#apple Tech News.

Apple released iOS 27 beta 4 (build 23G71) for developers, adding a new Automatic Downloads toggle in the Apple TV app and a Zoom Photos to Fill toggle in Photos. The update introduces Siri AI, powered by Apple Intelligence and new Foundation Models, with on-screen awareness and deeper app actions. Siri AI requires newer Apple Intelligence-compatible hardware.

Apple Sports version 4.2 adds support for the Belgian Pro League, Danish Superliga, Dutch Eredivisie, Japanese J1 League, Polish Ekstraklasa, Scottish Premiership, and Swiss Super League. The update also adds the ability to see formations across most soccer leagues. The app remains iPhone-only.

iOS 27 brings five new Apple Music features including landscape mode, expanded AutoMix, refreshed artist pages, a Friends playlist, and extra-large widgets. The Apple Watch Series 12, expected in September, may feature a new chip, longer battery life, and Touch ID in the side button, though some rumors remain unconfirmed.

Apple released the iOS 26.6 Release Candidate, signaling a public release within two weeks. The update optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for iOS 27, which will feature Siri AI and launch this fall. iOS 27 will not support iPhone X, XR, XS, XS Max, or 2nd-generation SE models.

Code in the fourth developer beta of iOS 27 references an iPhone with multiple internal batteries. The strings use plural phrasing like "the batteries in this iPhone," suggesting a foldable device such as the iPhone Ultra or iPhone Fold. A leaker previously proposed two cells with a total capacity around 5,000mAh.

Apple's digital car key feature, launched with iOS 14, lets iPhone XS or newer models unlock and start compatible cars via NFC or Bluetooth. Supported brands include BMW, Hyundai, and Rivian. Setup varies by manufacturer and may require tapping the phone to the car's key reader. Express Mode enables passive entry without unlocking the phone.

Apple seeded the fourth beta of watchOS 27 to developers, two weeks after the third beta. The update includes Siri AI with conversational abilities and personal data access, a Dynamic app grid, and an all-in-one Find My app with Precision Finding. It requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later and is available for all compatible models except the Apple Watch Ultra 3.

Apple released the first release candidate for macOS 26.6, build 25G70, after five betas. The update focuses on bug fixes and improvements. It likely optimizes the Spotlight index to prepare for macOS 27 Golden Gate. A fix addresses deprecation notices incorrectly identifying apps as Intel-only.

Apple is rolling out a sixth release candidate for macOS Sonoma 14.8.8 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.8. The updates likely include important security fixes, following Apple's recent release of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26.5.2 with fixes originally planned for version 26.6 due to risks from new AI-powered tools.

Apple seeded release candidate versions of iOS 26.6, iPadOS 26.6, watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and macOS 26.6 to developers. The RCs represent the final builds before public launch, expected within roughly a week. The updates focus on under-the-hood improvements and security fixes, with Spotlight indexing optimized for iOS 27.

Apple plans to release a new iPad mini by October with an OLED display, a major processor leap to an A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, a vibration-based speaker system, and increased water resistance. The current model, released in October 2024, has an A17 Pro chip and LCD panel.

Apple developed two unreleased Mac Pro models, codenamed J170 and J190. J170 was an Intel-based Mac Pro, and J190 was an M3 Ultra version slated for early 2025. Apple also developed M2 Extreme and M3 Extreme chips before canceling them due to cost and demand concerns. The Mac Pro was discontinued in March.