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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.

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.

Apple Vision Pro’s Compatible App List Remains Unchanged Since Launch

It is surprising that Apple has not transitioned any of its compatible applications to native status in visionOS 2, but the lack of this move in visionOS 26 is particularly neglectful. With the Apple Vision Pro being Apple’s inaugural spatial computing platform and a costly investment, the slow adoption of this technology has been noted, alongside a limited rollout of software specifically designed for the 3D mixed reality environment. As we approached WWDC 2025, many anticipated that Apple would at least upgrade some of its compatible apps to native versions.

A compatible app is one that operates on the Apple Vision Pro in its original 2D format, as seen on iPads or iPhones. Apple has touted the ease with which developers can adapt their apps to become native, highlighting features like toolbars and buttons transitioning from a 2D layout to a more spatial functionality. Unfortunately, Apple has not adhered to its own guidelines since announcing the Vision Pro at WWDC 2023.

After WWDC 2025 concluded, the list of compatible apps had not altered at all. This includes key applications like Books, Calendar, Clock, and more, which do not yet support the native functionality of the platform. Interestingly, the list of compatible apps has actually grown since the launch of Apple Vision Pro in February 2024 due to the acquisition of Pixelmator.

While I consider myself a fan of the Apple Vision Pro and appreciate the engaging 3D space it provides, the lack of updated native apps after nearly two years is disheartening. The new visionOS 26 introduces enhancements such as collaborative options and new gaming capabilities, but the absence of native apps is concerning. It raises questions about Apple’s commitment to this platform.

Although Apple has introduced spatial widgets for various functions, the lack of native examples leaves developers without clear guidance on creating content for this evolving medium. While there is room for change before the official release in the fall, if progress is not made by WWDC 2026, it may signal troubling signs for Apple’s dedication to the Vision Pro.