By Andrew O’Hara On the latest HomeKit Insider Podcast episode, we get into the new Aqara doorbell, break down Ikea’s master Matter and Thread plan, talk about the Kef XIO soundbar, and more!HomeKit Insider PodcastThis past week, Samsung updated its mobile app for iPhone and Apple Watch. The newly available build finally adds dark mode, an AI scene building assistant, and new controls for Apple Watch.British audio maker Kef also released its first soundbar. The Kef XIO soundbar is heavily on the premium end of the market and it includes support for wireless audio via Apple AirPlay. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By William Gallagher Foxconn India has begun early testing of manufacturing for the iPhone 17, ahead of mass production starting in time for a September launch.Render of a possible iPhone 17 designAs early as October 2024, it was reported that iPhone 17 models were being developed and tested by Foxconn in India. Now, however, according to The Economic Times of India, the company began importing iPhone 17 components from China in June for the start of full trial production.Based on customs records, the publication says that the components include the iPhone 17 display assembly, cover glass, integrated rear camera modules, and the device’s mechanical housing. Components for the iPhone 17 made up approximately 10% of Foxconn’s orders from China in June. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Malcolm Owen Owners of the Apple Vision Pro will be able to experience a new immersive environment, with an “Alien: Earth” scene coming to the Disney Plus app.An ‘Alien: Earth’ immersive environment for Apple Vision Pro – Image Credit: FXDisney Plus will be releasing “Alien: Earth,” a sci-fi thriller based on the film franchise, on August 12. To promote the premiere of the new show, the app will be including a new immersive experience for Apple Vision Pro users.”Alien: Earth” is set on a version of the planet which is controlled by a few massive companies. “Hybrids” of cyborgs and humans encounter mysterious and terrifying life forms, after a Weyland-Yutani ship collides with Prodigy City. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Malcolm Owen Apple’s dedicated smart home controller is looking less likely to arrive by the end of 2025, with a 2026 launch for the Home Hub more likely than ever.Apple’s Home Hub could have an iPad-like displayRegular rumors claim that Apple has been working on a central smart home controller, known as the Home Hub and code-named J490, for a number of years. However, while seemingly getting within reach of a release to the public, consumers will have to wait longer for the fabled hardware to arrive.According to Mark Gurman in Sunday’s “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, the Home Hub was postponed due to it relying on a number of updates to Siri. Originally planned for iOS 18.4, those updates have yet to arrive, which also means features of the hub wouldn’t have worked either. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Charles Martin The departure of Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams later in 2025 will set the stage for more consolidation under other veteran executives. Here’s what projects are expected to land on other desks.Apple COO Williams and CEO Cook during a recent tour of China. Image credit: Tim Cook/WeiboRecent announcements have indicated that Apple’s design teams, which currently report to Williams, will now report to CEO Tim Cook. But a new report suggests that other veteran executives will likely assist in overseeing the company’s hardware and software design departments.Bloomberg notes that this isn’t the first time Apple’s design teams have been supervised directly by Cook — he had those departments reporting directly to him from 2015 to 2017. However, it remains likely that Vice President of Human Interface Alan Dye and VP of Industrial Design Molly Anderson will likely take more direct day-to-day responsibility. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Malcolm Owen Apple’s iPhone 17 launch event is expected to happen in the second week of September, continuing Apple’s traditional event scheduling.Apple CEO Tim Cook in front of the company logo – Image credit: AppleApple is well known to hold an event in early September to launch its newest range of iPhones. For 2025, it seems that there won’t be a deviation from the usual timeline of events.According to Mark Gurman in Sunday’s “Power On” newsletter for Bloomberg, he reasons that Apple usually waits until the week after Labor Day to bring out new iPhones. Based on that, it’s anticipated that the event will take place in the week of September 8. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By William Gallagher A new report claims that despite a series of alleged issues to do with Apple Intelligence and lack of new hardware, CEO Tim Cook can weather any issue because of how dramatically he has grown the company.Apple CEO Tim CookTim Cook is pretty continually criticized for issues ranging from stumbles over the launch of Apple Intelligence, to how he isn’t a product person, and also how he just isn’t his predecessor, Steve Jobs. At times, there are calls from pundits and analysts saying that Cook must be fired, but he never is, he never will be — and now according to Bloomberg, that’s also the firm opinion the opinion of Apple’s board.Specifically, it’s because although Apple’s shares are down 16% in 2025 — chiefly due to Trump’s whim-based tariffs — they are overall around 1,500% higher than when Cook took over as CEO. The report notes that Apple’s board of directors contains what it describes as Cook loyalists, such as Arthur Levinson, Susan Wagner, and Ronald Sugar, who have rarely interfered with the running of the company. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Christine McKee Prime Day 2025 may technically be over, but that hasn’t stopped Amazon from extending some of its best deals on Apple gear. Grab AirPods from just $89 and iPads from $279.Save up to $442 on Apple products with extended Prime Day deals – Image credit: AppleThere are plenty of deals to choose from, but the below offers are some of the best available on everything from AirPods Pro 2 that are $100 off to $442 off the 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pro. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Charles Martin Apple’s bid to win US streaming rights for Formula One races appears to be in the lead, with the starting flag on Apple TV+ perhaps dropping in 2026.Tim Cook waving the checkered flag at the U.S. Grand Prix. In a move inspired by the blockbuster success of its F1 movie starring Brad Pitt, Apple is said to be seeking US broadcast rights for future F1 events. The success of the film is expected to grow the audience for F1 racing in the US overall.Apple is said to have put in a $150 million bid for the rights. Disney-owned ESPN, which currently holds the American rights to broadcast the races, reportedly isn’t going to try to match or beat that. Business Insider cited unnamed sources on Friday for the news of Apple’s leading bid, and Disney’s reticence to beat the offer. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By Marko Zivkovic Apple’s infamous 2013 Mac Pro, with its unique cylindrical design, has been added to Apple’s vintage and obsolete products list, along with multiple 2019 iMac and 2018 iPad Pro models.Apple’s 2013 Mac Pro has been added to the company’s list of vintage products.More than a decade ago, in 2013, the Mac Pro received its most controversial redesign to date. Unlike the 2012 model, which echoed the dated but tried-and-true rectangular tower form factor of the PowerMac G5, the 2013 Mac Pro was effectively a cylinder with compartmentalized innards.It was designed to be different from the ground up, and it surely was — though not always in a good way, as the design wasn’t ideal for pro users. Despite its unique chassis and the fact that the cylindrical Mac Pro received hardware upgrades in 2017, Apple abandoned the design with the introduction of the 2019 Mac Pro, which marked a step back to the standard tower shape. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
