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Apple is now suing Jon Prosser and others over leaks about iOS 26 and Liquid Glass, although hardware rumors continue with stories of a smaller battery for the iPhone 17 Air, and the M5 iPad Pro getting a new camera — and there's more about a future HomePod with a screen.
Plus, Apple has now launched the first public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 — and also revamped its AppleCare+ insurance plans in what may make them a bargain, even if the devil is in the details.
Here’s what happened during the past week, and why it matters. |
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It’s taken longer than usual for Apple to get to the public betas of its latest iOS, iPadOS, and macOS releases, but they're rolling out across the world now. Following several developer betas, Apple considers this version safe for public testing — but you're not being paid to find bugs for them, so you should still wait for the final, official release.
One person who did not wait for even the betas was YouTuber Jon Prosser, who leaked details of what was then believed to be called iOS 19. Apple is now suing him and others over the leaks, and while the company has filed a specific allegation, it's also sending a signal to others that it will pursue leaks from within the company.
Our take: The key line in the beta about the Smart Home Hub reads "your HomePod won't be able to show you the local weather, time, or respond to Siri requests about your area." The idea that this proves the hub will be called a HomePod is a lot to put on that single word "show," but it does seem likely.
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It's not just Liquid Glass that has changed Control Center, Apple has been making giant updates that make this always handy iPhone feature become a powerhouse.
You now automatically get several pages of controls plus you can add more, and Apple provides hundreds of its own iPhone controls for you to use. Plus, Control Center can now include options from third-party developers — you just need to know how exploit all of this and how to get around Control Center's new little confusions.
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It's long been presumed that the next version of the iPad Pro would feature an M5 processor, but it's also been expected that this and perhaps smaller bezels would be the sole changes. Yet while we all expected this quite minor spec bump, it's now claimed that the M5 iPad Pro main gain a second front camera.
That's expected to come out in October 2025, which means it will be preceded by the launch of the iPhone 17 range. This week it was claimed that while the iPhone 17 Air was always going to have a thin battery, it will now have the smallest capacity of all the new iPhones.
Our take: The second camera on the M5 iPad Pro is presumably intended to make it easier for users to unlock the device regardless of whether you're holding it in portrait or landscape. So it's a small but a handy update.
Then the small capacity of the iPhone 17 Air battery is no surprise, but it does explain why iOS 26 has added an Adaptive Power Mode to maximize efficient use of the battery power available. A slim iPhone that can't last a day in regular use would not go down well.
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Unless you are an app developer — and unless you have spare Apple devices to test the new betas on — then you should have resisted the developer beta releases of iOS 26. Now you also need to resist the new public betas, but still it's going to be interesting to see what happens with bugs and Liquid Glass design changes as many more people try it out for the first time.
Also this week, Apple has unveiled a new AppleCare bundle that lets users pay one monthly or annual subscription and get insurance coverage for up to three devices. It's potentially a big savings, but also AppleCare+ has been updated to bring theft and loss protection to the Apple Watch and iPad for the very first time. None of this is straightforward, though, as like all insurance programs, there's a lot of fine print.
Our take: It used to be that AppleCare+ was a single payment, and users had to buy two or three years of coverage upfront. That added hundreds to the cost of most Apple devices and it had to have been unaffordable for many people. So while you need to study the conditions and the exceptions, a monthly or annual subscription plus wider coverage is a good deal.
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Longtime leaker and YouTuber Jon Prosser is being sued by Apple over accusations that he and others accessed confidential information about iOS 26 and its Liquid Glass redesign.
Back in April 2025 as one of a series of leaks, Jon Prosser claimed to show off the redesign of iOS 26. His videos demonstrated an artist's render rather than actual screenshots, and this was said to be in order to protect his source. Now Prosser and colleague Michael Ramacciott are being sued by Apple for misappropriation of trade secrets.
Meanwhile, Apple is fighting back against the US judge who imposed anti-steering rules on it. This concerns letting app developers link out to special offers and alternative payments, and Apple says the court has exceeded its authority.
Our take: The case against leaker Jon Prosser is likely to take a long time to play out, and neither side is expected to speak publicly any further. But it follows a February 2025 settlement between Apple and now ex-Apple engineer, which saw the engineer call his leaks a "profound and expensive mistake."
On the other hand, Apple's attempt to get the App Store ruling overturned is simply a Hail Mary pass and no lawyer AppleInsider consulted believes it has a chance.
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The public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe are now out and for many people, it's going to be their first experience of the new Liquid Glass design. However, even though there have already been several developer betas, it's still not safe to install any betas on your only devices.
Whether in the betas or just in the official iOS 18 releases to date, the chances are you've been underwhelmed by Apple Intelligence, but a combination of unrealistic expectations, fictional narratives, and ignored progress won't stop it from being a key part of Apple's ecosystem.
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AppleInsider TV: Everything new in iOS 26 Beta 4 - more Liquid Glass, wallpapers, and more! |
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Apple just dropped a brand-new iOS 26 beta, and this update includes some exciting changes — from Liquid Glass visual tweaks to Dynamic Wallpapers, enhanced Apple Intelligence, and even CarPlay customizations! In this video, Andrew O'Hara walks you through everything that's new in this latest beta and what it means for your iPhone.
There's plenty to say, yet is it worth the wait until Apple officially releases the new OSes in September? Watch the full video to find out. |
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For the latest insights on Apple and the whole world of technology — plus what it all means for us as users — you should subscribe to the AppleInsider Podcast. This time, how Apple has picked a Samsung Display screen for its iPhone Fold — and so stepped straight into a dispute that conceivably could end in a ban.
Plus, Apple Intelligence is getting far too rough a ride from pundits, and the new AppleCare One insurance bundle is excellent — but you really must check the small print.
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With back-to-school shopping heating up, Amazon’s $849 MacBook Air deal is a popular choice thanks to its budget-friendly price and thin-and-light design. Grab this model or upgraded systems at triple-digit discounts while supplies last. |
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Apple’s 2025 iPad 11-inch is also discounted at Amazon, with the standard 128GB, Wi-Fi model marked down to $299, making it a great option for a family tablet. |
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Be sure to check out our Price Guides and deals coverage to find the best deals on MacBooks, iPads, VPN services, and more:
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. |
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First Apple tested iOS 26 internally, then it released developer betas, now we're about to see just what happens when the wider public gets to try it out. You can expect more bugs to be found — that's the chief reason why Apple releases a public beta — but it'll be interesting to see whether the company will be persuaded to scale back Liquid Glass even further.
At AppleInsider, our mission is to keep you up to date on all major developments in the area of technology, particularly related to Apple, its products, and endeavors.
We publish stories, guides, and reviews throughout the week, so be sure to check out AppleInsider.com. And if you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sharing it with family and friends.
For any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding the AppleInsider Newsletter, reach out to marko@appleinsider.com. |
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