All the Liquid Glass Changes in macOS Golden Gate

When Liquid Glass launched in macOS Tahoe, Apple faced criticism over how the design looked on the Mac. Some people felt that Liquid Glass in ‌macOS Tahoe‌ was an afterthought with little impact from the design update, while others had issues with contrast, readability, rounded corners, and design consistency. There were long complaint threads on the MacRumors forums and on Reddit, and some people refused to update. Apple is making several changes to Liquid Glass and the overall macOS Golden Gate design, and while subtle, some of the changes could make Liquid Glass on Mac easier to digest. Transparency and Diffusion Apple added a full Liquid Glass slider under System Settings > Appearance. It changes the translucency of Liquid Glass elements, and users can choose a clear version of Liquid Glass that allows some of the background to show through, select a more opaque, tinted version that improves the legibility of text, or choose something in between. Unfortunately, there is no ultra-clear version of Liquid Glass available with the slider. Even the setting that's as clear as possible does not match the original version of Liquid Glass that Apple showed off at WWDC 2025. Apple changed the overall Liquid Glass opacity, and it now diffuses complex content more effectively. Apple says a darkened edge and brighter specular highlights establish more depth and separation for the UI. Toolbars and Window Shapes Apps have uniform toolbars to make text headings and groups of controls more legible. Windows also all have the same corner radius for more consistency between apps. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ Corners of apps are not as dramatically rounded in ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, and the difference is noticeable. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ It's easier to tell when a window is active because of the sidebar design, the opacity update, and changes to window shadows. Sidebars Sidebars are no longer floating and are instead edge-to-edge. It's a design that's less distracting and more uniform because there's no unnecessary sidebar shadowing that just takes up space. Sidebar icons have color again, which is something Apple removed in ‌macOS Tahoe‌. Icons Apple didn't budge on requiring squircle Mac icons, but it did change icon design. Icons have more layers of Liquid Glass to improve detail and sharpness in light, dark, tinted, and clear icon modes. Apple is also using icons for some menu bar items to make it easier to find commonly used actions. HDR Apple is using HDR for depth and dimension in the ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ interface. Launch Date ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ also includes all of the new Siri AI features coming in iOS 27, along with performance improvements that make the Mac feel faster. The update is limited to developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July. ‌macOS Golden Gate‌ will launch this fall. Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateThis article, "All the Liquid Glass Changes in macOS Golden Gate" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 2:11 pm

Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Apple today released new beta firmware for the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Pro 3. The firmware is limited to developers at the current time, and it has a build number of 9A5292e. In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface and support for custom EQ. AirPods are also compatible with the new Siri AI. With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, Apple added a beta firmware update installation option that's available from the AirPods settings interface when the AirPods are connected to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, which facilitates beta testing. Developers can use the beta option to turn on beta downloads.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, iOS 27Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution), AirPods Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 1:31 pm

Apple Says iOS 27 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

iOS 27's key new feature is a more intelligent and personal version of Siri, but the changes go well beyond that. In a press release today, Apple outlined additional enhancements coming across Apple Maps, Find My, Apple Wallet, Apple Music, and more. Apple Maps has gained an enhanced Flyover experience powered by AI, enabling you to view aerial imagery in "stunning detail" for select cities. In the U.S., Apple Maps has also received a new Local Lists feature, which surfaces things such as trending restaurants and kid-friendly places to visit. In the Find My app, you will have the ability to share your location with others for a custom duration, such as four days and six hours. Or, you can set a set an exact date and time for your location sharing to expire. In addition, you can now pause your location sharing with specific people until the end of the day. On iOS 26 and earlier, there are only three preset timeframes available: indefinitely, until end of day, and one hour. In the U.S., iOS 27 allows you to split bills with a new feature powered by Apple Cash and Apple Intelligence. This capability is available in the Messages and Apple Wallet apps, or by using the new Siri mode in the Camera app. "When users point their iPhone at a receipt using Siri mode, it can surface the relevant action to split a bill with Apple Cash and identify the items on the receipt," said Apple. "As users select their items, their total payment is calculated, including their share of tax and tip, so they can pay back exactly what they owe with Apple Cash." You can now create custom passes in Apple Wallet from physical cards, like loyalty or membership cards. With the Siri mode in the Camera app, you can simply point your iPhone at any physical card with a barcode and save it to Apple Wallet. Once added, passes are ready to present as a barcode or QR code right from the iPhone. iOS 27 provides an enhanced Apple Wallet key experience for participating hotels and resorts. You can view more details about your trips, receive updates about booked activities, access services available during your stay, and more. Apple Pay's checkout flow on the web and in apps is getting an updated design that allows you to swipe to switch payment cards. And if you have an eligible card in Apple Wallet, it will be accompanied by more information, including rewards balances, debit account balances, pay later options, and more. As part of the Tap to Pay on iPhone feature, new Tap to Share functionality allows you to connect to a participating small business owner's iPhone and securely share shipping information, email addresses, loyalty rewards, and more. In the Apple Podcasts app, there is a new "search within show" feature. In the Photos app, iCloud Shared Albums now support cross-platform, full-resolution sharing, more file types, and more. Even people without an Apple device can now join and contribute photos to these shared albums on the web. In the Apple Music app, Apple said the AutoMix feature has "even better transitions" that feel "more immersive and engaging for listeners." Introduced in iOS 26, AutoMix adds seamless, DJ-like transitions between songs. Apple Music's Lyrics Translation feature is expanding to seven additional language pairings: English to French, English to German, English to Italian, English to Korean, English to Spanish, French to English, and Japanese to English. A summary of the 12 new features:Apple Maps: Flyover gets AI-enhanced aerial imagery in select cities Apple Maps: Local Lists with trending restaurants and places Find My: When sharing your location, you can set a custom duration Find My: Pause your location sharing with select people until the end of the day Apple Wallet: Create custom passes from physical cards Apple Wallet: Enhanced digital keys with more info at participating hotels Apple Cash: Bill splitting feature powered by Apple Intelligence Apple Pay: A redesigned checkout flow on the web and in apps Tap to Share: Easily share your personal details with a small business owner's iPhone Apple Podcasts: Search within individual podcast episodes Photos: iCloud Shared Albums get cross-platform, full-resolution photo sharing Apple Music: AutoMix enhancements and more Lyrics Translation languagesApple's press release provides more details about these features and a few others. iOS 27 is currently available in developer beta, with a public beta to follow in July. The update is expected to be released in September.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Wallet, Find MyThis article, "Apple Says iOS 27 Adds These 12 New Features to Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 11:47 am

macOS 27 Finally Brings Direct Touch Control to Sidecar

Apple has added direct touch input to Sidecar with macOS 27 Golden Gate and iPadOS 27, allowing users to tap and interact with macOS interface elements using a finger on their iPad for the first time. Previously, ‌Sidecar‌ was deliberately limited as a touch interface. While multi-touch gestures like two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, and three-finger editing gestures for copy, cut, paste, and undo have been supported for years, directly tapping to click links, open apps, or interact with macOS UI elements was not possible with a finger. Those interactions required either the Mac's connected mouse or trackpad, or an Apple Pencil. The new Direct Touch capability closes that gap. In macOS 27, users can can now tap, swipe, and interact with macOS apps on their ‌iPad‌ screen using a finger, bringing ‌Sidecar‌ closer to how third-party tools like Luna Display have worked for some time. ‌Apple Pencil‌ support continues alongside the new touch capabilities. ICYMI: You can now use touch controls on your Mac display with Sidecar on iPad! 👀 pic.twitter.com/KOErLtoZCA— BLCNYY (@BLCNYY) June 9, 2026 The expanded ‌Sidecar‌ functionality requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 27 Golden Gate and a compatible ‌iPad‌ running iPadOS 27. As with previous versions of the feature, both devices must be signed into the same Apple ID, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and have Bluetooth enabled, with the two devices within 10 meters of each other. The feature is likely another indication of impending touch support on the Mac, along with other features like pull-to-refresh. Apple is said to be planning to launch a "MacBook Ultra" as a new top-tier laptop with a touchscreen OLED display, an M6-series chip, the Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. Reports suggest that the device is scheduled to launch in early 2027.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateTag: SidecarThis article, "macOS 27 Finally Brings Direct Touch Control to Sidecar" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 11:17 am

Nomad's New Stellar Orange Charger and Find My Card Match the iPhone 17 Pro

Nomad today introduced two new products in its Stellar Orange colorway, expanding the number of accessories it offers in the unique shade. Stellar Orange matches the Cosmic Orange color that Apple used for the iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max. The Stellar Orange Stand One is a 2-in–1 charging stand that's priced at $135. It was previously available in silver and carbide, but it now comes in bright orange. It is a Qi2 charger that charges a MagSafe iPhone at up to 25W. The upright charger supports charging an iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation for Stand By, and it has a quality glass and metal build. A second Qi charger at the bottom of the stand allows AirPods to be charged at 5W. The stand charges over USB-C, and you'll need to supply a 40W or better power adapter, but it does come with a braided nylon USB-C cable. An anti-slip base keeps it in place, as does the weight of the charger. Nomad's Stellar Orange Tracking Card Pro is $39, and it is made to slip into a wallet to add Find My tracking capabilities. It connects to the ‌Find My‌ network so it is locatable in the ‌Find My‌ app's Items tab, and it can use nearby Apple devices to report its location if lost or stolen. The Tracking Card Pro can charge using any Qi or ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and the battery lasts for up to 16 months. It is 2.5mm thin, which makes it three times thinner than an AirTag and better suited for use in a wallet. It does not support Precision Finding because Apple doesn't make the iPhone's Ultra Wideband chip available to third-party trackers. Nomad's $135 Stellar Orange Stand One and $39 Stellar Orange Tracking Card Pro are available from the Nomad website as of today. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.Related Roundup: iPhone 17 ProTags: Find My, NomadBuyer's Guide: iPhone 17 Pro (Caution)Related Forum: iPhoneThis article, "Nomad's New Stellar Orange Charger and Find My Card Match the iPhone 17 Pro" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 11:00 am

visionOS 27: Siri AI, Eye-Aware Notifications, Curved Windows, and More

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote may have seemed relatively quiet on the Vision Pro front, but the visionOS 27 beta contains a decent amount of new features and quality of life improvements that are likely to be welcomed by the headset's user base. As you'd expect, visionOS 27 is getting the new Apple Intelligence and Siri AI features that Apple has brought to iOS 27 and macOS 27, but this time they feel more seamlessly integrated into the platform compared to previous efforts. For example, Vision Pro users can ask ‌Siri‌ about anything in their surroundings, and using Visual Intelligence, the assistant will see and interpret it in real time, identifying the content, answering questions about it, and providing contextual information to boot. Interacting with Apple's ‌Siri‌ is achieved via a new 3D orb that users can place anywhere in their virtual space, and just looking at the widget is enough to start a conversation – no "Hey ‌Siri‌" needed. A new ‌Siri‌ app also makes it easier to revisit previous interactions and continue conversations. Curved windows in visionOS 27 Below is a summary of what else is new in visionOS 27: Panoramas as environments: Panorama photos can now be turned into immersive spatial environments. Rather than viewing panoramas as flat images, users can step into them and experience added depth and realism, making photos and landscapes feel more lifelike. Curved app windows: Apps such as Safari, Freeform, and Apple TV now take advantage of new curved window layouts that wrap content around a user's field of view. The feature is designed to create a more immersive workspace and make better use of Vision Pro's virtual display area. Faster Wi-Fi: Apple says visionOS 27 significantly improves wireless performance, with supported networks delivering speeds up to three times faster than before. Safari 3D environments: A new Web Environments feature means developers can now use a new immersive API to launch users into a full 360-degree environment from within Safari. Apple says these environments can completely surround a user's physical space, making browsing feel more like a native Vision Pro experience. Redesigned Control Center: Control Center has been reorganized with dedicated sections for notifications and media playback, system controls, and immersive environments. The redesign aims to make common controls easier to find and reduce the number of steps required to access frequently used settings. Smaller widgets: A new extra-small widget size allows users to place more widgets throughout their physical space without overwhelming their environment. The additional size option gives users greater flexibility when placing clocks, weather widgets, photos, and other persistent spatial content. Glance-to-expand notifications: Notifications will now automatically expand when a user looks at them, thereby reducing the need for hand gestures or manual interaction. The feature means quicker access to information, while remaining in line with visionOS's eyes-first interaction model. Spatially preview your Mac: Mac owners can now preview and edit 3D models from their laptop directly in visionOS, while Quick Look enhancements allow for annotations to be added directly to 3D models. New Environment: Apple has added a new immersive environment based on Thórsmörk, a nature reserve in Iceland known for its dramatic mountains, valleys, and glaciers. Users can select the environment as a virtual backdrop for work and entertainment, just like the existing environments. Developer enhancements: Apple is introducing new frameworks, APIs, and tools to help developers build more advanced spatial experiences. The updates include RealityKit improvements, Environment Occlusion for more realistic blending of virtual and physical objects, enhanced asset rendering technologies, updates to Reality Composer Pro 3, and improvements for popular game engines. The new Control Center design for visionOS 27 The visionOS 27 developer beta is available now, ahead of the software's full release this fall. Apple says ‌Siri‌ AI will begin rolling out later this year as a beta feature and will initially support English only. However, unlike on iPhone and iPad, where ‌Siri‌ AI will not be available at launch in the European Union, Vision Pro users in the EU will have access to the feature from day one.Related Roundup: Apple Vision ProTag: SiriBuyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)Related Forum: Apple Vision ProThis article, "visionOS 27: Siri AI, Eye-Aware Notifications, Curved Windows, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 10:50 am

iOS 27 Fixes Justin Bieber's Problem in Messages App

Last year, singer Justin Bieber turned to social media to complain about the placement of the dictation button in the Messages app's text field on the iPhone. Specifically, he said he kept accidentally pressing the dictation button after sending a text, given it shows up in the same spot as the send button. Apple has seemingly listened to this feedback, as iOS 27 lets you turn off the dictation button in the Settings app under Apps → Messages → Show in Text Field.Related Roundup: iOS 27This article, "iOS 27 Fixes Justin Bieber's Problem in Messages App" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 10:44 am

macOS 27 Golden Gate Adopts iPhone-Like Pull-to-Refresh Support

macOS 27 Golden Gate adds pull-to-refresh support to the Mac, adopting one of iPhone and iPad's most familiar gestures for the first time. The feature, which Apple calls "Swipe down to refresh," lets users swipe down within apps to fetch the latest content, rather than relying on a keyboard shortcut or menu item. Apple confirmed that Safari, Mail, News, Podcasts, and Calendar are among the apps that support the gesture at launch. Pull-to-refresh has been a staple of iOS and iPadOS for many years, offering an intuitive, gesture-driven way to update app content. Its arrival on macOS suggests Apple is continuing to blur the interaction patterns between its platforms. Apple is reportedly planning to launch a "MacBook Ultra", a new top-tier laptop expected to feature a touchscreen OLED display with an M6-series chip, the Dynamic Island, and a thinner design. Reports suggest early 2027 is the most likely launch window, following delays attributed to the global memory chip shortage. Touch-friendly interface updates to macOS are almost certainly related to that future product.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateThis article, "macOS 27 Golden Gate Adopts iPhone-Like Pull-to-Refresh Support" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 10:36 am

Apple Shares 5-Minute WWDC Platforms State of the Union Recap Video

Apple has published a five-minute recap video summarizing the key announcements from its WWDC26 Platforms State of the Union, covering rebuilt intelligence frameworks, platform design changes, and major developer tools updates. Apple said its Foundation Models have been rebuilt from the ground up in collaboration with Google, leveraging technology from the Gemini family of models. The Foundation Models framework now supports image input and cloud model integration, allowing developers to connect to any cloud model provider for more complex tasks. New dynamic profiles are also included to simplify building AI agents and skills by swapping tools in and out and updating instructions on the fly. Core AI, an entirely new framework for running on-device models, is built into the OS and designed to take full advantage of Apple Silicon. App Intents have been updated to connect apps to Apple Intelligence, making content discoverable and actions available through Siri via natural language, with a new View Annotations API allowing users to act on what's on screen just by asking. The refined Liquid Glass design system features prominently in the recap. Apple said the design is more consistent and personalizable, with better readability. On macOS, every window now shares a tighter corner radius. App icons receive sharper rendering automatically, with new refraction effects available through Icon Composer. iOS apps are now resizable, allowing users to take advantage of larger displays when running them on iPads or Macs via iPhone mirroring, with a new resizable iOS Simulator to make testing across sizes easier. SwiftUI received a range of updates, including drag-to-reorder and swipe actions in any container, nested layouts that resize up to twice as fast, and automatic async image caching. Toolbars now offer finer control over visibility as space shrinks, and a new Spatial Preview Framework for the Apple Vision Pro lets developers stream 3D models from a Mac into physical space. In Xcode 27, projects load faster and the app is 30% smaller as it moves to Apple Silicon-only. Settings now sync via iCloud, the toolbar is fully customizable, and themes including Emerald, Neon Noir, and Coral Reef bring color throughout the app. Xcode Cloud is easier to set up with builds up to twice as fast. A new Device Hub replaces Simulator, bringing virtual and physical devices together in one place with live resizing and full hardware control from the Mac. Apple said it is working with Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google to bring their agents into Xcode. Agent conversations now behave like files and can be opened, split, and stacked in the Navigator. Agents can run tests, use Playgrounds, customize previews across light and dark mode and other configurations, and drive a running app end-to-end. Developers can extend Xcode further through plugins that bring skills, MCP tools, and agents via the agent-client protocol, with Figma and GitHub shipping their own plugins at launch. The full Platforms State of the Union video is available on the Apple Developer app, website, and YouTube.Related Roundup: WWDC 2026Tag: WWDC 2026Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "Apple Shares 5-Minute WWDC Platforms State of the Union Recap Video" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 10:16 am

Apple Podcasts Gets Video on Mac and Apple TV, Plus New Search Feature

Apple yesterday announced several improvements to Apple Podcasts, including video podcast playback on macOS and a fully redesigned tvOS app. Mac users will gain a new, enhanced video podcast experience in ‌Apple Podcasts‌, including Picture in Picture support for watching episodes while multitasking. The update brings the full mobile ‌Apple Podcasts‌ experience to the Mac, with audio and video content alongside transcripts, timed links, and chapters. The ‌Apple Podcasts‌ app on tvOS is receiving a complete redesign with video podcast playback, a new sidebar navigation for easier browsing, and support for podcast creators' episode and show artwork. The update is aimed at making it simpler to discover and enjoy video content on the big screen. Across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, as well as on the web at podcasts.apple.com, Apple is also adding a new search within show feature. The tool allows users to search directly within a show from its See All Episodes view, making it easier to locate a specific episode without scrolling through an entire back catalog. The updates will arrive this fall as part of iOS 27, iPadOS 27, visionOS 27, macOS 27 Golden Gate, and tvOS 27.Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: Apple PodcastsBuyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)Related Forum: Apple TV and Home TheaterThis article, "Apple Podcasts Gets Video on Mac and Apple TV, Plus New Search Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 9:40 am

Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC

Apple has shared updated iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 adoption figures, revealing how many iPhones and iPads were running those software versions on the day before the start of WWDC 2026 and the release of the first iOS 27 developer beta. These adoption numbers are based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Sunday, June 7, according to Apple. The statistics are as follows:86% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 26. 79% of all iPhones were running iOS 26. 79% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 26. 68% of all iPads were running iPadOS 26.Here is how that compares to the iOS 18 adoption figures that Apple shared based on iPhones and iPads that transacted on the App Store on Thursday, June 5, 2025:88% of all iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 18. 82% of all iPhones were running iOS 18. 81% of all iPads introduced in the last four years were running iPadOS 18. 71% of all iPads were running iPadOS 18.iOS 27 beta testing is now underway, so this will be Apple's final update on iOS 26 adoption.Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, WWDC 2026Tag: iOS AdoptionRelated Forums: iOS 26, Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "Apple Reveals How Many iPhones Were Running iOS 26 Before WWDC" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 9:30 am

EU Says Decision Not to Launch Siri AI in Europe Is Apple's Alone

The European Commission has responded to Apple's announcement that Siri AI will not launch in the EU, saying the decision is entirely Apple's and that the company sought an exemption from its legal obligations rather than a compliant solution. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters in Brussels (via Reuters) that Apple had failed to develop interoperability solutions meeting EU privacy and security standards, and instead asked to be let off the hook entirely. The decision not to roll out Siri AI in the EU is Apple's and Apple's only. Apple was simply unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards. Instead of trying to find a suitable compliance solution, Apple simply made a request to the European Commission to be exempted from their interoperability obligations. That's not an option. The statement appears to contradict Apple's characterization of events somewhat. Apple announced yesterday that Siri AI would not be available in the EU on iOS or iPadOS, blaming regulators for refusing to engage constructively on proposed solutions. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, said the company was "deeply disappointed" and cited what it described as regulators' refusal to accept any of Apple's proposals, including a system called Trusted System Agent that would have allowed third-party virtual assistants to safely access the same device capabilities as ‌Siri‌ AI. The Commission's account tells a different story. Rather than negotiating over Apple's proposed solutions, regulators say Apple simply requested a blanket exemption from its interoperability obligations under the Digital Markets Act, something the Commission says is not an available option. Apple's statement framed the DMA's requirements as demanding that any AI system be given "nearly unlimited access" to a user's device. When iOS 27 and Apple's other major new software updates are released later this year, users in the EU will not have access to ‌Siri‌ AI or any of its new features, including the app for revisiting and starting new conversations. Apple said it hopes to eventually bring ‌Siri‌ AI to the EU and will continue to engage with regulators, but offered no timeline.Tags: European Commission, European Union, Siri, Siri AIThis article, "EU Says Decision Not to Launch Siri AI in Europe Is Apple's Alone" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 9:07 am

Apple's New AI Models Contain 'None' of Google's Gemini Assistant

Apple executives have detailed the architecture of the company's new Apple Foundation Models (AFM) and clarified exactly how Google's technology factored into their development. Craig Federighi, Apple's SVP of Software Engineering, held a post-keynote tech talk (via 9to5Mac) with press on Monday alongside AI VP Amar Subramanya, Siri lead Mike Rockwell, and software VP Sebastien Marineau-Mes to walk through how the third-generation AFM family was built and how it powers Apple Intelligence. "The amount of the Google Assistant we use is none," Federighi said, explaining that Apple uses none of the Gemini models deployed to Google's customers, none of Google's client-side code, and no Google Search infrastructure as the knowledge backbone. Of course, we don't have the Gemini app as our app. In fact, none of that client code is part of how we run on iOS. For these models, we use none of the models that Google deploys to their customers, nor do we use the infrastructure and means by which they deploy models to their customers. And then, when it comes to the knowledge base, we of course don't use Google Search or anything like that as the foundation of our system. Subramanya outlined the new AFM family, which spans two on-device models and three server-side models. The on-device tier consists of AFM Core, a next-generation dense architecture model, and AFM Core Advanced, which uses a sparse architecture and is natively multimodal. Subramanya said AFM Core Advanced is "unlike any on-device model we've run before," enabling new features including invitation and expressive voices without any cloud requests. On the server side, AFM Cloud handles latency-optimized Private Cloud Compute requests, while AFM Cloud Image powers image generation and editing features including spatial reframing. The key detail on the Google collaboration came in Subramanya's description of how these four models were trained. "All of these are custom built for Apple Silicon, trained using proprietary data with reinforcement learning and refined using outputs from Gemini frontier models," he said, making clear that Google's contribution was distillation-based, not a wholesale adoption of Gemini. The fifth and most capable model, AFM Cloud Pro, is designed for agentic tool use and complex reasoning tasks, with quality that Subramanya said is "similar to Gemini frontier models." This model marks a departure from Apple's standard Private Cloud Compute setup. To run it, Apple worked with both Google and Nvidia to extend its private cloud infrastructure to Nvidia GPUs hosted in Google's cloud. Marineau-Mes said Apple wanted to use Nvidia's latest chips but required them to be configured so they couldn't read the contents of Apple's servers. A recent Nvidia technology called "ambiguous confidential compute" provided the solution. We wanted to avail ourselves of the latest technology from Nvidia, and so we set out to extend private cloud compute to third-party cloud. Federighi described the broader system architecture as being organized around a System Orchestrator, a piece of software he called "key to the privacy architecture of our entire system." The orchestrator routes any given query to the appropriate model, on-device or cloud, based on the complexity of the request and the personal context required. It draws on an App Toolbox for in-app actions, a Spotlight Semantic Index for personal content, and on-screen context for real-time awareness. For queries involving current events, responses are found through Apple's own World Knowledge Service, which Federighi said the company has been building for several years. Apple also maintains that all Private Cloud Compute infrastructure, including the extended Nvidia GPU capacity in Google's cloud, can be independently verified by third-party researchers to confirm that user data is never stored or accessed.Tags: Apple Intelligence, Craig Federighi, GoogleThis article, "Apple's New AI Models Contain 'None' of Google's Gemini Assistant" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 8:46 am

iCloud+ Subscribers Get Higher Apple Intelligence Usage Limits in iOS 27

Certain Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27 will carry daily usage limits, with iCloud+ subscribers receiving higher allowances than free users. The company reiterated the details in its press release accompanying yesterday's ‌Apple Intelligence‌ announcements. Apple said the limits apply to features that rely on "powerful server models," with image generation cited as the primary example. According to Apple, increased access will be available with most ‌iCloud‌+ subscription plans. Some Apple Intelligence features, including image generation, have daily usage limits because they rely on powerful server models. Increased access is available with most iCloud+ subscription plans, which also include Apple Intelligence support for compatible Home cameras. The phrase "most ‌iCloud‌+ plans" suggests the cheapest tier, priced at $0.99 per month, may not qualify for the higher limits. Subscribers on any higher ‌iCloud‌+ tier, or those with an Apple One bundle, appear to be in line for expanded access to advanced AI image generation and potentially other server-reliant features. ‌iCloud‌+ subscribers will also gain additional benefits in the Home app, including upgraded support for HomeKit Secure Video on compatible smart cameras.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tags: Apple Intelligence, HomeKit Secure Video, iCloudRelated Forum: Apple Music, Apple Pay/Card, iCloud, Fitness+This article, "iCloud+ Subscribers Get Higher Apple Intelligence Usage Limits in iOS 27" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 8:05 am

Apple Music Gains AutoMix Upgrades and More in iOS 27

Apple yesterday detailed several updates coming to Apple Music in iOS 27, including redesigned artist and album pages, an upgraded AutoMix feature, and a suite of performance improvements. The most immediately visible change is a refreshed artist page, which now features a prominent shuffle play button, a new artist name display, and various other layout adjustments. Apple also says album pages have been updated, though no visible changes are apparent in the first ‌iOS 27‌ developer beta. AutoMix, Apple's AI-powered feature that blends songs using matching key and tempo, has also been upgraded. Apple says it has improved the underlying algorithms to generate new transition types, making for more seamless blends between tracks. The standard Crossfade option remains available for users who prefer it. Lyrics Translation is also expanding in ‌iOS 27‌, adding support for seven new language pairings: English to French, English to German, English to Italian, English to Korean, English to Spanish, French to English, and Japanese to English. Apple says the feature uses machine learning with fine-tuning from language experts to preserve the emotion, cultural nuance, and original intent of each song. Lyrics Pronunciation, which helps users sing along when lyrics are in another language, is gaining five new pairings as well, covering Arabic to Romanized Arabic, English to Hangul, English to Katakana, Japanese to Hangul, and Mandarin Chinese (simplified) to Katakana. ‌Apple Music‌ is also bringing Hi-Res Lossless Audio to tvOS in ‌iOS 27‌, in addition to standard Lossless Audio. Subscribers with compatible external speaker outputs will be able to enjoy music at studio quality directly through the Apple TV 4K. Apple says ‌iOS 27‌ improves the "reliability of ‌Apple Music‌ streaming." Apple has additionally improved the speed at which the Now Playing view loads, as well as the time it takes for streaming playback to begin from a fresh launch, both of which should make the app feel more responsive overall. Users can also now swipe away the Now Playing widget on the Lock Screen to dismiss it. ‌Apple Music‌ gains deeper integration with the all-new Siri AI in ‌iOS 27‌. Users can ask ‌Siri‌ about an artist and then follow up with natural commands such as "play one of her new singles" mid-conversation to kick off a playback session without breaking the flow.Related Roundup: iOS 27Tag: Apple MusicThis article, "Apple Music Gains AutoMix Upgrades and More in iOS 27" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 7:49 am

iOS 27 Introduces Overhauled AirPods Settings Menu

When AirPods owners connect to their iPhone running iOS 27, they'll see a completely revamped settings menu for their earbuds that does a better job at organizing all of the feature options that Apple has added over the last few years. In the first iOS 27 developer beta, released on Monday, the new settings menu can be accessed in the same way as the old one – i.e. by appearing only when your AirPods are paired with your iPhone – but the menu itself is now a lot more easy to navigate. Apple has added a volume slider under the Listening Mode toggles, while the Hearing Health, Call Controls/Camera Control, Live Translation and Adaptive Audio sections have been condensed into separate menus identified by new icons: Accessibility, Audio & Routing, Hearing Health, and Controls & Gestures. There are also new menus for Battery, Privacy, and Find My options. The new design makes the AirPods settings menu a lot more compact, and it no longer feels like you have to endlessly scroll to try and find the option you're after. Apple has also implemented the redesign in System Settings for macOS 27 Golden Gate. Apple plans to release a public beta version of iOS 27 and macOS 27 next month, with a general release of the updates expected in the fall.Related Roundups: AirPods 4, iOS 27Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Caution)Related Forum: AirPodsThis article, "iOS 27 Introduces Overhauled AirPods Settings Menu" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 7:45 am

BenQ MA320UG Review: A 32-Inch 4K 120Hz Display Made for Macs

BenQ is expanding its display lineup with the MA320UG, a 32-inch 4K 120Hz display designed for Mac users. BenQ's new $830 display connects to a Mac using Thunderbolt 4, and provides up to 96W charging. The MA320UG has an appealing design with a silver aluminum stand and a round height-adjustment arm that has up to 150mm of travel. It can be used in landscape or portrait mode by rotating, and the bottom of the base has a rubber pad where a Mac can sit. It has tilt and swivel functionality for getting an ideal viewing angle. There are slim bezels at the sides and top of the display, and a thicker bezel at the bottom. There's an upstream Thunderbolt port, a downstream Thunderbolt port to daisy chain a second display, two USB-C ports (one with 35W charging), two USB-A ports, and two HDMI ports at the back of the display. An always-on charging mode lets devices charge when the display is turned off, and there are two speakers included. Speakers in displays are generally not great, and that's the case here. The sound is fine, but if you want good sound, use your Mac's speakers or get external speakers. The 96W charging was enough to keep my MacBook Pro topped up, even though the ‌MacBook Pro‌ can draw up to 140W. I tested the MA320UG with a 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, and it's always tricky evaluating a 4K display next to a ‌MacBook Pro‌ display, because it's never going to look as crisp. A 4K 32-inch display is about 138 pixels per inch (PPI), while my ‌MacBook Pro‌ display is 254 PPI. With BenQ's display software, the MA320UG can be set to 2560x1440, which is the default, 3840x2160, or a lower resolution. The lower the resolution, the larger the on-screen elements. I find 3840x2160 to be too small, and 2560x1440 to be too big, so there's no real sweet spot. The software doesn't allow for it, but I used my Mac's settings for a 3008x1692 resolution for a more consistent UI size with my ‌MacBook Pro‌. Text on the MA320UG is slightly fuzzier than on the ‌MacBook Pro‌'s display at the three higher resolutions I tested, but it's still entirely readable with HiDPI for Retina scaling. I don't notice the difference when I'm absorbed in work, but if I sit and stare at both displays, I can see the softness of the text on BenQ's display. I know some people are bothered by the disparity, but it's not something I think about unless I concentrate on it. HDR video in BenQ's HDR mode is where I can see the biggest difference between the MA320UG and the ‌MacBook Pro‌. The ‌MacBook Pro‌'s display is much brighter and the contrast ratio is higher, so it wins out when it comes to color variation and detail. Everything has more depth on the ‌MacBook Pro‌ display. If I'm not sitting at my desk and looking at the same HDR video on both displays at the same time, the MA320UG is totally fine, and I don't know what I'm missing. If I look at the MA320UG alone, it looks great. The MA320UG has a 120Hz refresh rate, which does match the ProMotion of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ for smooth scrolling, so there's no jarring transition. While the refresh rate is up to 120Hz, it tops out at 60Hz when using HiDPI and HDR at the same time due to bandwidth limitations. You can have 120Hz HiDPI, 120Hz HDR, or HiDPI HDR enabled, but not all three, and if that sounds confusing, it is. The limitation is because of the bandwidth needed for 4K, HDR, 120Hz, and Retina scaling all at once, and it's true for other 4K HDR 120Hz displays too. Mac settings and BenQ's software aren't intuitive when it comes to using the different modes. The app doesn't allow refresh rates to be manually adjusted, and it's not clear why HDR can't be activated when in HiDPI mode and at 120Hz. In the native display settings, HDR doesn't even show up as an option. I have to use the Mac settings to drop to 60Hz when using HiDPI, then the HDR option appears. I don't know that anyone is going to want to use 120Hz HDR without HiDPI in a scaled mode because it looks bad, so HDR mode effectively means running at 60Hz unless you're at the native 4K resolution. At 4K, you're not using HiDPI, so 120Hz HDR works fine. You can set up modes on the BenQ display to switch these parameters quickly when you want to watch HDR content. The MA320UG uses an IPS panel with what BenQ calls a "Nano Gloss" coating. It has 450 nits brightness, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, and DisplayHDR 400. It does not have the brightness level or the contrast ratio for the bright colors and deep blacks that make HDR content look incredible on a Retina display, but it's not terrible. Content that's bright makes the entire display brighter, drowning out dark colors and cutting some detail. This wouldn't be my first choice for HDR content, but it is an option. "Nano Gloss" is indeed glossy, and it looks fairly similar to the coating on my ‌MacBook Pro‌ and Studio Display. It's glossier than other 4K displays I've used, which are typically more matte. It has reflectivity that's similar to a ‌MacBook Pro‌'s display, so it's maybe not the best monitor if you have a bunch of bright lights behind you, or light from a bright window. BenQ says the MA320UG covers 98 percent of the P3 wide color gamut, with a color syncing feature that matches the color of the display to the Mac's display. I thought the colors were close to identical on the default setting when comparing the same image on the MacBook's screen and the BenQ display. I don't have a colorimeter, but to the naked eye it was close. There are options for tweaking red, blue, and green to get a better match if needed. The Mac color matching feature does not seem to work when the display is in HDR mode because HDR settings override it. The display supports setting different color profiles like P3, sRGB, Cinema, Game, or ePaper. Cinema cranks up contrast while lowering brightness, while Game increases brightness and sharpness. ePaper is a black and white mode, which is interesting if you want a quick access grayscale mode for reading. You can also set a custom user mode and adjust gamma, color temperature, contrast, sharpness, hue, and saturation. Display Pilot 2 is BenQ's display software that adds multiple "Mac" features to the MA320UG. I have mixed feelings about the software. It's useful and feature-rich, but wanted me to sign in with an Apple or Google account when I first installed it. My Apple Account passkey would not work, but I was able to use the software in guest mode. Signing in enables auto backup of personal settings to a Cloud server and allows display settings to sync across devices, but I'm not sure most people need that. It also opted me in to sharing analytics, diagnostics, and usage information with BenQ automatically (an opt out toggle is available in settings). You need the software to get the full feature set from the MA320UG, like the ‌MacBook Pro‌ color syncing. It also enables brightness control from your Mac's keyboard, which is done through macOS Accessibility permissions. Other display control apps like BetterDisplay do the same thing. In addition to color matching, True Tone, Night Shift, and automatic brightness sync are available too, so the BenQ display's white balance always mirrors your Mac's white balance. The display has a sensor that can be used to detect ambient light and keep brightness levels matched between the display and the connected Mac, but it made both displays inappropriately bright in my office. The ‌MacBook Pro‌'s ambient light sensor did a better job, and that's also an option for maintaining the same brightness levels. It is convenient to have a third-party display that behaves in the same way the ‌Studio Display‌ does, because you don't need to dig into menus for things like adjusting brightness. I think the app could use a better interface and improved instructions that outline what each feature does, but I appreciated the unseen features that made Mac settings work. The app has a long list of settings for customization and to meet different workload needs. It syncs color and Focus modes between the MA320UG and the Mac display. You can set display settings to go with a particular Focus mode. If you activate Do Not Disturb, for example, you can set a Low Blue Light mode on the MA320UG, change the color temperature, or choose a particular color mode. Focus options can be used for quickly changing display color modes by activating a Focus on the Mac. Using Focus modes requires enabling Full Disk Access, and that's not a setting that I enable for any app. There's a visual optimizer, blue light reduction feature, partition option for changing how tiled windows are displayed, quick access tools for swapping color modes and changing resolution, toggles for HiDPI and HDR, KVM settings, and a DualView mode where you can use one color profile on half the screen, and a different color profile on the other half. I don't know why, but there's also a Google bar that lets you enter a search term in the app that then opens a Google search on the web. With a 5ms response time, the MA320UG isn't ideal for competitive gaming, but it does support FreeSync for general gaming. There is a built-in KVM switch for using the same peripherals with two Macs or a Mac and a PC, and it can be used for cross-device copy paste and file transfers. Display Pilot 2 needs to be installed on both machines, with PBP mode activated and KVM set to auto switch. Display Pilot 2 understandably only works with BenQ displays, but that's frustrating if you want to use it with other third-party displays. I have a 4K OLED display for my PC that I sometimes use with my Mac, and if I want to adjust brightness or manage it, I have to use BetterDisplay. I can use BetterDisplay with the BenQ display too, but then I lose some of the features like color matching. Bottom Line BenQ's MA320UG is a good 4K display if you're looking for a Mac-friendly 32-inch display at a price that comes in under Apple's own display options. The Mac color matching and the software that allows it to work like a native display are useful, and a 120Hz refresh rate is appreciated when used alongside a ‌MacBook Pro‌. Many third-party displays are much less Mac-friendly and aren't able to function like a native display, but the MA320UG matches the Mac's color and white balance, which gives it an edge over competing 4K displays. For a 4K LCD display, the MA320UG has a good screen that pairs well with a Mac. It wouldn't be my first choice for HDR or gaming, but for everyday work, it's a solid option. A lot of displays are designed for Windows machines and don't have features that translate to a Mac, so I do appreciate that BenQ created the MA320UG with Mac functionality in mind. BenQ's software is decent, as long as you don't have another third-party display that you want to use along with the MA320UG. Multi-display management is a hassle when you have to use two different display software options. I wouldn't choose this over a ‌Studio Display‌ if I had the budget for Apple's monitor, but it is larger and hundreds of dollars less expensive. How to Buy The MA320UG is available from the BenQ website or from Amazon.com for $829.99. Note: BenQ provided MacRumors with an MA320UG for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.This article, "BenQ MA320UG Review: A 32-Inch 4K 120Hz Display Made for Macs" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 7:00 am

macOS 27 Golden Gate Gains Native Ultrawide Display Support

Apple adds native ultrawide display support in macOS 27 Golden Gate, bringing higher resolutions and persistent display arrangements to users of widescreen monitors. The update allows ultrawide displays to run at resolutions up to 5K at 120Hz. Apple also says that display arrangements are now preserved across connections, so the layout automatically restores exactly as the user left it each time they plug in. The feature addresses a longstanding pain point for Mac users with ultrawide setups, who previously had to work around limited native resolution options or manually reconfigure their display arrangements after each connection. macOS 27 Golden Gate is expected to ship to the public this fall. It is available to developers in beta now. Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateThis article, "macOS 27 Golden Gate Gains Native Ultrawide Display Support" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 6:53 am

Apple Unifies iOS 27, macOS, and Even CarPlay Wallpapers for First Time

Apple has taken a new approach to its stock wallpapers with iOS 27 and macOS 27 Golden Gate, using variations of the same artwork across all platforms for the first time. In previous years, most platforms shipped with their own distinct wallpaper. This year, they all share a design called "Celosia," featuring sweeping, overlapping curves and soft shadows inspired by layered flower petals or folded paper. In Light mode, warm sandy gold blends into soft purple; Dark mode shifts to moody deep indigos with silvery-blue edges. The curved shapes also form a stylized "27," tying the design directly to the software version. The ‌iOS 27‌ and iPadOS 27 Celosia collection comes in three variants: a standard ‌iOS 27‌ version, Dynamic, and Color, each with separate Light and Dark versions optimized for the Home Screen and Lock Screen. macOS 27 Golden Gate ships with dynamic wallpapers accessible only through the OS itself. Even CarPlay contains 14 Celosia wallpaper options in the first developer beta, spanning Light and Dark modes across Grey, Purple, Red, Teal, Blue, Brown, Dark Blue, and Green variants, plus a Hero option in both Light and Dark.Related Roundups: CarPlay, iOS 27, macOS Golden GateRelated Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto TechnologyThis article, "Apple Unifies iOS 27, macOS, and Even CarPlay Wallpapers for First Time" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 6:44 am

macOS 27 Lets You Resize iPhone Mirroring in New Aspect Ratios

macOS 27 Golden Gate brings a major improvement to iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to resize the window beyond the iPhone's fixed aspect ratio for the first time. Until now, iPhone Mirroring has been limited to the iPhone's native aspect ratio in a small window. Users could adjust the window's overall size somewhat, but its proportions remained locked. With macOS 27, users can now change the aspect ratio of the iPhone Mirroring window itself, offering dramatically more flexibility for workflows that rely on the feature. The update was revealed in Apple's Platforms State of the Union address. Several fixed aspect ratios appear to be available rather than free-form resizing, meaning the system snaps to the nearest supported shape. Depending on the chosen aspect ratio, iPhone Mirroring renders either an adjusted version of the app's iPhone layout or its iPad layout, when one is available. Aspect ratio adjustments are currently limited to iOS 27-compatible apps, which at present means only native iOS apps. macOS 27 also adds Control Center to iPhone Mirroring, joining the Home Screen, App Switcher, and Spotlight as iPhone areas accessible directly from the Mac. The improvements arrive alongside a broader push Apple made at this year's Platforms State of the Union, where developers were encouraged to move away from designing apps for fixed orientations and specific devices, and instead target what Apple described as "a dynamic range of sizes and aspect ratios." Apple introduced resizable iOS apps in iPhone Mirroring and on ‌iPad‌, with developers who rebuild against the latest SDK automatically opted in. A new resizable iOS simulator in Xcode lets developers test layouts across a wide range of screen sizes and aspect ratios. That guidance appears to have ramifications well beyond iPhone Mirroring, with wide speculation that the feature is essentially a veiled preparation for the upcoming foldable iPhone. Moreover, iOS 27 contains frameworks that point more explicitly toward foldable hardware: "foldState" and "angleDegrees." A third find, a new key that returns the total count of built-in displays on a device, suggests Apple is also preparing the software stack for a device with more than one integrated screen. Taken together, the strings and the resizability push appear to be laying the groundwork for the foldable iPhone, widely expected to be called the "iPhone Ultra" and anticipated to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026.Related Roundup: macOS Golden GateTag: iPhone MirroringThis article, "macOS 27 Lets You Resize iPhone Mirroring in New Aspect Ratios" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

Posted on: 9 June 2026 | 6:25 am