Following the recent rollout of digital driver's licenses in Virginia and Oklahoma, Apple Wallet is expected to add support for Utah, Kentucky, and North Carolina in the near future. Utah has reportedly been detected in Apple's backend systems, Kentucky has completed a digital ID system upgrade tied to its planned launch, and North Carolina has publicly committed to Apple Wallet support by early 2027 as part of its new digital license system.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Apple has released the Beats 360, a new $349.99 over-ear headphone that sits between Beats Studio Pro and AirPods Max in price. The headphones use custom Beats silicon but now support automatic device switching tied to a user's Apple Account, Hey Siri, and Find My integration, alongside stronger noise cancellation, louder output, IPX4 water resistance, and longer battery life than Studio Pro. Apple simultaneously cut the price of Beats Studio Pro to $299.99, though the new 360 model drops wired connectivity entirely.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Beats' new 360 headphones adopt design elements from Apple's AirPods Max 2, including rotating ear cups, a stainless steel arch, and a more flexible headband, while still carrying the Beats logo. Unlike the aluminum AirPods Max 2, the Beats 360 uses mostly plastic construction, making them noticeably lighter at 294 grams versus 386 grams. The two also differ in accessories, with Beats offering a magnetic fabric case compared to Apple's minimal Smart Case.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
Apple shares briefly touched $345.34 shortly after markets opened, topping the previous intraday record of $344.57 set in July. The milestone comes just three weeks after Tim Cook handed the CEO role to John Ternus, with shares having recovered from post-earnings losses and a shaky start to the transition.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Bloomberg reports Apple is prototyping a screenless fitness tracker with a fabric band and sensor-equipped module, similar to Whoop's wearables. The device is described as being in early development, with a possible release no earlier than 2028 if Apple proceeds. Whoop's existing products include a medical-grade EKG variant and batteries lasting over 14 days.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-22
Teardown analysis from Expand Mac mini shows the new M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini models have their NAND storage soldered directly to the logic board, reversing the removable SSD design found in the previous M4 Mac mini. Expand Mac mini, which sells cheaper aftermarket storage modules for the M4 lineup, says supporting the newer chips now looks unlikely.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Ron Johnson, who led Apple's retail division from 2000 to 2011, has published a new book titled 'Shop Different: How Retail Revealed Apple's Genius,' co-written with Zander Nethercutt. The book details his collaboration with Steve Jobs to design the Apple Store concept and grow it into one of the most profitable retail operations globally. Johnson also recently appeared on 9to5Mac's Overtime podcast to discuss the book and the store's early history.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
According to The Elec, Samsung plans to embed a security chip inside batteries for upcoming mid-range devices, including the Galaxy A series. The chip would let the phone verify whether an installed battery is genuine, mirroring a system Apple has used for years with iPhones.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-22
RadarScope, the widely used radar and severe weather tracking app for iPhone, has released a CarPlay version as part of its 5.7 update. The new CarPlay interface isn't a simple port—it includes navigation overlays, multiple radar data types like MRMS and satellite, and route tracking directly on the map.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Apple deployed 14 iPhone 18 Pro Max devices among 30 total cameras to capture Friday's Apple TV Plus broadcast of the Dodgers versus Giants game at Dodger Stadium, marking the first live sports broadcast using the new iPhones without dedicated sports lenses. The phones were mounted on tripods, tucked into padded cushions near home plate and the backstop, and placed in dugouts, bullpens, and on a gimbal above the outfield wall.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-22
Apple has launched a dedicated live-music venue called Apple Music Hall at its London headquarters in Battersea Power Station, built to host and broadcast Apple Music Live concerts. The space seats up to 600 people, features 48 speakers with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, 16 camera positions, two recording studios and a broadcast control room supporting iPhone video capture. Its stage can switch between a traditional front-facing layout and an in-the-round setup.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
Meta is heavily promoting Muse, a new AI agent for Instagram and Facebook users that links to email, bank accounts, and other personal data to automate tasks and build a long-term memory of user habits. Multiple users, including a journalist at Inc Magazine, reported that Muse surfaced private text message content despite never granting it permission to access Messages, and Meta's own staff gave conflicting, unconvincing explanations for how this happened.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-22
GoKawiil