The fourth iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 betas that Apple provided to developers today introduce nine new emoji characters.
Trombone
Treasure Chest
Distorted Face
Hairy Creature (aka Bigfoot or Sasquatch)
Fight Cloud
Orca
Landslide
There are also new skin tone modifiers people wrestling and dancers with bunny ears, as well as a gender neutral option for the ballet dancer emoji.
The emoji characters are part of the Unicode 17 update that the Unicode Consortium previewed in fall 2025. It often takes Apple several months to implement new emoji characters because new art needs to be drawn for each one.
Updated emoji are often added to Apple devices in the spring, typically in .4 software updates.
Apple last added new emoji characters in iOS 18.4, introducing bags under eyes face, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.
Next year, in iOS 27, we could get a squinting face emoji, a monarch butterfly, left- and right-pointing thumb gestures, a pickle, a lighthouse, a meteor, an eraser, a net with a handle.
Apple today provided developers with the fourth betas of upcoming watchOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the third betas.
The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.
watchOS 26.4 adds a new Average Bedtime metric to the sleep features that sync to the health app, so you can better keep an eye on how bedtime impacts overall sleep quality.
tvOS 26.4 eliminates the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps on the Apple TV. These apps haven't worked for some time and have directed users to the Apple TV app for purchases, but Apple is finally phasing them out entirely. Apple also added a Continuous Audio Connection option for HDMI output.
visionOS 26.4 includes support for foveated streaming for apps and games. Foveated streaming allows video to be streamed to the precise area where a user is looking, and peripheral areas are compressed. It allows for higher visual quality and lower latency.
Apple today provided the fourth beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple seeded the third beta.
Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.4 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.
macOS Tahoe 26.4 adds a new Charge Limit feature so Mac users can select a maximum charge level that ranges from 80 to 100 percent. Apple also brought back the Compact tab layout in Safari for those who missed the option in earlier versions of macOS Tahoe.
Apple silicon Macs who are running apps that still rely on Rosetta will see warnings about the upcoming end of support for Rosetta. After macOS Tahoe 27, Apple will phase out Rosetta support, and all apps will need to be updated before that time.
macOS Tahoe 26.4 will be released to the public in the spring after several weeks of beta testing.
Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple provided the third betas to developers.
Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.
iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the iPhone and the iPad. A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork.
Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions.
Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS, which will eventually bring full encryption to text conversations between Android and iPhone users. Apple is testing RCS with iPhone-to-iPhone conversations and iPhone-to-Android conversations.
Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide.
Apple has already finalized plans for next year's entry-level "iPhone 18e" model, according to a known leaker.
According to a new post from the Weibo user known as "Fixed Focus Digital," Apple has now locked in plans for the iPhone 18e. This is despite the fact that the iPhone 17e hasn't yet launched.
The iPhone 17e features the A19 chip, Apple's C1X modem, MagSafe, and 256GB of base storage. Little is known about the iPhone 18e's features at this stage, but the A20 chip seems highly likely. The Dynamic Island is also a potential feature since it was rumored for the iPhone 17e and many such features seem to trickle down to Apple's entry-level devices over time.
The iPhone 18e is rumored to launch alongside the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 in the spring of 2027. The iPhone 17e launches later this week.
The new MacBook Neo has a breakthrough starting price of just $599, and AppleCare+ repair fees for the laptop are lower than all other Macs too.
AppleCare+ for the MacBook Neo can be purchased for $139 upfront, or customers can opt to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year indefinitely. In the U.S., there is also AppleCare One, which lets you protect multiple Apple products from $19.99 per month.
For a MacBook Neo with AppleCare+ coverage, repair fees are as follows:
Battery replacement: $0
Screen damage: $49
External enclosure damage: $49
Other accidental damage: $149
For all other Macs with AppleCare+ coverage, most of the repair fees are higher:
Battery replacement: $0
Screen damage: $99
External enclosure damage: $99
Other accidental damage: $299
All prices listed in this article are in U.S. dollars.
Apple began accepting MacBook Neo pre-orders last week, and the laptop launches Wednesday.
Amazon today has introduced the first big pre-order discounts on the brand new Apple Studio Display lineup, with up to $300 off these monitors. The Studio Display deals join pre-order discounts on M4 iPad Air, MacBook Neo, and more on Amazon and other retailers.
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There are three models of the 2026 Studio Display on sale right now, including two Nano-texture glass models and one Standard Glass model. The biggest discount is on the Nano-texture Glass Studio Display with Tilt- and Height-Adjustable Stand for $1,999.00, down from $2,299.00.
The Studio Display is a 27-inch monitor with a 5K Retina LCD display, built-in camera, speaker system, and microphone array. 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.
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The first reviews of the iPhone 17e were published today by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the device launching on Wednesday.
iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone 16e, but it gained Apple's A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories, and Apple's second-generation C1X cellular modem. In the U.S., the iPhone 17e starts at the same $599 as the iPhone 16e did, but it has a doubled 256GB of base storage.
The Verge's Allison Johnson recommended that customers purchase the standard iPhone 17 for an extra $200 over the iPhone 17e, if they can afford to. The standard iPhone 17 has been very popular, and it offers some features the iPhone 17e lacks, including a 120Hz ProMotion display, a Dynamic Island, and an extra Ultra Wide rear camera.
If you do opt for the iPhone 17e, though, MagSafe and the 256GB of base storage are the two key upgrades over the iPhone 16e.
While the iPhone 17e looks and feels just like last year's model, there's one huge change under the hood: MagSafe support. Apple's latest entry level phone works with the wide ecosystem of magnetic accessories out there, including MagSafe wallets, MagSafe battery packs and MagSafe charging stands. It's been so nice being able to plop my iPhone 17e on my Belkin Boost Charge stand while I'm at my desk and snap on my Baseus PicoGo battery pack when I'm on the go, two major conveniences I often have to give up when testing a cheaper phone. MagSafe allows for twice the wireless charging speed at 15W versus 7.5W, and while Google just joined the party with its similar PixelSnap tech, you won't find that feature on the new $500 Google Pixel 10a.
Google's budget Pixel 10a smartphone lacks an equivalent MagSafe feature.
iPhone 17e benchmarks already surfaced last week, revealing that the device's A19 chip is up to 15% faster than the iPhone 16e's A18 chip and unsurprisingly on par with the standard iPhone 17. In other words, performance is totally fine.
iPhone 17e features Apple's latest C1X modem for cellular connectivity. Apple says the C1X is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e.
On AT&T's network in New Jersey, PCMag's Eric Zeman said the iPhone 17e achieved a peak download speed of 419 Mbps, but he did not test any other devices for comparison. In a study published in September, Ookla said the iPhone 16e achieved a median download speed of 169 Mbps on AT&T, so it seems like twice-as-fast 5G is roughly accurate.
CNET, Engadget, and WIRED also shared iPhone 17e reviews, among others.
The first reviews of the iPad Air with the M4 chip have been shared by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the device launching this Wednesday.
The new iPad Air features the M4 chip, 12GB of memory, the N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity, and Apple's C1X modem on cellular models. Everything else remains unchanged compared to last year's M3 model.
Many of the reviews noted the small, iterative nature of the M4 iPad Air over last year's M3 model, with many features like the design, 60Hz Liquid Retina display, and Touch ID button lingering unchanged since 2020. Tom's Guide said:
I wouldn't go so far to say that the Air's design has calcified, but if you go back several generations, you'll see little has changed from year to year. The M4 Air has the same design as the Air Apple released back in 2020. To be sure, it's a great look — thin, light, and a nice slim bezel all the way around.
The main upgrade is the move to the M4 chip, which reviewers agreed is noticeably faster than last year's M3 model, even if it doesn't dramatically change what can be achieved with the device.
Now powered by an M4 chip, the iPad Air is modestly faster than last year's iPad Air M3. On our benchmark tests, it scored appreciably faster, both in single- and multicore, as well as in frame rate tests. The most notable difference you'll see is if you go back a couple of generations; the M4 iPad scored nearly two times higher than the M1 Air on our Geekbench test.
Mashable highlighted the new chip's better optimization for AI tasks:
I tried to test its AI capabilities using apps like Final Cut Pro's auto-captions, Voice Memo's transcription features, and CollaNote's AI image generation. Even with WiFi and cellular data turned off, these processes happened almost instantly, and without any big mistakes.
In CollaNote, the popular note-taking app, you can use the Magic Pen to circle a doodle and turn it into an actual graphic. Record a note or interview with Voice Memos, and you'll get an accurate transcription at the push of a button. In Pixelmator, you can upscale images and remove backgrounds from photos practically instantly.
I also feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of what you can do with the iPad Air's Neural Engine, particularly when it comes to utilizing Apple Shortcuts and open-source models.
Gizmodo noted that while the new iPad Air benefits from the M4 chip, it still falls short of the version of the M4 used in other devices like the MacBook Air:
The iPad Air isn't powered by the same M4 chip in the M4 MacBook Air. The tablet chip is a binned version, meaning it contains fewer cores than the maxed-out 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple configured the M4 iPad Air version with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU. In practice, you won't see quite the same performance as you would on the M4 MacBook Air. It's also slower for more graphically demanding tasks, like 3D modeling.
What may be helping the M4 iPad Air get a leg up is the upgrade to 12GB of unified memory. That's 4GB more than the M3 iPad Air. This will necessarily increase speeds for when you have multiple apps open at once. It will also boost overall performance.
Reviewers also looked at the new connectivity chips in the device, noting solid performance with no perceptible drawbacks to moving to Apple's custom hardware. Engadget writes:
The other main change is Apple's in-house networking chips are on board here. The N1 covers Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, while the C1X handles cellular connectivity if you buy a 5G-capable model. Again, this doesn't change the experience of using the iPad Air in any major way, but having the newest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth protocols on board is good for future usage, regardless of who built the chip. In my testing, the C1X on Verizon's 5G network was extremely fast around the suburbs of Boston and didn't seem any slower (or any faster) than other devices I have running on the same carrier. That's fine, as other Apple devices I've tried with the C1X (like the iPad Pro) are solid and reliable, which is the most important thing.
Last month, Anker debuted its new Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with a launch discount on Amazon. This deal has gotten even better today, with the accessory marked down to $115.99, down from $149.99, and no need for a coupon.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The Prime 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station features Qi2.2 support, which lets a compatible MagSafe iPhone charge at up to 25W. It's the same speed as Apple's MagSafe charger, and it is 10W faster than the standard Qi2 MagSafe chargers. You can also simultaneously charge an Apple Watch and AirPods with the device.
There are plenty of other Anker discounts happening on Amazon this week, including the Prime 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock back at its all-time low price of $339.99, down from $399.99. Anker's popular 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Charging Cube is also down to a new all-time low price of $83.68 with an on-page coupon, down from $129.99.
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.
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CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue interviewed Apple's CEO Tim Cook ahead of the company's 50th anniversary on April 1, 2026.
In the interview, Cook revealed the two things that are "essential" to Apple: people and culture.
"Yes, we have a lot of intellectual property and so forth, and that is important, but it's people that create that intellectual property," said Cook. "It's the culture that creates the innovation with the intellectual property."
"I think it's very difficult to replicate culture," added Cook. "It takes a long time, because you have to hire the right people. And then those people have to hire the right people, and you have to build a complete organization."
That culture then has to be sustained as life changes and technology evolves, he said.
Cook concluded that Apple is a "party of one."
"I think Apple is such a unique place, it's not possible to replicate it," he said. "I know a lot of different companies, and I think Apple is just in a party of one."
In time for Apple's 50th anniversary, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue tells the iconic company's entire life story: how it was born, nearly died, was born again under Steve Jobs, and became, under CEO Tim Cook, the most valuable company in the world. The book features full-color photos, new facts that correct the record and illuminate its subversive culture, and fresh interviews with the legendary figures who shaped Apple into what it is today.
Apple is planning to launch an all-new "MacBook Ultra" model this year, featuring an OLED display, touchscreen, and a higher price point, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
Gurman revealed the information in his latest "Power On" newsletter. While Apple has been widely expected to launch new M6-series MacBook Pro models with OLED displays, touchscreen functionality, and a new, thinner design in the fourth quarter of 2026 for some time, Gurman today turned that rumor on its head with the suggestion that this is an all-new kind of MacBook rather than a MacBook Pro.
Instead of succeeding the newly announced M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, the "MacBook Ultra" will be a new, top-tier Apple laptop. Gurman added that the device is likely to sit above the current M5 MacBook Pros, rather than replace them, suggesting that they will remain on sale.
This would enable a markedly higher price point for the new machines. Gurman noted that when Apple brought OLED displays to the iPhone X in 2017 and the iPad Pro in 2024, it simultaneously raised price by around 20%. As a result, Gurman believes a similar price increase on account of the MacBook's first ever OLED display may be likely and help move the MacBook Pro further upmarket.
Gurman says that this fits into a broader trend at Apple, where the company is seeking to offer more models at more price points, such as the new MacBook Neo at an unprecedented $599 price point to rival low-cost Windows and Chromebook devices. The same is occurring at the high-end, with more premium options available than ever before.
That is set to continue this year with the first foldable iPhone, featuring a ~$2,000 price tag, large inner display, and under-display sensors, and new AirPods priced above the current AirPods Pro at the top of the lineup with computer-vision cameras to feed Visual Intelligence data to Siri. Gurman even suggested that these products may be called the "iPhone Ultra" and "AirPods Ultra."
While the name "MacBook Ultra" is uncertain, Gurman is clearly no longer referring to the device as a MacBook Pro, instead referring to it as "the touch-screen and OLED high-end MacBook." He cautioned that Apple "could keep the traditional MacBook Pro name," but a MacBook Ultra moniker would "more clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup." Gurman expects the device to launch around the end of the year.
Apple is hoping to 3D-print aluminum device enclosures in the future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is pushing to move to 3D-printed aluminum enclosures for for future devices. The MacBook Neo relies on a new aluminum manufacturing process that saves as much metal as possible to drive down costs and speed up production.
3D-printing aluminum enclosures would similarly enable Apple to save material and increase efficiency. The process is likely to come to the Apple Watch first, and potentially the iPhone at a later date.
The process is a follow-up to Apple's 3D-printed titanium technique, which debuted with the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Apple's manufacturing design and operations departments are collaborating on the project.
Gurman added suggested that Apple may expand its new "Neo" branding to the Apple Watch SE in the future, making it the "Apple Watch Neo."
Apple's second-generation MacBook Neo will launch in 2027 and could feature a touchscreen, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Apple this week announced the MacBook Neo, an all-new entry-level Apple laptop that starts at $599, with education pricing at $499. The MacBook Neo is designed to compete with lower-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks, while expanding the Mac lineup with a substantially more affordable option.
Unlike every other Apple silicon Mac, the MacBook Neo is powered by the A18 Pro chip originally developed for the iPhone 16 Pro. The machine features a colorful rounded design, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display with uniform iPad-style bezels rather than a notch, a color-matched Magic Keyboard, a mechanical trackpad, two USB-C ports, 8GB of memory, a headphone jack, a 1080p camera, dual mics, dual speakers with Spatial Audio, and a 16-hour battery life.
In a report shared last year, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo correctly said that the MacBook Neo would enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, but would not feature a touchscreen. In the same report, he revealed some insights into the second-generation version of the device.
Crucially, Kuo said that the second-generation MacBook Neo may feature a touchscreen. Apple's first touchscreen Mac is expected to launch later this year in the form of a new, high-end MacBook Pro with an OLED display and a new design.
The device is specifically said to incorporate a touch panel that uses on-cell touch technology. On-cell touch technology integrates the touch sensors directly into the display panel's top layer (the "cell") rather than requiring a separate, dedicated touch layer, to reduce thickness.
Following the launch of this device and the adoption of touch support in macOS 27, it would make sense for other MacBooks with the feature to follow. Many other laptops from HP, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS that now rival the MacBook Neo already feature touchscreens.
As of September 2025, specifications for the second-generation MacBook Neo were still under discussion, according to Kuo. A faster chip such as the A19 Pro with 12GB of memory is highly likely.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested that Apple may expand "Neo" branding to other low-cost devices such as the Apple Watch SE, making it the "Apple Watch Neo."
Amazon this weekend has all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. We first started tracking the return of these deals last month, but this sale has now expanded with many more options on both 42mm and 46mm GPS models.
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You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 for $299.00, down from $399.00, and the 46mm GPS model for $329.00, down from $429.00. On Amazon, you'll find four of the 42mm GPS models on sale at this all-time low price, and four of the 46mm GPS models on sale as well.
If you're shopping for cellular models, you can find record low prices on multiple models this week on Amazon. The 42mm cellular Apple Watch Series 11 has hit $399.00, down from $499.00, and the 46mm cellular model has hit $429.00, down from $529.00.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
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Apple's upcoming "HomePad" will offer a magnetic snap-to-wall feature and more, according to the leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."
In a new post on X, Kosutami said that one of the HomePad prototypes features a MagSafe-like snap-to-wall capability, along with doorbell integration. It is said to be heavily reliant on Apple Intelligence. They apparently saw this prototype in person.
Apple has reportedly been working on the device for several years, with the aim for it to serve as a centralized location for controlling smart home products, listening to music and podcasts, making video calls, and getting glanceable information like the weather and calendar events. The device is expected to have a 7-inch square display and a front-facing camera.
Kosutami told MacRumors that while the name "HomePad" is being used internally, it is not clear if that is the product name that will actually be used upon launch.
Earlier this week, the leaker said that the HomePad is now set to arrive in the fall of 2026. The fall runs from September to December, and usually coincides with Apple's busiest release period of the year.
The device was originally rumored to launch in early 2025, but due to delays with Apple Intelligence, its apparent release date moved to early 2026, and now to the fall. The rumored release timing means the HomePad could arrive alongside products like the iPhone 18 Pro in September or redesigned MacBook Pro models in October.
Apple is planning more Mac refreshes for the rest of the year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman writes.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that, following the introduction of the M5 MacBook Air, M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro, and MacBook Pro, Apple is preparing for further Mac refreshes to complete the 2026 lineup.
These include an upgraded Mac Studio, which Gurman expects to arrive in the middle of 2026, followed by new iMac and Mac mini models. While the new Mac Studio and Mac mini "will look identical to the current iterations," the 2026 iMac will feature a "refreshed color palette."
A new, high-end MacBook, potentially called the "MacBook Ultra," is expected to arrive around the end of the year. It will feature the Mac's first touchscreen and an OLED display.
Although Gurman did not mention chips, the new Mac Studio is likely to feature the M5 Max chip and either an M4 or M5 Ultra chip, the Mac mini will probably offer M5 and M5 Pro variants, and the iMac is almost certain to get the M5 chip.
Apple is planning to launch at least three new "Ultra"-class devices this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Writing in this weekend's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that while the low-end of Apple's product lineups are now well-served by the Apple Watch SE, iPad 11, and MacBook Neo, there is "a more significant shift underway" toward higher-end, "Ultra" devices. Apple is planning to launch at least three such devices this year:
iPhone Ultra: With a ~$2,000 price tag, large inner display, and under-display sensors, the first foldable iPhone will "cast a shadow over the rest of the lineup."
AirPods Ultra: Priced above the current AirPods Pro at the top of the lineup, the new AirPods will feature computer-vision cameras to feed Visual Intelligence data to Siri.
MacBook Ultra: With a touch-enabled OLED display that will raise the overall price by up to 20%, the new machine will likely sit above the current M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros, rather than replace them.
Gurman said that Apple "may not use the Ultra branding for all of them," despite the name's increasing prevalence across Apple's product lines. Gurman noted that Apple did not adopt the Ultra name for the new Studio Display XDR. Apple already offers M-series Ultra chips, the Apple Watch Ultra, and CarPlay Ultra.
Further in the future, Gurman expects other product lines to expand into this "superpremium tier," including the iPad and Mac. Such devices could include a high-end iPad with a foldable OLED display and a more powerful iMac with a larger display.
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