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9to5Mac's daily podcast episode for October 19, 2026 summarized ongoing reports about demand for Apple's rumored iPhone Duo and speculation surrounding a product or feature referred to as HomeView. The episode is distributed through standard podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn and Google Play.
BMX has released the SolidSafe Duo, a MagSafe battery pack built specifically to match the dimensions of Apple's iPhone Duo. The accessory uses a custom 5,000mAh semi-solid-state battery cell instead of standard lithium-ion, enabling a compact shape that avoids overhanging the phone's edges, and includes a 360-degree rotating stand and a built-in USB-C cable for charging up to 20 watts.
Apple has shipped the release candidate build of iOS 27.2, typically the final version before a wide public release. The beta cycle added Group FaceTime Dual Capture, additional Siri AI languages, Apple TV app profiles, reorganized Podcasts episodes, and a redesigned Apple Music icon with a new blue accent color.
Apple's first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, is seeing delivery estimates stretch to Jan. 25 for some configurations ahead of its Friday store launch. Morgan Stanley reported the Duo's 14-week average preorder lead time is the longest of any iPhone tracked in a decade, while iPhone 18 Pro lead times are down year over year. Melius Research cited the Duo as one factor supporting Apple's recent climb past a $5 trillion market valuation.
Accessory maker BMX has released the BMX Duo 5000mAh Power Bank, a MagSafe battery shaped to match the folded footprint of Apple's iPhone Duo. It charges wirelessly up to 15W and via a built-in USB-C cable up to 20W, and also attaches to iPhone 12 through 18 models. It's available now on Amazon for $79.99 ahead of the iPhone Duo's Friday launch.
Amazon has reinstated a pre-order discount on Apple's newly launched Apple TV 4K, pricing it at $289.99 versus Apple's $299.99, and is reportedly shipping units faster than Apple in most cases. Separately, Amazon is offering AirPods Pro 3 for $199, a $50 cut from their $249 list price, alongside discounts on the new M6 Mac mini and leather iPhone Duo cases.
Verizon confirmed it will support Apple's new iPhone Handoff feature in iOS 27, charging $10 a month once the service rolls out. The feature lets users switch calls, texts, voicemail and Find My location between two iPhones simply by unlocking the device they want active. T-Mobile already offers the same feature for $5 a month, while AT&T has not committed to supporting it.
iPhone Duo pre-orders, which opened last Friday and quickly backed up into late January 2027, are now showing earlier arrival dates for some customers. Reports collected by 9to5Mac show multiple Japan-based buyers seeing their estimates shifted earlier, including one order moved from December to October 23. The change so far appears limited to orders placed directly through Apple, and Apple has not commented on it.
Creality has introduced the Pika, a compact, battery-powered 3D scanner weighing about 260 grams that connects wirelessly to iPhones running iOS 15 or newer and Android 10+ devices, as well as laptops via cable or wireless link. It ships with rechargeable AA batteries, a tabletop tripod, and a manual turntable, and runs the same Creality Scan software used by the company's pricier Sermoon scanners. It is currently available for pre-order at $699.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, saw estimated delivery dates slip to January almost immediately after pre-orders opened on Friday, even for early buyers. Some observers have criticized Apple for launching with what they call insufficient stock, calling it a major misstep.
A reader survey asked which $2,000 foldable phone people would rather buy, and a majority chose an existing foldable device over Apple's rumored dual-screen 'iPhone Duo' concept. The poll suggests persistent skepticism toward foldables in general, with voters still preferring an established competitor's design.
Following the iPhone 18 Pro and Duo launches, reports indicate Apple will release the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in spring 2027, followed by 20th-anniversary flagships that fall. The iPhone 18 is expected to get more RAM, thermal improvements and Apple's C2 modem, while the iPhone 18e reportedly shares components with the 18 and moves to the A20 chip.