5 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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macOS

macOS is Apple’s operating system for the Mac. It has been around quite a long time, but in its current form it really started in 2001 with Mac OS X 10.1. It’s built on top of a UNIX core, which makes it very stable, versatile, and great for developers. It’s popular with creators too, as a good platform for video editing and photography. More recently, Apple has begun working to bring iOS apps to the Mac, which could change how MacBooks, iMacs, Mac Pros, and Mac Minis work for everybody.

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Apple’s new AI features will reportedly miss the iOS 18 launch and wait for iOS 18.1.

Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg that “Apple Intelligence” features will be available for developers to beta test this week.

However, he also says the first ones won’t be released publicly until weeks after Apple’s big September updates for iPhone / iPad / Mac, etc. Rollouts for others from its WWDC showcase, like upgraded Siri, could stretch into 2025.

Jacob Kastrenakes
Jacob Kastrenakes
Hot new productivity app just dropped.

Improve your workflow by getting distracted and bouncing a virtual ball around your screen instead of doing whatever it was you were supposed to be doing.

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Final Cut Pro’s big update is here.

The new versions of Final Cut Pro are rolling out to the iPad and Mac starting today. While the iPad version of the app includes a new live multicam feature and external project support, the Mac update features new AI editing features. Both apps are available as a free update for existing users.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Who says Macs aren’t for gaming?

Apple’s long-included macOS Chess game has a new look in the first macOS Sequoia beta.

Shiny as it is, it’s missing things like the “Grass” board and the style picker for the pieces, 9to5Mac writes. Here’s the current version (using “Fur” pieces on the Grass board, of course) compared to a screenshot posted to Reddit of its coming replacement.

The current version with a grass board (top) versus the new version, which has shinier pieces that are reflected in the now-glossy board (bottom).
Without a grass board and silly fur-covered pieces, is it even still Chess.app?
Screenshots: Chess.app
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Check out the latest apps being ‘Sherlocked’ by Apple.

TechCrunch has put together a list of features announced during WWDC that are already available on Apple devices via third-party services. That notably includes the new password app (1Password, LastPass), voice transcription (Otter, AudioPen), the ability to mirror iPhones on a Mac (Bezel), and more.

While Apple has to keep up with its competitors, “Sherlocking” developers at WWDC is a long-running and well-documented tradition.

How to back up and wipe your MacHow to back up and wipe your Mac
David Nield
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
The new versions of iOS and macOS will let you rotate your Wi-Fi address to help reduce tracking.

Here’s how Apple describes the feature, per MacRumors:

A rotating Wi-Fi address helps reduce tracking by changing your Wi-Fi address at various times. Tracking can happen when your address always appears the same to other devices and people using the same network as you.

It’s coming to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Is this the most important Vision Pro update?

From Apple’s post-WWDC 2024 keynote release (emphasis mine):

visionOS 2 also adds mouse support for additional workflow options, and Vision Pro will now reveal the user’s physical Magic Keyboard — even when they are fully immersed in an Environment or app.

I can’t wait to see my keyboard floating in the clouds like Falkor from The Neverending Story when visionOS 2 comes out this fall.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
Apple is selling refurbished M3 MacBook Airs now.

Refurbished models start at $929 for the base 13-inch one. That’s cheaper than most retailers’ deals on new MacBook Airs, and Apple’s refurbished models tend to feel every bit as new as an unused one, as MacRumors noted.

Read our March review for Joanna Nelius’ thoughts on its key upgrades, two external display support (versus one in older Apple silicon Airs), and faster base storage.

What to expect at WWDC 2024What to expect at WWDC 2024
Umar Shakir
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Apple’s WWDC keynote is June 10th at 1PM ET.

Will we see new hardware, or will all the news have something to do with AI? Greg Joswiak isn’t telling.

Before the event starts, however, Apple released student-targeted Mac ads promoting the power and long battery life of M-series MacBooks. They’re not responding to or even acknowledging the competition’s attacks (yet), but if Qualcomm’s promises hold up, then maybe that will change.