple TV+, garners mixed reviews so far. Empire calls it a “superbly acted rural thriller.” Financial Times said it’s “delightedly twisty” with “dark dashes of Hitchcock.” But IGN calls it “hollow” and “dull,” and a New York Times review says: “A stellar cast led by Julianne Moore is unable to breathe life into this unsuccessful blend of maternal drama and crime caper.”
1Password's new app unlock presets promise a seamless experience. Photo: 1Password
1Password is testing a new unlock system on Mac, aiming to reduce the need for constant reauthentication. The app introduces three preset modes — Convenient, Balanced and Strict — giving users control over how frequently they unlock the app based on their security preferences.
The changes are currently only available on 1Password’s beta channel for Mac.
Work on a much smarter Siri will take about a long to finish as pessimists predicted. AI image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac
The release date for the AI-enhanced version of the Siri voice assistant will likely come in spring 2026, according to information leaking out of Apple. That’s nine months from now, and a year after it was first expected.
The long delay in the launch of smarter Siri was a significant black eye for Apple, clearly demonstrating that it wasn’t keeping up with rivals in AI research.
Soon this same CarPlay screen will be able to show videos when the car is parked. Photo: Apple
In a significant policy shift, Apple will let iPhone users stream videos directly to their CarPlay screens for the first time since the platform’s launch. With iOS 26, showcased at WWDC25, the tech giant introduced AirPlay video functionality for CarPlay. So you can stream video from apps in the car — but only when you’re parked.
This thumb-size external SSD connects to your Mac or your smartTV, no adapter needed. Image: PNY
The PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD includes both a USB-C and a USB-A connector. That means the flash drive that launched Thursday can plug into any modern Mac, or it can go into a smartTV or other accessory that lacks a USB-C port — no adapter needed.
Even better, it offers 1,000MB/s data transfers, and capacities go up to 2 terabytes. The price is very competitive, too.
A new Apple system can securely share the age range of children with apps. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26 and other upcoming Apple operating systems include new tools intended to help parents protect kids and teens online. These include a system that enables parents to share the age range of their children with third-party applications in a way that doesn’t violate the kids’ privacy.
There are also new protections for teens under 18 as they use their Apple devices, and parental controls on communicating with new phone numbers.
Trailers for F1 showcase the film's intense racing scenes, and a new haptic trailer boosts the octane. Photo: Apple TV+
A “haptic trailer” for Apple Original film F1: The Movie adds a new dimension to all the roaring race cars and manic pit stop maneuvers. When viewed on an iPhone, the first-of-its-kind trailer triggers the device’s Taptic Engine in sync with the on-screen action.
The unique trailer Apple released Monday is the buzziest movie gimmick since Percepto!, the system of electric buzzers placed underneath theater seats by director William Castle to stoke interest in his 1959 horror flick The Tingler.
The keyboard stows easily for productivity anywhere. Photo: Logitech
Logitech’s latest iPad accessory, Flip Folio, is a protective keyboard case specifically engineered for Apple’s iPad Pro and iPad Air models, the Swiss peripherals giant said Wednesday. Logitech Flip Folio promises to enhance the iPad experience at home or on the go with a unique magnetic storage system and multi-device connectivity. Those should appeal to users seeking versatility in their mobile computing setup.
“We’ve designed Flip Folio to make the iPad experience both fun and functional, helping you stay focused on what matters,” said Joseph Mingori, Logitech GM of mobile and audio solutions. “Flip Folio enhances everyday experiences — from binge watching to checking your social media or emails — by delivering portability and connectivity, setting people free so they can do what they love from anywhere.”
Will Apple launch the AirPods Pro 3 this year? Photo: Apple
iOS 26 developer beta hints at Apple launching the AirPods Pro 3 sooner rather than later. The first beta of the OS contains references to the upcoming wireless earbuds.
Conflicting reports surround the AirPods Pro 3 launch. Some point to a fall 2025 release, while others suggest the earbuds might not arrive until 2026.
Craig Federighi opens up on why Apple was overly optimistic about a launch of smarter Siri. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software development, finally gave more details on why the AI-enhanced new Siri version got delayed for so very long. He explains why Apple thought it could deliver the new feature this year, but eventually had to push back the launch until possibly 2026.
The intent seems to be to show that Apple was being overly optimistic, not deceptive, when it said at WWDC24 the new Siri version would be out within a year.
A slew of new features will come in core Apple services across devices this fall. Photo: Apple
Updates coming this fall to core Apple services like Maps, Music and Wallet focus heavily on artificial intelligence integration and personalization. The updates promise to make everyday tasks more intuitive and enjoyable for users across the Apple ecosystem.
The Apple Games app is a new all-in-one destination for games and playing with friends on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Photo: Apple
A major new addition to Apple’s software lineup at WWDC25, the Games app, centralizes gaming experiences across all Apple devices, the iPhone giant said Monday. And it adds powerful social features that turn even single-player games into shared experiences with friends.
“The Games app is going to be a game changer for playing on iPhone, iPad and Mac,” said Tim Garbos, creative director and cofounder of game brand Triband. “The app makes it easy for us to create moments just for groups of friends. The new challenges feature works great and feels natural for our games on Apple Arcade, including our latest release, What the Clash?, and we’ve been having a lot of fun with it!”
This user said Liquid Glass just seems harder to read. Photo: @Stammy on X.com
Liquid Glass looked great in WWDC25 demos Monday, but reactions soon afterward put a few cracks in it. The new transparent and reactive design language coming to all Apple devices this fall strikes many folks as making it too hard to read information on their screens.
Many initial reactions to Liquid Glass make it look like a misstep.
“Can’t wait to not be able to read anything on my iPhone,” grumbled one user. Several others implied Apple co-founder Steve Jobs would hate the new design language.
iOS 26 will finally tell you how long your iPhone will take for a full charge. Screenshot: Rajesh PandeyCult Of Mac
iOS 26 introduces a small but useful feature for iPhone users: the ability to view the estimated time remaining for a full charge. This information appears directly on the Lock Screen while your device is charging, giving you a quick glance at how long you need to wait.
You can get an even more detailed breakdown in the Battery sub-menu in the Settings app.
iOS 26 tweaks the swipe-back gesture Screenshot: Rajesh PandeyCult Of Mac
Apple may finally solve a major navigation issue on iPhones with iOS 26. It tweaks the swipe-to-go-back gesture to trigger from anywhere, not just the edge.
In iOS 18, going back requires swiping from the left edge of the screen. The problem? Reaching that corner with your thumb can be tough, especially on larger Pro Max models.
iOS 26 introduces a new Adaptive Power mode for a longer iPhone battery life. Photo: Apple
iOS 26 adds a new Adaptive Power Mode to newer iPhones to extend their battery life under heavy load. It will achieve this by lowering the display brightness and making other under-the-hood changes.
Additionally, iOS 26 revamps the Battery Usage menu, providing more details about power consumption from various apps.
Watch the Keynote in just 1.6% of the time. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
During the WWDC25 keynote on Monday, Apple announced the next versions of every operating system with a new naming scheme and fresh look. iOS has an all-new interface with redesigned Camera, Messages and Phone apps; macOS has a brand-new Spotlight; iPadOS has supercharged multitasking.
This 2019 MacBook Pro with an Intel chip won’t get macOS 27. Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
The upcoming macOS 26 Tahoe is the last upgrade that will be compatible with Macs running Intel processors, Apple revealed at WWDC on Monday. The company continued to make OS upgrades for computers running those chips many years after the release of the last one, but that’s coming to an end in 2026.
The Phone app in iOS 26 includes Live translation. Image: Apple
The highlight of Apple’s recent AI efforts is Live Translation, but that’s not the only new Apple Intelligence feature unveiled at WWDC on Monday. There are also improvements to visual intelligence and Image Playground. Plus, third-party app developers can access Apple’s AI models for free.
But the keynote address kicking off the Mac maker’s developers conference was short on big AI-related announcements when compared to what’s coming out of OpenAI or Google. Still, the company did what it could.
“Last year, we took the first steps on a journey to bring users intelligence that’s helpful, relevant, easy to use, and right where users need it, all while protecting their privacy. Now, the models that power Apple Intelligence are becoming more capable and efficient, and we’re integrating features in even more places across each of our operating systems,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
Apple went into more detail on its new software releases in the Platforms State of the Union. Image: Apple
At the Platforms State of the Union, Apple detailed how the new Liquid Glass design works, how Apple Intelligence can be added to third-party apps, how Swift Assist in Xcode will work with third-party AI models and more.
This event goes into all the technical details behind the morning’s announcements. Apple showed how developers can update their apps with the new design and use the latest developer tools.
watchOS 26 gets Apple's new Liquid Glass look. Screenshot: Apple
Apple took the wraps off watchOS 26 on Monday, showcasing its new Liquid Glass design and other key new features. The Workout app gets the biggest makeover, featuring a new Workout Buddy that delivers personalised attaboy messages when you need a little extra mojo.
Other apps get improvements in watchOS 26, too, and a long-missing app finally makes an appearance.
visionOS 26 adds many new spatial and sharing features. Image: Apple
visionOS 26, the next major software release for the Apple Vision Pro, will bring spatial widgets, better Personas, new accessories, more integration with iPhone, more immersive content, Look to Scroll and so much more to the powerful headset.
Apple Vision Pro is “a revolutionary spatial computer that seamlessly blends digital content with the real world,” says Mike Rockwell, Apple’s vice president of the Vision Products Group. “With brand-new ways for Vision Pro owners to connect, explore, work together, and enjoy content,” visionOS 26 is a huge update.
Announced after iOS 26, watchOS 26 and macOS Tahoe at WWDC25 on Monday, visionOS 26 will be available today as a developer beta and will release publicly for everyone this fall.
Many more options for working with windows is a highlight of iPadOS 26 at WWDC 2025. Screenshot: Apple
iPadOS 26 lets Apple’s tablets act more like a Mac than ever before. It also includes a new design that makes all Apple computers look more similar, further bringing iPads and Macs together.
“iPadOS 26 is our biggest iPadOS release ever, with powerful features that take the experience to the next level and transform what users can do on iPad,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, during Monday’s WWDC25 keynote. “With a beautiful new design, an entirely new powerful and intuitive windowing system, even more features powered by Apple Intelligence, huge improvements to working with files, and new capabilities for creatives to power their workflows, iPadOS 26 makes our most versatile device even more capable.”