Juli Clover
Juli is the Managing Editor at MacRumors, and has been covering Apple news and rumors since 2010. She oversees MacRumors' guides, roundups, how tos, reviews, and giveaways in addition to covering daily news. Her work is regularly highlighted on Techmeme and cited by tech publications and news sites.
She is a voracious reader, cinephile, gardener, and gamer, and she resides in California with her carnivorous plants. Juli can be reached at juli@macrumors.com or on Twitter.
She is a voracious reader, cinephile, gardener, and gamer, and she resides in California with her carnivorous plants. Juli can be reached at juli@macrumors.com or on Twitter.
Juli Clover's Articles
Ecovacs Deebot X11 Omnicyclone Review: HomeKit Robot Vacuum With Bagless Design and Fast Charging
Ecovacs recently came out with its newest robot vacuum, the Deebot X11 Omnicyclone. Like the last couple of models, this new vacuum has Matter integration and it's able to connect to HomeKit so it can be sent off to clean the floor with Siri voice commands.
Design
The X11 is the same size as the prior-generation X9, coming in at 3.86 inches tall. I've tested several robot vacuums now, and...
Read Full Article • 20 comments
Apple Releases First iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Public Betas
Apple today provided public beta testers with the first releases of upcoming iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and watchOS 26.2 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come two days after Apple provided the betas to developers.
After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section in the Settings app on...
First macOS Tahoe 26.2 Beta Now Available to Developers
Apple today provided the first beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a few days after the launch of macOS Tahoe 26.1.
Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.2 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...
Apple's 2026 Smart Home Revamp: All the Rumors
It's been over a decade since Apple's HomeKit smart home platform launched, and it is overdue for an update. HomeKit and the Home app can no longer keep up with AI-powered solutions from other companies like Google and Amazon, but that's set to change with a smart home revamp that Apple has planned for 2026.
Home Hub
Apple is working on a home hub or "command center" that will serve as a...
iOS 26.2 Adds Safari Search Engine Choice Screen in Japan Ahead of New Law
With iOS 26.2, Apple is adding a prompt that allows iPhone users in Japan to select a preferred search engine. As noted on Reddit, the option to choose a search engine comes up after installing iOS 26.2 for the first time.
iPhone users in Japan can select from Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo Japan, or Ecosia, the same options available globally in the Safari settings. In most other...
Here's How Much Apple is Paying Google to Power the New Siri
Apple is planning to use an AI model designed by Google to power the smarter version of Siri that's coming out in 2026, and the technology is going to cost Apple approximately $1 billion per year.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is close to establishing a deal for a 1.2 trillion parameter Google Gemini artificial intelligence model.
The $1 billion estimated annual payment that Apple will...
Apple's New Siri Will Be Powered By Google Gemini
The smarter, more capable version of Siri that Apple is developing will be powered by Google Gemini, reports Bloomberg. Apple will pay Google approximately $1 billion per year for a 1.2 trillion parameter artificial intelligence model that was developed by Google.
For context, parameters are a measure of how a model understands and responds to queries. More parameters generally means more...
Google Agrees to Make Major Play Store Changes to Settle Epic Games Antitrust Lawsuit
Google has proposed sweeping changes to its Play Store and Android to end an ongoing antitrust dispute with Epic Games. The two companies filed a joint settlement agreement with the court last night, and if approved, Apple will be left as the only company embroiled in a public antitrust fight with Epic.
Google will allow Android app developers to use alternative payment methods in apps or...
Google Adds 'AI Mode' Button to Chrome for iPhone and iPad
Google is updating the Chrome app for the iPhone and the iPad with a dedicated "AI Mode" button that matches functionality found in the desktop version of Chrome. AI Mode is located under the Google search bar, next to an Incognito Mode button.
The AI Mode option provides quicker access to Chrome's Gemini-powered AI search feature. Google says that AI Mode lets users ask more complex,...
M5 Ultra Chip Coming to Mac Studio in 2026
Apple doesn't release an "Ultra" variant for every Apple silicon chip, but the company is planning to debut an M5 Ultra chip in 2026, reports Bloomberg.
The M5 Ultra is slated for the Mac Studio, and it's also likely that Apple will use it in a Mac Pro update. There's no word on when the M5 Ultra might come out, but historically, Ultra chips have followed the Pro and Max chip variants....
iOS 26.2 Adds APIs for Texas App Store Parental Consent Law
Apple today detailed the tools it is providing developers for compliance with the App Store Accountability Act (SB 2420) that goes into effect in Texas in 2026.
Starting on January 1, 2026, Apple users in Texas will need to confirm whether they are 18 years or older when creating an Apple account, and parents will need to provide consent for their children's App Store downloads and in-app...
Review: Two Months With the AirPods Pro 3
It's been almost two months since Apple released the AirPods Pro 3, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using them since they came out. He has some new thoughts to share on longer-term AirPods Pro 3 use, so check out our video if you're thinking of picking up a pair for the holidays.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
There have been recent reports from...
Apple Card Now Offers 3% Daily Cash Back on Hertz Rental Cars
Apple Card purchases made in the Hertz app or through Hertz.com are now eligible for 3% Daily Cash back, according to an updated Apple Support document.
The Daily Cash bonus is available when booking a rental car at U.S. Hertz corporate locations through the app or the website. Hertz is also offering Apple Card users free emergency roadside service, a discounted loss damage waiver ($16.95...
Nomad Stand One Gets Qi2 Update With 25W iPhone Charging
Nomad today updated its popular Stand One and Stand One Max chargers to add Qi2 support. Qi2 allows compatible iPhones to charge at up to 25W, matching the 25W charging speed of Apple's newest MagSafe chargers.
The $119 Stand One can charge an iPhone at up to 25W using the iPhone charging surface, and it can also charge the AirPods at the base of the device. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C...
Apple Pay Promo: Save $25 on Columbia Orders Over $150
Apple today launched a winter-themed Apple Pay promotion, offering users a $25 discount on a purchase of $150 or more from Columbia.
If you spend $150+ on the Columbia website and then use Apple Pay when checking out, you can get $25 off your purchase. No promo code is required. Apple says that products from the Amaze Puff Collection and the ROC collection are excluded from the offer, but...
Everything New in iOS 26.2 Beta 1
Just a day after launching iOS 26.1, Apple is ready to test the next update, iOS 26.2. iOS 26.2 brings AirPods Live Translation to the EU, introduces changes to Reminders, adds a Lock Screen Liquid Glass slider, and more.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
We've rounded up all of the new iOS 26.2 features that we've found so far.
Lock Screen
There is a Liquid...
iOS 26.2 Adds Three New Features to Podcasts App
With iOS 26.2, Apple is updating the Podcasts app to add a trio of new features and updated tools for podcast creators.
All English podcast shows will now get automatically created chapters, which makes it easier to navigate through them. Apple says that automatic chapters will also make it simpler for users to understand an episode's structure and return to specific sections that interest...
iOS 26.2 Lock Screen Gets Liquid Glass Slider
In iOS 26.2, there's a new Liquid Glass slider that lets you customize the appearance of the clock. When you select the "Glass" option, you can use the new slider to make the time look almost entirely clear, or give it a more frosted, solid look.
There continues to be a separate Solid toggle that turns off the Liquid Glass appearance for the clock entirely if you want to opt for a much more...
Veterans Day Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launching November 11
Apple is planning an Apple Watch Activity Challenge for Veterans Day, which takes place next Tuesday in the United States. Apple Watch owners are tasked with doing any workout for 11 minutes or more on November 11.
Apple Watch owners who complete the challenge will win an Apple Watch activity award in the Fitness app.
Earn this award on November 11 by doing any workout for 11 minutes or...
iOS 26.2 Adds Alarms for Reminders
In iOS 26.2, there's a new option to set an alarm to go off when creating a reminder in the Reminders app. When adding a reminder, selecting a time and then toggling on the "Urgent" option will cause an alarm to go off at the designated time.
Alarms that you set in the Clock app can also be integrated into the Reminders app by allowing the app to access Alarms in the Settings app.
When a...
