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Apple’s HomeOS Launch Expected in Early 2026 Alongside New Device Releases
Apple’s anticipated launch of the homeOS platform, designed for managing smart home devices and services, has been postponed until spring 2026. This delay coincides with the expected introduction of new home hardware, which Apple has reportedly pushed back due to setbacks with Siri upgrades. Initial expectations had suggested that the homeOS and accompanying smart home hub would debut during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). However, recent reports from Bloomberg indicate that the rollout is likely to happen after the updated Siri is released, making a spring 2026 timeframe the most realistic scenario.
Apple’s plans for early 2026 include significant upgrades to Siri, enhancing its contextual understanding and integrating chatbot capabilities. The company also aims to introduce a conversational, always-on interface that will assist users by announcing tasks. Among the new hardware is an iPad-like home hub designed to manage various in-home systems such as climate control and security, as well as other innovative products like a robotic arm that may feature a swiveling display. The success of Apple’s smart home initiative relies on the synchronization of multiple factors.
The upgraded Siri will facilitate voice commands, while new hardware is expected to be showcased at a March event prior to WWDC. Home devices will connect through a mesh network using Thread control, and existing Apple products like the iPhone and HomePod are already equipped with the necessary technology to support homeOS. Moreover, the continuing development of Apple Intelligence is anticipated to significantly shape the future of Apple’s home technologies. The company is making strides to open its technology to developers, enhancing Siri’s capabilities further.
Overall, Apple aims to promote homeOS and associated products to offer a cohesive home control system across various brands, potentially giving it a competitive edge in the smart home market.
Foxconn Reports Majority of Indian iPhones Heading to the US Market
Foxconn, the manufacturer for Apple, has seen a remarkable shift in its iPhone exports to the United States, rising from 50% of its Indian production to an astonishing 97%. This change is part of Apple’s strategy to lessen the impact of tariffs imposed during Trump’s administration.
In May 2025, Foxconn’s exports of iPhones from India had already doubled, despite Trump’s insistence that Tim Cook cease operations in India. However, manufacturing iPhones in the US remains unfeasible due to a lack of skilled labor and facilities.
The tariffs imposed by Trump have fluctuated, but he has ultimately charged less for imports from India compared to those from China. Apple has consequently adjusted its supply chain to reduce the impact of these tariffs.
Recent reports indicate that between March and May 2025, 97% of Foxconn’s iPhones made in India were directed toward the US market. While specific production numbers weren’t disclosed, Foxconn’s shipments to the US were valued at $3.7 billion for the entirety of 2024 and have surged to an estimated $4.4 billion for just the first five months of 2025.
Notably, March 2025 alone saw record shipments worth $1.3 billion, but this figure decreased to just under $1 billion in May. The remaining 3% of production likely catered to domestic resellers in India.
Although Apple is expanding its production in India, it is unlikely to relocate iPhone manufacturing to the US as there simply aren’t the necessary resources. Looking ahead, Apple plans to continue expanding its operations in India.
During a recent earnings call, Tim Cook predicted $900 million in tariff expenses for the quarter ending June 2025, assuming no further changes. However, subsequent tariff announcements suggest that future increases are almost certain.
The volatility of the current administration also raises concerns about the likelihood of additional tariffs, particularly in light of an ongoing national security investigation that may lead to new levies.
Ways to Obtain Free Repairs for M2 Mac Mini Power Failure Issues
Apple has introduced a free repair program for Mac minis equipped with M2 chips that have stopped functioning. If you own one of these devices, here’s how to determine your eligibility.
According to a recent repair notice from Apple, a “very small percentage” of Mac minis manufactured between June 16 and November 23, 2024, may experience power issues. Users facing this problem can check if their device qualifies for the repair program by using the Serial Number checker available on Apple’s website.
If eligible, the repair will be conducted at no cost. To find the serial number, you can check the underside of the device, refer to the original product packaging, or look in the “About This Mac” section of the Apple menu.
However, this last option may not be feasible for those whose devices are non-operational. If your Mac mini qualifies for the program, you can schedule an appointment with any Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or visit an Apple Retail Store.
For users without a nearby AASP, it is advisable to contact Apple Support to explore other repair options. This new repair initiative is available for qualifying Mac mini models for three years from the date of the unit’s first retail sale.
However, it is essential to note that this program does not extend the standard warranty coverage associated with your Mac mini. Recently, the Mac mini celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of innovation in the computing world.
Apple Music Sing Introduces Karaoke Mode and New Visualizer Features
Apple Music Sing introduced in tvOS 26 offers an exciting karaoke experience directly through your iPhone, alongside a classic visualizer effect. This feature was officially unveiled during the WWDC 2025 keynote, and while it may seem simple at first glance, testing it reveals a wealth of options for music lovers.
Upon updating to tvOS 26, you’ll see a new app icon labeled “Sing” on your Home Screen. This icon essentially directs you to the new Sing tab within Apple Music.
If you prefer not to have this separate icon, you can easily hide it via your Settings. To fully utilize the mic mode, your Apple TV 4K must be set up properly.
The mic feature only works with TV speakers or a wired audio system. Therefore, if your Apple TV 4K is connected to a receiver or a wired audio setup, you’re good to go.
However, if you rely on HomePods or an AirPlay speaker as your audio output, you’ll need to disconnect those to activate mic mode. Once your setup is complete, open Apple Music, select a song, and the Now Playing screen will appear.
Here, you’ll find multiple icons, including a microphone with a “+” sign. Tapping this icon will halt the current track and display a QR code for your iPhone.
Some users may receive a notification allowing them to connect without scanning the QR code. Once connected, a “Continuity Microphone” App Clip will launch on the iPhone of each participant.
Fans will find tools for managing reactions, adding songs to the queue, and adjusting vocal volume and mic effects. Any song with lyrics can be sung, making for an inclusive karaoke experience.
In addition to singing, Apple Music Sing features a hidden classic visualizer that activates only during mic mode. Access this by selecting “Visual Effects” in the ellipsis menu and choosing from options like Stellar, Neon, and Sparkle.
The visualizer remains active as long as mic mode is engaged. An exciting addition is the Live Translation feature that provides pronunciation guides for select foreign lyrics, enriching the karaoke experience.
Introduced in 2022, Apple Music Sing has evolved to incorporate these microphone capabilities, making it a preferred choice for users seeking an affordable karaoke alternative. Let’s hope Apple continues to enhance this engaging feature.
How to Recover Previous Passwords in macOS Tahoe
It’s easy to accidentally overwrite a password. However, with the release of macOS Tahoe, Apple has added a new feature to its Passwords application that allows users to retrieve older passwords. This enhancement addresses a common issue: while having a centralized location for password management is convenient, it also creates a single point of failure where mistakes can occur.
Often, you may leave a password unchanged for years, despite the importance of regularly updating credentials. If you find yourself needing to log into a site from a non-personal device, you might not remember the password. In that case, you would typically use the “Forgot Password” feature, reset it to something new, and move on.
Unfortunately, when you return to your devices, it can be difficult to recall the new password. This situation can lead to a cycle of using the “Forgot Password” option multiple times, resulting in several passwords for the same site, with only a couple possibly saved in the Passwords app. A poor internet connection can even leave you uncertain if a password change was successfully completed.
When sharing passwords with colleagues, the confusion may lead you to wish for a simpler authentication method, such as passkeys, Touch ID, or Face ID. Fortunately, Apple’s updated Passwords app in macOS Tahoe includes a version history feature that helps users navigate through these challenges. While it doesn’t eliminate the hassles of managing multiple passwords on various devices, it provides clarity by showing when passwords were changed and what those changes were.
To access the password version history, simply open the Passwords app on your Mac, select a login entry, and click on “View History” if it’s available. This feature will only appear if you’ve changed the password in the past. You can see each alteration’s date, providing a timeline of your passwords.
Although there is an option to clear the history, it’s usually unnecessary, as all stored passwords are secured and may be required for future reference. This update brings Apple’s Passwords functionality closer to that of more advanced password managers, which have included version history features, making it a significant step forward since its initial launch.
3D Mark PC Benchmarking Tool Now Available for macOS Users
The full 3DMark testing suite has officially launched on macOS, following the initial release of 3DMark Steel Nomad Light for iPhone. Released on Thursday, this native Mac version includes several benchmarks like Wild Life Extreme, Solar Bay, Steel Nomad, and Steel Nomad Light, some of which were previously exclusive to Windows and not included in the iPhone version.
The introduction of the native Mac version was driven by the insight that one in six iOS results were being run on Mac devices. It’s important to note that running an iOS application on macOS can skew testing results, as the maximum frame rates for iOS apps are typically limited by the display’s refresh rate.
All of the benchmarks utilize the Metal API, emphasizing a comprehensive evaluation of a device’s 3D rendering and CPU capabilities. In contrast to many benchmarking tools, 3DMark claims that its results are fully cross-platform, enabling comparisons between results from Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
The suite features some paid functionalities, including Explorer Mode for Steel Nomad benchmarks, which allows users to utilize a controller to explore scenes and capture custom images. Additional paid features encompass options to save results to an account, enable sound, customize benchmarks for varying resolutions, loop benchmarks for thermal testing, and provide HDR capabilities.
The 3DMark suite for macOS is available through Steam, with plans to offer it on the Epic Games Store and 3DMark.com in the near future. While the demo version is free, the paid version is priced at $35, ensuring cross-platform compatibility and featuring Steam achievements.
It requires an Apple Silicon Mac to operate. *AppleInsider* is set to integrate this benchmark into our testing suite and encourages users running the application on their Macs to share their results in the forums.
Apple Introduces Interactive 3D Graphing Feature in iPadOS 26 Update
Math enthusiasts can now engage with complex equations in a dynamic 3D format on their iPads thanks to iPadOS 26. This update introduces an interactive 3D graphing feature in Math Notes, enhancing the way users can visualize multivariable equations. The Math Notes application was first launched in iPadOS 18 and has now evolved to support these advanced functionalities.
With iPadOS 26, users can effortlessly input equations with three variables, generating corresponding 3D surface plots almost instantaneously. The graphs create a tactile experience as they respond to common gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and drag-to-rotate. This interaction can be achieved through touch or by using the Apple Pencil.
The iPad’s capability to render 3D plots in real-time enables users to adjust, reposition, and save their work for use in applications like Keynote or Pages. Crucially, this entire process occurs locally on the device, ensuring that no internet connection is necessary. To start using this feature, users can access the Calculator or Notes app, switch to Math Notes, and enter a three-variable equation.
Tapping “Insert 3D graph” brings the equation to life. If using an Apple Pencil, users can also underline the equation to initiate the graphing process. This update is particularly beneficial for students and educators in fields such as calculus, engineering, and physics.
The hands-on approach it offers makes abstract mathematical concepts more comprehensible. Unlike traditional graphing calculators, this feature allows for direct interaction with the graph, enabling users to explore different views and understand variable relationships more comprehensively. However, it is important to note that the tool currently doesn’t support symbolic algebra or complex modeling of multiple systems.
It remains focused on providing a visual representation for individual equations. To utilize this feature, users will need a compatible iPad, with support for the Apple Pencil and the latest version of Math Notes. Most iPad models released since 2018, including the iPad Pro and iPad Air (3rd generation and later), meet these requirements.
The iPadOS 26 update is available in developer beta, with a public beta expected in July and a full release slated for the fall in conjunction with iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
Highlights from WWDC: Key iPad Updates and Innovations in Apple Intelligence
Apple has finally unveiled the anticipated details of iOS 26, macOS 26, and iPadOS 26. It’s time to sift through the highlights and lowlights of this year’s updates on the AppleInsider Podcast. While many were eagerly looking forward to the event, mixed reactions have since emerged. Observers have voiced disappointment, but some reactions may seem unusual for those who actually watched the keynote.
Additionally, the event revealed some surprising omissions from Apple’s announcements. After spending a few days with the new beta versions, we have gathered insights into the software’s performance and user experience. However, a word of caution: using beta software can be problematic. One of our hosts has faced challenges with essential applications not launching in macOS Tahoe, while this episode itself was recorded using the new Local Capture feature on the iPad.
As a special treat, subscribers to AppleInsider+ via Patreon or Apple Podcasts can access the extended edition of this episode. Rather than focus on the event’s announcements, we’ll dive into how WWDC felt as a spectacle, likening it to our very own Super Bowl. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the Apple ecosystem, there’s plenty to unpack from the latest updates. From significant changes in user interfaces to the expanding capabilities of applications, we will explore how these upgrades might affect your daily use.
For those who want to join the conversation, feel free to connect with our hosts through various platforms, and don’t miss out on our other insightful podcasts, including HomeKit Insider.
June Amazon Deals: Save Up to 51% on Apple Products
Amazon is currently offering significant discounts on Apple products this Father’s Day weekend, with savings of up to 51%. Shoppers can save as much as $400 on various MacBook models, and grab an AirTag at its lowest price ever.
The Summer Sale features attractive discounts across a wide range of Apple items, with prices starting as low as $13. In addition to the notable Apple markdowns, impressive deals on third-party products are also available.
Among the top deals are:
– AirTag: $22.98 (a $7 discount)
– Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm, GPS): $299 (a $100 discount)
– 11″ iPad Air M2 (512GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular, Space Gray): $699 (a $350 discount)
– 13″ MacBook Air M4 (16GB, 256GB): $849 (a $150 discount)
– 16″ MacBook Pro M4 Max (16C CPU, 40C GPU, 48GB, 1TB): $3,599 (a $400 discount)
For iPad enthusiasts, there are deals offering up to $400 off, including models recently released in 2025 and past versions. Various models like the 2025 iPad A16 and M3 iPad Air have substantial savings.
Audio products are also part of the sale, with discounts on AirPods and Beats. For instance, AirPods are marked down to as low as $99, while Beats Studio Pro headphones have a remarkable discount of 51%.
If you are interested in Apple Watches, prices start at $169, with the Series 10 available for $299. With laptops and desktops seeing reductions up to $400, this sale presents an excellent opportunity for Apple fans to take home some high-quality tech at a great price.
Apple Releases iOS 26 Beta 1 Update Quietly, Featuring New Build Enhancements
Apple has unexpectedly rolled out a subtle update to the first developer beta of iOS 26. This update modifies the build number from 23A5260n to 23A5260u without any accompanying release notes that elaborate on the changes made.
It appears to be a minor revision rather than a comprehensive beta 2 release. The new build started appearing on various devices on June 12, just three days after the initial release of iOS 26 beta 1, which followed Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote.
This revision indicates that Apple is likely working on resolving behind-the-scenes issues or fine-tuning assets without the need for a more formal beta update. Currently, Apple has not publicly outlined any specific differences between the “n” and “u” builds.
However, it is common for minor revisions like this to encompass several improvements, including stability enhancements for specific device configurations, fixes for setup bugs, or updates to internal frameworks and assets. This update may address UI glitches related to the new “Liquid Glass” design language or refine features associated with Apple Intelligence, such as Live Translation and Visual Intelligence.
Additionally, it may tackle early reports of battery drain observed in supported iPhone models. Apple occasionally releases these revised builds under the same beta designation to quietly rectify issues without causing confusion over version numbers.
Such silent updates are generally limited to the earliest developer betas and may not be distributed to all devices. As always with early beta versions, users should exercise caution.
The Apple Intelligence features remain prone to bugs, animations may lag, and certain redesigned applications, like Music and Messages, exhibit inconsistent behavior.