Apple just released new firmware for a wide range of AirPods models, bringing bug fixes to the company’s wireless earbuds and headphones. Firmware version 9B47 is available for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2. 

Last year, Apple finally explained exactly how to update your AirPods firmware. The process can happen automatically, in the background, but there is a way to speed things up. It’s a good idea to manually check that you’re running the latest version, which brings bug fixes and sometimes great new features.

Read on for more details, and to find all current AirPods firmware versions along with instructions for getting the AirPods update as quickly as possible.

A new app from Apple could make running local AI models on your Mac a breeze. Currently available in a private preview under the Claris brand, the app called Harbor “turns your Mac into a private AI inference server,” says leaker Aaron Perris.

It will make it easier to create a cluster of Macs for running large local AI models. 

Apple TV is getting a new accessibility feature that lets viewers watch supported movies and shows with sign language interpretation shown overlaid on the video.

The feature launches Friday, November 13, with the global streaming debut of Being Heumann, a film based on the true story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann.

“At Apple, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy great stories and entertainment,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Bringing sign language interpretation to Apple TV is an exciting step forward in making the viewing experience more accessible and inclusive for Deaf audiences. Accessibility is a core value at Apple, and we’re proud to continue creating experiences that allow more people to enjoy the content they love.”

Excited about the new OLED iPad mini, but want something larger? Apple’s first iPad Air with an OLED display remains on schedule to arrive in the first half of 2027, according to a new supply-chain report.

The upgrade is expected to bring richer colors and deeper blacks to Apple’s midrange tablet though it supposedly won’t be ale to match the high-end OLED display technology found in the iPad Pro.

November 10, 1983: Microsoft tells the world about an upcoming product called Windows that will bring the graphical user interface to IBM PCs. Although Microsoft’s announcement about the new operating system comes shortly before Apple launches the first Macintosh in January 1984, Windows 1.0 won’t actually ship until November 1985, earning it an early reputation as “vaporware.”

At the time, Apple doesn’t view Windows as much of a threat. That doesn’t take long to change, however.

Apple’s first “intelligence usage packs” put a price on heavy usage of the company’s AI features. A single pack costs $49.99, and music production app Logic Pro is the first to offer the paid upgrade.

For months, Apple said that heavy AI use would eventually cost extra. Now the bill has arrived, at least for Apple Creator Studio subscribers who max out their monthly limits.

Your iPhone or Apple Watch can translate for you, but you need a learning platform like Lingzio if you want to master a foreign language. It uses AI-powered lessons, flashcards and conversational practice to help you get comfortable enough to actually chat like a local when you travel abroad.

Lingzio’s Premium plan offers a structured way to make that dream of fluency come true. And right now, you can secure lifetime access, with no recurring fees, for just $59.99 (MSRP $199). Lingzio runs in your browser, so you can start a language lesson in Safari on your Mac and pick it up later on your iPhone or iPad.

A change to the way macOS 27.3 handles Full Disk Access could close a shortcut that apps use to get sweeping access to your Mac. Apps wouldn’t land in the permissions list on their own anymore.

It’s a small change, but it does hint at how Apple may make this powerful permission more deliberate to grant. For now, the feature flag behind it is reportedly switched off.

Apple on Monday rolled out iOS 27.2.1, iPadOS 27.2.1 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2.1, giving iPhone, iPad and Mac users a fresh batch of bug fixes and security improvements. The updates protect users from security flaws that affect the Messages app as well as AirPlay and Bluetooth vulnerabilities.

Don’t expect any exciting new features in these releases. Those will come when iOS 27.3 arrives in December. Instead, Apple focused on fixing problems and addressing security vulnerabilities with today’s updates.

The Liquid Glass user interface brought dramatic change to the iPhone with iOS 26, so it’s no surprise that some people hate it. Apple paid attention, and if the translucent look is just not for you, you can tweak or turn off Liquid Glass in iOS 27. And it’s easy.

Plus, you will find the same settings in macOS Golden Gate 27 and iPadOS 27, so you can turn off Liquid Glass on all your Apple devices if you like. Here’s how.

November 9, 1994: Gil Amelio, a businessman with a reputation as a talented turnaround artist, joins Apple’s board of directors.

Coming off his impressive revitalization of two other tech companies, National Semiconductor and Rockwell International, Amelio’s appointment at Apple sparks widespread celebration. Many Apple watchers think his arrival means the company’s dark days are over. Sadly, Amelio’s turnaround tricks won’t work in Cupertino.

The PlanEat app lets you build a personalized seven-day meal plan with built-in calorie and macro tracking — and even an auto-generated grocery list.

And right now, you can snag a lifetime subscription to PlanEat’s Premium plan for just $24 with code DEAL20 (regularly $159).

Apple is eyeing an agentic Siri, and it might arrive as early as next year, according to information leaking out of the company.

Siri AI is far more capable than the old assistant, but it still waits for you to ask. Rivals like ChatGPT’s Dots and Meta’s Muse keep working between conversations, and Apple CEO John Ternus reportedly wants to close that gap.

A free iPhone “laser pointer” app called AimMac is here to take over your Mac’s cursor. With the software running, simply point your iPhone at your screen, and the cursor will land right where you aim, like you’re using a Wii remote. Tap to click, hold to drag.  Or you can lay the iPhone on a desk and it becomes a trackpad for the Mac.

The developer also made versions that let an Apple Watch or AirPods case work the same was as the iPhone.

Apple is reworking the initial iOS 28, iPadOS 28 and macOS 28 development cycle. It’s giving engineers more time to explore ideas and build new features for next year’s updates.

The change affects the first of Apple’s three internal software development milestones, says a reliable source

November 8, 1984: After initial Mac sales prove disappointing, Apple CEO John Sculley dreams up the “Test Drive a Macintosh” marketing campaign to encourage people to give the revolutionary new computer a chance.

The promotional strategy advises people to drop into their local retailer and “borrow” a Macintosh for 24 hours. The idea is that, by the time potential customers need to return the Mac, they will have bonded with it — and realized they can’t live without one of Apple’s computers.

While 200,000 would-be customers take advantage of the offer, Apple dealers absolutely hate the innovative promotion.

Clarus the Dogcow is back! The beloved Macintosh mascot, famous for her distinctive “Moof!” sound, appears as an Easter egg in iOS 27.

It’s a fun nod to Apple’s early days, when the company had a much quirkier personality and even a tiny illustration created to help demonstrate printer settings could become a beloved part of Mac culture.

Four decades after her debut, Clarus is still finding ways to make Apple fans smile.

Your headphones shouldn’t need charging every time you reach for them, so JBL Tune 530BT on-ear headphones offer up to 76 hours of battery life, plus a quick-charge option for the times you forget. And when it comes to the all-important audio, custom 33 mm drivers and JBL Pure Bass deliver the goods.

Right now, a new, open-box pair costs just $46.99 (MSRP $59.95). They’re a great, long-lasting option for everyday listening, calls and moving between devices.

This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: The first iOS 27.3 beta brings some pretty massive changes to the iPhone. The redesigned Health app’s back, Apple Fitness+ finally adds a weightlifting workout, and Siri gets potentially awesome new powers.

Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:

• We go over some of the most mind-blowing numbers from Apple’s latest earnings call.
• A guy’s DIY project that turns an iMac G4 into a homemade HomeView gets us reminiscing about one of Apple’s most iconic computers of all time. (The mod is pretty slick, too.)
• And finally, we go heavy on the new Gym Strength workout in Fitness+ … and Graham breathes a sigh of relief. His strength-training app, Reps & Sets, didn’t get sherlocked after all!

Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in your podcast app of choice. Or watch the video version, embedded below. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!)

Most VPNs perform the fairly straightforward job of encrypting your internet connection and concealing your IP address. GhostShield VPN Premium adds another feature to that equation: an AI-powered threat analyzer.

It inspects things in real time, looking for malicious domains and suspicious connections as you browse. And right now, you can secure lifetime access to GhostShield VPN Premium for just $49.99 (regularly $399). That includes the AI Threat Analyzer, ChaCha20 encryption, unlimited bandwidth and support for 10 simultaneous devices.

November 7, 1997: Apple releases the Newton MessagePad 2100, the last and best iteration of the company’s early line of handheld devices.

Among its improvements over previous generations, the MessagePad 2100 packs expanded memory, enhanced speed and upgraded communications software. Nevertheless, the Newton’s fate is sealed. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, freshly returned to the company, will scrap the product line within months.

Got a gym membership card riding around in your wallet? Or maybe it’s a loyalty card from a store. Even a library card. You can now add these to the Wallet app on your iPhone and leave the plastic at home.

The new feature in iOS 27 means you no longer need to rely on a business or institution to offer an “Add to Apple Wallet” button. Instead, you can use your iPhone to scan an existing card or create a pass manually, then keep it alongside your other Wallet items.

Here’s how to turn almost any physical card or digital pass into a custom Apple Wallet pass.

It’s a great season to get a new Mac, since every model is a great buy. If you’re one of the lucky people to get one this year, here’s how to set up your Mac like a pro.

So rip open that box, tear off that plastic, and let’s get to the good stuff.

Here is Cult of Mac’s guide to setting up your new Mac the right way.

The iPhone 18e could be a modest update for Apple’s budget-friendly phone, with a faster chip as the main draw. Early rumors suggest a 60Hz screen, a familiar design and few new features.

You can stop your Mac from sleeping if you want it to stay on indefinitely. This might prove handy if you find it locking when you don’t want it to, like during a class or meeting. You don’t need to wiggle the mouse every few minutes to keep the screen on.

There are a few different ways to set this up. The simplest and most permanent way is to disable sleep entirely in your Mac’s System Settings. However, if you just want a quick way to disable sleep temporarily, there’s a simple command you can enter in the Terminal. Or, if you want something more user-friendly and customizable, there’s a free app you can download that you can toggle on and off from your Mac’s menu bar.

Here are the three best solutions if you want to stop your Mac from sleeping.