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Tech News
Apple has started rolling out advertisements within Apple Maps for users in the US and Canada, appearing both in the Suggested Places section before a search and among results afterward. Each ad carries a blue label marking it as sponsored, and Apple says ad interactions aren't tied to Apple accounts or shared with third parties. Users have no option to disable the ads, even if they subscribe to iCloud+ or Apple One.
Bose has released a second-generation QuietComfort Headphones priced at $359, positioned as a step-down model from its $449 QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. The new version keeps a similar design with more plastic parts, adds new color options like mauve and light avocado green, and offers improved default sound tuning compared to earlier Bose models, though the midrange still sounds muted.
Apple has filed a reply defending its request for expedited discovery in its lawsuit against former employees, OpenAI, and io Products over alleged trade secret misappropriation. The move follows OpenAI's opposition, which argued the request was overbroad and unnecessary since regular discovery would largely overlap with Apple's proposed accelerated timeline. Apple is seeking early document production, forensic device imaging, and depositions within 30 to 50 days, alongside a separate preliminary injunction request to halt use of its alleged proprietary information.
Apple shared a short Instagram reel showing how its recent Mac mini with M6 commercial was made, featuring animators Justin Rasch and Scott DaRos and art director Josh Mahan. The clip highlights sketches, props, sculptures and stop-motion techniques used to build the ad's practical effects.
The August 25, 2026 episode of 9to5Mac Daily podcast summarized the day's top Apple news, including the unveiling of a refreshed Mac mini and Mac Studio lineup. The episode is distributed through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, and an RSS feed for players like Overcast.
Apple published a support document listing the devices that fully support Wi-Fi 7, following today's update to the Mac mini and Mac Studio, which now include the technology for the first time. The list differs from Apple's broader compatibility list, since Wi-Fi 7 networks remain backward-compatible with older Wi-Fi 6E devices that can still connect but lack full feature support.
Following today's Mac mini and Mac Studio releases, Apple is reportedly preparing three more Mac updates for release later this year. These include an M6 refresh of the base 14-inch MacBook Pro, a redesigned high-end laptop with a touchscreen and OLED display that may carry M5 Pro or Max chips, and an M6 iMac that skips the M5 generation entirely.
Ziff Davis' CNET Group is running a five-site trivia contest asking readers to predict details of Apple's upcoming fall event, including whether Tim Cook and John Ternus will appear together, whether smart glasses will be unveiled, and the price of a rumored foldable iPhone. The third round runs from Aug. 18 to Sept. 1, with entries open on each participating site, though each entrant can win only one Apple Watch in the September drawing.
Pebblebee has released LÔC8, a slim, tube-shaped tracker built to slide inside bike handlebars, golf club shafts, or similar hollow objects rather than sit exposed like typical trackers. It works with both Android's Find Hub and Apple's Find My networks, uses a replaceable (though hard-to-source) ER10250 battery, and is rated for roughly three years of use.
Apple has started rolling out advertisements inside the Apple Maps app for users in the US and Canada, following through on a plan announced earlier this year. The ads appear as suggested places before a search and within search results afterward, marked with a small blue 'Ad' badge alongside regular business listings.
Apple's Find My iPhone can be turned off manually via Settings, but only after disabling Stolen Device Protection, a security feature enabled by default since iOS 26.4. Users are advised to do this at home to avoid built-in delays meant to deter thieves who know a device's passcode. Location sharing with specific contacts can also be stopped individually through the Find My app without disabling the entire feature.
Apple has silently fixed a flaw in iCloud Private Relay that allowed a user's real IP address to leak under three specific conditions, despite the feature being enabled. Security researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk, who discovered the issue and built a public tool to test for it, confirmed the fix landed in iOS 26.6.1 (and matching updates for other Apple platforms) though Apple did not disclose it in official release notes. The researchers noted the repair appears limited to Safari and was made without them first reporting it to Apple.