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The iPhone 17 launch is now rumored to be on September 8, 2025, and trial production has already begun in India. We've also heard that Apple may give the iPhone 17 Pro more scratch-resistant glass, and even a special color scheme.
Plus Apple has chosen to use a Samsung-designed display for the iPhone Fold instead of its own, and US regulators want the BOE displays used in the iPhone 16e to be banned — but Apple says that won't happen. Also this week, the third developer betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe are out, with the public betas expected soon.
Here’s what happened during the past week, and why it matters. |
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Right on schedule for its September 2025 launch, the iPhone 17 has entered test production in India. As early as October 2024, it was reported that iPhone 17 models were being developed at Foxconn in India, but now the company has begun receiving components for the start of full trial production.
Apple's dedicated smart home controller is looking less likely to arrive by the end of 2025, with a 2026 launch for the Home Hub more likely than ever. It's claimed that this is because the device requires updates to Apple Intelligence and Siri — such as controlling more apps and functions — that are behind schedule.
Our take: The Smart Home Hub has been rumored and apparently delayed many times, but this latest report seems plausible. It’s believed that those improvements to Siri were originally scheduled to come with iOS 18.4, but clearly didn’t. It remains to be seen, though, whether Apple takes advantage of this delay in order to launch accessories alongside the Smart Home Hub.
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Calendar packs features that rival more complex productivity tools, with deep integration into the Apple ecosystem. From natural language input to travel-time alerts, Calendar handles far more than just dates and times.
It syncs across devices, ties into Maps, Reminders, Contacts, and Siri, and supports everything from one-off appointments to recurring meetings. Whether you're managing work deadlines or coordinating family logistics, Calendar brings flexibility, automation and smart suggestions to your schedule.
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It seemed as if every possible color had been leaked for the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Air, but now one leaker has a new report that the iPhone 17 Pro may come in orange. That's not a common color for Apple, but then neither is the very latest — and a little unlikely — claim that the iPhone 17 Pro will get a pearlescent coating to somehow relate to Liquid Glass.
On the inside, it's now again rumored that the regular iPhone 17 will get an A19 processor. Previously analyst Jeff Pu had insisted it would instead use the same A18 as in the iPhone 16 range, but he's now come round to agreeing with all other leakers.
Our take: The now never-ending color rumors are tending to be based on details from accessory makers, such as those making lens covers. That's not a guarantee of accuracy, but apart from the newest rumor of an iridescent color, the leakers are increasingly saying the same things, making their reports appear at least more likely.
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This week, Apple announced that it is committing $500 million to a rare earth recycling firm, to develop new materials that it will use in future devices including the iPhone. In partnership with MP Materials of Texas, the investment will see an expansion of production lines for magnets used in Apple products, plus a new recycling facility in Mountain Pass, California.
Apple is continuing to expand access to its AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid features, with a growing number of countries now cleared to use the tools for hearing support. That includes Australia, whose health industry had previously resisted the idea of hearing tests that are not conducted by professionals.
Our take: Apple's investment is a positive thing and helps with the future of manufacturing in the US, but it's also more politics than just business. For the $500 million figure is not new money, it's from the various investments Apple has previously announced.
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The Open Web Advocacy group claims that despite claiming to allow rival browser engines on the iPhone, Apple has made it impossible for developers to create them. For its part, Apple insists that all of the tools needed to do this are available and that "for some reason" companies have decided not to.
Ireland has claimed over $15 billion from an Apple escrow account, finally putting the nails in the coffin of a nearly decade-long tax dispute with the European Union. Apple originally deposited the money in 2018 after a European Commission ruling, but Ireland couldn't use the funds while appeals continued.
Meanwhile the US government is asking a federal court to enforce an IRS summons to Apple for user data, that will be used in a Swiss tax investigation.
Our take: Apple does seem to be being disingenuous when it claims there's no reason why third-party companies haven't made a rival browser engine for iOS, since it does still put barriers in the way. Those barriers include limiting testing, and making switching to a new app with a rival browser take many steps for the user.
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This week you can lose yourself in an astoundingly beautiful and absorbing history of macOS settings — it's the history lesson you never imagined enjoying so much. It's a lovingly documented visual guide to design -- and through it, also the history of Apple itself.
Windows users now have called Wallpaper Engine, a spectacular tool to customize their desktop. It doesn't run on Mac, but there are three excellent alternatives that we've tried and like. Malcolm Owen details how it works and which options are best for you.
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Apple just dropped a brand-new Games app in iOS 26 — and it might be the biggest update to iPhone gaming since Apple Arcade.
Here's everything you need to know about the new Games hub on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. From Game Center 2.0 vibes to multiplayer shortcuts, Apple Arcade integration, and new features for organizing your gaming library — this app brings all your mobile games together in one sleek interface.
But is it better than Razer Nexus or the Backbone app? 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 the Apple Watch's health sensors are so good that they can detect early pregnancy, and "Severance" has now earned Apple TV+ a record-breaking number of Emmy award nominations.
Plus this week, Wesley Hilliard — interrupting his vacation — and William Gallagher — who can't remember his last holiday — discuss how Apple is taking the gloves off in its battles with the European union.
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AirPods 4, meanwhile, are still marked down to Prime Day prices, with the earbuds on sale from just $89.99 at Amazon. This matches the lowest price we’ve seen on the popular accessory. |
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Be sure to check out our Price Guides and deals coverage to find the best deals on MacBooks, AirPods, VPN services, and more:
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. |
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Looking ahead, we're now perhaps just under eight weeks away from the launch of the iPhone 17, when all of the rumors will be confirmed — or not. And where we expect to see the first major new iPhone design in years with the iPhone 17 Air.
This could, though, be the last time that we see Apple launching four iPhones in September. It's believed that from 2026, Apple will split the launch into two.
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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