Chance Miller

Apple is out with iOS 26 beta 7 and watchOS 26 beta 7 today for developers. Most notably, the updates include the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature that Apple announced last week for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 users in the United States.

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With iOS 26, Safari is getting a number of changes, headlined by the new Liquid Glass design. Here are four lesser-known changes coming to Safari with this year’s Mac and iPhone software updates…

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has again scaled back its stake in Apple. In a regulatory filing this week, Berkshire disclosed that it sold 20 million shares of Apple during the June quarter. Nonetheless, Apple remains the conglomerate’s largest holding at 280 million shares, valued at over $64 billion.

Benjamin and Chance react to the surprise announcement that the Apple Watch Blood Oxygen feature is coming back for US users, via a phone relay workaround. Also, Apple released the latest beta of iOS 26, featuring some fun new animations and even more Liquid Glass refinements. Plus, there’s more speculation about the low-cost MacBook and more details about Apple’s future ventures into home robotics. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, we catch up on some recent TV shows and movies we enjoyed this summer. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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As expected, Apple is rolling out iOS 18.6.1 to iPhone users today. This update, along with watchOS 11.6.1, introduces a “redesigned Blood Oxygen feature” for Apple Watch Series 10, Series 9, and Ultra 2 in the United States.

Apple has announced that it will release a software update for iPhone and Apple Watch later today with a “redesigned Blood Oxygen feature” for Apple Watch users in the United States. This comes over 18 months after Apple began selling the Apple Watch without the Blood Oxygen feature in America due to a patent dispute.

The new feature will be made available as part of iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 updates.

A new report from Bloomberg dives deep into Apple’s plans to lean on artificial intelligence as a way to expand into robotics, home security, and smart displays.

One interesting tidbit in the report is that Apple is aiming to develop a system of smart home cameras and other home security products to compete with the likes of Amazon’s Ring brand.

Developer Devin Davies is out with a new app today that can add a nostalgic twist to videos saved on your iPhone. Cassette, which is available on the App Store today, is described as a “VHS player for your home videos.”

Sling TV has announced what seems like a tempting new way to watch live TV without a contract. A new “Day Pass” option lets users unlock instant access to live sports, TV, and entertainment for $4.99. There’s also a “Weekend Pass” available for $9.99 and a “Week Pass” for $14.99.

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macOS Tahoe 26 gives your Mac a significant redesign, headlined by the new Liquid Glass design language. The update also brings new ways to personalize your Mac, with new icon tinting features, menu bar customization, and more.

Here’s how these new customization options work.

Benjamin and Chance talk about the week’s Apple news including all the changes in iOS 26 beta 5, in which Apple inexplicably doubled down on the inverted scroll direction in the Camera app. Also, iPhone 17 case leaks suggest Apple will be adding lanyard holes to its silicon cases for the first time, and Tim Cook presents an AI strategy pep talk to employees and investors. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, they discuss the uncertain future of the default search deal between Apple and Google. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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For the vast majority of people, CarPlay is a must-have. Apple’s in-car experience provides a vastly superior infotainment experience than most options from carmakers. There’s quick access to your favorite apps, integration with Siri, seamless connectivity, and more.

Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks for making sure you’re getting the most out of your CarPlay experience…

Apple reported its fiscal Q3 2025 earnings today, beating analyst expectations in key categories like revenue, earnings per share, iPhone revenue, and more.

During a call with analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple has just crossed another major milestone: shipping its three-billionth iPhone since its launch in 2007.

Benjamin and Chance analyze the new iOS 26 icon set, as well as respond to some public beta feedback Chance has received from his family. Also, a test iPhone 17 prototype was seemingly caught on camera on the streets of San Francisco. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, Chance has finally updated to watchOS 26 beta, and the pair discuss the surprising utility of the new wrist flick gesture. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join.

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The US Department of Justice formally sued Apple in March 2024, accusing the company of having a “smartphone monopoly.”

Apple has voiced its opposition to the case many times over the last year. Now, it has officially filed its answer to the DOJ’s antitrust complaint, pushing back forcefully against the allegations.

iOS 18.6 is now available for iPhone users. While the iOS 26 beta has stolen the headlines, Apple has also quietly been testing iOS 18.6 for the last six weeks. Here’s what’s new.

iOS 26 brings major changes to CarPlay, including a new Liquid Glass design and support for widgets.

There’s also a small change that addresses a years-long feature request for many CarPlay users: the ability to disable CarPlay screenshots.

Apple is nearing a deal with JPMorgan Chase to take over the Apple Card deal currently backed by Goldman Sachs, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal.

The deal comes as Goldman Sachs looks to exit its agreement with Apple after mounting financial losses and a broader rethinking of its consumer finance business.

iOS 26 adds a new opt-in filtering system to the Messages app that tucks away messages from “Unknown Senders” into a separate tab.

Punchbowl News (via Daring Fireball and Political Wire) reports that Republicans in Washington, D.C. are already freaking out about the fundraising implications of this new feature, warning that it “could cost them $25 million in fundraising revenue.”

When Apple introduced the colorful, ultra-thin M1 iMac in 2021, many were surprised by one notable omission: the lack of an Apple logo on its prominent chin. Now, a leaked prototype suggests this was indeed something Apple took into consideration during development…