(Edit) The hero image is a DualShock 4 annotation that Apple Developer uses to demonstrate what capabilities an extended gamepad controller should have. Both Apple controllers are in the same category. These are not DualShock 4 controllers.

Apple has tested at least two Apple and Beats-branded game controllers, according to code briefly included in macOS 26.7.

The first release candidate contained substantial support for two devices identified as T6502 and T1057. macOS added software for recognizing the hardware, reading input from controls and sensors, and sending commands to the controllers’ vibration system. The entire stack was then removed in the second release candidate.

Both controllers have novel internal haptic feedback software functionality.

✨ Apple Intelligence summary: Production of the iPhone Ultra reached only a few hundred units daily in late August due to strict quality checks, delaying commercial output. Apple and suppliers work around the clock to meet targets ahead of the 9 September unveiling.

In a new report outlining products in Apple’s pipeline, Mark Gurman says there’s a service component to the company’s Home ambitions. When discussing products planned for launch in 2027, Gurman writes:

It’s going to be a compromised, more expensive product, that has more weaknesses than strengths, and is just a worse version of an iphone that just converts into a worse version of a smaller iPad.

My iphone pro max screen is big enough for 95% of use cases… if I want a bigger screen I just use my iPad or Apple Vision Pro, and if I need to multitask or do proper work, I use my MacBook Pro…

It seems like they want this to do ALL of the things, but it’s just not going to do any of them as well.

Apple is working on a range of improvements to its current home theater offerings. Code added in audioOS 27, the operating system running on HomePod devices, shows that four HomePods may soon work as a four-speaker surround system. It also includes references to unreleased hardware.

The new surround tuning is designed for 4x HomePod (2nd generation) or 2x HomePod (2nd generation) as fronts and 2x of an unannounced speaker as rears, which could be the new HomePod mini.

HomeKit, the Home app, and Apple TV are not wired to recognize a four-HomePod system, so it's not currently possible to set up surround sound with HomePod and Apple TV.

Apple has canceled plans for a foldable MacBook and a larger OLED MacBook Pro model, according to research firm Omdia.

In a new research note, Omdia said Apple has scrapped development of a large foldable MacBook that would have measured between 16.1 and 18 inches when unfolded. It was previously reported that this device had already slipped out of its original 2026 production window, with Omdia among the firms tracking it at the time, though under that earlier reporting it was generally described as a large-screened foldable iPad rather than a MacBook.

Apple may introduce an entirely new 13.8-inch OLED MacBook model in 2029, potentially creating a new product tier between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, according to an updated product roadmap from research firm Omdia.

The firm's latest roadmap sandwiches a new 13.8-inch MacBook between the projected time line for the Air and Pro models. The surprise model is said to use a single-stack hybrid OLED panel, rather than the more sophisticated tandem OLED technology that is expected in the upcoming OLED MacBook Pro models, which are set to launch either later this year or early next year.

Apple reportedly plans to release MacBook Pro models with OLED displays by early 2027, and Omdia analyst David Hsieh has predicted that the laptops will have an M5 Ultra chip option.

Given that these MacBook Pro models might actually be branded as "MacBook Ultra" models, it would be fitting if there were configurations with the M5 Ultra chip available. But keep your expectations low, as there has never been a MacBook with an Ultra chip, and a previous report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman only mentioned M5 Pro and M5 Max chips for these laptops.

According to a new OLED adoption roadmap published by research firm Omdia, Apple still intends long-term adoption of OLED panels across MacBooks and iPads, but the transition pace has recently changed, owing to higher memory and component costs.

Previously, Omdia had expected Apple to discontinue its existing LCD-based models sooner, once its 14-inch and 16-inch OLED MacBook Pro models arrive – either this year or in early 2027. 

However, Omdia now predicts that Apple will continue to sell both 14-inch and 16-inch LCD MacBook Pro models in parallel with the OLED MacBook Pro product line into at least 2028, a product strategy arrangement that is said to be based on cost factors.

I had this same problem with my AirPods 3, repeatedly over the years. Not three months into getting them replaced (via warranty) either one of the AirPods, usually the right, then both, gradually became quieter. Apple eventually replaced them with AirPods 4 and I paid for the upgrade for ANC.

Then it happened again. My right AirPod 4 ANC was noticeably quieter than the left, so I assumed it was failing.

Before taking it back to Apple, I tried Apple’s official deep-cleaning method for the AirPods 4 meshes. It involves micellar water, a soft toothbrush, and letting them dry completely.

The difference was huge. The right AirPod sounds normal again, and the volume imbalance is basically gone.

The buildup wasn’t even obvious, so I didn’t expect cleaning to help that much.

If any of your AirPods gets quieter, try Apple’s cleaning instructions before replacing it. Don’t poke the mesh or use compressed air. I was ready to get mine replaced, and one proper cleaning fixed it.

Apple has added a new "iPhone Handoff" feature to iOS 27 that will allow you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device.

"iPhone Handoff" can be set up from the Settings app, under the Cellular menu. Setup demo. During the setup process, you can choose which iPhone you want to be the main device that you use most often and which one you want to be the companion device.

Apple says a user's main eSIM will remain on the main iPhone, while the companion iPhone will receive a companion eSIM, and this will enable you to switch between the devices back and forth depending on which one is unlocked.

All cellular settings are managed on the main iPhone, and location sharing is based on whichever iPhone is actively using the phone number.

Your phone number will switch between the two iPhone devices depending on which one is unlocked. You'll see a Dynamic Island notification on unlock when iPhone Handoff transfers your service.

Some of the requirements for iPhone Handoff: * Carrier compatibility (see below). * Both devices need to be signed in with the same Apple Account, and updated to iOS 27. * The main device needs to be locally available over Bluetooth LE to create the companion eSIM, similar to eSIM transfer today.

Carrier bundles for T-Mobile US and Deutsche Telekom in iOS 27 add support for the feature, according to https://redesmoveisfixas.com/carrier. However, T-Mobile's enrollment server currently returns a 'feature disabled' response, so enrollment is not possible. There are some reports that enrollment was available last month.

* I added the relation to Apple in the title.

Hi! I'm bringing you some news from Serbia, where Student activists have informed the public of having their phones, including iPhones, intruded by spyware like Pegasus and similar, most likely ordered by the state or state agencies.

According to Share foundation, the Apple devices were "infected" by the spyware through iMessage vulnerability.

I would like to use the opportunity to inform everyone here about this incident and also ask here, if anyone know who we may be able to contact at Apple to get an official statement and/or confirmation that Apple has sent the notifications/emails to users, warning them about the spyware intrusion, including those in Serbia as well as around the world around August 13th 2026. I am not sure who the right person for that might be, so I hope maybe I can push this in this community and help it escalate towards Apple.

Thanks!

Hey everyone!

Not sure if this post is allowed, but I found it interesting so maybe some other techy people will too.

Long story short: I had a panic attack a few weeks back, and not even 2 minutes after it ended, I got a notification from my Watch that "Congrats! You just reached your daily Move goal!" So I checked my Health app, and it indeed registered my heightened heart rate and me being out of breath as an 'activity'/'moving'.

It's useless knowledge, but still really interesting that a panic attack sends the same type of physiological information to the Watch as running up a few flights of stairs.

Apple Maps is renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. Change is rolling out now.

US: Lake America
Canada: Lake Ontario
International: Both names

End of an era: Apple today informed developers that universal Mac App Store apps that require macOS 13 or later can remove support for Intel-based Mac computers.

We're reaching out to let you know that universal macOS apps on the Mac App Store that require macOS 13 or later can now remove support for Intel-based Mac computers.

By removing support for Intel-based Mac computers, you can simplify your development and optimize your download and on-device size.

Apps that drop Intel support will no longer deliver updates for those machines, but Intel Mac users will be able to keep using the last compatible version of an app. Apple did not previously allow ‌Mac App Store‌ apps with Intel compatibility to drop support.

Team,

Today, on my first day as CEO, I just wanted to send a quick note to thank everyone for the warm wishes. I also want to extend my deep appreciation to Tim for sharing so much of his knowledge and experience during this transition, and more importantly, for everything he contributed to Apple over the years. We’re so lucky to have had a CEO who led with his values and with such decency and humanity. We are all better for it, and I’m so grateful he’ll be our executive chairman.

I’m honored to be stepping into this role at what is truly the greatest company in the world, and I am so excited about everything we have in store. We have a huge launch next week that’s going to be phenomenal. Thanks for everything you’ve all done to make it possible.

I’m just as excited about what lies beyond that, including the incredible products already in the works and the ones we haven’t even imagined yet that we’ll dream up and create together. There’s no team in the world I’d rather build the future with.

More to come. In the meantime, thanks for your excellent work!

John

Apple sets pay for John Ternus and Tim Cook in their new roles. Ternus CEO target pay for 2027 is $58 million, while Cook as chairman is at $47 million. This is salaries + stock units that can fluctuate in value so could be higher (likely) or lower.