iOS 26 Beta hints at unannounced AirPods Pro 3: Report
The discovery, initially reported byMacRumors contributor Steve Moser, highlights the term 'AirPods Pro 3' buried within the code of a UI framework related to headphone functionality. This marks the second time Apple's own software has hinted at a refresh to the AirPods Pro line. A previous update had already swapped out explicit mentions of the second-generation model in favour of a more inclusive label: 'AirPods Pro 2 or later'. You may be interested in
Although Apple has made no official announcements regarding new AirPods hardware, the software clues are consistent with speculation that a third-generation model could debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup, expected to be unveiled in September. This would mirror Apple's strategy from 2022, when the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) launched in tandem with the iPhone 14 series.
While firm details remain elusive, early indications suggest that the AirPods Pro 3 may feature incremental upgrades rather than a complete overhaul. These could include a refined H2 chip offering enhanced active noise cancellation and improved battery performance. However, no major design changes or entirely new features have been uncovered in the beta code so far.
Previous analyst reports had suggested a more significant leap in hardware capabilities might not arrive until 2026, when Apple is rumoured to introduce a model equipped with an infrared camera, part of a broader ambition to integrate advanced sensors into its audio devices.
As always, Apple is expected to remain tight-lipped until its next major hardware event in the autumn. Until then, fans and developers alike will likely continue mining iOS 26 for any further clues about what is to come.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPhone Right Now
Apple devices, like fresh produce, are seasonal. Don't buy winter citrus in the summer. Or an iPhone. The latest and greatest crop typically comes out in September, which means it's a bad time to buy an Apple gadget right now. If you can hold off for just a couple of months, better trade-in deals and price drops await. Tariffs have thrown a wrench into all kinds of purchasing decisions, but I still think it's worth the wait, even if Apple does raise prices. Like most modern gadgets, iPhones have expiration dates. The newer the model, the longer you'll be able to get software updates. Apple never says much publicly about coming products, but The Wall Street Journal has reported that a slimmer iPhone model is on the horizon. And updates are due for the Apple Watch, AirTags and other accessories. Now, this year's Big Question: What about tariffs? The situation is constantly changing. Smartphones and other tech products were initially exempt, but President Trump threatened new fees for gadget imports in May and then said Apple needed to make a U.S. iPhone. So far, Apple has absorbed additional costs, but the Journal reported that the company is considering a price increase for its fall lineup. Prices for the standard iPhone and iPhone Pro models have remained $799 and $999, respectively, since at least 2020. The most significant update to this year's Apple gadgets may be to the price tag. So, what do we expect from the next iPhone? And the rest of Apple's lineup? Here are the devices that get my green, yellow and red light for safe summer shopping. iPhone iPhone 16 Pro A new iPhone 16? Not now. Apple's smartphone, released in September, gets a big red stop sign, since the next generation of models is imminent. I hear your groan. The past few years of iPhone updates haven't been that exciting. A 'dynamic island.' A USB-C port. One more button. This coming fall, however, we may see a different form factor, says Gil Luria, senior technology analyst at D.A. Davidson. He points to whispers of a super-thin iPhone 17 'Air' and a Pro Max with an even bigger screen. Still, 'we're talking a couple of millimeters,' Luria said. If you've been waiting for a flipping and folding iPhone, don't hold your breath. That likely won't come until next year, the Journal has reported. Before springing for a new device, first download the upcoming operating system, iOS 26, which also will land sometime this fall. An update can breathe new life—and functionality—into your old phone. Expect a fresh coat of Liquid Glass paint, improved group chats and a spam call auto-responder. It also includes some AI upgrades, but the previously announced Siri overhaul is still missing in action. Apple Watch Apple Watch Series 10 The Apple Watch, similarly, has seen only incremental improvements over the past few generations. Double tap. A slightly thinner, larger screen. Temperature. (I was actually excited about that last one.) Apple will continue to push health services in its next wearable, according to Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of data and analytics at IDC. The Journal reported that Apple is developing a wrist-based blood pressure measurement tool. The feature could debut this fall. Jeronimo also notes that the high-end Ultra model continues to sell well, but Apple needs to add features to the adventure smartwatch, such as the emergency satellite connectivity found in newer iPhones. AirTags Apple hasn't updated its popular tracker since 2021. And Ming-Chi Kuo, analyst at TF International Securities, says the company will launch a second-generation AirTag this year. The new tracker could include the longer-range second-generation Ultra Wideband chip found in newer iPhone and Apple Watch models. AirTag, Second-generation AirPods Pro AirPods Should you wait for new AirPods? Reports are mixed. The AirPods Pro, last updated three years ago, are due for a refresh. The earbuds have gotten new software tricks, such as a hearing-aid mode. In the upcoming iOS 26, you can press the AirPods stem to remotely trigger the camera. Kuo, a longtime source on Apple goings-on, says we might not see significant changes to the Pros until 2026. He predicts we won't see updates to the over-ear AirPods Max until 2027. Meanwhile Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the Pro premium earbuds will see a new design and chip this year. Apple has been studying AirPods as a health device, and the company's recent Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds include heart-rate monitoring. The fourth-generation AirPods landed last year with active noise cancellation, so you should be safe getting new regular 'Pods. iPad The basic iPad or step-up iPad Air models, which we recommend for most people, are safe to buy now. Both have new 2025 chips. The exception? A new top-of-the-line iPad Pro could be imminent. The latest Pro models are from May 2024, and a new version could get Apple's next-generation M5 chip. I, for one, am hoping for that iPad−speaker−home display combo, a la Amazon's Echo Show one day, but that's a far-off dream. 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air, the MacBook Air (M4) Mac The popular MacBook Air is safe. It got a faster chip, improved webcam and double the RAM a few months ago. Apple updated the Mac Studio, a desktop machine aimed at pros, this year, too. The most-recent MacBook Pros, iMac, and Mac Mini releases were chip updates in October 2024. It's possible that they get M5 upgrades this fall, but it would be a minor spec bump. Write to Nicole Nguyen at Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPhone Right Now Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPhone Right Now Why You Shouldn't Buy an iPhone Right Now
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
"Digital Version Of Hoarding": Husband Baffled After Wife Opens Over 500 Tabs On Phone
A baffled husband has revealed that his wife opens over 500 tabs on her phone and even has a workaround for the limit, leaving social media users perplexed over the 'digital version of hoarding'. Ryan Briggs, a social scientist and associate professor at the University of Guelph in Canada, shared the surprising discovery on X (formerly Twitter) when he found his wife private browsing not for secrecy, but to bypass Safari's 500-tab limit. "I asked my wife why she was in private browsing mode on her phone and she explained that Safari only allows 500 tabs in regular mode so she had to switch. You think you know a person," Mr Briggs wrote. I asked my wife why she was in private browsing mode on her phone and she explained that Safari only allows 500 tabs in regular mode so she had to switch. You think you know a person — Ryan Briggs (@ryancbriggs) July 12, 2025 The post quickly went viral, garnering over 5.6 million views as of the last update -- sparking a wave of relatable confessions and humorous reactions. "I purge my tabs when it's >5. How do people live like that?" said one user while another added: "500 open tabs and a backup plan just to keep surfing. You spend years thinking you know someone's quirks, and then you find out they're a digital hoarder with a workaround for everything." A third commented: "Show her how to move it to a new tab group. you can have infinite 500 tab groups." A fourth said: "The replies and confessions under this…is anyone studying what the digital version of hoarding is? that can be the only explanation to this." the replies and confessions under this… is anyone studying what the digital version of hoarding is? that can be the only explanation to this 😭 — kate 🪐 (@cosmicraays) July 12, 2025 Though Safari is optimised for Apple devices and can efficiently handle tabs by suspending inactive ones, opening too many can still impact performance. The device may slow down, and your battery life could take a hit, especially on older Macs. Too many tabs The point of tabs is to compartmentalise a portion of the internet that a user is surfing so that they can return to it whenever they feel like. However, opening too many tabs can make it harder to locate the information you are looking for quickly. The time wasted in switching tabs could slow down your output, resulting in a loss of productivity. While not the biggest issue, too many tabs take up memory, slowing down your computer and making the whole experience even more frustrating.
India.com
3 hours ago
- India.com
Modi govt's plan B to counter China's arrogance revealed! Chinese engineers' exit won't affect iPhone 17 manufacturing in India because...
Representational Image The Indian government is actively monitoring the iPhone manufacturing in the country, and has expressed confidence that the exit of 300 Chinese engineers from Foxconn iPhone plants in India will not affect the production of Apple's flagship device, including the upcoming iPhone 17 series. Why Indian govt called it an 'opportunity'? Media reports citing government sources said the Centre is keeping a close eye on the matter, and is confident that Apple is capable of dealing with the situation. A senior official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) said the matter was directly between Apple and Foxconn, and termed it as an 'opportunity'. 'I would look at it more as an opportunity. If the workers want to go back, it's between the company and the workers. They will have to make arrangements to ensure the work continues — production won't be impacted. We facilitated their visas'. The official noted that Apple has alternatives but the primary responsibility lies with the company (Apple) to ensure that the manufacturer doesn't impact production. What was the job of Chinese engineers who went back? According to reports, the 300 Chinese engineers who were recalled by Beijing, were responsible designing the factory, handling the assembly line and training employees. The Indian government said it was monitoring the production capacity of Foxconn, one of the few companies part of the Narendra Modi government's PLI scheme. Its must be noted that China is a global manufacturing and industrial powerhouses, and most of the equipment required to assemble mobile phones comes from there. These machines require specialized training to operate, which is usually imparted by Chinese experts who work for the manufacturer of these devices. How India plans to boost iPhone manufacturing? While a decade ago, iPhone manufacturing in India was practically negligible Apple began to assemble iPhones in the country from 2017 with newer models now being manufactured at Indian plants. Apple is strengthening its footprint in India as it proves to be a key market with its high population and rapidly growing economy. Foxconn operates iPhone manufacturing plants in India's southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana, and its estimated that iPhones worth $14 billion, were assembled in India in the 2024-25 fiscal year, which means that one out of seven iPhones sold across the world carries a 'Made in India' tag. The Union government has launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme which is expected to attract gadget making moguls other than Apple, to establish their presence in the country. Two flagship stores were launched by Apple in Mumbai and Delhi in 2023 and Apple indicated that they are now planning to open four more retail stores in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai.
