Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:03:15 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/19/epic-games-disagrees-with-apples-junk-eu-fee-changes?utm_source=rss App Store fees, long-time opponent Epic Games and CEO Tim Sweeney lashed out, complaining that Apple didn't do enough.

A Fortnite parody of Apple's famous 1984 commercial - Image Credit: Epic Games.

On Tuesday, Apple attempted to appease the European Union by changing the terms and fees for developers distributing iOS and iPadOS apps in the region. The effort involved simplifying the fee structure to use only percentages, as well as some simpler business requirements.

The changes are an improvement on what it had before, and Apple believes it resolves its disagreements with the EU and the European Commission. After their introduction, the Commission said it welcomed the changes and will continue to monitor the implementation when they go live on October 1.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:34:50 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/19/apples-home-automation-hardware-will-work-more-like-an-apple-watch-than-a-homepod?utm_source=rss macOS Tahoe describe how the rumored HomeHub will work. If you've got an Apple Watch, you'll feel right at home.

Details of Apple's HomeHub have been revealed

Apple has been rumored for years to be making what has variously been known as a HomeHub, a HomePad, or just a HomePod with a screen. Now in the midst of many future products seemingly revealed in a macOS release, there is evidence of how the device will function.

The code specifically says that the device will have a home screen that features what are called "Faces" and a "Face Gallery". It sounds similar to the Apple Watch, and users will be able to select widgets to go on these faces like Complications.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:46:47 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/19/psa-do-not-buy-iphone-18-pro-cases-before-apples-launch?utm_source=rss iPhones early and every year, you risk utterly wasting your money. It's safer to wait.

Detail from the Otterbox case being sold in Best Buy for the iPhone 18 Pro - image credit: Mark Gurman.

It's not long now until the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, with the smart money saying it will be on September 9, 2026. Even if that's wrong, though, one thing is unquestionably right: you must not buy a case early.

As spotted by Mark Gurman, Otterbox has made cases for the iPhone 18 Pro, and Best Buy is stocking them.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:06:09 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/19/whats-new-with-the-camera-app-in-ios-27-siri-mode-enhanced-controls-more?utm_source=rss iOS 27, Apple is bringing a welcomed set of changes to the stock Camera app. Here's how it has evolved, what you can now do, and what we didn't see.

Apple's updated Camera app with iOS 27

There are hundreds of changes throughout iOS 27, and the Camera app has its fair share. It's both easier to use and more powerful than before, so let's walk through it.

Jumping into the app, it still looks very familiar. The general layout, color scheme, and functionality have all remained.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 03:05:20 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/lexar-armor-700-8tb-review-impressive-capacity-good-speeds-with-a-catch?utm_source=rss

Lexar Armor 700 8TB review: The Lexar drive is good, but Apple won't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

As both a photographer and videographer, I'm always churning through storage. I have near a hundred terabytes sitting on my desk in one fashion or another.

Recently, I've been working more mobile than I had been, requiring somewhat of a reevaluation of my workflow. I needed something I could bring around to use with my iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Pro with enough capacity to reduce my transfers between drives.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Wed, 19 Aug 2026 10:48:50 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apple-services-outage-hits-icloud-game-center-find-my-and-more?utm_source=rss iCloud was temporarily unavailable, as an outage has affected multiple Apple services, causing issues for developers and users alike.

iCloud and other Apple services were hit by an outage on Tuesday.

Virtually everything on an iPhone or iPad can be uploaded to iCloud and synced across compatible devices. However, the services that power this functionality can sometimes become unresponsive, which is what happened on August 18.

According to Apple's System Status page, several Apple Services were affected by an outage. At around 3:30 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, users began experiencing difficulties with iCloud and its associated features, including contact, calendar, and photo syncing, along with iCloud Mail, iWork for iCloud, and more.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:19:20 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apples-eu-app-store-changes-are-big-and-a-preview-of-whats-coming-in-the-us?utm_source=rss

Apple's attempts to comply with EU rules has led to new app transaction fees - Image Credit: Apple

Apple is waging two wars over the App Store, on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, it's dealing with the European Commission and the European Union demanding changes to how the App Store earns income, especially for transactions outside the App Store.

There has already been massive change, in the form of the Digital Markets Act, forcing Apple to allow alternative app stores in the E.U. The fees Apple can extract from transactions, however, are still up for debate.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 19:28:33 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apple-pledges-relief-after-deadly-indonesia-earthquake?utm_source=rss

Apple to donate to Indonesian earthquake relief

On August 16, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia. At the time of publication, the death toll is near 70.

Over 200 have been injured, and thousands more have been driven from their homes. According to Reuters, nearly 1,000 aftershocks were detected in the 24 hours following the initial strike.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:25:36 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/there-is-a-good-reason-to-praise-airpods-with-cameras-and-not-fear-them?utm_source=rss AirPods Pro are going to get a camera very soon. Like with mockery about the Snuggie, the Clapper, and so forth, most of the drama badly misses the point.

AirPods Pro 2

Meta's AI specs are creepy. They have nearly invisible cameras, whose main protection for the non-wearer is a light that is easily defeated by a piece of electrical tape.

This is just the way that they want it. The "protections" that Meta has implemented are pointless by design.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:55:37 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/new-eu-app-store-terms-lower-both-costs-and-bar-to-entry-for-external-payments?utm_source=rss

An EU flag with the App Store logo

The terms are greatly simplified. Core technology fees are mostly exterminated, replaced by percentages. For App Store apps using Apple In-App Purchase, the new commission will be 26 percent. For the vast majority of developers, including auto-renewing subscriptions after their first year, that fee is now 15 percent.

For App Store apps using alternative payment processing, the commission is be 20 percent.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:51:25 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apples-product-identifier-leak-is-a-hard-mystery-to-solve?utm_source=rss

An example of an Apple product identifier

The release candidate for macOS Tahoe 26.7 was a trove of information for unreleased products. References to product identifiers littered the build, including for some known-about items.

For example, there was sightings of J490 and J491, believed to be versions of the Home Hub. B525 is expected to be the next-generation HomePod mini, while J229 was a potential security camera.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:04:32 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apple-card-users-can-stack-summer-savings-with-5-daily-cash-travel-promotions?utm_source=rss Apple Card is making summer road trips more rewarding with 5% Daily Cash on car rentals, hotel stays, gas and EV charging through September 15.

Apple Card adds 5% Daily Cash on travel, gas, and more

Summer often means travel, and travel often means travel-related expenses. That's why Apple Card has come up with a panoply of new promotions to help you save the second you hit the road.

Apple Card cardholders can score 5% cash back with eligible car rentals through Hertz when they reserve while using Apple Card. You can earn up to $750 in total.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:51:58 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apple-may-be-considering-adding-a-camera-control-button-to-a-future-ipad?utm_source=rss iPad.

Detail from the patent showing an iPad with Camera Control - image credit: Apple

Introduced in 2024 with the iPhone 16 range, the Camera Control button has been sufficiently divisive that Apple is even rumored to be dropping it entirely. That's unlikely, if not impossible, and now a newly-granted patent suggests that Apple at least used to have big plans for the button.

That's big as in the device it would go on. The innocuously-named "Input System for Portable Electronic Device" patent chiefly consists of drawings of iPads.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:22:42 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/a-new-siri-remote-may-be-in-the-works-but-dont-get-excited?utm_source=rss Siri Remote coming, but we're not expecting a huge shake-up.

Code found within the macOS Tahoe beta hints at upcoming Siri Remote

Monday's macOS Tahoe beta hinted at an upcoming Siri Remote, referenced as "ATVRemote1,5" in the code. This wouldn't be the first time that we've heard there's a new Siri Remote in the works, either; it's expected to launch alongside the new Apple TV.

That doesn't mean that the remote is going to get a major revamp. It could be as simple as a slight tweak to the design.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:52:19 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/save-up-to-600-on-m5-max-macbook-pro-with-todays-best-deals?utm_source=rss

Save $600 on a 4TB M5 Max MacBook Pro - Image credit: Apple

Today we're following a $600 price drop on Apple's high-end M5 Max 14-inch MacBook Pro with an 18-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB of RAM, and a spacious 4TB SSD.

Save $600 on M5 Max 14" MacBook Pro


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:44:12 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/you-can-now-make-a-bid-on-steve-jobs-8th-grade-science-fair-project?utm_source=rss Steve Jobs-centric auction, stuffed full of signed checks, vintage Apple computers, and Apple marketing memorabilia.

Steve's 8th grade science fair project | Image credit: RR Auction

The auction, dubbed "Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution: The Apple 50th Anniversary Auction Part Two," contains more than 200 items. Nearly all of the items are related to Apple in some way, with almost 40 being directly related to the former CEO.

As is standard with many auctions, there are several Jobs-signed items available. This includes a NeXT Inc business card with the note that reads "Hi Dad - Just stopped by to say hi! Steve".


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:58:35 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/apples-app-store-revenue-in-danger-of-being-regulated-away?utm_source=rss App Store revenue, with regulatory interference perhaps becoming a bigger problem sooner rather than later.

A report claims Apple has expressed weakness over App Store regulation

A Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission came under scrutiny due to a disclosure from Apple. In it, Apple discusses the issue of alternative app storefronts to the main App Store, and of developers monetizing their apps with external linking.

"If third-party developers use alternative methods of distribution and payment for their apps and digital content, including direct-to-consumer distribution models, the company may earn a lower commission on such sales," Apple states in the filing. At worst, it adds, it "may not earn a commission at all."


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:51:31 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/rothschilds-aapl-price-target-soars-to-400-on-iphone-ultra-expectations?utm_source=rss iPhone Ultra is a "match made in heaven" for the company.

Analysts believe Apple will do well in the Q3 results.

Rothschild & Co Redburn doesn't seem to concentrate much on Apple, and its usual price targets tend to lag behind firms that do, such as Morgan Stanley. But while Morgan Stanley recently dropped its price target by $4 to $360, Rothschild has dramatically increased its from $260 to $400.

Unsurprisingly, it's also raised its status from Neutral to Buy. This may not be the end of the rising price target, either, as the company's Timm Schulze-Melander has told CNBC.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:30:32 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/lindsay-clancy-murder-trial-prosecutors-leaning-on-iphone-apple-watch-forensics?utm_source=rss Apple Watch has been used as evidence in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial alongside iPhone Messages history, detailing some of her last actions before the triple homicide of her children.

The Apple Watch can measure heart rate, as well as count steps and climbed flights of stairs.

Former labor and delivery nurse Lindsay Clancy is under trial for the alleged murder of three children in Massachusetts in 2023, before attempting suicide. In the last day of the prosecution laying out its case, it used data from the Apple Watch, phone calls, and internet search histories as evidence.

Digital forensics expert Ian Whiffin of Cellebrite, a company known for extracting data from iPhones, took to the stand for the prosecution. The testimony discussed various factors, including her search history, reports Eonline.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:10:50 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/only-iphone-18-pro-max-rumored-to-get-variable-aperture?utm_source=rss iPhone 18 Pro Max, not both Pro models as previously expected.

The camera plateau on the current iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Variable aperture is a feature that could narrow the gap between iPhone and DSLR photography still further, and it's been rumored to be coming since at least 2024. More recent reports have said the camera component is now in production, but a new leak says it will be confined to the top of the range Pro model.

According to Ice Universe writing on Chinese social media site Weibo, the variable aperture feature will be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. There are no further details, but the leaker implies that it's because the component needs the larger size model.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:05:34 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/06/09/pretty-trees-and-local-lists-apple-maps-gets-a-big-upgrade-in-ios-27?utm_source=rss Apple Maps in iOS 27 will use the wisdom of crowds to recommend restaurants, while AI helps Flyover look even better. Here's what's changing soon.

Apple Maps in iOS 27

Pretty much the unsung hero of modern-day iPhone usage, Apple Maps is an essential tool for navigation. But it's also very helpful when you're trying to find something to eat nearby, and for planning trips.

Sometimes, users take time just browsing the Earth, viewing cities they want to visit and enjoying the view.


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:36:03 +0000 https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/08/18/a-demo-video-of-airpods-with-cameras-has-leaked-via-a-macos-tahoe-rc?utm_source=rss AirPods with cameras. It is our best look yet.

AirPods with cameras will closely resemble AirPods Pro

The new AirPods with cameras have been rumored since January 2025. Not much is known about the product, but a lot of debate has been had over whether or not Apple's earbuds would actually gain "cameras."

In a video found within the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, AirPods with Visual Intelligence are clearly shown and referenced. The video also has a Siri voice saying a short tutorial.


Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely


Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums]]> ]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:34:36 +0000