GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple is adding an agentic AI feature to its Passwords app in iOS 27 that can automatically update weak or compromised passwords instead of requiring users to change them manually. The feature is part of a broader Apple Intelligence push and is currently in beta, with rollout timing uncertain between iOS 27.0 and a later 27.1 update.
Apple's iOS 27 beta introduces a custom equalizer feature that lets users adjust individual sound frequencies on compatible AirPods, such as boosting bass or emphasizing vocals. The feature currently works with H2 chip-equipped models, including AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2, and requires both the device and earbuds to run the latest beta software and firmware.
Following Apple's announcement of refreshed Mac Studio and Mac mini lineups with M6 and M5 Pro/Max/Ultra chips, retailers Amazon and Best Buy began accepting pre-orders the same day. Pricing starts at $899 for the base Mac mini and $2,499 for the Mac Studio, alongside an updated Magic Keyboard and a cheaper $9 Polishing Cloth.
Apple's newly unveiled Mac mini with M6 and M5 Pro chips carries several specs the company didn't spotlight at launch. Memory bandwidth actually varies by RAM configuration, topping out only with the M5 Pro model, and the machine includes an Apple-designed N1 chip enabling Thread smart-home support. Additionally, units will ship with the unreleased macOS Golden Gate already installed.
Anthropic introduced the Model Hardware Standard (MHS), a new interface allowing AI agents to interact with any device that has a programmable interface, from lab instruments to manufacturing equipment. The company likened it to USB-C, standardizing communication between AI systems and hardware, and said it's model-agnostic so it isn't limited to Anthropic's own Claude models. MHS is currently in a research preview with select science, robotics and manufacturing partners, with plans to eventually open-source it.
A ZDNET piece revisits how Apple built its tightly controlled App Store ecosystem after CEO Tim Cook's 2014 jab at Android as a 'toxic hellstew of vulnerabilities.' The article argues that a decade later, the competitive and regulatory battles have shifted from app-store control to AI, with Apple's new Siri raising fresh concerns.
Apple confirmed its annual iPhone launch will stream live on September 9 at 1 p.m. ET under the theme 'Surprise and shine.' Rumored announcements include the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, a first-ever foldable iPhone Ultra, updated Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, new AirPods 5, and refreshed home devices like Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.
Amazon is offering its Renewed Premium 17 Pro units, including 512GB and 1TB models, at their lowest tracked prices yet, backed by a 1-year guarantee and over 90% original battery health. The discounts arrive alongside other Apple accessory deals, including AirTag 2 from $20, a discounted AirPods Pro 3, and Anker MagSafe accessories.
A comparison of financing a 256GB iPhone 17 Pro shows Apple's own Upgrade lease program, paired with a low-cost carrier plan, totals about $1,819 over two years. Verizon's competing offer, which bundles the phone with its pricier Unlimited Ultimate plan over three years, adds up to roughly $3,520 for the same device.
Apple Arcade has released a limited-time crossover between Sneaky Sasquatch and Subway Surfers+, running through October 7, giving players four character skins, two hoverboards, and a reimagined level themed around Sasquatch Valley. Apple also released a set of Sneaky Sasquatch stickers for iMessage, and confirmed a separate birdwatching-themed update for Sneaky Sasquatch arriving September 17.
Apple has warned users of possible mercenary spyware targeting since 2001 via email, iMessage, and account banners. Since September, these threat notifications now also appear directly on a device's Lock Screen and in Settings, making them far more difficult to overlook. The alerts signal potential targeting by commercial surveillance tools from firms like NSO Group, Paragon, or Cytrox, but do not confirm a successful attack or identify the attacker.
A longtime Apple user dug up his original 2011 iPhone 4 and found it still powers on using its old 30-pin dock connector, but its outdated hardware and software make it functionally useless today. The device runs only on 3G networks, has an 8GB capacity and slow A8 chip, and can no longer access iCloud, Safari or most apps due to modern security requirements. He concludes the phone's best remaining role is as a basic iPod, with recycling as the more practical option.