Latest news with #9to5Mac
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Digital Trends
It's time to stop talking about AirPods with cameras… for now
A lingering question remains for me around the likely-forthcoming AirPods Pro 3, and it's not about when they'll launch. It's still unclear whether we'll see new AirPods Pro with the iPhone 17 launch later this year, but if they do appear, there still seems to be debate over whether they'll have cameras embedded. Recommended Videos Now, the general consensus is, if they do arrive in September, they'll be similar in shape to the current AirPods Pro 2, but with longer battery life, better sonic performance and enhanced health sensors. However, a new feature in iOS 26, spotted by 9to5Mac, has suggested that there will be some camera smarts in the new earbuds. The site points out: 'in iOS 26's Settings app, AirPods' 'Remote Control' option is included in a new AirPods menu titled 'Camera Control.' There are currently no other settings in that menu, making the heading name seem more noteworthy.' I agree that it's odd to have a menu with only one option inside, but to me that suggests more controls are coming for the AirPods, not that they're going to pack camera technology in the future. Apple announced at WWDC that it'll allow users to start recording video from AirPods with the new iOS 26 software, so that makes sense. However, even the simple fact that this was even questioned highlights that some still believe Apple could launch headphones with camera technology inside this year. Perhaps because the only 'facts' we have to go on are from predictions, albeit from noted journalists and analysts. But there are lots of other reasons why camera-enabled AirPods are unlikely this year, placing the potential launch data of a game-changing new feature being added to Apple's headphones firmly into next year at least. So no new camera-packing AirPods? The first thing to clear up in terms of likely rumors: if Apple does put cameras into its AirPods, it's hugely unlikely it'll be the same kind of lens found in a smartphone or even on smart glasses. The reason for this is two-fold: firstly, there are a lot of issues with design. Meta's reported 'Camerabuds', which were talked about last year, were intriguing, but they apparently had problems figuring out the design. Making a camera that small and packing it into a tiny earbud brings issues with power consumption, heat and being able to make the components small enough without sending the cost skyrocketing. Oh, and of course: what about when hair gets in the way? Then there's the privacy issues. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have an LED light on the front that's auto-enabled so people know when you're recording – how would something similar appear on an earbud? Even if there was a light, it would be hard to see twinkling away on the side of the head. Apple wouldn't want to wade into a privacy war without having a decent solution there. That's why most of the rumors have centered around the brand, if it does indeed add a camera to the AirPods Pro, will focus on using an infrared (IR) camera inside. This would allow the headphones to understand the world around the user, using the light sensing to 'see' objects and give more information to the phone. This would mean sound playback could be more immersive and enriched, especially used in conjunction with the Vision Pro. Apple Intelligence would be enhanced if it had more contextual understanding of its surroundings, again highlighting how the brand is thinking not about LLM chatbots for AI, but instead about using the new technology to enhance the phone's capabilities overall. The issues mentioned above, around miniaturisation and hair getting in the way, are still going to be present with infra red technology, but wouldn't be as severe as Apple already has a lot of experience with IR emitters thanks to the presence of the Face ID camera on the front of every new iPhone. IR tech in headphones could potentially also enable gesture technology, similar to that already used in the Vision Pro. It sounds crazy that someone would want to walk around waving their hands in the air to control their mobile device (although never forget this guy when the Vision Pro came out). But just try it now – imagine you're on a keyboard and you want to change a track. Swipe to the right with your hand and see how that feels. If changing a track was that easy, I'd be doing it all the time. When will Apple likely deploy the tech? When you start breaking down all the hurdles that would need to be overcome, it feels unlikely that we'd ever see AirPods Pro with cameras embedded this year, even if they are 'only' IR. What makes more sense is that the new AirPods Pro – whether that's Pro 3 or Pro 4 – are launched with a refined Vision Pro headset, complementing one another and providing a great chance to upsell. Want the new Vision Pro? Enhance it with new AirPods. Enjoying the new AirPods? Try the Vision Pro – they work really well with it. Given that's tipped for 2026 at the earliest, according to noted analyst Mark Gurman, it would make sense that we don't see the IR-enhanced AirPods Pro until then. Which leads us back to this year. Given Apple took three years to upgrade the original AirPods Pro to the Pro 2 (2019 to 2022), it seems unlikely that it would launch new headphones this year, even if that does fit the previous cadence. This is a classic case of two rumors clashing – things like reference to new AirPods Pro 3 appearing in the new iOS 26 source code suggest they're imminent, and Gurman has already suggested that we'll see new AirPods Pro with heart-rate tracking this year. But well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the 'other' strong source of Apple info, suggests they'll be debuted in 2026 to allow for the IR tech to be included, alongside an upgraded Vision Pro (according to analyst Jeff Pu). So when the iPhone 17 launch happens later this year, keep an eye out for new headphones. Although having just outlined all of this, it's now inevitable that we'll see someone from the AirPods team on stage, showing off the 'third generation of AirPods, now with full cameras for enhanced Apple Intelligence…'
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Android Authority
AirTag 2 rumor highlights what Android's trackers could do better
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Apple's AirTag 2 may offer both low and very low battery alerts. Most Android trackers still rely on a single vague low-battery warning. The AirTag 2 is expected to launch in the fall, likely alongside the next iPhone. Bluetooth trackers are supposed to give you peace of mind, but there's always the risk that they'll silently die on you when you need them most. That's why one rumored battery management upgrade to Apple's upcoming AirTag 2 could be a subtle game-changer, and it's something Android's ecosystem has yet to catch up on. As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple is planning to introduce two separate battery alerts in its second-generation AirTag — one for low battery and a second for very low battery. While it sounds like a small tweak, it's a practical fix for a real-world problem: trackers that stop working without warning because users assumed they still had time. In our experience, most Android-compatible trackers only offer a single vague low-battery alert, if any. And because that alert could still leave you with weeks of charge, many users put off changing the battery, only to forget entirely. A two-stage warning would make it much harder to ignore and reduce the chance of a dead tag at a crucial moment. Apple hasn't publicly confirmed this new feature, with 9to5Mac obtaining the information from internal sources. Combined with the rumored anti-tampering measures and the inclusion of its latest ultra-wideband chip for better tracking precision, it points to a rethink of the AirTag experience. The report also notes that support for the new AirTag is already baked into iOS 18.6, suggesting it won't require users to jump to iOS 26. Apple is now said to be targeting a fall launch for the new AirTag, likely around its annual iPhone event. If these updates pan out, Android trackers from brands like Chipolo and Motorola may want to take note. Features like this can separate a good accessory from a great one. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
The Verge
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Apple Wallet notifications for an F1 movie promotion ticked off iPhone owners
Apple poured some good money into making F1 – a Formula 1 racing movie starring Brad Pitt – and it wants its customers to know that. To that end, many people, including some Verge staffers, noticed an unusual Apple Wallet notification this morning that's both an advertisement and promotion for the film. The notification prompts users to save on movie tickets via Fandango with a promotional code, reading 'Save on 2+ tickets to F1 The Movie with APPLEPAYTEN. Ends 6/29. While supplies last. Terms apply.' It looks like Apple's trying to juice the film's opening weekend by tempting users into a deal. This notification was considered an affront to many recipients, as both TechCrunch and 9to5Mac previously noted. Folks are likening it to Apple's infamous U2 debacle in 2014 when it gifted the band's then-new album to over 500 million iTunes accounts without a way to delete it, a promotional whoopsie that reportedly cost Apple more than $100 million. Shortly after, it released a tool that let people delete the album from their libraries. More recently, Apple sent unwanted push notifications to promote Carpool Karaoke, one of the company's first Apple TV Plus hits. Regardless of the film's quality, or your feelings about notifications that straddle the line of a useful deal and an ad, this is aggressively thirsty. Ads continue to not be Apple's strongest suit in 2025. The Verge has reached out to Apple to find out more about this notification, and we'll update this post if we hear back.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Apple Restores Finder Icon in macOS Tahoe 26 After Backlash
Apple has quietly addressed a highly-discussed design change in its latest macOS update—one that sparked more backlash than applause among Mac enthusiasts. In the second developer beta of macOS Tahoe 26, the company has restored the classic Finder icon to its traditional color layout, reversing a tweak introduced in the initial beta that left users scratching their heads. The change is part of Apple's broader Liquid Glass design overhaul, which was unveiled at WWDC 2025 as a key aesthetic update in macOS 26. The sleek and reflective style has been applied system-wide to deliver a more polished, modern user experience. However, when it came to the beloved Finder icon, Apple's bold design experiment didn't go over well. In the first beta version of macOS Tahoe 26, developers noticed that Apple had flipped the blue and white sections of the iconic smiling Finder face—a move many described as jarring and unnecessary. 'An outrage!' exclaimed Jay Peters, a technology editor at The Verge, capturing the sentiment of many loyal Mac users who've come to appreciate the icon's familiar look as a visual anchor of macOS. Fortunately, it didn't take long for Apple to pivot. The second beta version, released on June 24, restores the Finder icon to its original blue-left, white-right orientation. 'Apple has seen reason,' Peters remarked in his coverage, pointing out that tradition won out in this design debate. A comparison published by 9to5Mac visually confirms the reversal, offering side-by-side shots of the original, the altered version, and the now-restored icon. But the Finder icon wasn't the only thing Apple tweaked in its latest beta. macOS 26 beta 2 also introduces a new option to restore a background to the menu bar, a feature aimed at improving visibility and legibility—a subtle but welcome change for those who found the translucent look difficult to read. Meanwhile, similar usability improvements are being made in iOS 26. The latest developer beta for Apple's mobile OS includes a refreshed Control Center design that enhances clarity, aligning with Apple's apparent focus on better accessibility and user-friendly visuals across its platforms. While the Liquid Glass design language is a bold and largely well-received update, Apple's quick course correction with the Finder icon shows that user feedback still matters—even in the tiniest pixels of the user interface. For Mac traditionalists, it's a reassuring nod to the importance of visual consistency and familiarity, even as the OS evolves. As the beta testing cycle continues, more refinements are likely before macOS Tahoe 26 officially rolls out later this year. But for now, the Finder is smiling once again—just the way it should.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Liquid Glass 太透明？Apple 在新 iOS 26 beta 裡把控制中心改得更清楚了
Apple 全新的 Liquid Glass 設計在 WWDC 2025 一公開便引發了巨大的爭議，如今隨著第二版開發者 beta 上線，Apple 從善如流對一些地方做了改進。在新的 iOS 26 beta 裡，之前被不少人詬病過於透明以致於顯示不清的控制中心被改得更加清楚。Apple 增加了控制中心出現時背景的顏色深度和模糊程度，這樣前面「玻璃」上的圖示和文字就會更容易看清了。 Control Center is now darker and much more blurred in iOS 26 beta 2 — 9to5Mac (@9to5mac) June 23, 2025 除此之外，macOS Tahoe 還還原了一項老傳統。在上個 beta 裡被翻轉了左右顏色的 Finder 圖示現在又變了回去，Apple 在這個細節上沒什麼意義的顛覆，估計也是收到了不少的投訴吧？ 更多內容： iOS 26 領 Apple 全平台換上「Liquid Glass」設計，還有更簡化相機和更豐富聊天工具 macOS Tahoe 26 主打 Spotlight 搜尋升級，還有「Liquid Glass」設計和全新電話 app 緊貼最新科技資訊、網購優惠，追隨 Yahoo Tech 各大社交平台！ 🎉📱 Tech Facebook： 🎉📱 Tech Instagram： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 社群： 🎉📱 Tech WhatsApp 頻道： 🎉📱 Tech Telegram 頻道：
