Apple has asked the court overseeing its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, io Products and several former employees to grant its own experts access to forensic disk images already gathered in the case, and to compel OpenAI to hand over documents tied to its hardware R&D efforts. The move follows Apple's claim that a forensic check of a MacBook used by former employee Chang Liu after he joined OpenAI revealed he ran a simulation using a confidential Apple circuit schematic, and that a related Mac mini may hold further evidence.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-22
Ron Johnson, who built Apple's retail store network starting in 2000, says he doesn't believe AI shopping agents will fundamentally change how people buy products. He argues that for significant purchases like laptops, consumers still want to physically handle items rather than let an AI complete the transaction, even as companies like Google and OpenAI push tools that let agents research, compare, and buy on a shopper's behalf.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-21
Apple has stopped authorizing installs of iOS 26.6.2, meaning iPhone users who already updated to iOS 27 can no longer officially revert to iOS 26. The move closes off the last signed pathway back to iOS 26, even though Apple released iOS 26.7 last week without offering a restore image for iPhones.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
WhatsApp is rolling out an update that lets Apple Watch users react to messages with any emoji from watchOS's full library, organized into eight categories including Smileys, Nature, and Objects. Previously, reactions on the Apple Watch app were limited to six default emojis, requiring an iPhone for anything else. Tapping and holding a message still shows the six defaults, but a new picker offers recent emojis and the complete system set.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
New code found in iOS 27.2 beta 2 shows Apple continuing development of an internal feature called AutoLock, which detects signals like sudden acceleration, loss of connection to a paired Apple Watch, or extended network dropout to guess that an iPhone has been snatched and lock it automatically. The code also reveals safeguards, including biometric checks, familiar-location detection, and a voting system where certain signals can veto a false lock trigger. The feature remains inactive and unavailable to users in this beta.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
A CNET journalist testing the Apple Watch Series 4's ECG feature against a hospital-grade electrocardiogram unexpectedly had the device flag an irregular heartbeat in his own heart, matching the hospital's findings. Doctors later determined the anomaly was benign, likely caused by stress and sleep deprivation, but the moment shifted his view of the watch from a novelty gadget to a legitimate health tool. He later gave Apple Watches to his parents, and one flagged an issue that led to his father's diagnosis and treatment for a serious heart condition.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-21
Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station claims the iPhone 20 Pro and Pro Max, expected in 2027 for Apple's 20th iPhone anniversary, will feature 6.41-inch and 6.96-inch displays, larger than this year's iPhone 18 Pro models. The leak also corroborates earlier Bloomberg reporting that the phones will adopt a quad-curved, nearly all-glass body with a metal band, replacing the current aluminum-and-ceramic-glass build, plus a shrunken Dynamic Island and smaller selfie cutout.
cnet.com
· 2026-09-21
Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement covering US customers who bought certain iPhone 15 and 16 models between June 2024 and March 2025, after complaints that promised Apple Intelligence and Siri features weren't delivered as advertised. Apple denies wrongdoing but is allowing eligible owners of devices like the iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max to file claims for compensation, with estimates suggesting around $25 per device.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-21
9to5Mac's daily podcast covered the latest news roundup, including continued speculation about the iPhone 18 Pro and details emerging about iOS 27.2. The episode is available across major podcast platforms and via the site's RSS feed.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
Ahead of Wednesday's official launch of Apple's M6 Mac mini, M5 Pro mini, and Mac Studio, GoKawiil staff compiled their favorite peripherals to pair with the new machines. Recommendations include Apple's discounted Studio Display, Samsung's M9 OLED Smart Monitor as an alternative screen, and the Logitech MX Master 4 mouse for those skipping Apple's own input devices.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
A review of Safari's privacy and security features on iPhone finds that tools like cross-site tracking prevention, Private Browsing, passkeys, and Apple Pay integration meaningfully reduce tracking and phishing risk. However, these protections have clear limits: Safari cannot verify every website's legitimacy, doesn't stop phishing sites from harvesting credentials you enter, and Private Browsing doesn't hide activity from ISPs or sites you're already logged into.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-21
Counterpoint Research reports that global shipments of display-less AI glasses rose 263% year over year in the first half of 2026, with Meta's Ray-Ban partnership capturing 94% of the segment. Xiaomi and Alibaba each held just 1% market share, while North America and Western Europe together accounted for nearly 80% of total shipments.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-09-21
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