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Google Unveils $29 Pixel Tag to Take On Apple's AirTag‎

Google today introduced the Pixel Tag, its answer to Apple's AirTag. Pixel Tag is Google's first item tracker, even though Google implemented an item tracking network two years ago that's been used by third-party devices. The Pixel Tag is made from stainless steel, and it is IP67 water- and dust-resistant. There's a built-in speaker that can play a sound when an item it's attached to is lost, and a button that causes a sound to play on a connected smartphone. An on-device button is one feature that distinguishes the Pixel Tag from the ‌AirTag‌. Pixel Tags have an oval shape instead of a round shape, and they don't come with an attachment point and like the ‌AirTag‌, require an add-on accessory for adding to keys or bags. Like the ‌AirTag‌, the Pixel Tag uses a replaceable battery that lasts for up to one year. It works with Android devices running Android 9 or newer with Bluetooth 6, and can be tracked in the Find Hub app. Google added Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband to the Pixel Tag, so it supports a precision finding feature when an item is lost nearby but out of sight. The Pixel Tag supports many of the same functions as the ‌AirTag‌, like alerts when an item is left behind and the option to share item location with multiple people. The ‌AirTag‌ relies on Apple's Find My network when an item is out of range of its owner's device, and Google has a similar system. The Find Hub network taps into more than a billion Android devices for locating items. Google has the same protections as Apple, and Android devices send alerts when an unknown tag is detected traveling with you. Unknown tracker alerts are cross-platform thanks to a collaboration between Apple and Google, so iPhone users will get an alert if a Pixel Tag is nearby and vice versa. Google plans to sell Pixel Tags for $29 for one or $99 for four, which is the same price as the ‌AirTag‌ 2. Pixel Tags will launch in November 2026.Related Roundup: AirTagTag: GoogleBuyer's Guide: AirTag (Buy Now)This article, "Google Unveils $29 Pixel Tag to Take On Apple's AirTag" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

21:54
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MacRumors

Apple Hires Airline Exec as Vice President of Government Affairs‎

Apple hired former American Airlines executive vice president Nick Gatten as its new vice president of government affairs, reports Bloomberg. Gatten will take on some of the duties of senior vice president of government affairs Katherine Adams, who is retiring at the end of 2026. Gatten will report to Apple senior vice president and general counsel Jennifer Newstead, with Adams to remain available in an advisory role until October 1. Bloomberg says Gatten is a Republican that Apple felt would be able to align with the Trump administration. He previously worked at Fannie Mae where he managed a team that interfaced with Republican members of Congress, and he also oversaw government affairs at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and American Airlines. Gatten will work closely with Tim Cook in his new role. Cook plans to step down as Apple CEO on September 1, with hardware chief John Ternus to take over. Cook will remain on as executive chairman, engaging with policymakers and governments worldwide.This article, "Apple Hires Airline Exec as Vice President of Government Affairs" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

21:03
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MacRumors

Apple Wallet Could Soon Save Trade-In Quotes for 90 Days‎

Apple appears to be developing a retail trade-in system that would let customers save a trade-in offer to the Wallet app for up to 90 days, based on code seen by MacRumors. References to the system were found in an update to Apple's Guide app. Guide is used by Apple employees, Apple Authorized Resellers, and other sales organizations during conversations and product demonstrations with customers. One string in the app says: "You can add this trade-in offer to your Apple Wallet. It will be valid for 90 days." Other strings indicate that an employee could display a QR code for the customer to scan with their iPhone. "To save this offer, simply scan the QR code with your iPhone's camera," another message says. The app also has localized "Add to Apple Wallet" buttons for dozens of regions and languages. The Wallet pass appears to be the final step in a broader trade-in workflow added to the app. Code references describe checking whether a device is eligible, scanning or entering its serial number or IMEI, answering questions about its physical condition, and running Apple Diagnostics. The system can then retrieve quotes from trade-in vendors and generate a Wallet pass for the selected offer. Apple has also added references to a "TradeInKit" framework, along with server endpoints for device eligibility, diagnostic sessions, trade-in pricing, and Wallet pass generation. Both the overall trade-in feature and the Wallet pass option appear to be controlled by server-side switches, so their presence in the app does not mean they are live for employees or customers yet. A trade-in offer valid for 90 days would give customers a longer window than Apple currently advertises for online trade-ins. After a trade-in estimate is generated, Apple has to receive the device within 14 days to ensure the customer gets the estimated value. Given the current 14-day limit, it's possible the unreleased system could be intended for a different kind of transaction. A customer visiting an Apple Store could have a device evaluated without immediately purchasing a replacement, save the resulting offer in Apple Wallet, and return within 90 days to use it. The Wallet pass could make the offer easier to retrieve than an email or paper quote, while giving customers more time to decide whether to upgrade. Apple's code does not say whether the value displayed in the Wallet pass would be guaranteed for the full 90-day period. Apple's current trade-in terms allow a quote to be revised when the inspected condition differs from the customer's description, when an activation lock has not been removed, or when a device is not returned within the required period. The new code also includes warnings for device lock states and indicates that trade-in values may be provided through Apple's existing third-party trade-in partners. Apple has not announced Wallet-based trade-in offers or a 90-day price window. The feature could remain an internal test, and its implementation or terms may change before any wider rollout.Tags: Apple Trade-In, Apple WalletThis article, "Apple Wallet Could Soon Save Trade-In Quotes for 90 Days" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

21:03
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MacRumors

iPhone 18 Pro: Apple Secures Lower Display Prices Amid RAM Shortage‎

Apple has secured lower prices for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, according to industry sources cited by South Korea's DealSite. For example, the report said Apple will pay LG and Samsung around $68 per OLED display destined for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, down significantly from the $110 to $120 that it paid those suppliers for each iPhone 17 Pro Max display. Apple is said to have made an aggressive push for lower display prices due to the ongoing memory chip shortage, resulting from companies building out powerful AI data centers. The supply-demand imbalance has led to skyrocketing prices for RAM chips used in devices like the iPhone, leading to increased production costs for Apple. South Korea's The Elec first reported on these negotiations last month. By securing lower costs for some non-memory iPhone components, such as displays, Apple can partially offset the rising costs of RAM. Even still, the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be more expensive than the iPhone 17 Pro models, with market research firms estimating that U.S. starting prices could rise by $200 to $300. If so, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could start at up to $1,399 and $1,499, respectively. Apple already raised prices on Macs, iPads, and select other products in June, but the iPhone was spared. If Apple can secure lower prices for displays and some other components, then perhaps the price increases expected for the iPhone 18 Pro models will be closer to the $200 mark or less rather than $300, but only time will tell. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models and a foldable iPhone this September, so we are only a month away from official pricing info.Related Roundup: iPhone 18 ProTags: DealSite, LG, SamsungThis article, "iPhone 18 Pro: Apple Secures Lower Display Prices Amid RAM Shortage" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

19:56
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MacRumors

Apple Patenting Way to Improve Notification Summaries and 'Reduce Interruptions' Focus‎

A newly published Apple patent application describes a system for deciding, in real time, whether to interrupt what someone is doing on a device or leave them alone. The application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 5, 2026 and published on August 6, 2026, as spotted by patent tracking site Patentlyze. The patent describes how a device can observe what someone is doing, check that behavior against rules for when an interruption is warranted, and only then decide whether to show a prompt. For example, if someone has been scrolling in an app for a long time, staring at one app, or repeating some other pattern the rules flag, the device would step in. If nothing matches, it does nothing and allows the person to carry on uninterrupted. A second part of the same filing covers turning recent activity into a short summary, so instead of getting interrupted mid-task, someone could check in afterward and see what they had missed. Apple already ships something conceptually close to both halves of this patent. iOS 18.1 introduced AI-powered notification summaries, which use on-device AI to condense a stack of alerts into a single line, alongside a Reduce Interruptions Focus mode that filters out notifications the system judges unimportant. If Apple built the proposed system into a shipping feature, it looks better suited to sharpening those two tools than replacing them. Reduce Interruptions currently judges each notification individually, weighing its content and sender to decide whether it counts as important enough to break through. It does not factor in what someone is actively doing on the device at that moment. The mechanism in this patent could add that layer, checking a person's ongoing activity, such as how long they have been on a call or how many times they have reopened an app, before deciding whether an interruption is warranted at all, even for a notification that would otherwise qualify. Notification summaries could benefit in a similar way. Rather than condensing whatever alerts happen to stack up regardless of context, the patent's summarization element describes building a digest from a person's broader activity, which could let the system hold back a stray or inaccurate summary until it has enough of a pattern to summarize accurately, the kind of context Apple's AI summaries lacked when they generated a false news headline and drew criticism in December 2024. As with all Apple patent filings, there is no guarantee that this specific system will ship in an actual product, and its docketed but unexamined status means the invention could still be narrowed or rejected before a patent is granted. That being said, the application maps onto features already live on Apple devices, which makes it appear to be less of a shot in the dark than many other patent applications. It could easily be Apple laying the groundwork for where it wants to take Reduce Interruptions and notification summaries next.Tags: Focus Mode, Notifications, PatentThis article, "Apple Patenting Way to Improve Notification Summaries and 'Reduce Interruptions' Focus" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

19:36
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MacRumors

iPhone Ultra's Two Selfie Cameras Could Sit in the Same Corner‎

With Apple's upcoming iPhone Ultra there's been a lingering question over the exact placement of the selfie cameras in the device's folded and unfolded states – but today we may have stumbled upon the answer. Dummy units have suggested a top-centered cut-out for the selfie camera on the outer display of Apple's foldable, while locating the selfie camera for the inner display in the outermost top-left corner. That presents an asymmetry untypical of Apple's designs. However, screen protectors for the iPhone Ultra that surfaced online today suggest the device's selfie cameras on the inner and outer displays may be located in the same corner of the same half, with one facing out and one facing in. The screen protectors show a selfie camera cutout on the top-right corner of the outer display when the device is closed. Taken together, the two leaks could imply one front-facing camera zone in a single corner. Such an arrangement – two slightly offset lenses – could let Apple confine the cutouts and camera modules to a single region of a 4.5mm thick chassis, rather than having them spaced out in different places, which would fit for a device where internal space is at a premium. Now, accessory makers typically work from leaked CAD files of sometimes dubious accuracy, so a pair of screen protectors can't be considered to provide definitive evidence of a device's design. Our reading also assumes the dummy iPhone Ultra models had one camera placement correct (the top-left inner selfie camera) and one out of whack (the centered outer camera). Even so, the side-by-side internal placement could make sense. We'll know one way or another soon enough. The iPhone Ultra is expected to be unveiled next month, featuring a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display, the A20 Pro chip, Touch ID integrated into the Side button in lieu of Face ID, and a 5,000mAh battery, along with a 48-megapixel dual rear camera system.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTag: iPhone UltraThis article, "iPhone Ultra's Two Selfie Cameras Could Sit in the Same Corner" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

19:17
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MacRumors

Best Back to School Accessory Deals on Anker, Sony, Samsung and More This Week‎

There's a big accessory sale happening on Amazon this week, with the year's best prices on Anker chargers, Samsung monitors, Sonos audio products, and much more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Highlights this time around include a new batch of audio devices on sale, including the Sonos Ace Headphones for $299.00, down from $399.00, and Sony's WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones for $248.00, down from $399.00. Another notable audio discount is on the Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds, which are designed to be worn in bed, available for $168.99, down from $229.99. $61 OFFSoundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds for $168.99 $100 OFFSonos Ace Headphones for $299.00 $151 OFFSony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones for $248.00 In terms of monitor and TV deals, there are quite a few Samsung deals happening this week on Amazon. The 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 has hit its second-best price on Amazon at $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99, an all-time low price. You'll also find solid sales on The Frame TVs and Odyssey monitors right now, including a great deal on The Frame TV 55-inch model for $897.99, a solid second-best price. $200 OFFSamsung 55-inch The Frame TV for $897.99 $400 OFFSamsung 32-inch Smart Monitor M9 for $1,199.99 We're also tracking big discounts from brands like LG, Hisense, iVANKY, Jackery, and more in the lists below. Accessories on sale include USB-C wall chargers, MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers, portable batteries, headphones, docks, and monitors. $50 OFFAnker Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station for $99.74 Audio Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds - $168.99, down from $229.99 Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Headphones - $248.00, down from $399.00 Sonos Ace Headphones - $299.00, down from $399.00 Monitors and TVs Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 Monitor - $169.99, down from $249.99 LG 27-inch UltraGear Monitor - $275.27, down from $499.99 Hisense 65-inch E6 Cinema Series 4K TV - $399.99, down from $478.00 Samsung 27-inch Odyssey OLED G5 - $349.54, down from $499.99 Samsung 55-inch The Frame 4K TV - $897.99, down from $1,097.99 Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 Monitor - $999.99, down from $1,299.99 Samsung 32-inch M9 Smart Monitor - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99 Wall Chargers Anker Nano USB-C Wall Charger - $25.99, down from $39.99 UGREEN 100W GaN 4-Port Charger - $42.99, down from $54.99 Anker 140W 4-Port GaN USB-C Charger - $64.99, down from $89.99 Anker 3-Port Prime Charger - $115.99, down from $149.99 Wireless Chargers Anker 3-in-1 MagGo Qi2 Charging Stand - $71.99, down from $89.99 Anker 3-in-1 MagGo UFO Charger - $71.99, down from $89.99 Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Charging Station - $85.99, down from $109.99 Anker 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube - $89.99, down from $129.99 Anker 3-in-1 Prime Wireless Charging Station - $99.74, down from $149.99 Anker Prime MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Charging Station - $139.99, down from $229.99 Portable Chargers Anker SOLIX C300 Power Station with Lantern - $199.99, down from $249.00 Anker Prime Power Bank 26,250 mAh - $199.99, down from $229.99 Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $529.99, down from $599.00 Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station - $489.00, down from $799.00 Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station - $999.99, down from $1,499.00 If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week. Deals Newsletter Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2026? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season! Related Roundup: Apple DealsThis article, "Best Back to School Accessory Deals on Anker, Sony, Samsung and More This Week" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

17:08
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MacRumors

Apple Skipping iPhone 18 Launch This Year‎

Apple supplier Pegatron today indirectly confirmed that the standard iPhone 18 model will not be released until next year, according to a new report. Pegatron held an earnings call for the second quarter of 2026 today. On the call, Taiwan's Economic Daily News said Pegatron indicated that one of its customers will be changing its usual smartphone shipment schedule. As widely expected, the report said Apple plans to release the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and a foldable "iPhone Ultra" this September, followed by the standard iPhone 18 model in the first quarter of 2027. The standard iPhone 11 through to the iPhone 17 all launched alongside Pro and Pro Max models in September over the years, so the launch of the base model iPhone 18 being postponed until around March 2027 would be a notable change. Apple's plans to split up the launch of the iPhone 18 series has already been widely rumored by sources such as Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, former The Information reporter Wayne Ma, and others over the past year. Apple supplier Largan Precision also hinted at the change in a similarly indirect way earlier this year. A lower-end iPhone 18e and an iPhone Air 2 are also expected to be released around March 2027. In total, six new iPhone models are slated to launch by the end of March:iPhone 18 Pro: September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max: September 2026 iPhone Ultra: September 2026 iPhone 18: March 2027 iPhone 18e: March 2027 iPhone Air 2: March 2027Related Roundups: iPhone 18, iPhone 18 ProTag: Economic Daily NewsRelated Forum: iPhoneThis article, "Apple Skipping iPhone 18 Launch This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

17:08
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'Everyone' at Apple Apparently Calls Foldable 'iPhone Ultra'‎

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said "everyone" inside Apple refers to the company's upcoming foldable iPhone as the "iPhone Ultra" internally, though he cautioned that doesn't necessarily confirm it as the final name. The comments came in response to Max Weinbach, who argued the "Ultra" name doesn't fit because Apple's existing Ultra products represent the most capable version of a lineup, and the foldable wouldn't clearly outclass the iPhone Pro the way that positioning implies.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Bloomberg, Foldable iPhone, iPhone Ultra, Mark Gurman, Max WeinbachThis article, "'Everyone' at Apple Apparently Calls Foldable 'iPhone Ultra'" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

17:08
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'iPhone Ultra' Screen Protectors Reveal Asymmetric Corners‎

The leaker known as "Ice Universe" today shared images and a hands on video of screen protectors for Apple's rumored "iPhone Ultra," and the leak appears to confirm two of the most discussed details about the foldable's front design. The leaked accessory has square corners on the side that would sit next to the hinge, and rounded corners on the opposite edge. That asymmetry lines up with months of rumors describing a foldable device with a hinge on one side, and the leak marks one of the clearest looks yet at how the proportions and shape carry over to the cover display itself. Ice Universe said the shape reflects the protector covering the entire glass panel rather than matching the display area exactly, and that the screen underneath is still expected to have symmetrical rounded corners and uniform bezels on all sides. As shown in multiple previous reports, the screen protectors also corroborate the foldable iPhone's shorter, wider design. This is the screen protector for the iPhone Ultra. You can see, the iPhone Ultra actually has an irregular screen with one side square and the other round. Oh my God, can you even handle that? pic.twitter.com/qpQHZHiqcD— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) August 11, 2026 The protector also shows a single punch hole cutout for the front facing camera, positioned on the right side of the panel rather than in the center. Some earlier reports had suggested the cutout could end up centered, so the accessories offer a firmer answer on its placement. Since the ‌iPhone Ultra‌ is expected to use Touch ID rather than Face ID, it doesn't need the larger TrueDepth sensor array Face ID requires, clearing the way for a single hole punch camera, which is a first for the iPhone. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding - the protective film covers the entire glass panel, not exactly the same as the actual screen display area. The iPhone Ultra screen itself is still a symmetrical rounded rectangle. pic.twitter.com/Iwu52050uw— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) August 11, 2026 The information comes a few days after leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of protective covers for the ‌iPhone Ultra‌'s rear camera module in silver and dark blue finishes. Other rumors point to a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch inner display, the A20 Pro chip, and a 5,000mAh battery, as well as a 48-megapixel dual rear camera system and 18-megapixel selfie cameras on both the outer and inner displays. The device is expected to debut alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in mid-September, with a price of at least $2,000.Related Roundup: iPhone FoldTags: Ice Universe, iPhone UltraThis article, "'iPhone Ultra' Screen Protectors Reveal Asymmetric Corners" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

16:07
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