iPadOS March 2026
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Apple Releases First Firmware Update for AirTag 2
Apple today released new firmware for its second-generation AirTag item trackers. The firmware has a 3.0.45 version number, up from 3.0.41, and it is the first firmware update that Apple has provided for the AirTag 2 that launched in January 2026. AirTag updates are infrequent, and there is no word yet on what's included in the new firmware. Apple has shared release notes in the past, and software updates are usually bug fixes and improvements.
Apple Turns 50 Today: Reflecting on Each Decade's Biggest Moments
Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, meaning the company is officially 50 years old as of today. To honor the occasion, we have reflected on some of Apple's biggest moments of each decade, from the 1970s through to the 2020s. Apple has an extensive history, so this list is far from comprehensive, but it captures some of the pivotal events over the company's first 50 years.
Apple adds Apple TV and iPad mini models to ‘obsolete’ products list
Apple has updated its vintage and obsolete products list today, with additions that include Apple TV HD, iPad mini, and MacBook Air models.
Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Max 2
Just ahead of the launch of the AirPods Max 2, Apple has released new firmware for the headphones. The updated firmware is version number 8E251. The AirPods Max 2 include the H2 chip, an upgrade over the H1. The H2 brings several new features like Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, Voice Isolation, and more. The new firmware likely optimizes some of these new features. Customers who buy the AirPods Max 2 can follow Apple's steps to get the new firmware.
Apple Says Three More Products Are Now 'Vintage' or 'Obsolete'
Apple today added the MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) to its "vintage" products list, meaning the device is now only eligible for repairs at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers if parts remain available. The MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) was the final MacBook Air model released before Apple redesigned the laptop and gave it a Retina display in 2018.
iOS 27 Siri Update Will Let Users Make Multiple Requests at Once
The updated version of Siri that Apple plans to release in iOS 27 may be able to handle multiple commands in a single query, reports Bloomberg. With the feature, users would be able to make multi-step requests that Siri would carry out, such as getting directions to a location and then sending those directions to someone in a message. Siri has long been limited to a single command for most requests, and the personal assistant is not able to parse queries with multiple components.
Deals – Last Day Big Spring Sale: MacBook up to $300 off, AirPods Pro 3/Max 2, iPad, Apple Watch $300 off, more
This is it folks, the final day of the 2026 Amazon Big Spring Sale has arrived. The deals are still...
Fantastical can now trigger alarms for events and tasks
Apple introduced a new developer tool in iOS 26 called AlarmKit. The latest version of Fantastical for iPhone and iPad...
Apple TV Teases New 'Highly Anticipated' Psychological Thriller Series
Apple today released a teaser trailer for Cape Fear, a new "highly anticipated" psychological thriller series starring Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, and Javier Bardem. The first two episodes of the 10-episode limited series will premiere on Apple TV on Friday, June 5, and one new episode will follow every Friday through July 31.
AirPods Max 2 Review: Better Sound and ANC, Same Design Frustrations
The $549 AirPods Max 2 are set to launch tomorrow, and ahead of the debut of the new over-ear headphones, Apple sent a pair for MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera to check out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. With the new H2 chip in the AirPods Max, Apple says Active Noise Cancellation is 1.5x better than the ANC in the prior-generation model, and ANC is indeed clearly improved. More exterior noise is eliminated than before, plus audio quality has changed.
Last Day: All of the best Big Spring Sale Apple deals – AirPods Pro 3, MacBook, iPad, accessories, more
The final 24 hours of Amazon’s 2026 Big Spring Sale is now well underway. Alongside the ongoing holiday pricing AirPods...
I transformed my old Pixel Tablet into a brand new Android PC for $50
A cheap Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo can breathe new life into an old Pixel Tablet. The other secret ingredient is Android 16.
How to back up your iPhone & iPad to your Mac before something goes wrong
Backing up your iPhone or iPad to your Mac is the fastest and most reliable way to protect your data, and is especially useful before updates, repairs, or device replacement.
Everything New in iOS 26.5 Beta 1
iOS 26.5 is now available for developers, and while it doesn't include any new Siri capabilities, there are some major changes for the European Union, and smaller tweaks for features available worldwide. Suggested Places In the Maps app, there's a new "Suggested Places" feature that recommends locations to visit based on trending places nearby and recent searches. When Apple launches ads in Maps, it will also show ads.
Apple Lays Groundwork for Ads in Maps With iOS 26.5
Apple is planning to introduce ads to the Apple Maps app in the near future, and the iOS 26.5 beta lays the groundwork for the feature. Code in the update says the following: "Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search". Apple also says that a user's location and ads interacted with in Apple Maps are not linked to an Apple account to protect user privacy.
Apple Testing AirPods-Like Pairing, Live Activities and Notification Forwarding for Third-Party Wearables in EU With iOS 26.5
For the last several months, Apple has been working on interoperability changes that are set to be implemented in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Apple is developing AirPods-like pairing and notification forwarding for third-party wearables. Testing on these features started back in iOS 26.3 and continued in iOS 26.4, but the options have not yet launched.
Apple Intelligence Accidentally Goes Live in China Before Regulatory Approval
Apple accidentally started rolling out Apple Intelligence features in China before receiving regulatory approval, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Some Chinese users began seeing Apple Intelligence features listed as available and active in the Settings app on their iPhones, but Apple made no formal announcement. Gurman says that Apple is not planning to launch the feature imminently, and that its availability was a mistake. Apple has since removed the Apple Intelligence features.
New Siri Features Absent From iOS 26.5 Beta, Likely Pushed to iOS 27 in September
The iOS 26.5 beta that Apple released today includes no new Apple Intelligence Siri functionality, which suggests we're going to be waiting until iOS 27 to see any of the promised Siri features. Apple was initially targeting iOS 26.4 for new Siri capabilities, but in February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the company wasn't going to make that goal due to ongoing accuracy issues. He said that Apple could postpone some or all of the new Siri features until iOS 26.5 and iOS 27.
iOS 26.5 Beta Continues RCS End-to-End Encryption Testing for iPhone and Android Messages
Apple tested end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users in the iOS 26.4 beta, but Apple made it clear the functionality was not going to launch in the iOS 26.4 update. E2EE for RCS was removed before iOS 26.4 was released, but the feature is back in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple continues testing it. In the Messages section of the Settings app, the End-to-End Encryption toggle is back in the RCS options, and like before, it is turned on by default.
Amazon Big Spring Sale Last Chance Deals: AirPods Pro 3, MacBook Pro, and More Best-Ever Prices
Amazon's Big Spring Sale is set to end tomorrow, March 31, so you still have a little while to shop some of the best prices of the year so far on AirPods, MacBooks, and much more. In this article we're recapping all of the best deals you can still get before the event ends, including a few accessory sales. 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.
iPadOS 26.5 beta 1 now available, plus tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, more
Apple has kicked off a new wave of beta software updates today with developer beta 1 for iPadOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and more.
